Man / Tip / PDK.... Only one choice?
Discussion
With all the ranting over which model is a real porsche, I reckon the 3 gear boxes show that we all have very different expectations of a car. (it's the same for coupe / cab / targa and 2wd / 4wd). I really dislike the tip gear box, but can see the point in one if you're looking for a relaxing cruiser. I reckon a manual, coupe, 2wd has to be the best fun (even though I've got a 4s).
If you drive a modern day porsche (996/997 etc) then pdk/tip all the way.
The reason I say this is because only those without emotion, intellect and supreme driving skills buy modern day porsches - they are GT cars really, a bit like driving an Audi A8 or BMW 7 Series.
For those who are intellectually superior and emotionally cognisant - often identified by the fact they NEED to heel and toe as they head to Waitrose for some Salmon and often do not look at the speedometer as they feel every little bit of gravel on our UK roads through their hands, legs and feet - then only a 993 in manual would do.
Quite often modern day Porsche drivers are unable to move the manual stick due to lack of strength - however 993 owners don't face this issue (they often look like Arnie) due to the fact their car doors are made of bank vault like steel and weigh about the same - this coupled with protein shakes have made them incredibly strong.
Also the 'wax on' and 'wax off' technique - honed to a new level by 993 owners in their garages during rainy days (so most days in the UK); a level even Karate Kid would be in awe of - enables non-modern day Porsche drivers to develop lightening fast reactions to changing gears (quite often a 993 owner will be driving their car, heel and toe'ing, shifting gears, smoking a Hamlet and cooking breakfast all at the same time).
So a pdk/tip for us modern day plebs and a manual for our god-like 993 brothers and sisters.
The reason I say this is because only those without emotion, intellect and supreme driving skills buy modern day porsches - they are GT cars really, a bit like driving an Audi A8 or BMW 7 Series.
For those who are intellectually superior and emotionally cognisant - often identified by the fact they NEED to heel and toe as they head to Waitrose for some Salmon and often do not look at the speedometer as they feel every little bit of gravel on our UK roads through their hands, legs and feet - then only a 993 in manual would do.
Quite often modern day Porsche drivers are unable to move the manual stick due to lack of strength - however 993 owners don't face this issue (they often look like Arnie) due to the fact their car doors are made of bank vault like steel and weigh about the same - this coupled with protein shakes have made them incredibly strong.
Also the 'wax on' and 'wax off' technique - honed to a new level by 993 owners in their garages during rainy days (so most days in the UK); a level even Karate Kid would be in awe of - enables non-modern day Porsche drivers to develop lightening fast reactions to changing gears (quite often a 993 owner will be driving their car, heel and toe'ing, shifting gears, smoking a Hamlet and cooking breakfast all at the same time).
So a pdk/tip for us modern day plebs and a manual for our god-like 993 brothers and sisters.
Edited by steve singh on Saturday 1st December 13:52
Madala, So you don't think the type of use and expectations we have of our cars dictate the preference in gearbox type? As I said, I believe the tip box really softens the response of a car (would only be chosen for a cruiser or tourer?) PDK is quite a piece of kit (but is reducing the interaction with the car) and a manual is certainly giving engagement (but is a pain in the ass in traffic). I wasn't really looking for a yes / no answer, more a discussion to see if there is a different view on this which I may be missing.
Hi!
I just ordered a 991 C4S and was in the same decision making process ..... I took the PDK now for this reasons:
- Even I always had manual on my sport cars I was really positive shocked about the possibilities with PDK .... you have two cars in one : an absolute monster in Sport Plus modus ( Sport Chrono is a must have by the way ) and so easy to drive in high traffic in standard
- You can also drive manual ... with one hand on the steering wheel and the other hand on the stick in manual mode .... in all 3 settings ( D, Sport and Sport Plus ) incredible fast and also involving like a manual shifting
- My wife is also driving .... and she prefers a PDK on such a ultra fast car ... the acceptance factor with PDK is much better
- my sales guy said it is much easier to sell the car with PDK a few years later ( o.k. - believe it or not )
I believe a good possibility to decide this : Do you always have the newest smartphone, the newest model ? If Yes - take PDK. If you still have your old Nokia 6110 : take manual
Best
Gregor
I just ordered a 991 C4S and was in the same decision making process ..... I took the PDK now for this reasons:
- Even I always had manual on my sport cars I was really positive shocked about the possibilities with PDK .... you have two cars in one : an absolute monster in Sport Plus modus ( Sport Chrono is a must have by the way ) and so easy to drive in high traffic in standard
- You can also drive manual ... with one hand on the steering wheel and the other hand on the stick in manual mode .... in all 3 settings ( D, Sport and Sport Plus ) incredible fast and also involving like a manual shifting
- My wife is also driving .... and she prefers a PDK on such a ultra fast car ... the acceptance factor with PDK is much better
- my sales guy said it is much easier to sell the car with PDK a few years later ( o.k. - believe it or not )
I believe a good possibility to decide this : Do you always have the newest smartphone, the newest model ? If Yes - take PDK. If you still have your old Nokia 6110 : take manual
Best
Gregor
Edited by Sidney1 on Saturday 1st December 15:24
Edited by Sidney1 on Saturday 1st December 15:26
Hmmm.... I didn't like abs when it first came out. Always want to be able to switch off the stability control (though it stays on the majority of the time)... I think PDK may be like this, I don't really like the idea of giving more control back to the car, but it will become the norm and I'll learn to enjoy it.
Iphone5 over the Nokia though... Gadgets are different to cars.
Iphone5 over the Nokia though... Gadgets are different to cars.
I understand the manual supporters, I had a Cerbera a while back.
Recently I decide to get my first Porsche and at last my sensible head took over for once.
Get a manual 911 Turbo?
Well I wanted a soft top, but also a 2 seater and the Boxster S fitted that requirement.
I also went for the tip, as this car was no longer going to be a garage queen but is in fact my winter hack, having done almost 6000 mile in 4 months and I also have a 2nd car!
It is a pleasure to drive in heavy traffic, the way it automatically selects 2nd to pull away just makes it so much more refined and relaxed when I am in commuter mode.
BUT, when a bit of spirited driving is called for, being able to keep two hands on the wheel and use the buttons a-la-F1 style is rather nice when the rear end drifts.
Not sure if everybody knows that the tip box has more than one driving style mode, which it selects automatically depending upon the way one drives.
Get moving-on and it will hold a gear when it detect high lateral force and I have to say I love the way it understands my wants! Well done Porsche!
Of course you can also select manual and drive that way if you want.
So for me, Tip provides all the pluses without any negatives.
Recently I decide to get my first Porsche and at last my sensible head took over for once.
Get a manual 911 Turbo?
Well I wanted a soft top, but also a 2 seater and the Boxster S fitted that requirement.
I also went for the tip, as this car was no longer going to be a garage queen but is in fact my winter hack, having done almost 6000 mile in 4 months and I also have a 2nd car!
It is a pleasure to drive in heavy traffic, the way it automatically selects 2nd to pull away just makes it so much more refined and relaxed when I am in commuter mode.
BUT, when a bit of spirited driving is called for, being able to keep two hands on the wheel and use the buttons a-la-F1 style is rather nice when the rear end drifts.
Not sure if everybody knows that the tip box has more than one driving style mode, which it selects automatically depending upon the way one drives.
Get moving-on and it will hold a gear when it detect high lateral force and I have to say I love the way it understands my wants! Well done Porsche!
Of course you can also select manual and drive that way if you want.
So for me, Tip provides all the pluses without any negatives.
I see the point ref commuting and keeping the revs up / throttle open (hence turbo spinning). The turbo bit being one I hadn't thought of. Does the torque converter lag offset any benefit of keeping the turbo spooled? When driving really hard (again, small percentage of the time) its nice to have the direct connection between throttle and wheels, this is only really true when driving fast enough to have the car moving around. I think the choice of gear box totally changes the market / competition you'd be looking at.
I guess a load of Porsches have the tip box and I've only driven a couple of examples, I felt it softened the feel of the car a little and gave the characteristics of a GT (nothing wrong with that if thats what you're using it for). I'm going to go and drive a few more and try to avoid my prejudice.
I guess a load of Porsches have the tip box and I've only driven a couple of examples, I felt it softened the feel of the car a little and gave the characteristics of a GT (nothing wrong with that if thats what you're using it for). I'm going to go and drive a few more and try to avoid my prejudice.
Hungrymc said:
Madala, So you don't think the type of use and expectations we have of our cars dictate the preference in gearbox type? As I said, I believe the tip box really softens the response of a car (would only be chosen for a cruiser or tourer?) PDK is quite a piece of kit (but is reducing the interaction with the car) and a manual is certainly giving engagement (but is a pain in the ass in traffic). I wasn't really looking for a yes / no answer, more a discussion to see if there is a different view on this which I may be missing.
Ok....anything pre 996 I would go for a manual, it was one of the only things I was adamant about when I bought my 993 but when I buy a Boxster 981, hopefully in a few years I will most probably opt for the PDK with paddle shift. If it were a Panamera or a Cayenne I would also go PDK.Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff