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I'm in the market for my third Porsche, and have fallen hard for the 2012 Cayman S - Black Edition. There were 500 made, 250 shipped to the US, so not terribly easy to find. I have however found two, and both are auto transmission, which sort of surprised me.
Researching further it seems there are a lot of fans of the PDK automatic, so I wanted to see if anyone had an opinion they would share.
For the record, I'm a pretty die hard manual fan, but certainly willing to consider a change if it makes sense.
It is more involving for the driver to have a manual, no doubt about it. But from an all out performance perspective, the PDK is the clear winner. They make the slower Porsche cars fast, and the fast Porsche cars ungodly fast.
I enjoy manuals as well, have been driving a manual for almost 25 years, but the benefits they used to enjoy over automatic transmissions no longer exist.
It seems like one of those questions where, if you have to ask, you are not likely to understand the answers. It is not really about performance or MPG; those used to be just a side advantage. It is about being part of the process of making the car go. Being in tune with your vehicle, becoming one with your car ( sure sounds silly and sappy, but some people get it, some will not). It is part of the difference between viewing a car as an appliance or an experience.
BTW, the better performance of the PDK you will never use and never notice if you did use it unless you are going to go out on a track with other 911Ts, you simply do not have the opportunity to drive all out on the streets. Which is why although my pickup may be technically faster than a lot of mustangs, it is not more fun to drive. It is not all about which vehicle can accelerate a few tenths faster. The MFGs try to make it bout that, but in reality of driving, it makes little difference. The difference between that Porsche and a Corvette, or even A Mustang GT or A Camaro SS is more about prestige and style than about a performance difference that you will ever see. Of course there are a tiny percentage of people who will take it to a track regularly, or drive 200+ on a Montana Freeway.
Eventually self driving cars will be faster and perform better than any human driven car. However driving aficionados will still be looking for manual transmission fully human reliant vehicles, even if they are slower. The PDK/Manual difference is just a matter of degree.
If moving as fast as possible is your goal, get an airplane or ride on a European train.
It seems like one of those questions where, if you have to ask, you are not likely to understand the answers. It is not really about performance or MPG; those used to be just a side advantage. It is about being part of the process of making the car go. Being in tune with your vehicle, becoming one with your car ( sure sounds silly and sappy, but some people get it, some will not). It is part of the difference between viewing a car as an appliance or an experience.
BTW, the better performance of the PDK you will never use and never notice if you did use it unless you are going to go out on a track with other 911Ts, you simply do not have the opportunity to drive all out on the streets. Which is why although my pickup may be technically faster than a lot of mustangs, it is not more fun to drive. It is not all about which vehicle can accelerate a few tenths faster. The MFGs try to make it bout that, but in reality of driving, it makes little difference. The difference between that Porsche and a Corvette, or even A Mustang GT or A Camaro SS is more about prestige and style than about a performance difference that you will ever see. Of course there are a tiny percentage of people who will take it to a track regularly, or drive 200+ on a Montana Freeway.
Eventually self driving cars will be faster and perform better than any human driven car. However driving aficionados will still be looking for manual transmission fully human reliant vehicles, even if they are slower. The PDK/Manual difference is just a matter of degree.
If moving as fast as possible is your goal, get an airplane or ride on a European train.
I'm going to assume your response was full of swell information but I really saw no reason to read past the clear insult that I was "not likely to understand the answers".
I simply wanted other long term Porsche owners to write about their experiences, the snark you provided was uncalled for.
It is more involving for the driver to have a manual, no doubt about it. But from an all out performance perspective, the PDK is the clear winner. They make the slower Porsche cars fast, and the fast Porsche cars ungodly fast.
I enjoy manuals as well, have been driving a manual for almost 25 years, but the benefits they used to enjoy over automatic transmissions no longer exist.
I'm going to assume your response was full of swell information but I really saw no reason to read past the clear insult that I was "not likely to understand the answers".
I simply wanted other long term Porsche owners to write about their experiences, the snark you provided was uncalled for.
Sorry you do not get it and sorry you decided to take offense instead. That is unfortunate.
From a flat out performance perspective, the pdk shifts much faster than a manual and will be faster. If you prefer a more engaging connection with the car, then go with a manual.
Sorry you do not get it and sorry you decided to take offense instead. That is unfortunate.
I interpreted your response accurately. You were being a jerk, and must be one of the older posters who I've been warned about "have nothing to do but try to insult others".
From a flat out performance perspective, the pdk shifts much faster than a manual and will be faster. If you prefer a more engaging connection with the car, then go with a manual.
Sensible. I spoke to a Porsche mechanic today who said he sees issues with the PDK at about 35k miles and the vast majority of the issues required a total replacement or close to.
Sensible. I spoke to a Porsche mechanic today who said he sees issues with the PDK at about 35k miles and the vast majority of the issues required a total replacement or close to.
Loosely related, a buddy has a newer Mercedes sedan with the "flappy paddle" transmission, he also recently had the entire tranny replaced under warranty. Dealer said "first time they had seen this" but, these cars have not been out that long, and, they always say that.
Consider the last few Ferrari that were built with both flappy paddles and a real manual. Price both in the used market. The real manual is worth more money.
Again, as some others have said, it's not about what makes the car faster - F1 is 100% flappy paddle and has been for several years - but what provides the "charismatic and engaging experience" that real car people want in a car that is not so much about mundane, utilitarian A to B transportation.
Your screen name - you are not THAT Danica, are you? Guess you don't need to answer that if you don't want to...
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