Good lookin car, and the picture and quality as well! L/F!

Well, I've had a lot of arguments with FChatters between what is a manual and what isn't, and what is more fun, and we're clearly headed that way so let's end it now. Until I drive something with an automatic that I don't get bored in, I'll keep driving a manual whenever available. I just find manuals more fun to drive.

Hi Nick. I remember on the early 1999 Ferrari f1 360's that the gearbox electronics had a mind of their own. I remember I was accelerating hard to merge onto the Interstate and the gearbox went straight into neutral. All you could hear was high revs from the engine while my foot was on the throttle.. On Some days just getting any gear was a problem. The F1 is a true manual car just has the computer engaging the clutch for you.
In heavy traffic this was a pain in the A$$ because you always had to apply equal pressure on the gas pedal or the car would jerk just like in a real third pedal clutch car. Almost like how a novice driver does for the first time. The more traffic you faced the car became more temperamental. The Lambo's e gear never had these issues. Only weak reverse gears.
The new 7 speed dual clutch cars are perfect in every aspect. Plus you can save yourself 7200 dollars on fixing the f1's clutch. The f430's early cars were the same as the 360's. A 6 speed gated shifter in a Ferrari and Lamborghini is the most satisfying manual cars to drive imho. In the older classic Ferrari's you literally had to wait for the gearbox to warm up before you could engage second gear. My goal has always been to drive as many cars as possible to get my own opinion about them. These cars are so low to the ground that you always have to watch the road and take moderate inclines at a side angle. Very much not like a video game in these cars. I hope this gives you more of an insight. Take care Nick.

I'm kind of curious, is there much difference between Tiptronic and DCT other than quicker shifts? Because when I drive our Tip cars, it kind of just feels like I'm playing a video game by just pushing a button to shift.

I guess that's why they aren't in business anymore. Haha. I probably would've stopped the car in the middle of the track and demand a refund if I couldn't even use the paddles lol.

I hear you Nick. I only want you to experience everything first. A preference should never be debated! Everyone has different taste. The paddles do take finesse as well, especially at track speeds. I really hate using automatic. I was driving a MP4-12C on track with a company that is no longer in business, and using the paddles was not an option after the first lap. I was told to put the switch on auto by the officials. I was using the full rpms available and it works well at AMP. In auto getting out of the corners was difficult until the turbo boost kicked in. So many great cars out there! Take care buddy!

Don't get me wrong West, if I was into competitive racing, I'd go with an automated transmission (except probably in a Miata series). But despite being stuck in heavy traffic on steep hills in Raleigh/Cary, and stop and roll everywhere in Charlotte (especially the interstates), plus a couple of knee injuries, I've never wanted an automatic. In fact, whenever I've driven an automatic in those kinds of scenarios, I actually wished I was driving a manual. I just get really bored driving an automatic, even though I leave it in manual mode whenever possible.

I guess I'll get to see what driving a higher-performance car with a manual transmission is like soon though. My dad said he was going to order the clutch for the Stage III Allroad 2.7T this week, and whenever we get a chance to actually work on it and finish putting it back together, it'll have (hopefully) between 475 and 500 hp. All I know is that his current Allroad 2.7T (which has 325 hp and 325 lb ft of torque) has the Tiptronic automatic, and it suuuuucks. Very hard to drive smoothly....far more difficult than any car with an automatic should be.

Not if you live in a city like Atlanta, or L.A. I am in a traffic jam every time I commute here. I have driven a manual my whole life and I think for the classics it goes hand and hand. Every body feels a sense of accomplishment when learning and mastering the manual. I have driven the new Viper and the Z06 with a manual and honestly the first thing I said to the salesman was these should have a modern gearbox! Nice but only on very early Sunday morning. With all the modern electronics on a car using a manual is like using your expensive smart phone just to place a phone call. FYI Nick the Porsche program does have a comparison between the manual car and the automatic on their track. This is just my opinion because I have been blessed to drive all types of cars. I do believe 100 percent that if the cost is nothing for the car world both transmissions should be offered.

I guess the Porsche fan base is pretty dedicated for Porsche to admit that an auto-only GT3 was a mistake. Personally, I don't care for paddles at all; if I had a car I was racing competitively, sure I'd go the paddle shift route, but since the only time they make a meaningful difference is in shift times (which mean higher lap times), I think they're pointless in roadgoing cars. Manual is way more fun than automatic on any back road.

yeah, I think I would prefer paddles, but I agree cars should be offered in both, please more people

Wow! I didn't realize they were that rare! Both the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder are manual only by the way. Porsche has also announced that the next 911 GT3 will be available with both a manual transmission and a PDK automatic, a step in the right direction from the current cars' automatic-only setup!

well, i don't know either, but the guy said only around 300 will come to the states, and I know of 2 here now!

Nice! I don't think they offer an automatic in the Boxster Spyder either, so it's a true driver's car!

nick, saw a new boxster spyder manual today and looked amazing!

Wow that sounds awesome! I doubt Porsche would open up a seat in the GT4 to many people though, given how most people say they can drive a manual like a pro, then drive around like this (skip to about 2:00 which is when he starts getting on it):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODMIlCCf4r4

The downshift at about 3:00 is especially painful.

Nick Porsche has a driving program at their new facility/test track. I wonder if this car is in their fleet? Some of the cars include a 991 GT3 and a Turbo S. I will let you know what I come up with. Their prices are very reasonable and the seat time is over an hour!

Thanks guys! Dustin I'm kind of with you...I'm not a huge Porsche fan. But I'm definitely growing to appreciate their cars like this, the 997/997.2 GT2/GT3/RS, and the like because of the hardcore nature of the cars. Seriously, try to name another sports car of this caliber that is only offered with a manual transmission. And West I hope you do get to drive one of these! I can't imagine it would be anything but a hoot!

I love this model! Most definitely on my wish list for cars to drive soon. Great job Nick.

Awesome find! I'm not the biggest Porsche fan. 911's have never done much for me, not sure why. But man, the GT4 is such a cool car.

Thanks guys!