Gnil:
HeavyMetalThunder:
Actually, if I might drop my opinion, I just love manual gearshifters.
Its that mechanical connection with the car. .You become mates... I actually wouldnt mind if the gear shifts were slower and needed more heft. After a long drive, you park the car, switch it off, stick it in first, and say thanks for the nice drive my friend.
Thats the thing missing in autos and flappy paddles.. They are mind blowingly efficient, but more 'friends with benefits' than 'passion and love'
Automatics do have their place tho, but on big cars. The most enjoyable automatic I drove was the one on the Range Rovers. its got that majestic oomph as you roll on forward at a slow pace. You dont even know if its 2nd or 3rd gear, and you dont care.
I understand you very well, and had the exact same connection to my cars, or motorbikes . But you can not compare the auto in a RR and driving a Carrera PDK in sports mode, it like saying I do not like cars , when you only drive a Renault Kangoo.
The more I think about the manual the more it becomes something like a : nostalgia. Something very nice, but from the past. There is evolution and it goes with the ' assisted' gear boxes. And there is lots of future in them. None anymore in the manual as it can not evolve .
For me there are many ways to approach a PDK. And if you know how to use it properly, you do end up having quite a good and fun and involving relationship with it 
It took me more then 50'000 km to get to this point, but I think I am there now.
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997.2 C2S, PDK, -20mm
After having bought a 997.2 C2S with manual gearbox, for the very reasons that HMT mention, I have to admit that I have converted to the dark side. Two days at the ring in a rented 997.2 C2S PDK with the factory power kit was a revelation. Not only did the bloody PDK shift gears quickly and efficiently at the exact right moment, it was... take a deep breath... more fun too! With Sport Plus engaged and manually overriding at a few corners by blipping the paddles... wow! I had never expected this connection to the car and feeling with the PDK. It is like a manual, but better.
Afterwards, when getting in to my car, it felt like stone age...
Sorry for getting off topic: So, the 997 is brilliant as a daily driver, and so much more. Let it effortlessly take you to work during the week, transport your groceries in the front boot and kids in the back seats, push it to the limit on a track day on the weekend, then put the ski rack on and drive up the alps for a day in the slopes. It will outperform all disciplines. Again and again. Period.
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997.2 Carrera S in Carrara White. PASM-Sport Suspension (-20 mm), PSE.
987.1 Boxster S in Arctic Silver. OZ Racing Ultraleggera Wheels, H&R Monotube Coil-Over Suspension, H&R Anti-Roll Bars, Sachs Racing Clutch, Single-Mass Flywheel, IPD Plenum, GT3 Throttle Body, Recaro Pole Position Seats, PSE.
