Manual, PDK and Sports Chrono
Discussion
Hi All
Been on the hunt for a new car for a while now, decided on the Boxster and shot down those who told me to look at Caymans (see previous thread
), saying how ugly I think they are.
Well, I'm now actively on the hunt for a Cayman, 987 Gen 2 3.4 S - Don't ask why I changed my mind!
Ideally I want manual - I'd probably take PDK if I had to though.
Those who have PDK, do you miss manual, and those who have manual to you regret not getting PDK? What are its advantages and cons?
Also as a daily driver with the very occasional track day, is Sports Chrono pack necessary? The big problem I have is even if I'd never use the benefits of it, I'm worried I'd drive around wishing I'd got a car with it.
I've managed to extend my budget slightly too, so should be able to get one for £30k.
Been on the hunt for a new car for a while now, decided on the Boxster and shot down those who told me to look at Caymans (see previous thread
), saying how ugly I think they are. Well, I'm now actively on the hunt for a Cayman, 987 Gen 2 3.4 S - Don't ask why I changed my mind!
Ideally I want manual - I'd probably take PDK if I had to though.
Those who have PDK, do you miss manual, and those who have manual to you regret not getting PDK? What are its advantages and cons?
Also as a daily driver with the very occasional track day, is Sports Chrono pack necessary? The big problem I have is even if I'd never use the benefits of it, I'm worried I'd drive around wishing I'd got a car with it.
I've managed to extend my budget slightly too, so should be able to get one for £30k.
9 caymanR up for sale at opc but only one manual! Personally I would go manual the sports chrono improves throttle feel but on Pdk it gives sportier shifts.can be retro fitted if car does not have one! With the caymanS do not rule out cars with no PASM or 18 " wheels!no pasm would be my choice for a purer car and even on 19" wheels ride should be ok!
Good luck with your search
Good luck with your search
Edited by itsybitsy on Friday 18th September 13:14
I've found with the PDK I really prefer being in Sports or Sports Plus (Sport chrono) modes 95% of the time so I would say its definitely worth having. They make the car come alive and particulary in sports plus, quite aggressive Normal PDK is fine for traffic or brain switched off as it feels a bit lazy and conservative. It is a sports car after all.
Normal PDK is fine for traffic or brain switched off as it feels a bit lazy and conservative. It is a sports car after all.You're stirring up a hornets nest with this one!
I suggest you look elsewhere on this forum - you will find a wide diversity of views. FWIW this is the first "auto" I've owned (I've driven plenty before and since and generally don't like most and hate many) - but I love PDK it's simply so fast and smooth that I don't regret choosing it over the manual I originally intended to buy. Personally I only drive it as an auto when I'm cruising - either in Normal or Sport it doesn't make the changes when I would so I finish up either driving fully manually or one of the other modes with a lot of overriding. But to put that in context even as an auto it's the best auto I've driven.
Whether you like Sport or Chrono Sport or not is very much a matter of taste. I find the standard changes quite fast enough and don't like exaggerated over blipping on downchanges in Sport. But then I don't like the sports exhaust either - many people take a different view. I don't find the change in throttle response between Normal and Sport that impressive - it's OK in both, but not fantastic compared with the best NA engines.
As you will see elsewhere practically everyone finds the manual ratios too high, the PDK ones are usefully lower and you get a significantly higher (and quieter and more economical) 7th gear as another bonus.
In truth the only real solution is to try both - the manual box is, by common consent, one of the nicest around.
I suggest you look elsewhere on this forum - you will find a wide diversity of views. FWIW this is the first "auto" I've owned (I've driven plenty before and since and generally don't like most and hate many) - but I love PDK it's simply so fast and smooth that I don't regret choosing it over the manual I originally intended to buy. Personally I only drive it as an auto when I'm cruising - either in Normal or Sport it doesn't make the changes when I would so I finish up either driving fully manually or one of the other modes with a lot of overriding. But to put that in context even as an auto it's the best auto I've driven.
Whether you like Sport or Chrono Sport or not is very much a matter of taste. I find the standard changes quite fast enough and don't like exaggerated over blipping on downchanges in Sport. But then I don't like the sports exhaust either - many people take a different view. I don't find the change in throttle response between Normal and Sport that impressive - it's OK in both, but not fantastic compared with the best NA engines.
As you will see elsewhere practically everyone finds the manual ratios too high, the PDK ones are usefully lower and you get a significantly higher (and quieter and more economical) 7th gear as another bonus.
In truth the only real solution is to try both - the manual box is, by common consent, one of the nicest around.
I can wholeheartedly recommend a manual car and have no need for Sport Chrono in my driving. Anyway, if you want to go "fast" Boxster/Cayman is the wrong car. They are quick in real-world driving but far from "fast".
If you're a fan of the traffic lights Grand Prix and still want a Boxster/Cayman you will definitely need PDK and Sport Chrono.
If you're a fan of the traffic lights Grand Prix and still want a Boxster/Cayman you will definitely need PDK and Sport Chrono.
One of the many positives of driving a sports car is enjoying the sound the engine makes. CONTROLLING that sound is one the many aspects I love about the manual gearbox.
I think someone on here said this but with a manual you are playing the musical instrument, with PDK you are conducting the orchestra.
I think someone on here said this but with a manual you are playing the musical instrument, with PDK you are conducting the orchestra.
V8KSN said:
One of the many positives of driving a sports car is enjoying the sound the engine makes. CONTROLLING that sound is one the many aspects I love about the manual gearbox.
I think someone on here said this but with a manual you are playing the musical instrument, with PDK you are conducting the orchestra.
Not sure how you better control the sound with a manual than driving PDK in manual mode.I think someone on here said this but with a manual you are playing the musical instrument, with PDK you are conducting the orchestra.
bcr5784 said:
Not sure how you better control the sound with a manual than driving PDK in manual mode.
Like thishttp://youtu.be/DbU4GZkt7ig
pete a said:
Given that you have an auto blip on downchanges with PDK - not sure that proves anything. Of course if you were to mistime your heel and toe (which PDK won't do) then you could produce lots of different noises - but not actually a desirable ones. PDK does a better job of throttle blipping than most (I'm tempted to say any) human driver and you have the choice of subtle blips in Normal mode or more histrionic ones in Sport or Sport plus. So you really have MORE control, not less, with PDK of the sounds (sure they are not necessarily quite the same as manual ones - because the gearchanges are faster/better).bcr5784 said:
pete a said:
Given that you have an auto blip on downchanges with PDK - not sure that proves anything. Of course if you were to mistime your heel and toe (which PDK won't do) then you could produce lots of different noises - but not actually a desirable ones. PDK does a better job of throttle blipping than most (I'm tempted to say any) human driver and you have the choice of subtle blips in Normal mode or more histrionic ones in Sport or Sport plus. So you really have MORE control, not less, with PDK of the sounds (sure they are not necessarily quite the same as manual ones - because the gearchanges are faster/better).
Anyway, both gearboxes are great and both have their advantages and drawbacks
V8KSN said:
bcr5784 said:
V8KSN said:
bcr5784 said:
Sorry to be so blunt - but to suggest that WR (terrifically skillful driver that he is) can make such subtle changes in sound of the engine that a conductor or guitar player makes is, frankly, fanciful. To suggest that your ( above averagely skillful) driver can do it is, frankly ......
With PDK can you vary the sound of the throttle blip (i.e blip the throttle longer or shorter or not even bother blipping it) when downshifting.... whenever you feel like it ? With PDK can you change the duration of the gear change (i.e change quickly or lazily) whenever you feel like it in order to change at the speed (of the gearbox NOT road speed) YOU want to change ?
I know you are going to say, yeah, you can choose to press Sport Plus or not or you can drive it slowly using the paddles whenever you like or not at all and its possible to drive it like a granny and flick the paddles slowly and lazily whenever you feel like it etc etc and I know this but PDK will only ever shift at milliseconds speed regardless of how slow the car is moving.
I have already said in a previous post that both gearboxes have their advantages and disadvantages but sometimes it seems like the PDK lovers get FAR too defensive when there is no need to be.
I think PDK is great and I love manual gearboxes too....hell. if I could afford it I would have loads of Porsches with both gearboxes, I could even justify an auto Diesel Panamera in my lottery winners fantasy garage
Right now, I can only afford one car as the single 'toy' I get my drivers kicks from and that happens to have a manual gearbox, there is no right or wrong! There is no need to be so defensive.
mollytherocker said:
I dont mean to be blunt either, but I just dont think you understand the point.
You are absolutely right!(To me) Driving is about car control - not noises off. Look on forums relating to driver focused cars - caterhams/lotus/ radicals etc and you will find little about the noises they make (prosaic as they mostly are) You won't find much about the purity of manual vs sequential (Sadev etc) boxes either. Likewise sports focused motorcycles (mostly pretty prosaic sounding too - and I don't hear criticism of slick shifters, or the arrival of seamless shift boxes ). Different priorities.bcr5784 said:
mollytherocker said:
I dont mean to be blunt either, but I just dont think you understand the point.
You are absolutely right!(To me) Driving is about car control - not noises off. Look on forums relating to driver focused cars - caterhams/lotus/ radicals etc and you will find little about the noises they make (prosaic as they mostly are) You won't find much about the purity of manual vs sequential (Sadev etc) boxes either. Likewise sports focused motorcycles (mostly pretty prosaic sounding too - and I don't hear criticism of slick shifters, or the arrival of seamless shift boxes ). Different priorities.Thats not the subject. But you agreed with my post, so I guess we are all good!
Envision how your daily drives might or might not be more enjoyable/easy with an automatic option. Let your needs lead you.
I lived in a major city and my short commute went from 8 minutes to 45 on a good day. As it did, the chances for enjoyment from driving a stick changed too. My 4th and 5th roadsters had an auto-manual transmission and I didn't miss the stick a bit. Quite the opposite, I was enabled to enjoy a fabulous car and not be worn out from rowing through gears by the time I got home.
Your money, your choice.
I lived in a major city and my short commute went from 8 minutes to 45 on a good day. As it did, the chances for enjoyment from driving a stick changed too. My 4th and 5th roadsters had an auto-manual transmission and I didn't miss the stick a bit. Quite the opposite, I was enabled to enjoy a fabulous car and not be worn out from rowing through gears by the time I got home.
Your money, your choice.
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