Manual Premium Over Auto ?
Discussion
Had lunch with a couple of friends yesterday, one of whom had recently bought a 991.2S Manual, which he and the other friend, a retired ex-specialist car dealer were discussing.
He said that he’d struggled to find a nice ‘manual’ and those he did find were more expensive than the PDK. The ex-dealer said that will become more of an issue in the future, as the mass market will spec ‘auto’ new and, the manual cars, albeit with a dedicated following, will be small in proportion, so good ones will be more sought after.
He cited examples of Manual v Tiptronic and older PDKs with potentially high failure costs. And today he sent me this evidence.
Paragon Ad: Two identical 997.2 GTSs. Both 2011/11. Both White. Both same spec.
- The one with PDK and lower 36k mls - £65k
- The one with 6-Spd Manual and 41k mls - £80k
Personally, I hope Porsche do keep offering the Manual option.
He said that he’d struggled to find a nice ‘manual’ and those he did find were more expensive than the PDK. The ex-dealer said that will become more of an issue in the future, as the mass market will spec ‘auto’ new and, the manual cars, albeit with a dedicated following, will be small in proportion, so good ones will be more sought after.
He cited examples of Manual v Tiptronic and older PDKs with potentially high failure costs. And today he sent me this evidence.
Paragon Ad: Two identical 997.2 GTSs. Both 2011/11. Both White. Both same spec.
- The one with PDK and lower 36k mls - £65k
- The one with 6-Spd Manual and 41k mls - £80k
Personally, I hope Porsche do keep offering the Manual option.
I have always thought this, but then thought as we all die off will the manuals then tank in value as the new generation won t know how to drive a manual? Can t work it out, personally I m all in on manuals but when do you think the cut off will be, 20 more years before people won t know how to drive a manual full stop, then these just become museum pieces for the future? What are the Driving Schools forecasting?
It isn’t just about knowing how to drive a manual, why would it appeal to young drivers coming through?
They will look at the numbers, slower, less fuel efficient, worse emissions etc. They have nothing to offset that with as many of us have having grown up with manuals - memories of great times/drives gone by.
Sadly we will are all destined to be driving around in milk floats, albeit quick ones, whether we want to or not.
They will look at the numbers, slower, less fuel efficient, worse emissions etc. They have nothing to offset that with as many of us have having grown up with manuals - memories of great times/drives gone by.
Sadly we will are all destined to be driving around in milk floats, albeit quick ones, whether we want to or not.
I think it also depends on what the car is used for. If it's a fun only car, then manual makes a lot of sense. However, as a do it all car, most will want auto.
I have recently realised that my current car does not excite me enough to warrant being a fun car, mostly as the gearbox makes going fast too uneventful. It's great for it's intended purposes of being a GT, but it's not enough fun at road speeds for an early morning drive. Obvious in hindsight..... But the thing that made me realise was driving a new MX5 with just a 130hp, but a sweet little manual box.
I have recently realised that my current car does not excite me enough to warrant being a fun car, mostly as the gearbox makes going fast too uneventful. It's great for it's intended purposes of being a GT, but it's not enough fun at road speeds for an early morning drive. Obvious in hindsight..... But the thing that made me realise was driving a new MX5 with just a 130hp, but a sweet little manual box.
As cars age the two things that in my mind really date them are a) the transmission (if it’s not an manual0 and b) the SatNav (PCM in Porsche speak). The latter is easily solved with an iPhone.
If you want a sports car as a fun car to drive on a Sunday morning do you really want a Tiptronic or early PDK gearbox in it that is worse than your daily driver ?
When I bought my manual 997.2 GTS in 2016 they were at that stage maybe £2k cheaper than a PDK car. PDK cars have barely moved since. Sold mine a couple of years ago through RPM.
If you want a sports car as a fun car to drive on a Sunday morning do you really want a Tiptronic or early PDK gearbox in it that is worse than your daily driver ?
When I bought my manual 997.2 GTS in 2016 they were at that stage maybe £2k cheaper than a PDK car. PDK cars have barely moved since. Sold mine a couple of years ago through RPM.
I guess she these cars are newish, people want a warranty, especially if the car is financed. You can then have all the stuff that can go wrong like your PDK, PDCC, PADM, PTV etc.
Beyond the warranty period, these become cars for the high days and you’d buy on condition, look for a manual and perhaps avoid too many techy options. Look at manual v F1 gearbox in Ferraris.
Beyond the warranty period, these become cars for the high days and you’d buy on condition, look for a manual and perhaps avoid too many techy options. Look at manual v F1 gearbox in Ferraris.
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