I don't get it.... - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

KevinH1990 · 03-23-2013, 06:14 PM

Twenty years ago, the advantages of a stick over automatic were:

1. Less expensive to buy
2. Better full economy
3. Better acceleration
4. Less expensive to repair/less prone to repair
5. More fun to drive if you don't have to drive in a very congested area

It looks like advantages 2 and 3 are no longer valid and 5 have always depended on where you live.

Since my long-term plan is to buy a 981 in about the year 2020, I hope that some folks keep buying the manual cars. (And keeping them in their garages and treating them like queens.) However, I guess I owe it to myself to try a PDK.

kls · 03-23-2013, 06:58 PM

When I bought my Boxster I tried a tiptronic and I thought it sucked all the thrill out of having a sports car. Six years later I'm waiting for my 911 to be delivered with a PDK. I absolutely loved driving the PDK, and I don't care if it's faster or slower, or whether some people think I'm a big wuss for getting it. It is simply a transmission and not a political statement. I'm sure there are Harley owners lamenting the loss of the suicide clutch, and others who feel detached from their cars because they no longer have to put a key in a slot, but that's okay. I understand why someone would want a manual, but Porsche is making the PDK because that's what people are buying - not because they've decided to shove them down out throats.

WhipE350 · 03-23-2013, 07:00 PM

Could Tiger Woods have won so many majors with persimmon and balata balls? Would Jack Nicklaus beat Tiger with today's technology? Times are different and racing technology has evolved. The nice thing is none of us have to worry about that and we have a choice of manual or automatic. Will we have a choice 5 years from now, it will be interesting to see.

stephen wilson · 03-24-2013, 07:08 AM

I agree, people tend to always romanticize the past. Whether it's football, or racing; "they were real men without all this safety gear", etc. Things have evolved, but there is just as much talent today as "back in the day".

As far as PDK, I will try one before my next purchase, but I love the involvement and challange of working 3 pedals. If I was racing, it would be all about what's faster, and reduces the chance of making mistakes: PDK. One problem I've had in street driving with a loaner Tiptronic is that it's easy to get "lost" as to what gear you are in, and what RPM, if you have the stereo cranked up. With a Manual that doesn't happen.