my analysis of the Turbo 911 PDK

Just drove a Boxster with PDK. It is definitely an improvement over stick. 255bhp felt faster than my old Boxster S with 268bhp. 7 speeds is sweet. Shifts faster than my 2002 360 F1 Spider. Much fun to drive. Precise with feedback galore. a driver's car indeed IMVHO.

The biggest problem is my wife. She won't drive anything but a stick. But after her experience with PDK she loves it. Since it is her present for her Bday in June that is important.

My problem is that being used to the F1 system, the button on the backs of the wheel are confusing because for Porsche the buttons on the back is a down upshift. Just easier to use the stick on the center console for me.

So we ended up ordering a ruby red metalic/beige Boxster S with PDK still at the factory and will be delivered mid-June when we get back to Colorado from vacation. the stats say the PDK is 4.9 sec 0-60 compared to manual of 5.0 sec. The S ordered has a Chrono Package with Launch Control.

the car also has heated and ventilated seats (the one we drove had black seats- amazing)!

Other options:
Bose stereo
Self dim mirrors & rain sensor
Auto climate control
Bluetooth, Universal Audio Interface
19" Carrera Classic Wheels (one of my favorites)
Black carpet and mats
1.9% Financing

Couldn't find any Boxster S with sport exhaust.

 

congrads the boxster is a very fun car.
it took me a couple to weeks to get used the the toggles. I just remember to "Push up" for upshifts.
BTW I thinks there a Paddle option available.
Dont worry about the PSE , just get a Tubi!

 

I believe an aftermarket exhaust would void my warranty. I have had Tubis on both of my Fcars and LOVE them.

 

The PDK/DSG gives you a lot of flexibility that a manual doesn't, in addition to improved performance. (The Porsche 911 Turbo PDK supposedly beats anything Ferrari offers -- hard to argue with the numbers.)

I don't know where everyone here drives, but with traffic lights, metered on-ramps and general traffic in California I think I would go nuts driving a manual here everyday. The novelty wears off. I'm ecstatic to be able to put the Audi into automatic mode for slogging around parking lots, sitting in traffic backups, etc.

Also, while a manual is very appropriate in something like an F40, 308, 246, Boxer, etc., it almost looks deliberately anachronistic in these newer cars (including the 997) with digital everything, 16 airbags, arcade game lit steering wheels, etc. Everything is drive by wire or drive by sensor now anyway, so the whole lever-and-linkage concept is about as appropriate as bias ply tires.

My perspective after a few years of having an Audi TT DSG and Ferrari 328 side by side was that a manual is great for recreational driving on the weekend, but it just doesn't compete anymore. I would take a manual on vintage stuff or weekend fun cars only.

 

Being a long time "stick" fanatic (grew up in Europe,did not touch a slushbox for first 20years of driving) I have changed my views too.
Manual may be more involving but is obsolete on the track and tiring and frustrating in daily driving (Chicago can cure any love for it).
Even on weekend,recreational drives,I found myself preferring F1 or PDK.
The latter one (had a 997 S with PDK as daily)is what the future is ,IMO.

 

Read in a review that about half of new Pcars have PDK.

 

After spending time with the PDK and manual in 997.2 cars, I find the PDK superior in all aspects. Perhaps if I were considering a once-a-week car, I'd choose a manual, but in every other scenario, the PDK is better.

 

0-60 For Boxster S with PDK and Sport Chrono Pkg is 4.7 second and 5.0 w/o PDK. Pretty Darn Kwik.

 

yes, my dealer offers after mkt.