manual or auto???

[CraigT007]

Guys, I'm in the market for an early generation 2 cayman and I was initially looking strictly at the s and pdk. However the more I look the more I could be swayed by the manual and the lesser non s model.
I've driven many of the good dsg VW models an like them, plus the mk1 golf I drive is a Great buzz.

What's the feeling of here? Is the pdk s model the ultimate, or is the manual s or standard model just as good, with the differences being the obvious, ie. a clutch and slower?

Sorry for the obvious questions, but I'd appreciate the feedback from the current owners or those with a little more drive time in these cars?

Thanks...

[981Greg]

Very much a personal choice. You're better of trying both, rather than seeking opinions.

[mr pg]

We were looking at 981 S's earlier this year. I've always had manual sport cars (was coming from a 996T), but said before we make the jump I'd try a pdk to see what they're like. We now have a 981 S pdk. Never looked back. Try both, but make sure you use the pdk in manual sport.
I also recently had a day at Silverstone PEC, and driving manual and pdk 991's, I found the pdk noticeably quicker (and still enjoyable).

[bcr5784]

Like Mr pg I was a dyed in the wool manual man until I tried PDK - (I'd tried and I wasn't convinced by DSG). So you should as has been said definitely try both.

Sport manual mode - too boy-racer for me (exaggerated blips on down changes) - however others are very keen so certainly worth trying. If you like it you might like the sports exhaust too.

Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 4th December 09:04

[DavidJG]

Personally I'd go with a manual 'S', for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the non-S is a good car, but it's not an S. It's a great drive at 10/10ths, but lacks the mid-range of the S, which for me is a key factor. I've found from personally experience in a number of areas, if I don't buy the one I really want, then sooner or later I'll end up upgrading anyway.

Second, for me a Boxster / Cayman is my second car, so I want the involvement of a manual shift. I drive an auto as my daily, but that's a family bus so fun driving isn't on the menu.

Finally, PDK is still relatively new. I'd like to know more about its long term reliability and cost of repair / replacement before I committed to purchasing one on the used market.

[gilliambot]

This question is like asking which is better chicken or fish? You need to try and decide for yourself. I prefer chicken, and the PDK.

[tyrrell]

Another PDK convert

[av185]

DavidJG said:

PDK is still relatively new.

PDK will soon have been out eight years in the Carreras!

With no major problems btw.

[CraigT007]

Guys, all excellent responses, it's giving me a real flavour for both modes. Issue is, I genuinely like both. I know I could live with either and as I flick through the PH ads, autotrader and eBay, the car is likely to be purchased with the gearbox being less of an issue. My wish list seems petty in comparison to am issue like gearbox choice.
Ideally I'd like white, half leather (only seen one of these so far), 320bhp, sports seats, satnav, good wheels, white dials and the chrono is an excellent touch, but for me a gimmick. I'd still be glad to hear of more manual v pdk, as at present I'm probably swaying towards pdk, but it wouldn't prevent me buying the right car. Like most things, I set a budget of £15k, but my research has me seriously looking at those in the £28-30k range! I'd best stop looking soon :-0

There are a few that has my interest at present, some more my 'ideal' than others.

The car is a second car, could b used for holidays and high days, plus the daily commute.for me, it's a near thirty year old boyhood aspiration that's about to become reality. I'll take recommended vendors of such vehicles too.
Thanks again guys!

I'm definitely chicken too.

[Bieldside]

£15k is not enough as you realise
I remember getting a loan car from Porsche when my 993 was being serviced
It's pdk they said. Oh not auto I said. Oh yes they said. Oh ok then I said
Within 20 miles driving from London to Cambridge I was hooked
Amazing
But I love my manual 993
I love my 991 GT3 pdk
No help at all !!!

[DJMC]

Bieldside said:

£15k is not enough as you realise
I remember getting a loan car from Porsche when my 993 was being serviced
It's pdk they said. Oh not auto I said. Oh yes they said. Oh ok then I said
Within 20 miles driving from London to Cambridge I was hooked
Amazing
But I love my manual 993
I love my 991 GT3 pdk
No help at all !!!

I had a manual 981 Boxster loan car the other week whilst my PDK was in at my OPC.
Within 20 miles driving from Sutton Coldfield to home my left leg was fhooked!

Edited by DJMC on Friday 4th December 23:27

[mollytherocker]

DJMC said:

I had a manual 981 Boxster loan car the other week whilst my PDK was in at my OPC.
Within 20 miles driving from Sutton Coldfield to home my left leg fas fhooked!

I am a fairly unfit middle aged chunky bloke, but how unfit are you if you cant press a pedal with your leg?

Is this the future? No muscles and big thumbs from playing console games?

[DJMC]

mollytherocker said:

I am a fairly unfit middle aged chunky bloke, but how unfit are you if you cant press a pedal with your leg?

Is this the future? No muscles and big thumbs from playing console games?

Ah, you see it was more of a little joke... but, if you insist...

Well, actually I broke my knee and ankle, titanium pin into my knee cap, 5 operations, 46 stitches.
Drunk driver knocked me off my motorbike when I was 17.

Otherwise, I go to the gym three times a week, 6' 1", 14st, very fit for 55. But that clutch IS a little heavy, even in a base Cayman and for someone with a lovely left leg!

[mollytherocker]

DJMC said:

Ah, you see it was more of a little joke... but, if you insist...

Well, actually I broke my knee and ankle, titanium pin into my knee cap, 5 operations, 46 stitches.
Drunk driver knocked me off my motorbike when I was 17.

Otherwise, I go to the gym three times a week, 6' 1", 14st, very fit for 55. But that clutch IS a little heavy, even in a base Cayman and for someone with a lovely left leg!

I could tell you about my knee problems and the osgood schlatter disease I had for years and still now suffer from the consequences, but then it would descend into a pissing contest eh?

I do 30k a year in my daily diesel and suffer horrendous motorway congestion that leaves me thinking seriously about an auto, but I wont do it.

And in my weekend Porsche? Not until my left leg loses all function!

[Klippie]

The manual v's PDK question is asked frequently on here and each time it usually causes an argument, best thing to do would be to drive both and see what suits you best,

You won't be disappointed by either they are great cars, one might have a pedal missing and you'll wonder what to do with your left leg and the other will be a more involved drive.

Happy hunting...

[PorscheGT4]

PDK if you tend to fall on the left side of voting, Manual if you tend to vote more blue. (not too far right though they are PDK owners also :-p )

[bcr5784]

Just another bit of grist to the mill on PDK reliability. While there don't seem to be any particular reliability problems to worry about, I was told by an Indy garage that repair costs were very high, and therefore I'd be better off going manual. Trawling around forums suggests that the only "repair" Porsche do is to replace the whole box.

My personal concern is on cars which have spent a lot of time in heavy traffic. Unlike torque-converter autos, PDK clutches are subject wear which isn't helped by the artificially induced creep. In addition an unsympathetic driver could hold the car on a hill against the clutch for long periods, not appreciating that it would cause wear and which, in a manual car, would be regarded as abuse.

I took no notice in the end and haven't regretted it (yet).

[CraigT007]

I glad I asked the question. Th whole auto/manual debate could truly be endless and for good reason. I have an 's tronic' auto box in my A6 tdi and would have anything else in that machine. I have have short ratio manual sports box in my mk1 2.0 16V, which I'd certainly never have anything else in that either.

I've placed a deposit on a. Ar that

[CraigT007]

Oops, bloody smart phones!!

I've placed a deposit on a car that meets 99% of my requirements, which is a lot higher than I thought I'd get.

White cayman s, all the sport pack goodies, black wheels, chrono etc. And of course, PDK

The feedback and responses above gave me the comfort I needed for a decision I had probably already made, but just didn't know.

I collect Thursday. Flight from Glasgow to Gatwick and a sedate run North in the new machine. Happy Xmas to me!!!

Thanks for the input guys. Trully appreciated.

[CraigT007]

Oh, original budget was pants. Mor than doubled it! Just wait until her indoors finds out!! :-)