Why we should all drive manual cars

[ghostrider300]

You're really not a PDK guy P Lap and that's cool. However, I can't see the doom and gloom you do. For starters, the new manual is based on the PDK box, ut oh! Secondly, PDK is relatively new, someone independent will eventually work on them and even if they don't as they become more ubiquitous they will be available at a junkyard. There are tons of expensive things in a modern Porsche, obsessing on PDK repair seems a little silly to me, after all a new engine isn't exactly cheap. In closing, I want to say I was a manual guy too, I simply can't do it now without losing my legs for four or five days not worth it, so no more Fiat driving. With PDK you can shift without taking either hand off the wheel or changing the focus forward, I find that to be a distinct advantage and in opposition to the persistent message that manual will always be better. More fun? Perhaps sure but superior? I'm not seeing it.

[southernstar]

cfos, I find your response to AndyA6's comment about his daughter's taking pride in being able to drive a manual transmission as being insulting and non-responsive; clearly we all want our children to be 'good kids who live fulfilling lives', but the two are not mutually exclusive.

I agree with those who suggest that automatics such as the PDK outperform manual transmissions and are therefore the wave of the future in performance cars. However, as with many others here, I still prefer driving a manual transmission. I too take pride in having mastered double-clutching and while I must admit that I could never hope to achieve the accuracy of the PDK in my own downshifts, I am also not trying to squeak out fractions of a second in lap times. To me it is somewhat akin to performers who use auto-tune in their live and recorded performances - yes, the result is perfect pitch, but without the requiring the same level of talent and artistry. Michael Buble apparently uses it and it is another reason that I prefer to listen to Frank Sinatra, who sang and recorded in an autotune-free time, rather than Buble. If not always precise, Frank's sound was human and real and all the remarkable fof it.

Brad

[cfos]

Originally Posted by southernstar

cfos, I find your response to AndyA6's comment about his daughter's taking pride in being able to drive a manual transmission as being insulting and non-responsive; clearly we all want our children to be 'good kids who live fulfilling lives', but the two are not mutually exclusive.

I agree with those who suggest that automatics such as the PDK outperform manual transmissions and are therefore the wave of the future in performance cars. However, as with many others here, I still prefer driving a manual transmission. I too take pride in having mastered double-clutching and while I must admit that I could never hope to achieve the accuracy of the PDK in my own downshifts, I am also not trying to squeak out fractions of a second in lap times. To me it is somewhat akin to performers who use auto-tune in their live and recorded performances - yes, the result is perfect pitch, but without the requiring the same level of talent and artistry. Michael Buble apparently uses it and it is another reason that I prefer to listen to Frank Sinatra, who sang and recorded in an autotune-free time, rather than Buble. If not always precise, Frank's sound was human and real and all the remarkable fof it.

Brad

My, sometimes I guess I forget how much the internets are serious business -- perhaps this forum, too, since I had my 911 hiatus. I wasn't meaning to insult anyone directly (or indirectly, as in your case). Rather, I offered my opinion on what I choose to recognize with pride -- not stating that this is only thing. Likewise, I am not offended by the people rallying for "Save the Manuals!" nor their opinions of others for choosing "auto" transmissions (or heaven forbid, a 987 tiptronic!) -- as if having an auto implies you cannot "focus" while driving because one is busy doing other things, because they can.

Incidentally, there are several posts in the history of this forum for you to champion, should you so choose, and you may be surprised at some:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/12127-when-youre-out-your-gf-wife-post107086.html#poststop

More recently, this one:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/46395-help-my-wife-wants-boxster.html

Why does the Wife get a base and he get an S? Was Phil's 1st post; it is doubtful anyone knows anything about the guy or his wife...


And, as a matter of fact, you may be interested to know that I'm also a champion of people being able to drive equally:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/12127-when-youre-out-your-gf-wife-post107161.html#post107161

I guess I forgot my emoticons in my more recent posting.