GTS with PDK

[JDH1]

After resisting auto/pdk boxes on 'fun cars' for some time now, I gave in and have bought a 997 GTS with PDK. First impressions are that I love the car, but still unsure what I'm doing with the PDK.

I think the problem is going from one option for changing gear to about 6 depending on combinations of basic/sport/sports chrono and paddles/auto/overridden auto.

How do people find they use the various options and any tips for getting the best from it? I wouldn't say I don't like it, but don't think I'm getting the best from it yet.

[ORD]

I do the following:-

(1) Driving around town - normal mode in full auto. Mad to do anything else, as it is really smooth and ensures that you dont spend £2 per inch on fuel.

(2) Motorway or A-road: normal mode in manual(i.e. not sport or sports plus); hold gears like you would in a manual. It is better this way than putting the car in sport mode and auto and then "correcting" the 'box's decisions with the manual shifters when it fails to change up on a straight or doesnt change down as soon as you would like.

(3) B-roads or twisty A-road: sport mode and then either manual or auto, depending on whether I want to drive fast easily (auto) or pay a bit more attention to revs/road speed and choose my gear in advance of a corner(manual). I usually keep it in auto and try to make the 'box do what I want by throttle and brake inputs and learning what triggers changes.

I never ever use sports plus in auto. I frankly find it impossible to use on the road without going batst fast or thinking "I dont need this power for what I am going" (e.g. when driving in a spirited but legal way with the car holding onto 2nd like its life depends on it).

[ORD]

I agree that it's a bit of a fag thinking "How do I want to drive?", but there is a real pleasure to coming out of some nice B-roads and into town and just pushing the stick to Auto and waiting for the next fun bit.

[JDH1]

That's broadly in line with what I'm finding. Sports plus in auto just doesn't work on the road as far as I can see. I want to avoid getting lazy and just using auto all the time.

[Magic919]

Stick it in manual and use the stick from time to time. It's an interesting contrast.

[GuitarPlayer63]

Learn to blip the throttle - not kickdown to get it to change down several gears at once - then it makes for a great overtake and saves the faff of multiple button / paddle or gear stick pulls. I spoke to someone else on this recently and he suggested once it had changed down - say from 7th to 3rd in one go to knock it into manual for the overtake to hold the gear. Being a rubbish driver I haven't mastered this last part...

[av185]

JDH1 said:

After resisting auto/pdk boxes on 'fun cars' for some time now, I gave in and have bought a 997 GTS with PDK. First impressions are that I love the car, but still unsure what I'm doing with the PDK.

I think the problem is going from one option for changing gear to about 6 depending on combinations of basic/sport/sports chrono and paddles/auto/overridden auto.

How do people find they use the various options and any tips for getting the best from it? I wouldn't say I don't like it, but don't think I'm getting the best from it yet.

Congratulations on your new 997 GTS! IMO the last of the proper 911 Carreras!

You will soon get used to the PDK box which is perfectly suited to the 408bhp engine and even in sport chrono plus auto mode the flatter torque curve of this engine compared to the C2s means this mode is still engaging.

Another point worth remembering is that you can change down several gears at a time by keeping the paddle pulled in continuously.

Enjoy the car. Porsche dealers have confimed they expect values of GTS to rise.......

[JDH1]

If anything rises in value while I own it, and it isn't made of bricks, that will be a first!

[Mermaid]

av185 said:

Enjoy the car. Porsche dealers have confimed they expect values of GTS to rise.......

They would say that wouldn't they? Try selling them one and you will get an accurate assessment of how desired they are.

991 C2S will soon be early 60's and that's where my money would go - the GTS is good but is it a great?

[detee]

It is funny that you say that Mermaid...

I took my Black GTS in for a service and two new tyres (I was owed a credit) and while I was there the buyer asked if I would like to sell. They had one in with 6,000 more miles on up at £61K. I thought that this might be interesting, maybe 56K something like that.

He offered 50K.

However this OPC has form for this, he offered me 34K for my Cayman R that I traded in for 41K three weeks later...

[SFO]

detee said:

It is funny that you say that Mermaid...

I took my Black GTS in for a service and two new tyres (I was owed a credit) and while I was there the buyer asked if I would like to sell. They had one in with 6,000 more miles on up at £61K. I thought that this might be interesting, maybe 56K something like that.

He offered 50K.

However this OPC has form for this, he offered me 34K for my Cayman R that I traded in for 41K three weeks later...

I bet this was Mid Sussex

[Mermaid]

detee said:

It is funny that you say that Mermaid...

I took my Black GTS in for a service and two new tyres (I was owed a credit) and while I was there the buyer asked if I would like to sell. They had one in with 6,000 more miles on up at £61K. I thought that this might be interesting, maybe 56K something like that.

He offered 50K.

...

I suppose there is a limit at what they can offer it at - and they would spend a couple of grand preparing it, 2 years warranty and some negotiation on selling it. And really they want to make at least £5 net profit.

I'll buy yours at £51k or even £52k if you insist.

Which one is the most desirable:

2GTS Manual
2GTS PDK
4GTS manual
4GTS PDK.

[av185]

Mermaid said:

av185 said:

Enjoy the car. Porsche dealers have confimed they expect values of GTS to rise.......

They would say that wouldn't they? Try selling them one and you will get an accurate assessment of how desired they are.

991 C2S will soon be early 60's and that's where my money would go - the GTS is good but is it a great?

Why would they.

Values of GTS have risen this year and recently I have had calls out of the blue from two OPCs wanting to buy mine at very strong money, and not much less than I paid two years ago. There are a limited number of proper spec decent mileage ones around (approx 6 on OPC at any one time), compared to much greater numbers of C2s.

Competent that the 991 C2s is, the ×hite vague electric steering has contributed to it being relegated by many to a GT from a sports car, whereas the perfect nuetrality of the hydraulic steering gives the 2WD GTS totally different feel and proper connection.

The only 911 that would get me out of the GTS would be my new 991 GT3, when it arrives that is.........

[detee]

Thats the thing Mermaid, I accept they would need to make 5K but it was just serviced a week before and the wheels are perfect, the tyres are new. A good machine polish and it would be ready to go.

It was more North than Mid Sussex. I live in York.

It is funny when you go to car dealers it is like they do not accept that forums and the internet exist where people communicate.

[Mermaid]

av185 said:

There are a limited number of proper spec decent mileage ones around (approx 6 on OPC at any one time), compared to much greater numbers of C2s.

.....

I get that - how many GTS's in the UK compared to C2S's?

To me it is like a run-out special - as the M3CS was to the E46 M6 - very good, but not great like the CSL/GT3.

I do see an appeal for the car, just not sure how much of a premium over an equivalent C2S ( power hike of course)

[DT398]

Mermaid said:

They would say that wouldn't they? Try selling them one and you will get an accurate assessment of how desired they are.

991 C2S will soon be early 60's and that's where my money would go - the GTS is good but is it a great?

This^^

Why is everyone raving about the 997 GTS. The equivalent 991 is a much better car. More expensive for now but still a lot better. Neither the 997 GTS nor the 991 will be increasing in value anytime soon.

[Mermaid]

DT398 said:

This^^

Why is everyone raving about the 997 GTS. The equivalent 991 is a much better car. More expensive for now but still a lot better. Neither the 997 GTS nor the 991 will be increasing in value ever.

EFA

[av185]

Well the OP, myself and others on this forum love the GTS for its obvious qualities making it a better car, and we bought one rather than the rather synthetic and ubiquitous 991.

Restricted numbers of proper specced cars will guarantee continued strong residuals into next year........

[EK993]

av185 said:

Porsche dealers have confimed they expect values of GTS to rise.......

As an owner I am sure that is what you would want to believe. Strong residuals and a slow decline - maybe.

Increasing in value though... a new car that is more or less just the standard model with the parts bin thrown at it - unlikely.

[Carl_Docklands]

Yep but what a parts bin! you can't get a wide body with just 2wd unless it was a gts.