Porsche Cayman: Manual VS Automatic | Fifth Gear

In this classic clip, taken from series 22, which was first broadcast in 2013, Jason finds out which is really better, Automatic or Manual? For access to exclusive Fifth Gear content and all FULL episodes, join our channel / @fifthgearuk
#FifthGear #PorscheVSPorsche #ManualVSAutomatic
Check out our website for the latest car videos and news from around the web: fifthgear.tv/

[@FootballCoachK]

Marcus Gronholm with all the classic Bond villain lines.

[@bryanewyatt]

He is a classic Scandanavian driver. Technically marvelous but hilariously understated in presentation. Even when he yells in-car, it looks like an approximation of what he thinks people who are mad look like.

[@ownlabs]

If manual is an option, I’ll choose it every time

[@andysmith8031]

I’d pick the manual. It’s about the driving experience, rather than overall speed.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Finally, someone who gets it.

[@EyesOnlyNL]

But what is this so called 'driving experience' anyway? Is is really the same for everyone? I for example, love the experience of lightning fast shifts from my PDK. And the sounds you get in the 718 when you upshift in sport mode high in the rev range... Snorts like an angry hippo.. I love it!

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

​@@EyesOnlyNL You can cook with a microwave oven or a BBQ grill. Both will give you a meal, but one will require more 'human' effort which is extremely satisfying. You are correct, the PDK executes computer controlled lightning shifts, computer controlled exhaust sounds, computer controlled steering, computer controlled suspension, computer controlled braking, computer controlled lane safety, etc...you are essentially driving a microwave oven. There is nothing to calculate because no matter what you do, the computer is handling it. When you use your paddle shifters, steering and brakes, behind the scenes the computer is programmed to follow it's own instructions to protect itself and not listen to you. You are in a driving simulator. However, if you drive a 1975 Alfa Romeo Spider, you will have a real clutch and a five speed gear box, mated to a SPICA mechanical four cylinder engine. Like a BBQ grill you will have to control everything and nothing will override what you are doing. It's all on you. Everything will require human effort: clutching, shifting, braking, revving, lane changing, oversteering, understeering, etc. You can push yourself and your car to its limits and really "feel" what driving is all about This is not a simulator. You decide how you drive it, not the computer. When will you ever be able to do this in your PDK Porsche? The answer is never. Your car is so capable on our 65mph roads that you will never ever be able to begin to push it hard and you will run out of driving skill long before you run out of car. There is nothing challenging about it. Your car is a microwave oven and it will do it all for you and the only requirement on your part is to open and close the door...just like a microwave oven.

[@alexanderanderson7127]

@@bigmacdaddy1234so why dont you get a PDK and beat every track time out there because it just drives itself right?

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

@@alexanderanderson7127 I can program a Tesla to self drive and beat your PDK every single time.

[@peterscott2662]

This was predictable outcome even a decade ago. The real point of manual is just for people who prefer driving MT, not winning races.

[@cdb5001]

And also to save £2,000. Easy choice.

[@Dolby109]

*for people who prefer driving [end]

[@Gurka84]

But the manual won the race here. lol

[@JeffSSartor]

Manual till I die. It doesn't matter how fast they make the PDK shift. Manual is my choice.

[@tommypaddack]

It's pretty simple: if you care about lap times and drag races, get the PDK. If you care about driver engagement, get the manual. Porsche does a great job making both, you can't go wrong.

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

If you care about your left leg in London traffic - Pdk. The 4.0 cayman hrs gave me cramp in 1 hour

[@alanmason5307]

Completely agree, I wanted a manual but got a pdk, had a manual last year, both are excellent. Pdk in manual with paddles still rewarding and engaging, just not quite as engaging as the manual, pdk pips manual in other areas. Can't really go wrong with either.

[@masmainster]

If my driving consisted of just going out on a track every day and driving the doors off it, I would definitely choose the manual, but sadly that's not the case, my driving is mostly in stop start traffic with occasional weekend country road jaunts, I am afraid a manual car in heavy traffic is just an exhausting bore. Pdk.

[@MK-su6eg]

Agreed, 100%, my boxster s tipo magic 2006, is made for my situation, top down, cruising around in tropical island paradise, HAWAII!! No rushing, racing, but enjoying the best views ever!!! especially the beaches and the BIKINIS!!aloha!!!

[@gabrielvondaauer3543]

1:36 doppelkupplung*

[@MC-Racing]

yeah i noticed, and im not even german. cheers from Denmark :-)

[@Stikkzz]

@@MC-Racing yeah ,theres no R in kobling either ^^

[@MC-Racing]

@@Stikkzz ❤️🇩🇰

[@cincinnatislider]

The part of my brain labeled “fun” goes 50% offline while driving an automatic.

[@christopherblakeley]

Righttttttttt.......a multi time Touring Car Champion vs a rally champion on a race track. Real equal. 🤣 A true test would of course be same driver running both cars.....but that would show the PDK being faster and kill your MT bias. ☹️

[@darrensurrey]

Thing is, although the manual won, the automatic stayed behind him. Wonder if there was a poor line decision early on allowing Plato to overtake? In two older Boxsters, the manual would have left the automatic behind.

[@Leshic2]

2:20 fist pump up, I couldn't help but think of his description of a rock up Timo's bum.. Ha.. Love him.

[@cleverdog4]

How old is the original clip?

[@IloveElon2]

2013 by the registration plates on the cars.

[@cleverdog4]

@@IloveElon2 thanks! Can you search the plates? In the Netherlands you van search them online with the specs of the car.

[@konholio2]

Love the show but this movie style car chase is so fake. I prefer the Best Motoring style races, where there is no ridiculous overtaking and video editing. Also Vicky's shootouts are really nice and a better format overall, however kudos for the racing legend guest invites. Keep up the good work!

[@t8polestarcyan22]

Too bad that Best Motoring was the first to compare DSG and manual gearboxes. To further put benefit of doubts, they purposely brought in cars that were lighter and / or more powerful cars. At that time the only way to beat a Mk 5 Golf GTI DSG was a Honda Integra Type R. However even the DSG Golf GTI was a good match to the Integra Type R. MK 5 Golf GTI DSG vs. GTI Manual - DSG Wins MK 5 Golf GTI DSG vs. Vauxhall Astra manual (100kg lighter) - Golf GTI DSG Wins MK 5 Golf GTI DSG vs. Renault Magane 20 more hp - Still the Golf Wins MK 5 Golf GTI DSG vs. Honda Integra Type R - Type R wins due to more power and less weight but not so far ahead off the GTI. Dual clutch gearboxes are proven to beat any drivers on a manual. Another good thing about dual clutch gearboxes is they're also good in traffic and frequent stops at intersections as long as you don't inch forward too often.

[@FreestylerAlbert]

Mechanically identical, except manual vs PDK" reality: check the gearing how much longer the manual is. This is a typical porsche stupid thing because of emission and mpg crap. Example: 911 carrera S manual have: 1st gear 30% LONGER over PDK, 2nd 43% LONGER over PDK...(So the torque is also less with the same amount)

[@las3k91]

Great info!

[@Zygrene]

This and the two cars appear to be specced with different wheels, which probably means different tire compound and size. I think the manual has 19" while the PDK has 18".

[@michaelwbsin]

@@Zygrene Love your channel! Manual has 20s while PDK has 19s.

[@rodanone4895]

it was noise abatement because of where they force them to operate the motor in its rev range. there's a company in California that regears them if I'm not mistaken. I'll just keep my 996s....

[@FreestylerAlbert]

@@rodanone4895 that was only for the 992 GT3.

[@dreadalex]

Manual because you don't need to look after it every 5000 miles.

[@keithmatthews3821]

Having driven both (and bought a manual) I'd say the PDK, whilst brilliant, can't match the involvement of the manual. PDK is akin to a Playstation - just too easy to go quickly.

[@tifthetif6567]

I never andrustud the fuzz about MT. On a race track in high speeds is so much more fun to drive f1 pedals. MT is only fun driving slow a hothach around the b road.

[@itguru2037]

Is the manual heavy? Or light like a Miata?

[@heinzplay4209]

Old school

[@paullockwood7219]

But in the real world. The PDK is one you'd want to live with.

[@gregspark9845]

Maybe you, but not people who look for a more involving drive. Or people who drive mostly in city traffic. And what's the point of a car like this being used mainly for that? Just so you've got a Porsche in the car park? 🙄🤣

[@hobear637]

As a millennial, I own a 7 speed 991.2 C2S since apparently that means I won’t be able to steal my own car.

[@chanuka_rulez8343]

Manual all day, every day

[@travispastrana8345]

Esta es una carrera al estilo estadounidense, no sería mejor al estiló de Europa dónde hay curvas y subidas. Ahí los quiero ver. El PDK es bueno en arrancones y aceleración bruta, pero su fiabilidad? Es evidente que la caja manual es mejor para una conducción purista.

[@andresmattos7541]

Like two good ol car salesman

[@donaldw6049]

Who’s drag racing, every day? I’ld Rather the Manual. My left foot likes to be part of my driving experience. Yeah, trail braking aside

[@mrbigolnuts3041]

Oh shit that was goooooood!!!!!

[@Dolby109]

Funny we were just having this discussion in the Cayman FB group yesterday. In the end I don't really care how much faster the PDK shifts...it could travel back in time to shift instantly before I press the pedal. I want the driving experience and that means doing all of the driving, not ~55% of it. If you brag about winning a race with an auto it's like bragging about beating a game on easy mode. It's just too bad Porsche intentionally sandbagged the manual with worse gearing than the auto. The difference would not have been nearly so pronounced with equal 1-5th gearing.

[@johnshaw359]

Yeah, but he's a pro driver and I ain't, I'll take the PDK, thanks.

[@beagleman123456789]

Manual 👍👍

[@MrMgh76]

The manual had different rims and tires so not a fair comparison 🙄

[@lukehayvaz9194]

Manual only

[@N911GT2]

This is so full of BS, the PDK is faster everywhere. There is a reason why race cars don't have manuals...

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

I drove the 2020 Cayman GTS 4.0 got cramp after one hour - at age 50 the PDK wins Especially in traffic

[@Dudemania3000]

Dude if at 50 you're having trouble and cramp driving a manual I would suggest you get off your lazyboy and get your ass down the gym at least 3 times a week!!!! Picking the laziest option every time will only make your condition and fitness worse!!!

[@darrensurrey]

@@Dudemania3000 I'm 49 and don't skip leg day plus I play tennis 3-6 hours a week... and live in London. PDK would be my choice!

[@Dudemania3000]

@@darrensurrey You live in London enough said I guess LOL

[@darrensurrey]

@@Dudemania3000 Pros and cons. I love the balance of life but car ownership is problematic if you live too close to the centre.

[@MagicAyrtonforever]

@@Dudemania3000 Heavy clutch and odd driving position … I guess you’ve never driven a sports car.

[@farishanafiah8461]

Since I love driving, manual all the way for me. But if I want to share my car with my partner who can't drive a manual, PDK sounds like a better option.

[@ayayoutuber]

riding a bullet train is twice as fast, but you do nothing, no steering, no gas paddle, no shifting..just sit....is it more fun? that say it all...

[@matthewnicholas6365]

Manual Vs "Auto" is one of those cliche things that's passed from generation to generation. You can fit a bowl of porridge to a car with no idea where any gear is and people will still say it's better than the auto. Much like sitting behind a BMW for 10 miles and watching it indicate absolutely everywhere then saying "BMWs never indicate"

[@rodanone4895]

drag races.... yawn. launch control.... so he had a computer drive for him using mechanical advantage. i get it. pdk is faster. if i was racing on a track competitively. yes. any other situation including working my way through traffic. i prefer to keep busy. it doesn't need to be a culture war either. we just need to corporate interests to stop trying to maximize profit by minimizing choice. and i don't mean stitching colors in the leather. promise. manual cars will always be more desirable.

[@ffraj5104]

Bullish…

[@pwj9703]

sorry boys. but I always prefer a TESLA