Not an expert, far from it indecision

I haven't driven the new GT4, but the new one is using the same gearbox as the last one, and the 2nd gear is exceptionally long as compared to the rest of the ratios. Lots of corners that can be negotiated in 2nd gear in just about any other cars can't be done in the GT4 with grace, it needs a down shift to 1st to have any power coming back out. It's the same deal in my GT4 Clubsport. 

A couple of my racing friends drove and raced the new Clubsport, and said the extra torque in the new engine helps a bit to mask the long gearing but it still needs a shorter 2nd for sure.

I haven't heard of problems with the manual, but I do know the PDK box didn't quite stand up to the rigours of racing though.


--