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kentv1
My topic title says "manual or PDK," but I drove the PDK several times, know it's great, but still know I'll get a manual, as long as they make one and my legs work. I just like the driving experience and feel of control with a manual clutch and shift. But, knowing it's likely a worn out topic, is there a consensus of any kind when it comes to transmissions?
About the Boxster. I'm looking at a 911, but, in reality, my Boxster has been so wonderful all these years, I'm inclined to look at the new Boxster, instead. But I can't get used to the idea that the Porsche engineers (or is the VW influence) felt that a four cylinder turbo was the way to go. Raw speed isn't anything I'm after. I like the feel and handling, and the incredible quality and workmanship, or will that all now change, too?
So, my other question is whether the initial apprehension on this Board has given way to optimism and acceptance, or is the four cylinder 718 seen by purists as a big mistake?
I guess a little more: Do people here feel that a Carrera, say a base 2017 cab, is every bit worth the extra $50+K over and above what a new Boxster would cost? Are they such different cars that a comparison isn't warranted?
Thanks (and sorry if I'm beating a few really dead subjects).
Regarding the switch from 6 to 4 cylinders it is a mistake but not Porsche's mistake. It is -- and this ventures in to off topicness -- a mistake in that a burearacy has gotten to the point it can enact tighter emissions with no more justification than it can.
Modern vehicles are so clean running that any improvement in their emissions won't have any effect on air quality. Tighter emissions, "better" fuel economy demanded by decree, is not due to any concern about the environment, although that is the publicly stated reason. The real reason is to exert more control over society, to increase the cost of vehicle ownership, to increase demand for public transportation and to grow this, to increase the number of public union employees to increase the amount of money their unions donate to the favored political party.
Getting more back on topic: Manual vs. PDK? Both types of transmissions have their pluses and both have their minuses. But for your choice of which transmission that is only for you to decide. I've never driven a PDK equipped Porsche. I spent a week or so in a loaner Cayenne with a Tip and it was a fine vehicle, a fine transmission. One point that stuck with me was the fact the Cayenne still comes with a Tip and not a PDK. The word I get is the Tip, at least the version in the Cayenne, is better suited to the demands of an SUV, and this includes towing. The Tip is a more robust, more mature, transmission. However, in a Boxster with its less substantial demands I think the PDK would be just as good as a Tip.
I've considered a new car (well, new "used" or new new) and the question of manual vs. PDK has come up. While I would like to try a PDK -- provided a test drive found no reason for me to reject it due to its performance/behavior -- I tend towards favoring a manual simply for its simplicity and robustness. I've never worn out a manual transmission. While I never wore out an automatic either (had to have one rebuilt this in a used pick up I bought) still I am reluctant to let go of a manual and move to a PDK. I have put some "big" miles on manual transmission cars and in call cases the manual transmission has proved up to the big miles. And in only one case have I had to replace a clutch. But this was after nearly 150K miles (this in the Mustang).
In my case then if all other things are equal the car equipped with the manual transmission would get my nod.
Believe it or not regarding your dilemma regarding 911 vs. Boxster I'm kind of in the same boat. I have thoroughly enjoyed my Boxster all these 14+ years. It has been a fantastic car.
But I do not use the top down feature so the roadster aspect is of no real value to me. I do though appreciate the mid-engine layout and the car's handling, road feel, and because of its light weight without the feeling of "cheap" to obtain it really like the car's performance even though the engine is just 2.7l.
However, I'm generally not in favor of buying the same car again and again. Whenever I can I like to try something different. Ah,ok I admit, there have been exceptions: Mustang GT; Camaro Z28, and after a bit of a gap, a GTO. All front engine, manual transmission, rear wheel drive modern day "muscle" cars. Still that bit of a gap consisted of a Boxster and a VW Golf TDi. So there has been some variety.
Now I did for a time own a new Cayman S. A duplicate of the Boxster? Well, not quite but I really favor the attributes of the Boxster and the Cayman gave me the ability to keep those while getting rid of the soft top which while it hasn't been a bad thing I just don't use any.
Unfortunately, due to an accident just weeks after buying the Cayman my time with that car was cut short. I was unable to find a suitable replacement afterwards but instead ended up with a very low miles 2003 996 Turbo.
So recently when starting to think about what to get next, it has been which of the 911 models to get.
But after going through the choices, weighing each in turn against what I have and what I like/don't like, I have recently come to while not quite -- not yet at any rate -- embracing the idea of owning another Boxster, a new Boxster, or more likely, a new Cayman, both models have been added to the list of cars to consider when (if) I decide to buy another car.
My hold up is 1) I have not yet exerienced the new 4-cylinder model; and 2) I'm loathe to be the 1st one to jump onto the new model with the unproven engine. My general car buying rule is to avoid the first year example of a new model. The one time I broke this rule I regretted it. However, in another case I bought a subsequent year example (a 2003 Turbo) and given my trouble with this car one would think it was a 1st year example. So the jury is still out on 1st year vs. the 2nd or subsequent year.
As for your question regarding Cab vs.Boxster... While both offer top down driving experience they are rather different cars. Since depreciation is one of if not the biggest expense to owning a car I can tell you my 2nd hand info is -- this from talking to dealer employees from salesmen to SM to the techs -- Cabs suffer a very steep depreciation curve. Apparently while the Cab is much favored by the original owner and he is willing to pay the premium for the car, subsequent prospective buyers are not.
But if you really decide you want a Cab and if resale/trade in value down the road doesn't matter then the Cab could be the right choice.