Does the 981 suit a manual gearbox?
Discussion
I have recently sold my manual 987.2 S so I can buy a more modern, and more friendly 981 (daily driver, lots of miles, used in all conditions).
I've never driven a manual 981 but I've driven dozens of PDK cars so I know what I am getting with the latter, but I'm a huge fan of manual gearboxes.
The problem is I felt the automatic nature of the PDK box suited the cars digital/contrived feel and blended well with the electronic steering, over-assisted pedals and electric handbrake.
The thought of putting a mechanical gearbox in there seems odd, especially if the gearshift and clutch pedal are well weighted it'll contradict the other controls.
Thoughts? Is it worth my time entertaining the manual?
Also am I right in saying the manual is not reliant on sports chrono, unlike the PDK cars? PDK with no sports plus is just odd.
I've never driven a manual 981 but I've driven dozens of PDK cars so I know what I am getting with the latter, but I'm a huge fan of manual gearboxes.
The problem is I felt the automatic nature of the PDK box suited the cars digital/contrived feel and blended well with the electronic steering, over-assisted pedals and electric handbrake.
The thought of putting a mechanical gearbox in there seems odd, especially if the gearshift and clutch pedal are well weighted it'll contradict the other controls.
Thoughts? Is it worth my time entertaining the manual?
Also am I right in saying the manual is not reliant on sports chrono, unlike the PDK cars? PDK with no sports plus is just odd.
Tough to answer, as you had a manual and liked it.
The manual in the 981 is longer geared due to the larger over all wheel dia, so now 85mph in 2nd gear.
The PDK box is about the same as the manual 987.2 Box speed wise.
So PDK might be a better choice match to the 981 and whole comfort idea.
All this comfort I would look at a RS3 ;-)
The manual in the 981 is longer geared due to the larger over all wheel dia, so now 85mph in 2nd gear.
The PDK box is about the same as the manual 987.2 Box speed wise.
So PDK might be a better choice match to the 981 and whole comfort idea.
All this comfort I would look at a RS3 ;-)
There will soon be a long list of people along shortly, swearing blind that they have the best option.
I suspect that there are probably as many swings as roundabouts with this choice.
Personally I chose a manual. It was cheaper for a start and is a lovely gearbox. I'd be lying if this was based on some long seated belief that the old way is the best.
With previous non Porsche cars I always avoided semi-automatics as I assumed that when I was driving home from work on a cold wet night, I'd always just put it into drive simply because I had the option, where as with the manual the choice is taken away.
However If in a couple of years time I was looking for a 718, I would rather be told that an auto was standard if it still retained a flat six, rather than the other way round
I suspect that there are probably as many swings as roundabouts with this choice.
Personally I chose a manual. It was cheaper for a start and is a lovely gearbox. I'd be lying if this was based on some long seated belief that the old way is the best.
With previous non Porsche cars I always avoided semi-automatics as I assumed that when I was driving home from work on a cold wet night, I'd always just put it into drive simply because I had the option, where as with the manual the choice is taken away.
However If in a couple of years time I was looking for a 718, I would rather be told that an auto was standard if it still retained a flat six, rather than the other way round
Gerber1 said:
The problem is I felt the automatic nature of the PDK box suited the cars digital/contrived feel and blended well with the electronic steering, over-assisted pedals and electric handbrake.
It does sound like you would be happier with the detached Audi driving experience as opposed to a Porsche.av185 said:
Gerber1 said:
The problem is I felt the automatic nature of the PDK box suited the cars digital/contrived feel and blended well with the electronic steering, over-assisted pedals and electric handbrake.
It does sound like you would be happier with the detached Audi driving experience as opposed to a Porsche.So you think electric steering and a VAG brake setup is progress?
I'm not sure why you want a 981 given your rather negative comments about them.
As to the question, the manual 981 gearbox is a thing of awesomeness. I read somewhere the gear shift described as "like a rifle bolt" and that's the perfect comparison. It's slick and precise and I love it my Cayman. By far the best manual gearbox I've ever used.
As to the question, the manual 981 gearbox is a thing of awesomeness. I read somewhere the gear shift described as "like a rifle bolt" and that's the perfect comparison. It's slick and precise and I love it my Cayman. By far the best manual gearbox I've ever used.
Gerber1 said:
I would rather get the bus than drive an Audi, I was however just being honest about the cars flaws.
So you think electric steering and a VAG brake setup is progress?
do you as you are buying one and have sold the more interactive 987.2 car ! lolSo you think electric steering and a VAG brake setup is progress?
IF you don't like EPS and have owned a 987.2 manual you will hate the 981 imo.
Hence maybe a switch of brands or try a 911.
All cars have flaws, including the 987 but that did not spoil years of ownership. The tyre roar is terrible, the ride quality is appalling and the variable ratio steering took some getting use to.
I wouldn't swap the ownership (at that point in time) for anything but now the cars are ageing and I fancy something more modern even if it is less rewarding.
Yes I need to drive a 981 manual but there is no harm asking for opinions from like minded people.
Any comments on manual with no sports chrono? Not interested in the auto blip and the dynamic engine mounts won't be missed?
I wouldn't swap the ownership (at that point in time) for anything but now the cars are ageing and I fancy something more modern even if it is less rewarding.
Yes I need to drive a 981 manual but there is no harm asking for opinions from like minded people.
Any comments on manual with no sports chrono? Not interested in the auto blip and the dynamic engine mounts won't be missed?
I personally think the 981 is a big step up and got used to the steering within a week. When my dad upgraded (PDK), i felt the two Boxsters were about 20 years apart!
I drove a manual courtesy car and found the clutch too light and it was harder to heel and toe. That was back to back with a 997 GT3 though, so perhaps it was a case of a lack of familiarity.
I drove a manual courtesy car and found the clutch too light and it was harder to heel and toe. That was back to back with a 997 GT3 though, so perhaps it was a case of a lack of familiarity.
hondansx said:
I personally think the 981 is a big step up and got used to the steering within a week. When my dad upgraded (PDK), i felt the two Boxsters were about 20 years apart!
I drove a manual courtesy car and found the clutch too light and it was harder to heel and toe. That was back to back with a 997 GT3 though, so perhaps it was a case of a lack of familiarity.
Interesting, that was my experience when I drove the 718 manual but then nobody likes the 718 anyway I drove a manual courtesy car and found the clutch too light and it was harder to heel and toe. That was back to back with a 997 GT3 though, so perhaps it was a case of a lack of familiarity.
Gerber1 said:
So you think electric steering is progress?
Depends how you define progress.Drive a 991 Carrera then a 991 GT3, GT3 RS, GT4 or Spyder and you will notice some progress.
It will take a few gens to get anywhere near the hydraulic set up interaction of a 997 Carrera or E9x M3. But there you go.
I am not really happy with the chassis balance on the 981
Porsche seem to have added even more under steer followed with lift off over steer.
While it is only geo related, it's not that nice to pilot at speed. The cars should not lift off over steer that easy after so much under steer.
No wonder you see drift vids on every single review these days !
1st job on any 981 would be a working geo set up. My other half would crash a 981 in no time ! .
One wants the nose to tuck in a little with lift off , not swap ends !
Porsche seem to have added even more under steer followed with lift off over steer.
While it is only geo related, it's not that nice to pilot at speed. The cars should not lift off over steer that easy after so much under steer.
No wonder you see drift vids on every single review these days !
1st job on any 981 would be a working geo set up. My other half would crash a 981 in no time ! .
One wants the nose to tuck in a little with lift off , not swap ends !
It's a great manual gearbox - and seemingly quite a rare option on the Cayman at least. There are more GT4s for sale in the OPC network at the moment (21) compared with other manual equipped 981s (13). It's also a good chunk lighter than the PDK box, so a useful weight saving.
Just to clear up a common misconception - sports chrono on the 981 also includes dynamic transmission mounts, not dynamic engine mounts like on big brother 911. With the weight differential I think these mounts will be more effective with the heavier PDK box. I haven't driven PDK cars extensively enough to have any real world experience of that personally.
It's not just the throttle blip feature that sports chrono brings, this setting also increases throttle response and loosens ESP to allow more slip but provides a safety net.
Just to clear up a common misconception - sports chrono on the 981 also includes dynamic transmission mounts, not dynamic engine mounts like on big brother 911. With the weight differential I think these mounts will be more effective with the heavier PDK box. I haven't driven PDK cars extensively enough to have any real world experience of that personally.
It's not just the throttle blip feature that sports chrono brings, this setting also increases throttle response and loosens ESP to allow more slip but provides a safety net.
I think the long gearing point is way overplayed. It doesn't detract from the driving experience IMHO and allows you to stretch the car in 2nd and 3rd in particular and enjoy all the glorious noises it makes as you progress right through the rev range. It works well on both road and track too. Yes, it would be a quicker car with shorter gearing, but in S guise at least it's ample. Plenty of stuff is faster in a straight line anyway but that's not really what this car is about. It majors on balance and poise. It's a very easy car to drive neatly and tidyly and its limits are approachable despite its mid-engined layout.
Just my experience. I'm not saying the car is perfect, but for the money I don't think you can get better for a modern, mid engined, 6 cylinder two seater.
The manual adds an extra level of interaction and it's one of the great modern manual 'boxes.
Try one and see how you get on.
Just my experience. I'm not saying the car is perfect, but for the money I don't think you can get better for a modern, mid engined, 6 cylinder two seater.
The manual adds an extra level of interaction and it's one of the great modern manual 'boxes.
Try one and see how you get on.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I suppose that's my point. I personally don't believe it would improve the overall driving experience. Let's compare it to an Elise SC for illustration, which is a more focused proposition. The SC is at the extreme end of the scale from a power delivery and gearing perspective and is quite frantic as a result (in the positive sense) but I don't believe that type of drive (or even something approaching that direction) would really suit the character of the 981 and it would lose some of its fluidity and 'polish' for want of a better word.Maybe it would improve the experience, maybe not, depending on ones preferences. I've never driven a car yet where I couldn't contemplate improvements to suit my needs!
My main point is that the long gearing issue is made out to be some sort of fatal flaw of the 981 (not on this thread but others), when it's really not. I can think of other things I'd personally change ahead of this facet, throttle mapping and P-Zeroes to name two. The latter is clearly easier to sort than the former.
My main point is that the long gearing issue is made out to be some sort of fatal flaw of the 981 (not on this thread but others), when it's really not. I can think of other things I'd personally change ahead of this facet, throttle mapping and P-Zeroes to name two. The latter is clearly easier to sort than the former.
Heathrow said:
Maybe it would improve the experience, maybe not, depending on ones preferences. I've never driven a car yet where I couldn't contemplate improvements to suit my needs!
My main point is that the long gearing issue is made out to be some sort of fatal flaw of the 981 (not on this thread but others), when it's really not. I can think of other things I'd personally change ahead of this facet, throttle mapping and P-Zeroes to name two. The latter is clearly easier to sort than the former.
+1. The manual in my 981 GTS makes the car for sure.My main point is that the long gearing issue is made out to be some sort of fatal flaw of the 981 (not on this thread but others), when it's really not. I can think of other things I'd personally change ahead of this facet, throttle mapping and P-Zeroes to name two. The latter is clearly easier to sort than the former.
TB303 said:
Completely agree.
I wonder if gearbox solutions will be available from tuners in years to come to fix this. It wouldn't be at all cheap though! Changing final drive wouldn't help either as it'd ruin the car on the motorway.
It already is a available as a final drive mod the main problem is the cost but its available. IMO 6th gear can afford to drop without motorway cruise being significantly affected. I wonder if gearbox solutions will be available from tuners in years to come to fix this. It wouldn't be at all cheap though! Changing final drive wouldn't help either as it'd ruin the car on the motorway.
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