Hi James. I went through the same reasoning as you did and especially since I have owned both 997 RS, and also 991.1 PDK GT3, and I have really struggled to make the decision of which gearbox to order for my 991.2 GT3, and especially I have wanted the car to be my daily, but at the end went with the manual and boy I am glad I did. I have now close to 3K miles on the car, and it is absolutely my favorite car ever. The reasons I have fell in love with this manual, 1- the very light clutch effort, and unlike the RS clutch, which what made driving the RS as a daily a nightmare 2- the GT3 new transmission allows for no lift up shifts, of course cutting shifting time in half but mostly allowing you to perform near perfect up shifts every time at 9K RPM without risk of over revving as the RPM is held electronically as soon as you depress the clutch pedal, and without lifting the gas, so you can time it every time around 9K enjoying this glorious 9K shifting, and this is done without activating the sport button which performs the throttle blips for you during downshifting, allowing you to still heel and toe yourself if you desire to do so. Although I still activate it when I am lazy, and want to hear these marvelous perfect blips. Finally the shifter itself has a solid mechanical feel and similar to the RS as it retains the copper bushings RS shifter had. All and all it is the best manual gearbox & shifter in the world. This car has become my favorite daily car. One more bonus about this car, that the manual comes with a mechanical Diff, so it has a different driving characteristics than the PDK car with the E-Diff. The mechanical diff allows you to perform perfect drifts if you wish to do so, but mainly it brought back some of the old characteristics of the old 911, allowing you to rotate slightly when you lift mid corner, but as soon as you smash the throttle it propels you out of the corner, allowing you to throw the car in the corner at higher speeds, then lift to rotate it then smash the throttle to pull you out. It is so much fun and you can’t do that with the e-diff. ...If you ever come to the US, you are more than welcome to borrow my GT3 or any of my other cars and enjoy it during your stay in the US. Great video bud. Mark

1 year later regrets his decision and buys a manual.

I understand you decision on opting for PDK. You don’t really understand until you own a Porsche with a PDK. It’s an amazing transmission and it only gets better with 9,000RPM to rev to. I daily drive my Porsche with PDK and have no regrets!

Great start to thr day when you wake up and see a 991.2 gt3 video from james

Porsche is probably the only brand that can make near identical cars for years and no one complains.

So excited for the journey of this car, the first 3 real videos with it to me is what has been slightly missing over the past few months with the content, your passion and love of your own cars. It shines and forms a connection far greater than just having brand content. Epic. Summer will be good! 🙌

I’d still take a manual, but in Touring form, this regular GT3 does suit PDK though

I'm sold on that car 100% and what a gorgeous spec James!!! You nailed it! Keep up this awesome content as well. I really enjoy it as many others!!

A Porsche 930 Turbo would add some nice contrast to your Garage😱

Another day, another awesome MrJww video!!! 😱 Loving the new GT3 context ❤️

Nice touch with the MRJWW on the armrest

My first exposure to an auto that I truly love is the DSG in my GLI. Love that dual clutch setup. And now you find it in Porsches, Ferraris, etc. There’s a reason for that. It allows you to truly exploit all the goodness an engine has to offer. Those 9k shifts? Sublime. Well done.

Beautiful none the less... Keep the n.a cars coming please. And never sell this or the 458 🔥🔥🔥

You're overlooking a huge detail with the manual transmission. The PDK has 7 gears. So each gear is shorter. That's why you wind up shifting so quickly. With the manual you aren't shifting quite as often because you aren't hitting redline in the blink of an eye-it has 6 gears, not 7. I too thought, "holy crap how can anybody shift so quickly and so often in the manual" when I drove a PDK 991.1 RS. But now that I have the manual .2 GT3, it's not a problem because each gear is slightly taller since there's only 6.

Fantastic video. And absolutely love they way you explain things so eloquently and in simplistic ways. Hat off to you James. Looking forward to seeing the next video as always

Great explanations MR JWW. I hope people reference this video. The aggression of the revs , seamless shifts and brutality of the exhaust note between the shifts is superb.

The best decision is the decision that makes you happy. Love the touch with the logo! Would like to see your car rock some awesome new exhaust. By the way, is there any possibility for you in a future with GT2 RS or GT4/GT4 RS, that would be real hardcore.

I am in complete agreement with your reasons for going with the PDK box. I spec'd my gen 2 GT3 with the PDK box and I absolutely love it! Very nice touch to have your logo embroidered on the center arm rest. Thanks for another great video!

Gotta love the personal touch of the stitching on the armrest James. Great take and explanation of manual vs. PDK driving for those that don't know the difference. Keep the content coming mate.

Great video as per usual,full of excitement too,love it all! Keep up the great work!

As much as I like Manuals, especially with Flat 6's you can't beat the current PDK gearbox. The PDK is the best gearbox on offer right now, haven't driven a GT3 but driven the 991.1 and 991.2 Carrera with the PDK, and it's such a good gearbox

I used to hate porsches, for no particular reason but since watching yourself and Salomondrin , they have became one of my favourite Manufacturers. also....Any road trips and or collabs on the horizon James?

I just want to say thank you for being so thoughtful and for sharing that thought process with us. Yeah, I was one of those guys who thought you should have gone with a manual and I left a comment saying as much 2 videos ago. However, now knowing how carefully you considered your options and how well thought out your reasoning was/is, I no longer feel like you missed out on something. And if you ever get your hands on a 997 GT3 RS 4.0 to have the manual experience, that would be OH SO SWEET. Looking very much forward to all your future GT3 content! Cheers sir.

Absolutely beautiful! Love the spec and can't wait to hear the new exhaust.

Unreal content as always James! Your GT3 is the exact spec I'd want. Only thing I'd add is black door handles! Keep up the amazing videos!

Hey James, first of all congrats to your spec- looks epic. I' d love to see a video with the gt3 in the alps, driving mountain passes.cheers

Can't get enough of that gorgeous howling exhaust note 😍 And really nice personal touch on the armrest 👍🏼

Great video James! Here's a few video ideas: POV driving road/track and back-to-back comparison with manual 991.2 GT3 with wing and/or GT3 Touring Pack (if its logistically possible😅)

I get your point about the automatic, but still you feels much more connected to the car with manual as you said! I would choose manual, if I could afford it.....

Great video James, as always!!! I have the PDK in my 991.2 GTS and I don´t miss having a manual gearbox at all!!! It´s fits for everything, track, city, country roads and when you have it manual-mode and sport-mode it´s just so good!!! I like your Porsche videos more than the others so keep em coming :) is it detailed and PPF? Classic video but we always like seeing cars becoming 100% perfected!!

Love the embroidery logo James, car is beautiful and can't wait for the exhaust upgrade. (hopefully done before your next video)

I get your “daily drive’ argument if you are arguing for the PDF over the manual but it certainly can’t be more fun by taking away some of the involvement. If it were you could argue that replacing the steering would be a good thing if manufacturers came out with a supreme steering system - then where does it end. Hope you see my point. Great videos really enjoy tuning in & keep up the good work.

Well said - kudos for having the courage to stand by your convictions. Would also love to see you review a manual gen 2 991 GT3 to see if the reality matches your expectations.

Really enjoying your videos pal 👌🏾

Great review on having PDK on this modern GT3 to truly use every bit of its raw natural aspirated power. I have already put 2500 miles on my 991.2 GT3 (PDK) and it has brought me joy on both regular roads and race tracks. My 991.2 GT3 Touring (manual) in Miami Blue is coming in about a week and can't wait to experience the joy of cruising around mountain roads and coasts. Thank you.

James, congrats on another beauty. Did you get the extended dashboard leather and deviated stitching? If so, do you find it nice or too busy with all the stitching below the windscreen?

Insane car with a stunning spec! Can’t wait to see it in person..

That GT3 is gorgeous and I think you nailed the spec!! Well done James!

I totally love your car, I’m so jealous! It’s the exact same colour and spec I would have gone for. I’ll buy it from you in a couple of years.

Love this car, looking forward to see what you do with it including that exhaust 😍😍 although, I can't wait for the 812 SF. I need that V12 howl back.

Great job James as always I can't wait for the GT3 and Speciale on track

you are the kind of KZfaqr/person I really would like to meet and talk to about cars. your videos are on point awesome content. greetings from germany!

I picked up a 911 Turbo S Cab, and absolutely love the PDK. Manuals are awesome, but I’m not sure I’ll buy a modern car with a stick. Maybe a throwback, but not new for all the reasons you mentioned. Anyway, been enjoying your videos. Fun and very well done. Thanks

Epic!! "Welcome back to the GT3"! GREAT VIDEO JAMES

Well shot, well produced... well explained. Well done Sir. Enjoy it, it’s a beautiful car

Love this GT3. I take your point about the PDK, although my E30 M3 revs out to 9.2K and I love the manual gear change. I guess I would just have to have both?

Was at goodwood today James with Porsche gb club the gt3’s there sounded amazing there was a gt3 rs there today by god that thing is on a different planet . Are you planning on being at the festival of speed this year with the gt3 ??. Agree on the gear box ,the way those gears boxes fly though the gears on track is simply witch craft . Keep up the good work as all ways videos beautifully shot 👍👍👍👍👍

Great explanation and I fully get what you did ! Personally if I had one, I think it would be my only special car and would love having it with a manual to make it extra special. And also Mr Walter Röhrl said he enjoid driving the manual one more ! Thanks for sharing your experience with this car :)

Having been super lucky to drive my mates GT3 gen2 with PDK I agree 1000% with your choice manual is a good choice for the T or touring pack but yours and his are as close to a race car I’ve ever driven on the road

Awesome car & choice of gearbox James. Miami blue growing on me too. Leave it stock,exhaust is great as is,logo cool too✔️

Great video. I love my PDK transmission. I daily drive my 911 and use the paddles all the time. No comparison. Good choice James.

I OMG this thing sounds biblical get an exsuast for it that would be heavenly

As this is going to be your 'daily' are you going to get it PPF'ed? I also get what you say about choosing the PDK Box - totally suits the car and as you say if you have spec'ed the car with a man you would drive it differently, probable more tamely. Great video as always with plenty of smiles per gallon that rub off. Thanks James.

Love that car and spec, would like to see you take it to the alps at some stage, what’s happened to the RS 6 performance as your daily ?

Love the sound love the logo. Everything you said about the gearbox bang on. For me there ie nothing else out there that dose everything as good as a Porsche 911.

You have purchased my dream spec of Porsche! The color on it is just amazing. I would love to hear a new aftermarket exhaust on it even though it already sounds ridiculous! Also has it had PPF yet?

After my manual 997.2 gt3 I bought a 991 pdk. I now have a 718 gt4. While the pdk has lightening fast shifts it left me feeling that something is missing. I never felt completely fulfilled with the experience. While I might not be quicker than others in a pdk off the line, I’m definitely smiling more. You just cannot beat the manual Porsche gt gearboxes! What a feeling !

Great stuff James, and I would have spec'd the 991.2 the same as far as the PDK is concerned. I am more concerned with performance than total engagement at this point. BTW, if you ever happen to be heading to the US, see if you can't arrange some track time at Sebring. Great historical track and loads of fun to drive.

Do you think it will struggle to get on trackdays with an after market exhaust? Thanks for the video

Couldn’t agree more James I’ve got a V8 manual Holden and that’s about as quick a car as I’d want with a manual Probably pushing similar power to the GT3 but doesn’t rev and accelerate as fast. First to second and second to third is still hard to keep up with in my lump, never mind the GT beast!

I've never regretted my manual - and it doesn't hurt the depreciation curve as much . But I totally get the convenience of PDK. I'd like to have one of each!

PDK is awesome and respect your decision. However if you look at my onboard video online from Silverstone last week you will see the Manual box is every bit as good. You can now also do Flat upshifts if you want! Just lovely having a clutch. My RS will be PDK as that’s the track version IMO..GT3 is awesome road car- very compliant

Great description as to why some cars are better with dual-clutch. As a lifelong manual owner I have fallen in love with the dual-clutch in my Evo X...no more manuals for me. I’m a dual-clutch disciple now.

congrats James! awesome car and spec

I think it needs a bright yellow roll cage, that would be incredible! Other than that, gorgeous spec, congratulations James 👌❤

Gt3 content always on point!!💯

Good choice on PDK for the 991, like you said the manual choice certainly belongs with the 997 esp given that's the last 911 to have hydraulic steering too, that platform it's the nth degree in interaction no doubt. Plus had the exhaust 3 months before the car.....sign of a proper enthusiast and not just an average joe like most of these youtubers are. Great vids as always and epic car/spec.

Can you do a comparison drive video between your car and a manual 991.2 GT3? It would give us more of a perspective as to why you've chosen the PDK gearbox

@MRJWW should be the most subscribed youtuber in the youtube universe! He is pure excellence when he explains the details of vehicles, his expressions, and emotional communications. Pure class and always reminds me of Obi Won Kenobi, just a true dignified class act, always dead on with everything he says and does, a total boss and awesome! The kind of guy you'd want to be best friends and next door neighbors to for life!

Congratulations on the car! How does the 991.2 ride on rough roads compare to the .1? Asking because I am shopping for a GT3 - an upgrade from my current GTS.

Are you going to try fit carbon fibre air vents under the rear wing? Some carbon parts wild really suit that colour! Small splitter n maybe rear diffuser ? Sounds awesome too! Here’s to many smiles per gallon! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

One day, if I work hard enough, I can say "my daily gt3" hahaha Cheers mate, you're such an inspiration!

Loving that JWW logo in yellow! To contrast the Miami Blue, soo good!

I think that you made completely the right decision going for the PDK for all the reasons that you mentioned but especially the fact that porsche engineers tuned it as a complete package with that gearbox. Take it to the Nurburgring, get some coaching do a tution session where they shut the Ring so you can do the same corner over again, it is fun.

I think the pdk is the most tech-forward option. There's a reason they use it in the race cars, after all, so to me, the pdk makes more sense than a manual. For some reason, i was expecting your logo to be rotated, as if to read it if looking through the windscreen, but it's a very cool touch. VERY nice car, my friend. Very nice, indeed!

You are absolutely right: would go crazy shifting gears with those quick revs

The epic sound, and that fun paint color. Gotta love the GT3.

Awesome video JW

I own a 991.2 GT3 with a 6 speed manual. The experience is amazing and it takes the 991 GT3 to another level. I wouldn’t even trade it for a 991.2 GT3 RS. It is the best car I’ve owned. With the flat upshifts feature and more power to the wheels the manual is probably 1 second slower than the pdk around the track. Many cars out there offer dual clutches but Porsche is one of the few that still gives you an amazing engine with a 6 speed. Any viewers looking to purchase a GT3, GET THE MANUAL! You won’t regret it.

That AP Royal Oak Offshore is a nice piece to rock in the GT3. I like to wear my FP Journe Elegante 48 Titalyt in my 2018 GT3.

Totally agree. Love the car (and gearbox!).

very good points, well done

It’s such a great car either gearbox will do. I went pdk as well,on the roads near me the ability to have both hands on the wheel all the time is a huge plus . I also think what you lose in interaction with the pdk is compensated by the ability to maximize the engine,by which I mean you are able to access it’s performance easier and quicker. And as you said the car was designed to be pdk .

your reasoning is very sound and I agree on all points (although I never driven a 991 GT3) modern cars are so fast nowadays, like you said, that a manual will hold it back massively. restricting that wonderful revving engine with a manual would be a crime.

Hey James, do you feel like there is enough difference between the GT3 and GT3 RS to warrant purchasing an RS?

Well James, your content is already stunning with the .2 GT3 but I mean I am sure you know this, but still, you remember the video you did with the F12 GT3 and the LT together? Maybe something similar with the 458 Speciale, RS6 and The GT3? and gotta say it, I love the armrest MRJWW stamp of approval haha!

7:14 That says it all. BTW, you make a good point on the PDK.. You really can't go wrong on the transmission.

Great car👍😎 Bring it to the Swiss Alps. Would like to see you carving there..... Enjoy so far.....

I love the logo, but whilst it makes lots of sense that it would be positioned so you can read it when sat in the seat. I think it would have been very cool if it was facing forward so it could be read from the camera perspective? Really cool either way!

Epic car....epic sound!!! Love your videos Mr! :D We wanna see you in that car at Green Hell! :D

That logo on the armrest look so perfect 👌🏽

What a car! Love watch your GT3 videos

It’s personal preference. I also have the 991.2 GT3, and after owning a GT4 prior - it was a no-brainer for me to go manual. And I’m glad I have. The manual gearbox is astonishing. It’s a special car and does trackdays and European tours. I’ve kept my GT4 too, and even that offers a completely different experience. I understand the PDK preference, but it’s just not for me. There’s no right or wrong choice.

I went from the BMW DCT box to the VAG double clutch box to manual, and have to say that manual now feels like something from the Stone age.

The GT3 looks so good!!!

I am loving your Gen 2 GT3. That sound I can only imagine in person. Is there a way to see the engine bay I've never see a Porsche engine? That Miami Blue is awesome! Btw what is the brand of your sunglasses?

BEAUTIFUL sound!!

I’m totally agree. In my classic porsche i love it with the manual gear box, but in the rest of my cars I prefer the dual clutch 👌

I have a 991.1 GT3 with PDK..... under (very (very)) heavy braking I like keeping both hands on the wheel..... I also like that in corners the PDK gives you the paddles or the gear lever to give you options ....depending on what "situation" you've got yourself into. Whilst i'm on, do other owners find the PDK Sport a bit overly jerky when you just keep it nailed? I think i've convinced myself a tiny lift can help smooth things out (or is this just imagination??) .... anyone know if there are any software updates for the PDK to smooth it out a bit (not sure i'll even bother with it on track) - requiring a tiny lift seems to be missing the point somewhat !!

Good comments , the Porsche PDK box the surly one of the very best ,in the game , the traffic nowadays means at most the enjoyment of manual changes is minimal, the auto takes the element of hassle away while providing those lightning fast changes, personally ,it would be my choice as well ,as for the Rest of the car , is it possible to make it any better ? Porsche always think so ! And who are we to argue . Once again a blog with subject and structure from Mr JWW, as we expect , and sadly lacking from so many others .others watch and absorb .🤔