DRIVEN: So, What's The 2017 Porsche 911 GT3 Like WITH A Manual Gearbox?

If you're an automotive enthusiast with a bit of jingle in your pocket but you don't necessarily want to — or can afford to — pony up the bucks for a dedicated track car, then there's plenty of options that are road-going models. But, it's hard to argue that anyone does it better than Porsche.

That's because the Stuttgart-based automaker has the 911 GT3 in its lineup. And when it is for sale it is the go-to choice for most. There's a reason for that.

With the current-gen 991 911, the company originally ditched its manual transmission for its dual-clutch unit, dubbed PDK. Well, that created a backlash in the Porsche community. With the refreshed 991 GT3, however, the manual is back.

Autocar in this review gives us its impressions, in great detail, on the refreshed GT3 and what it's like to drive the new GT3 equipped with a manual. I suggest you click over to scope out the full review, it's a good one.

That said, let us know if you'd go for a PDK or do-it-yourself GT3.

...Dial up Sport mode and the gearbox software will blip the throttle to provide perfectly rev-matched downshifts. Paradoxically, it is arguably more involving in Comfort mode, where you’re left to your own devices. The relatively wide spacing of the ratios requires you to be quite explicit on each blip, but get your heel-and-toe action right and you'll be richly rewarded. Applying this understanding to the way you drive this car is crucial to unlocking its performance potential on challenging roads, providing you with the feeling that you’re not just controlling the action but are an intricate part of it, too. One thing’s for sure: it is far more fulfilling than a simple flick of your finger on a steering wheel-mounted paddle...

...The decision now faced by buyers of the latest 911 GT3 is exactly the same one Porsche faced when it set out to develop the thing. For emotional appeal, there’s nothing like the manual version tested here. But in ultimate performance terms, the PDK model is king. The simple solution, of course, would be to get two - that way you’d never be disappointed.

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pcar4evr - 4/29/2017 8:04:52 AM

+3 Boost

I read that 80% of GT3 owners track their cars. For most of that group, PDK will be the way to get the best lap times. But maximum engagement (to me that translates as fun) comes with a well-sorted stick in any really good sports car. I imagine really expert drivers will enjoy the manual GT3 on the track at a level that most of us can't experience.

I know that some people use their GT3's as daily drivers or as weekend road toys, but if the clutch action is anything like the clutch on earlier GT3's, this will not be a fun car to be driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic. For the 20% that don't track, PDK would make this a more "comfortable" road car (the last generation GT3 had a more compliant suspension and you could use it everyday)

TheSteve - 4/29/2017 1:32:14 PM

+2 Boost

The 911 "991.2" incarnation with stick has a delightful clutch and 7-speed gearbox. It's arguably "perfect." Lovers of manual transmissions will swoon over its precision, feel, and how much fun it is to drive. Unfortunately, the price of admission to the 991.2 club is not affordable for many drivers.

TheSteve - 4/29/2017 2:17:20 PM

+2 Boost

Agent00R wrote "...let us know if you'd go for a PDK or do-it-yourself GT3..."

Firstly, I'm not a 911 GT3 sort of guy. I'd much rather have a well-optioned Carrera 4 or 4S, with a focus on a beautiful interior, comfort, a nice sound system, etc., and the smoothness of a PDK.

As you can probably tell, I love the look of a 911, the great driving experience, the superb handling, the luxury, the traditional(esque) dashboard, and the smoothness of the PDK. And I'm not a racer. I'd occasionally drive it aggressively on the streets (conditions permitting), but road racing, or a "dodge and weave" driving style is not my thing.

FWIW, I've driven manual transmission all my driving life, save for the last two years when I got my first automatic in an Audi Q5 SUV, and it's NICE! :-)

PREEMPTIVE POST:
For folks who feel compelled to say "if you like luxury and smoothness so much, why not look at Mercedes?", the answer is because what I like is not EXCLUSIVELY about luxury and smoothness. My current Q5 is my perfect 1-car vehicle. However, if I could add a second, it would be a 911 Carrera 4 or 4S.

HenryN - 4/29/2017 6:53:14 PM

+2 Boost

@TheSteve: if you're up for a 4S, I suggest you take out a bigger HLOC and get the Turbo. Once you drive it, not many things come close including the 4S.

MDarringer - 4/29/2017 8:30:32 PM

0 Boost

A lot depends on where you drive as well. If you're on the 405 through LA a lot, the turbo is pointless.

People tend to gravitate toward the optioned models, but the base 911 is perfect. Granted, there is nothing "base" about it and yes they are nearly impossible to find, but I have driven a nearly base 911 a few months ago and while I would never want a 911, the basic 911 is a tremendous car.

TheSteve - 4/30/2017 4:44:06 AM

+3 Boost

HenryN: re getting a Porsche 911 Turbo -- I considered it, and even did the numbers. In fact, the way I'd configure a 911 Carrera 4S (lots of specific options) would be within two grand of a base Turbo (no options)!

The thing is, I'm not seeking ultimate horsepower, nor am I looking to make a loud "racer boy" statement in terms of styling. I feel the 420 hp in a C4S is more than ample for me. I'm the kind of guy that ticks off the "Model delete" option, so the car does not even read "Carrera 4S" on the back deck. I debadged by Q5, because I'm not trying to make an "S-Line 3.0 TDI Quattro" statement.

But putting my tastes aside, I agree the Turbo is a luscious, wonderful car! :-)

pcar4evr - 4/30/2017 6:30:49 AM

+3 Boost

I've owned older versions of the cars mentioned here (997 C4S; avatar is my anthracite brown 991 Turbo S). The turbo S is a totally sublime automobile and but not really that much fun for where I live. So was the R8V10 Plus that I had for awhile. I find that my previous Cayman GTS and my current 718 Boxster S are far more fun (both manual trans.)

Every enthusiast should own a 911 variant sometime in their lives, but I really enjoy the "lesser" Porsches just as much and in many cases, even more.

TheSteve - 5/2/2017 7:24:21 PM

+2 Boost

pcar4evr wrote "... I really enjoy the "lesser" Porsches just as much and in many cases, even more [than the higher-powered ones]..."

That is my perspective as well! Few drivers' skill and talent will surpass what a base 911 Carrera can offer them in terms of performance. I recognize that in myself, so my aim is to get a "low end" 911 (i.e., the Carrera), and then load it up with:

...Safety options (e.g., Carrera 4's AWD for enhanced stability and nonlinear handling; torque-vector steering for emergency maneuvers)

...Beauty options (e.g., brightwork around side windows, leather everywhere)

...Comfort options (e.g., better padded Sport-Tex seats, 18-way sport seats, no bone-jarring sport suspension that's 20mm lower)

That way, I get an iconic Porsche 911, as beautiful and comfortable and safe as the factory can make it, and besides, it'll handle gloriously on the streets and be respectably quick and fast too.

focal - 5/1/2017 10:45:04 AM

+2 Boost

I broke the bank for a Cayman GT4. I would have been just as happy with the base 911 or the more basic Caymans too if street driving is your only focus. I can appreciate some wanted a little more comfort and taking the regular series cars.

The numbers work better on the GT4 and GT3. Lower depreciation means ownership costs are lower. At this point, the GT3/GT4 have really good dampers making daily driving a lot more bearable. The clutches are light enough too.

Spirited canyon driving or back road driving is so much fun with the manual. It really is about the mechanical connection and control. If you get to a HPDE day with the club, it's nirvana.