I test drove a 718.

[Quadcammer]

The pdk might be good for the track, but on the street I find it utterly unimpressive and just like any other automatic. I'd take a ZF 8 speed over it any day of the week for a street car.

718 looks goodish, but I have no interest in paying what they go for. 987.2 box S with a stick though...well thats tempting.

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by That986

. . .At least the PDK paddles are on the steering wheel, a lot of cars have the paddles on the column which is ridiculous. . .

My wife chose a Ferrari F430 F1 (a bucket list thing for her) for her session at Exotics Racing and we were surprised to find that the paddles were mounted on the column rather than the wheel. Even though the paddles were very long, they were awkward and counter intuitive. Practically useless in our opinion.

Regarding the 718, I respect its technology and design but it's not on my shortlist of cars to own.

[PaulE]

Originally Posted by Oldcarguy

My wife chose a Ferrari F430 F1 (a bucket list thing for her) for her session at Exotics Racing and we were surprised to find that the paddles were mounted on the column rather than the wheel. Even though the paddles were very long, they were awkward and counter intuitive. Practically useless in our opinion.

Regarding the 718, I respect its technology and design but it's not on my shortlist of cars to own.

Funny about the Ferrari paddles being on the column. My Acura TL has a 6 speed automatic with paddles-even they rotate with the wheel. I only use them occasionally to make sure they still work, as the manual shifting mode (no paddles) in my 1999 Audi A6 tiptronic was one of the many things that failed on that car

[BIGJake111]

One of the issues is that while the 718 is down to 4 cylinders an Audi TT still has 5. An f type 6 or 8. Slk (now slc) of similar price has a 6.

Meanwhile it isn't like a Subaru is down to 3 or golf down to 3.

Everything's moving down to 4 leaving no level of prestige. We all know it would be tough to sell a new 4 over an old 6. But even harder is to sell a 4 against a heep of competitors that still have a 6.

[Disaster]

I had a totally different impression of the PDK. It is lightning quick. Short of all out powershifts I don't think I could shift faster...certainly not heel & toe downshifts. It convinced me my next Boxster was going to be a PDK. That and the ventilated seats were the bomb!!!

I can't justify a new car but did find a 2009 base model with PDK that will officially be mine tomorrow.

[PaulE]

Wow the Audi TT is a 5 cylinder now? I'd chose any 4 or 6 over any 5 every time. 5 cylinder engines are a cost accountant's dream come true. Build a 5 cylinder on the same assembly line as its 4 cylinder better looking sister and the only new parts that need be made are the block, cylinder head, crankshaft, camshaft and head gasket. Only possible because of improvements in motor mount technology that can isolate NVH. IMHO, YMMV!

[BRAN]

I said it before: I'd rather get a PORSCHE with an E-motor than a Flat4 in a brand new Porsche.
718 looks good, but...do the next step, IF environmental restrictions cause downsizing
JUST DO IT