Manual GT vs. Manual S4: What's the difference?

[Davie Boy]

I thought I read somewhere that all GTs were manuals and all S4s were autos. Now that I'm helping a friend find one for purchase, I'm seeing that both could be purchased with manual transmissions. Given this, what's the difference between the two cars? Why would I want a manual GT over a manual S4, or vice versa?

[Danglerb]

89 had both 5 spd GT and S4, but in either 90 or 91 all 5 spds were GT, and all S4 AT.

A 5 spd is desirable, when first sold the demographic buying the 928 was something like 80% wanting an AT so wife etc could drive them, so Porsche shifted production percentages. Now the percentage that strongly want a 5 spd has increased, so supply and demand a 5 spd has a $3k to $5k higher market value.

GT is a rare 928, rare automatically bumps price, but many also see it as the "true" performance model. The cam profile is close to the more aggressive cam of the 85/86 first 32v, but will the advancements in the engine brains to detect knock and get more power out of the motor. The transmission is also highly desirable due to strength and gear ratios I think.

Owners of the GT say it begs to be driven hard, and thats also the downside, many people who like to drive a 928 hard and on the track picked the GT, so extra care may be required during inspection.

[Davie Boy]

Thank you.