RE: PH Blog: Porsche puts us in seventh (speed) heaven

[slipstream 1985]

waht about in a downshift from 7th, would the stick move between 3rd and 4th?

[WTFWT]

RichardR said:

Given the subject matter of this article, I was hoping it would clarify the actual layout of the gears and how 7th and reverse are engaged; I'm supposing the 'box has the traditional spring loading on 3rd/4th with 1st/2nd being a push against the spring to the left and 5th/6th being a push to the right so where does that leave the other two gears?

I've not seen this detail in any articles yet although I guess I could find it is I spent some time looking...

First thing I wondered too - how does the springing work / feel?

[kambites]

slipstream 1985 said:

waht about in a downshift from 7th, would the stick move between 3rd and 4th?

I think as soon as you cross the gate from the 7th gear plane to the 5/6 gear one, you then can't re-enter the 7th plane without actually going into 5th or 6th; the gearbox always autocentres onto 3/4. Not absolutely sure, though.

[RichardR]

WTFWT said:

RichardR said:

Given the subject matter of this article, I was hoping it would clarify the actual layout of the gears and how 7th and reverse are engaged; I'm supposing the 'box has the traditional spring loading on 3rd/4th with 1st/2nd being a push against the spring to the left and 5th/6th being a push to the right so where does that leave the other two gears?

I've not seen this detail in any articles yet although I guess I could find it is I spent some time looking...

First thing I wondered too - how does the springing work / feel?

I'm glad it's not just me!

[franki68]

Mixed reception the manual,read several poor reviews of it,always been a manual fan,but have to say the new PDk is so good I would consider it over the manual.

[RichardR]

kambites said:

slipstream 1985 said:

waht about in a downshift from 7th, would the stick move between 3rd and 4th?

I think as soon as you cross the gate from the 7th gear plane to the 5/6 gear one, you then can't re-enter the 7th plane without actually going into 5th or 6th; the gearbox always autocentres onto 3/4. Not absolutely sure, though.

That sounds like a fair dose of overengineering in order to shoehorn an additional ratio in. I don't think that most 'boxes have that level of safeguards on reverse!

[Kazlet]

Utterly pointless.

[twoblacklines]

Shame a decent one costs £120k really.

They had it right with the 997 (the price).

[Dave Hedgehog]

duel clutch please

[kambites]

Dave Hedgehog said:

duel clutch please

They do one of them as well, for people who like them.

[freedman]

Alfa numeric said:

When I was idly looking at 996's a couple of years ago I noticed that the tiptronic models were cheaper than the manuals. Are the rare manual examples going to appreciate in the future I wonder?

Theres nothing 'rare' about a manual 996, there's thousands of them out there!

[EU_Foreigner]

What is the point of the PDK though? You have lost all interactions with the car and it just turns into a point and shoot. With the ultra low speed limits in the UK, what else is there to keep you entertained ...

[Si_man306]

Meh...."this one goes up to 7!"

Another porsche, worse steering (certainly not better) and 350bhp- even in standard form that's a bit lame from a car of that calibre isn't it? It looks very tidy having seen it in the flesh but am far more excited about cars like the BRZ and the GT86 toybarus which are changing the current stalemate in the car market.

Cannot see how people can get excited about any porsche which doesn't have GT somewhere in the name (boxster spyder excluded).

[twoblacklines]

With ultra low speeds in the UK the PDK makes more sense than manual does.

[kambites]

twoblacklines said:

With ultra low speeds in the UK the PDK makes more sense than manual does.

... and a Kia C'eed makes more sense than a Porsche; does that mean we should all aspire to own a C'eed?

[nelly_h]

kambites said:

... and a Kia C'eed makes more sense than a Porsche; does that mean we should all aspire to own a C'eed?

Probably have to in a few years if we want a manual gearbox

[Riggers]

twoblacklines said:

Shame a decent one costs £120k really.

They had it right with the 997 (the price).

I think the spec of the one I drove was pretty decent, and it's £86k. With £14.5k of options...

[///Mike]

franki68 said:

Mixed reception the manual,read several poor reviews of it,always been a manual fan,but have to say the new PDk is so good I would consider it over the manual.

I am with you on this one. Its a touch call now. In the past it was a no brainer. tiptronic, er, no thanks, not in a Porsche anyway. In a derv barge, yes.

However, it depends on your driving needs doesn't it and you are correct, it is a tough call now.

My rationale; having a pdk option that allows you to sit in traffic shuffling along in auto mode is appealing. Having a car that accellerates quicker to a set speed because the changes are quicker appeals too. Not having to take my hands off the wheel on a track to change gear allows me to be quicker and more fluent, also appealing as I find it far easier to work on my lines.

The only reason I can think of a manual being more preferable these days is fun and driver envolvement, the challange. I say only, its a massive reason in its own right and still a big enough one for me to choose a manual.

[Motorrad]

So driver interaction is part of enjoying a car? Well fk me, if I'd only realised that a long time ago I'd have been buying cars that reward skillful inputs.......hang on a minute.......

Perhaps I'll take an automated manual as it's 'faster' and more 'economical'.

fk THAT.

[HonestIago]

Am I the only one that thinks "Porsche 911 Carrera" crammed onto the rear looks a bit wrong?