Great 20 inch concave wheels. Just what I wanted on a GT3. Actually I was hoping for 21s. Maybe on the RS.

And yes Honda Prelude steering. Cool!

 

I love the manual transmission in my GT3 , however after driving a Ferrari 458 on the track with the F1..no comparison... So quick !!! It's time to get with the times!!!! Anyone want a IBM AT computer?....

 

The issue isn't that the new GT3 has PDK, the issue is that it's the only choice.

 

I don't know guys. While I personally lament the loss of the 6MT option as much as any of you (meaning, at least give enthusiasts the choice), I have a feeling that the 991 GT3 is going to be pretty special.

I watched the Evo video featuring Andreas Preuninger introducing and explaining the feature-set, and it's pretty clear it's being catered to the same crazies who love the earlier GT3s, and that nothing else but total control and total performance would do.

He said it best when he said "if you're skeptical about the car, drive it first and then lets talk". I have a feeling it will change the way that many Porschephiles feel about the PDK (and perhaps rear wheel steering?) since they engineered it all to be a proper GT3 experience. Only time will tell.

As for me personally, I hope it means more 997.1 and 997.2 GT3s on the market for me to choose from.

 

But that's the problem, they're forcing you to change your opinion on it.

I'm an auto journalist, and I e-mailed a rep from Porsche the other night to see if we'd get the manual as an option in the States, and he said no. I replied that it was a sad, sad day, and his response was: "Surely, we deserve more of a chance than a glance at the spec sheet? Please give us a fair shake - I'd suggest reserving judgment until driving. You haven't even driven the car yet!"

I totally get that it's going to be incredible, as I told him. However, don't shove it down my throat. Let me decide for myself. It's like growing up in a religious or political family. You're formed to go along with those ideals, and any departure means you're a pain in the *** to that establishment.

So why must I be told that the GT3 is now perfect for me this way? Why can't I say, "No, I want a manual"?

It's because of the people that go along with the flow without bucking the system from time to time that have put us into this position with losing manuals. Hell, make it a cost option to have a 7-speed manual. Or just throw the 6-speed manual from the GT2 RS in it, because we know that'll handle the power and torque of the GT3.

 

Part of the problem with 20+ wheels is that you are never going to find racing tires in those sizes - at least not right now. Maybe one of the tire manufacturers will start now that so many of the performance cars are coming from the factory with hot-wheels style wheel/tire packages.

As for the PDK; sure it might shift faster, but are you racing the car when you drive it? Or do you drive for fun?

 

I totally agree with you and do think you're on the right track. If you want to blame anyone, it's actually the collective enthusiasts who have chosen with their checkbooks to forego manual transmissions (over time). Ultimately, manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche have said 'hey, clearly many of you would rather we come up with capable 2 pedal solutions to the challenge of harnessing performance', and then the gradual slide begins.

I personally thought the GT3 was safe, not to be lumped into this category. If there were ever a car that catered to the die-hard 6MT crowd, this is pretty much it. But, looks like technology will continue to march on despite the personal sacrifice of shifting to a hand operated clutch (in the sense you can pull both paddles to do that). Which, I admit is cool by the way, and I'm unaware of anyone else who has done that yet.

I've followed the flow of how this conversion process works, at least on the general psyche, with the Nissan GTR. I fully realize it's a different class of car (much more akin to the 997.2 Turbo, not a GT3), but at first people were completely up in arms about the fact that you couldn't order it with a 6MT. Now, several years later, most enthusiasts celebrate the DSG transmission when it comes to putting down big power (modified of course) and how much of a crushing edge it is.

However, lest any of you think I'm a champion of that...I'm not at a personal level. I've driven GTRs and even a Porsche Boxster Spyder with PDK. While I appreciate the technology very much, there is something very tangible that is lost for me in terms of the connection or relationship with the car. I know I'm not ready to abandon the 6MT and shifting for myself anytime soon, and I'm darn sure that many of you guys are in the same boat. For that, I do think it's wrong of Porsche to have made the decision for us.

OK, I'm just rambling now.

 

Remember the old days when we said the same thing about 17s?

 

You are correct in saying "they" because it's the car doing the shifting, your in the seat just to help it move along.

Why not just go with a full auto tranny and be done with it. Why make us feel that we are actually part of the program. What is so great about flapping some paddles around? It's like having a video game controller installed in your car. Where's the sport in that? I did drive a Turbo S this weekend and found the car to be exhilarating but as a long termer I would get bored(I was never into video games).

Paddle shifts are essential for the guy who makes his living winning races. I want to enjoy a good spirited drive clutching myself around. I could care less about that extra second a PDK can offer. I guess in the end if an individual feels that the extra second is worth the PDK then so be it.....but as far as this caveman is concerned. I will stick with my Flintstone mobile with a good old fasion clutch and stick...oh yea that's right the Flintstones used their feet...ok maybe I don't want to go so far back...Lol

 

First off, let me agree that pulling both paddles to engage the clutch manually is actually really cool. In fact, for that, the 991 GT3 gains back a point, because, let's be honest, that's technology us car guys can really appreciate.

Now let me agree with everything you just said. I love PDK, and M-DCT, Ferrari's dual-clutch, AMG's 7-speed wet clutch, etc. but that doesn't mean I have to adopt them when I want a manual, like you implied.

I don't like the GT-R, honestly. Great car, with tons of ridiculous abilities, but it's not my cup of tea.

 

all this bleating and crying is making my head hurt. There are choices move on. Crying into milk on forums isn't going to change anything.

Performance cars use to have 13" wheels and tall tyres... actually race cars used to have 21" wheels like the Bentley blower.

The Ford model T had 3 pedals and a lever to control the transmission, bet people cursed the 'new fashion' of just one pedal and a lever idea, god forbid lol!

Cars used to have fuel trim and ignition advance on the steering wheel (like late F1 cars lol), bet people though that was a good idea and the automated control of ignition and fuel was a really bad thing.

Horse riders were so perturbed that they thought cars were such a bad idea they made a guy with a flag walk in front.

People even thought the earth was flat and humans were around at the same time as the dinosaurs... fairly recently lol

Times move on, you get the picture...

 

It's not crying, it's having an 'internet discussion'.

But yes, the world is moving on...it's true. 2 pedal GT3s will soon be a reality and we'll all survive.

 

 

+1, its a sign of the times. I feel 100% confident those 20's were created by Porsche to match the car, this is not an aftermarket rim that has not been tested over and over and over again.

For ME, i think this new GT3 is THE best looking 911 I have ever seen. I am a lover of all cars and not brand specific, this GT3 dropped my jaw in beauty!

 

I just hope they tested them more then they did the CL's wheels