I like a clutch and manual shifter but I've heard so much about the vaunted PDK that I just assumed I'd want that option. It's faster but I'm not racing my car and am now wondering if it's a bit boring and not as engaging as a true manual. What's the consensus in this forum?

Sport Exhaust option: Does anyone regret ordering it or is it a worthwhile option? I read somewhere that it's too loud and is usually turned off. What's the consensus around this forum?

Oh, for the record: I'm ordering the base Carrera coupe.

 

PDK vs MT discussion... here we go again!!!

I have a MT and love it. With the S models you get rev matching with Sport Chrono. On the base model there will be no rev matching, so you may want to consider the PDK, which I have to say is sublime. I test drove both the manual and the PDK in both base and S models, originally coming from the MDCT transmission in the E90 M3 I have to say it was a close call. My wife tipped the scales for me because she test drove as well and said that I would regret not getting the MT - even with DC metro traffic. I have been stuck in horrendous traffic and I haven't even noticed MT.

So in short, test drive and make the decision based on what you want out of your drive.

As for PSE, each to their own but I love the sound... Best option ever!

 

I too test drove a PDK first. It was quite good. Then I test drove the MT. It just instantly evoked a happy grin. The shifter has a nice crisp, weighty feel (altho a tad too tall). I debated getting a PDK so that my wife could more easily drive the car, but in the end the MT was too much of a draw. (my car is a C2, btw)

PSE - I chose a car without it, and am quite happy. Sure, I'd like the PSE growl on at certain times, but the base exhaust is perfect. And base exhaust sound sits in between PSE off and PSE on.

 

I did test drive both too - bought the MT in an S model. Love it. But if I was to use this car as a daily commuter in traffic (which does occur once in a blue moon here in NY Metro ) and I was only into performance and shifting speed, I would buy the PDK. Its still fun and very fast, but not as involving as moving a shift lever and clutch pedal.

On your other point, buy the Sport exhaust, best sonic note going and its factory installed. Love it too.

 

Me too...I test drove many 'wonderful' PDK's, but bought a 991 coupe with a 7MT and PSE.

If I had to I could be satisfied without the PSE, but not without a real manual shifter. If my Porsche were mainly a track car, it would be a different story.

 

Being a manual fan myself, IMO PDK paddle shifting in sport plus is absolutely fantastic, very fast, aggresive and involving drive, not boring at all.

 

Agree 1000% on the Sport Plus. Under WOT and pulling the paddles, the shifting in a nanosecond is amazingly fulfilling.

I've been a lucky guy. My garage has some plaques & trophies I won using manual transmissions, so I have confidence that I still know how to shift, downshift, heel-toe & rev-match. But I'm not embarrassed to have the PDK, whcih clearly is the quicker way around town and around a circuit. I no longer need to feel disengaged if I can't "row through the gears" as some have said.

Frankly, I prefer the PDK and I'm not at all surprised that the new GT3 comes only with PDK. It is, after all, a street-legal race car and if quicker is the main concept, PDK is clearly quicker.

 

I had an Audi R8 Spyder V10 with the old school gated 6-speed and loved it. However, my wife is interested in driving this car, and although she is proficient with a manual transmission, she'll be more comfortable using the PDK in full auto mode so that's how I'm ordering it. Here's what I'm planning on ordering (tomorrow):

911 Carrera $84,300
Packages
Premium Package Plus (for use with Power Sport Seats) P3E $2,330
Exterior Color Guards Red G1 $0
Interior Color Luxor Beige leather seats UQ $1,555
Exterior
Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) 603 $0
Power folding side mirrors with courtesy lights 748 $320
Rear windshield wiper 425 $360
Performance Sport Exhaust System 176 $2,950
Power Steering Plus 658 $270
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) 250 $4,080
Wheels 20-inch Carrera S wheel 423 $1,560
Wheel Accessories
Wheel center caps with colored Porsche Crest 446 $185
Interior
Seat belts in Guards Red XSX $540
Instrument dials in White XFJ $860
Sport seats P09 $0
Interior Leather
Steering column casing in leather XNS $465
Porsche Crest on headrests XSC $285
Storage compartment lid with model logotype XUV $330
SportDesign steering wheel 840 $490
Total Price* $104,150

 

I would not order PSE and go after market. My car was on lot vehicle and it didn't have the PSE.

I am glad it did not have it, aftermarket exhaust save weight and sound better and performance gains.

Luv my FVD exhaust, more aggressive then PSE but still live able without any drone

 

Drove both and ended up going with MT (old school I suppose).
PSE is a must. Some aftermarket exhausts may present warranty challenges.

My wife drives my MT S in her heels with no issues what so ever..

 

For S. Florida I would suggest the following;
Ventilated seats.
Smokers package (for storage).
Rear wiper is not necessary.
Power steering plus is pointless. (I wish I had NOT ordered it).

Going from a R8 V10 to a 3.4 Base, will you not feel underpowered in terms of torque?
You're about 10k from a well optioned 911s.
Just my $0.02..

 

The Premium Package includes ventilated seats.
I specced the power steering plus for the wife. I figured it wouldn't be offered if there weren't a need for it at low speeds for women. I'll check with my salesman and see what he recommends. Thanks for the suggestion.

I haven't owned the R8 for 1.5 years (bought it new at the end of 2010 and sold it a year later) so I'm not going from that car to the Porsche. It was not comfortable for me and I have the same problem with the Cayman, which is what I went to my Porsche dealer for originally. I'm just too big and heavy for tight bucket seats. My DD is a 2013 Bentley GTC V8 which has plenty of torque despite its mass, but isn't a very sporty ride so I think I'll be plenty happy in my first Porsche.

I'll look into the suggestion about the Smoker's Package.

Thanks, all!

 

I have the MT 7 spd and the PSE wouldn't have it any other way. The MT shift makes it more fun to drive and th PSE is quiet when off and not too loud when on.

 

With the Luxor Beige interior, you might want to think about the Std. Carpet Deviating (Black) option. That way, the floor carpeting and floor mats are black, instead of beige. The option is not shown on the Porsche customer configuration website, but the dealer can get it for you. Order number: 24951, cost: $710.

Hope this helps.

 

I have a manual Turbo and had a PDK 997.2 S and am one of the few folks who happens to like both equally . I find that the PDK shines where the manual falters and visa versa . For instance a PDK car will NOT over rev . It will even ignore an over rev command which in itself is a major engine saver . The manual however places not just a hands on experience but includes the feet too . I find the cerebral component of rowing the gears very fullfilling .

In my opinion however you have a 104K base car optioned and I would save the money on PSE as well as PDK and go for a manual S. The extra power is something you will never debate with yourself .

Personally .. and this is my strong opinion .. I would not buy a base car . I feel that 100K is either close enough to an S or even better spent on a CPO 997 GTS or Turbo .

If a custom build 991 is the way you must go then an S and manual .

Although . I just looked at your color choice (guards red) and in my many searches I found a red C2S with PDK . It's not my personal color choice but it's so close to yoir build . See here .
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...gIndex=9&Log=0