pdk v manual

Didn't see anything after a quick search, hope this is the right section. Always been a manual trans guy however there have been some nice cayman available with a pdk . What's your take, pros and cons? TIA Dani

I went through this same thing in January. I ended up changing from "had to have a manual" to going PDK and I really don't regret it. A couple personal reasons--One being that I live in the middle of a metro and sometimes it's just a pain in the *** to drive manual. The second being I've had some problems with my left foot that while they seem to be in the past they did keep me from driving my previous manual car. You lose the all the time engagement all the time of course, but it works better in manual mode than any other automatic I've driven. It doesn't have too many gears either. The first six feels about like what a six-speed would have and the 7th is a highway cruiser. It's nothing like some of these modern awful 10-speeds that can't decide on a gear and take noticeable time to shift if you try to use in manual. Another oddity for me that probably seems crazy, I've found I enjoy manual more in fun weak cars more than performance ones. I'm sure that's specific to me. Cars have gotten a lot more power than years past. I rented a Fiat 500 Abarth on Turo in Florida a couple months ago. That thing was fun, because I'm running through the gears and RPM range at will, not just shifting like a diesel at 2000rpm half the time. I've been toying with getting something a little more "classic" to mess around with. That will definitely still be a manual.

There are tons of discussions about this very subject, @dlvandyke - I'm afraid you'll just need to do some deeper digging. No wrong answers -- it's totally subjective. I'm a 6MT guy all the way, but I've been driving MT for 30+ years and all of them have been in cities (25 years of terrible Boston traffic). When I get into a sports car where I want feel engaged, give me a MT. If I just want basic transportation (think a rental car), an automatic is fine. PDK is technically faster shifting and is just beautiful, but I personally don't care about lap times and it leaves me cold. Will there be a place for PDK for me in the future as I age and my needs change? Sure. However, hopefully that time isn't anytime soon.

I never wanted to ever buy an automatic sports car, it would never have even been on my mind. But remnants of my accident caused my left leg to surrender my manual transmission days. I was never going to own another sports car, then I drove a 911 with PDK . Now? I prefer PDK over manual. American roads are too dense to even enjoy a manual, especially where I live. It would drive me crazy taking it on a trip because each trip would feature a lot of stop and go traffic in some segment of it. PDK with paddle shifters is the ultimate because you can still decide the shift points or you can slap it to drive and just relax on the highway, it’s your call. I will say I enjoy sport and sport plus and I am very happy that I chose to include that in my car purchase.

No wrong answer here. Just go with what you prefer. I find a manual more fun and engaging but if I had a daily slog in city traffic or was chasing seconds on the track it would be PDK easily. The PDK 's I've driven were excellent automatics as well as amazing as paddle shift manual.

Echoing a lot of what is said here. I was impressed with the Dynamic range of the pdk equipped car between standard and sport plus modes. My thought being if I track, this will clearly be faster, and when I’m cruising or stuck in traffic, I can let the car do the work if I want. Usually, I just put it in manual and drive around with a cool sequential gearbox. I think I get about 80-90% of the manual experience that I want. It still feels quite mechanical in the car (you can feel selector forks moving into place, etc) and manual still gives you good control. I occasionally miss a clutch, but as soon as I get stuck in any stop and go, I’m totally cool with the pdk . And when I open it up, those super fast shifts feel and sound great. If this wasn’t my daily, though, I’d be much more inclined to a manual. Both are really nice.

PDK can be very engaging. Just gotta decide if you need that extra engagement that MT brings. I went with PDK so others in my family could drive it and enjoy the experience. As others said no wrong answers.

Couple additional points . No chance of a money shift with PDK . On the flip side a well executed heel and toe downshift seems to be a dying art. Rather satisfying when done well without auto rev match.

Remember, as I assume you are considering a used 987, which is clearly out of warrantry. A PDK repair will set you back some coin. The transmission part of the manual is pretty rock solid. You will wind up replacing the clutch and associated dual mass flywheel, roughly every 75K miles. I don't think there is any PPI that predict the end of life for either option.

Repair cost of the pdk has been on my radar. I don’t live in a big city so stop and go traffic is a nonissue Thanks for the replies, I will dig deeper too.

Flip a coin or toss a dart. I bought one of each, thinking I'd keep the one I like more. Now, I'm stuck with two cars because I can't decide. Each time I drive one or the other, I think, 'THIS is the one!' Flip a coin or toss a dart. Or buy both.

^^I like how you think.

If you have two Porsches. I think you get an MT in a Cayman flat 6 and a PDK in a 911 because it’s got turbos. But can’t lose either way.

Unfortunately 2 are not in the budget, I do have the garage space though…

Me neither.

One specific thing where the PDK is great on our non-turbo cars, is for autocross where there are hairpins at very low speed, or maybe if your group has a small parking lot; Easy to bump it back into 1st gear to get revs up to where the power is. It's faster than staying in 2nd, and can be a lot of fun.

If you go with a manual, you open up your search (potentially) to include 987.1 models. There are more 987.1 cars out there. The 987.2 with manual is tough to find. I think you'll find the manual more entertaining to drive. More entertaining around town and more entertaining on the race track, even if you aren't as quick on the track because of it.

No matter which you get, there will be times when you wish you had the other. Accept that from the outset and it will help you make the right decision.

Dani- you said Always been a manual trans guy Go with your heritage

Well, we have two manual 6-speeds (2018 M2 and 2008 987 with TPC turbo) and two paddle 6-speeds (2024 Mini Clubman JCW, and 2021 718 GTS 4.0 ). All are fun to drive. All have special characters. But the manuals deliver excitement while the paddles offer quickness. I’m a manual guy.

I had a PDK in my last 911S and now have a manual. The PDK is great but find the manual more enjoyable but then again I have not owned a manual for 10 years. As stated-both are great.

Before I purchased my Guards Red 16 981 6MT at Carmax. I Drove 4 981s -3 Caymans & 1 Boxster all with PDK . I rejected them for High mileage, sagging headliner, exterior color choice or ran rough. Then Car #5 was a manual & right away knew this is how I want my drive to feel. I researched service & repair of a PDK vice a Manual. That helped me decide to get the manual. After 6 months driving from 16900 & now at 21800 miles, I am satisfied in my decision. Choose what works for you. Enjoy the drive.

Thanks everyone for the input, searching for a manual. wish me luck

I am in my 70's now and grew up with manuals so always been used to them, I have a 1954 Triumph TR2 (modified 'fast road" tune) I have had for 45 years, of course that is manual so I cannot imagine any other way. Our daily driver is a 2013 Mini Cooper S and that is automatic 6spd (not pdk ) this has paddles on the steering wheel, it is very well matched to the turbo motor so I tend to leave it to do its own thing & that is fine, especially in traffic, but I can play manual with the paddles if needed around the hills so I figure it is the best of both worlds. My Porsche is 2007 987.1 Cayman S 6 spd manual. I tested a 2.7 non-S Cayman with auto box and was disappointed with it, so hung out for a manual S which I absolutely love. BUT... I don't like driving it in town traffic, 1st is quite high geared & it is surprisingly easy to stall from a standing start, but we do not live in the city so I just don't take it into the city. I haven't driven a pdk trans but from what I read they do seem to be very good (apart from maintenance costs). So what am I saying? I suggest don't dismiss a pdk car without driving it for a decent amount of time, you may be surprised how much you like it! Good luck.

One thing to add to the discussion is a reminder that one shouldn’t equate a Tiptronic with a PDK . They’re not even in the same realm mechanically, and they feel and operate like completely different mechanisms. Remember that a PDK is built like a manual transmission but the gear shifts and clutches are actuated electronically vs manual levers with your hand and your foot on a manual transmission. I’ve had multiples of all three (Tiptronics, PDKs, manuals) and I’ve enjoyed each for what they are. However if I had to have only one it would be PDK without a moment’s hesitation. But, by all means get what you want the most. You’ll be happy no matter what.

I'm not sure how "locked-in" you are in your Cayman S search, but here is my original listing : https://********.com/forums/market/1464643 [ * = renn list will not display here ] It is PDK, but is optioned to make a great track car. Be sure to view the Sebring Parade Laps video. I will be back in Florida July 24 and will be relisting this 2014 Cayman S then, since I can no longer update the current listing. Buyer paid and scheduled PPIs that are either RennFax or mobile are welcomed.