Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.While historically the vast majority of Porsche 911s sold were manuals, that trend has been tuned on its head in recent years. The reasons come down to a variety of factors ranging from emissions legislations, better drivetrain integration, and the unending quest for faster acceleration times. While the early Sportomatic semi-automatic box was a sales flop, the more conventional Tiptronic auto that debuted on the 964 gained a bit more popularity.But when the dual-clutch automatic (PDK) transmissions were introduced in 2009 for the 997.2, the vast majority of buyers opted for the two pedal models. The move away from manuals happened so fast that Porsche eventually stopped offering them on most of its model range. Nowadays, only the Porsche Carrera T and the Porsche GT3 (as well as a handful of limited run specials) are offered with manual transmissions. But enthusiasts have been clamoring for additional self-shifting models, and Porsche has just announced that the mid-spec Carrera S will now be available with a manual transmission as well.AdvertisementAdvertisementWe wanted to see whether this made the base Carrera T manual redundant, or great value. For those who aren't versed in the complex art of Porsche model numbers, the .1 and .2 that you will see after the 911 generation model name refers to the pre and post facelift models. We are currently on the 992 generation 911.Porsche 992.2 Carrera TBring a TrailerView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleIn Porsche world, the "T" suffix originally stood for Touring and was used to signify the entry-level 911s in the 1960s and '70s. It was resurrected for the 2018 model year for the 991.2, but this time it referred to a sportier, more focused version of the base Carrera instead of merely a stripped-out lower powered alternative. Initially, both a manual and PDK were available, which was also the case for all Carrera and Carrera S models at the time.The Carrera T's major selling points were the fact that it came with PASM Sport Suspension, a torque vectoring limited-slip diff and the Sport Chrono package as standard. Yes, other Carreras could have these extras as well, but it was more cost-effective than speccing up a base Carrera to the same level, and the Carrera T was lighter too, thanks to thinner window glass, reduced sound deadening and the option to delete the rear seats at no cost.AdvertisementAdvertisementFast-forward to 2025 and the 992.2 Carrera T has become the only manual offering in the 911 range aside from the track-ready GT3. This time you can add back the rear seats as a no cost option (perhaps Porsche has a warehouse full of them from 991.2 owners), and along with the same mechanical upgrades and weight-saving features as the earlier Carrera T, you also get rear-axle steering as standard, and now has a slicker six-speed manual as opposed to the seven-speeder used in the outgoing car. It is now also available as a convertible for the first time.In summary then, the Carrera T is slower, pricier and louder than a base PDK Carrera, but for those who derive their driving pleasure from executing a perfect heel-and-toe downshift around every corner, the Carrera T will always be the superior choice.Porsche 992.2 Carrera S MTPorscheView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleFor years the Carrera S has served as the sweet spot in the 911 lineup, offering a manual transmission alongside a substantial bump in power over the base model. However, with the introduction of the 992.2 facelift, the Carrera S became a PDK-only offering between 2025 and 2026.AdvertisementAdvertisementThankfully, Porsche has reinstated the manual gearbox for the 2027 Carrera S, and it slots in once again above the Carrera T in the 911 hierarchy. It is a US-only model for now, but may be offered globally. But is it really the better option than the cheaper manual transmission car, or does the old Porsche adage of base is best still apply here?Carrera Vs. CarreraPorscheModel2027 Porsche 911 Carrera T2027 Porsche 911 Carrera S MTBase MSRP$148,000$167,000Engine3.0L Twin-Turbo Flat-63.0L Twin-Turbo Flat-6Power388 hp473 hpTorque331 lb-ft390 lb-ft0-60 mph4.3 seconds3.9 secondsTop Speed183 mph191 mphIn a matchup where the winner is going to be a Porsche 911 with a manual transmission, there really aren't any losers. However, one is still a better buying proposition than the other and aside from a back-to-back test on suitable roads, the first step is to compare how the Carrera T and Carrera S manual stack up on paper.Both models come with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six, have the same six-speed manual transmission, and standard PASM sport suspension systems. The most obvious difference is the $19,000 price hike for the Carrera S MT, and the additional 85-hp and 59 lb-ft of torque on offer. This cuts 0.4 seconds off the 0-60 mph time and adds a notional 8 mph to the already ridiculously high top speed figure.In terms of specification levels, the Carrera T gets staggered 20/21-inch wheels, while the Carrera S has lightweight center-lock wheels as well as large brakes front and rear. It also gets the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) electronically controlled rear diff, while the T retains a mechanical LSD. The PTV+ system provides more control and quicker responses, while the mechanical system is more analog and less complex. You can decide which is best.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Carrera S MT also unlocks several additional options and customizations from interior materials and colors to the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) upgrade. The Carrera T is still the only regular 911 model that comes with thinner window glass and reduced sound-deadening insulation. Both manual Carrera models can be had in Coupe and Cabriolet body styles and are rear-wheel drive only.So Which Manual Carrera is Best?Bring a TrailerView the 1 images of this gallery on the original articleWe suspect that most manual purists will still gravitate to the slightly lighter and less pricey Carrera T. It is hardly slower than the Carrera S MT, and if speed is all you're after, then the base Carrera PDK matches the manual shifting Carrera S to 60 mph and is $31,500 cheaper. However, if you want a manual transmission, more customizability, and a slightly quieter cabin, then the Carrera S is the better choice. It can be had in a wider range of exterior colors, as well as be fitted with more luxury options which can make it easier to live with as a daily driver.Both models will deliver that engaging manual driving feel, and with the hardcore GT3 now starting at $235,800, they are the most affordable ways to get a three pedal Porsche, especially considering that the upcoming hybrid/electric Boxster and Cayman models are unlikely to be offered with a self-shifter.AdvertisementAdvertisementChoosing between these two comes down to your priorities. The Carrera T delivers as much of an 'analog' feel as is possible in a modern 911 that isn't a GT3, while the Carrera S MT offers a bigger dose of acceleration with added refinement. The winner is anyone who can afford a manual transmission 911 these days.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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