The new Boxster - the triumph of technology over skill?

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by southernstar

I will continue to muddle my way through, driving a car with a standard transmission, no traction control...

...and with power steering, electronic fuel injection, ABS, stability control, variable valve timing, electronic brake distribution, and a host of other technologies that improve the driving experience.

[pothole]

Originally Posted by Snowman

...and with power steering, electronic fuel injection, ABS, stability control, variable valve timing, electronic brake distribution, and a host of other technologies that improve the driving experience.

But that's precisely the point. Treat each technology on its merit.

Gear synchros? Don't detract from involvement, do improve gear changing. Tick.

ABS? Rare cuts in on the road when pressing on unless you're hamfisted, possibly a bit more intrusive on track. A qualified tick.

Power steering? Another one that's a bit in between depending on the system in question and preferences.

PDK? Removes gearbox and clutch control from the driver. Reduces involvement. Cross.

We can of course argue the details for each technology. But it's just not true to make this a binary argument in which you must either embrace any new technology or reject it. In other words, it's perfectly logical and reasonable to reject PDK but embrace gear synchros.

Like I said, each on its merits. PDK makes driving so much less fun.

[Ghostrider 310]

Originally Posted by pothole

But that's precisely the point. Treat each technology on its merit.

Gear synchros? Don't detract from involvement, do improve gear changing. Tick.

ABS? Rare cuts in on the road when pressing on unless you're hamfisted, possibly a bit more intrusive on track. A qualified tick.

Power steering? Another one that's a bit in between depending on the system in question and preferences.

PDK? Removes gearbox and clutch control from the driver. Reduces involvement. Cross.

We can of course argue the details for each technology. But it's just not true to make this a binary argument in which you must either embrace any new technology or reject it. In other words, it's perfectly logical and reasonable to reject PDK but embrace gear synchros.

Like I said, each on its merits. PDK makes driving so much less fun.

Simply stated this is wrong, in the right hands a PDK car would kick your butt no matter how close to an Andretti you might think you're shifting.

[pothole]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

Simply stated this is wrong, in the right hands a PDK car would kick your butt no matter how close to an Andretti you might think you're shifting.

Eh, who said anything about being fast? Not me. I'm interested in maximum enjoyment. Whether I'm fast or no is a separate matter.

Also, it's not wrong that you lose control of the gearbox and clutch. This is a very simple, very demonstrable fact. They are controlled by computer actuators. The end.

I'm completely groovy with people preferring PDK, but I don't understand why they so frequently talk utter nonsense in defence of it.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by pothole

Eh, who said anything about being fast? Not me. I'm interested in maximum enjoyment. Whether I'm fast or no is a separate matter.

For some people it's hard to separate the two, apparently.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by pothole

Eh, who said anything about being fast? Not me. I'm interested in maximum enjoyment. Whether I'm fast or no is a separate matter.

Well, if we want fast we'd all be driving vettes won't we?

[Coffinhunter]

Originally Posted by ekam

Well, if we want fast we'd all be driving vettes won't we?

I'd rather have my balls pounded flat with a hammer than drive a vette.


But if top speed was the goal.....there is a model or two of Porsche's that would do the trick!

[thstone]

Originally Posted by ekam

Well, if we want fast we'd all be driving vettes won't we?

No, that would require a labotomy. Instead we'd all be driving 997's.

[Ghostrider 310]

Originally Posted by ekam

Well, if we want fast we'd all be driving vettes won't we?

No, if you drove my car you would realize it is super fast in its own right, if you looked on top gear you would see it can beat SOME models of the vette and a couple Ferrari's too.

[stephen wilson]

Blue, I love that idea! A true stick-shift when you want it; Stuck in traffic?.... It's a PDK.

[NoGaBiker]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider 310

No, if you drove my car you would realize it is super fast in its own right, if you looked on top gear you would see it can beat SOME models of the vette and a couple Ferrari's too.

Simmer down there, GR310; no offense intended here but you're really starting to sound like you're on the playground arguing about who's daddy can beat up who's. We all know you have a Spyder. Great car. We've all read the reviews, and some of us have spent extensive time test driving them before deciding against for various reasons. But it remains a fine car. It stands on its own. It doesn't need you coming along defending it and talking about how fast it is every time that subject can be brought up. It's a pretty quick car, and very well balanced, but frankly, it's not that fast by today's standards of fast cars. Which is fine -- it's also not very expensive so I wouldn't expect it to be a world dominator. Just let it stand on its own.