911 transmission trends, then and now

[crbox]

Quick snapshot of rear engined Porsche for sale on Autotrader.

911: 81 manual vs. 9 auto
996: 129 manual vs. 131 auto
997: 331 manual vs. 324 auto
991: 13 manual vs. 209 auto

Obviously not an accurate survey, but probably at least shows today's (991) buyer is auto trans focused.

So is it better transmissions, increased traffic, dumbed down drivers, or that six or seven speed manuals are just too confusing?

Edited by crbox on Saturday 2nd January 12:06

[Trotmant]

Just highlights to me the latest pdk box with paddles is a much better daily hack

the button pdk is confusing if not backward and tip was horrific imo. With the previous pdk gen not quite up to mark, its little surprise a generation on they've nailed it.

[Rich_AR]

Here in the UAE is a slightly different story (and very different market here to the UK). Rough figures using a similar site to the Autotrader (and only going by year range, rather than model)

911: 17 Manual vs 2 Auto
996: 11 Manual vs 17 Auto
997: 15 Manual vs 135 Auto
991: 1 manual vs 149 Auto *

• 17 of which are GT3's!

Edited by Rich_AR on Saturday 2nd January 01:30

[Seeker UK]

crbox said:

So is it better transmissions, increased traffic, dumbed down drivers, or that current 7 speed manuals are just too confusing?

PDK gives lower CO2 emissions so by promoting sales of PDK does Porsche manage to meet EU emissions regs?

[chriscoates81]

I bet if you took those figures from the USA they would be reversed.

[hondansx]

Nope, you'd be wrong. Just did a search and within 300 miles of NY and there are 185 manual 911s for sale vs 246 autos.

[Koln-RS]

Several reasons:

PDK is the default choice because the latest 'manual' is a big disappointment

My 991 has PDK, but I'd rather have had a really good 6-spd manual box.

And the demographic has changed - Porsches are now bought by a whole new market of buyers, who would have previously chosen an auto Merc/BMW/Jaguar/etc

[crbox]

Koln-RS said:

And the demographic has changed - Porsches are now bought by a whole new market of buyers, who would have previously chosen an auto Merc/BMW/Jaguar/etc

That's a big part. People upscaling from these cars, where few are manuals, find the new bigger 991 is a largely uncompromised move. That surely was Porsches game plan. It's not like the pre '89 911 which is a small car, although far from cramped.

It will be ifascinating to see if the new GT-3 manual version, sells in the larger numbers we expect. Or has Porsche been railroaded by enthusiasts on forums, few of which have the wherewithal to order a new GT3?

Let's hope Porsche makes the new GT3 a 5 speed, so there's no compromise in drivability.

[anonymous-user]

chriscoates81 said:

I bet if you took those figures from the USA they would be reversed.

Americans, surprisingly, love a manual Porsche.

[highway]

A 993 and 996 are massively less desirable with tip box. PDK is impressive. It's not manual though. Will be interesting to see if, 10 years on pdk is less desirable and buyers willing to pay premium features for manual

[fridaypassion]

Only car forums promote manual gearboxes. Nobody else cares!

[crbox]

fridaypassion said:

Only car forums promote manual gearboxes. Nobody else cares!

It seems clear that most new Porsche buyers want autos, but most used Porsche buyers want manuals. An odd statistic really.
Be interesting to see how Porsche does with its manual GT3 won't it?

[Magic919]

When I was buying 997 Gen 2 used, most people wanted PDK.

[csmith319]

You need to break down the 997 figures into gen 1 and gen 2, when PDK was introduced I think there was a massive swing to it. Tips are always less desirable, PDK has been more favoured...

[Hobo]

Apart from PDK being quicker & getting marginally better fuel consumption, I think it just suits today's world better in the main, especially in a marque which portrays itself as a car for everyday.

By this I mean you can keep it in default (auto) mode for the commute where manuals are a bit of a pain , or in sport mode to make it a little more fun, but then have sport plus mode (auto) or manual mode for when the situation allows.

This may differ for people with access to multiple cars where they care less about such rounded convenience, hence why I can understand people wanting manual options with the more hardcore vehicles such as GT3, GT3RS or GT4.

[Helicopter123]

crbox said:

fridaypassion said:

Only car forums promote manual gearboxes. Nobody else cares!

It seems clear that most new Porsche buyers want autos, but most used Porsche buyers want manuals. An odd statistic really.
Be interesting to see how Porsche does with its manual GT3 won't it?

The truth is that anyone CAN buy a manual 911. You walk into any OPC and place a deposit on a new 911 to your spec. The fact that Porsche buyers, driving enthusiasts or otherwise, choose not to, tells its own story.

[Geneve]

PDK, and the like, is the future - it's what the manufacturers want us to have.

And, as clever it may be, for many enthusiasts it's still no substitute for a really good manual box. Part of the reason why 5-speed 3.2s, 964s, 993s, etc, are currently so desirable .

If I wanted a GT3, I'd buy a 997 over a 991 for that very reason.

[mollytherocker]

I am actually surprised that the manual gearbox didnt die about 5 years ago. The average Porsche buyer does not want one.

I cheered when I found out about the GT4. I feel a little resurgence and I am sure that Ferrari and all are watching with interest.

As others have said, American enthusiasts are going back to manual gearboxes. The Aston in the new Bond film was a manual wasnt it? I wonder why?

Its not dead yet, not by a long shot.

[g7jhp]

The majority of new cars bought by the general population are now bought as 'automatic', but the enthusiast market prefers 'manual'.

The catch being enthusiasts have historically bought used as they change more often.

Now there is more demand for fewer manual cars which is keeping prices high.

[PGNCerbera]

I also think a seven speed manual is just daft (too many bloody gears) and part of the reason people choose PDK.

I'm mad for a manual box in the right car but if I bought a 991, it'd be PDK for sure.

7 manual gears........ffs