Is a 997 turbo fast but boring to drive?
Discussion
david hockney said:
Can any former or current drivers of 997 turbos give an honest description of how much fun they are to drive?
I know they are very fast but does that translate to an interesting drive regarding it's handling?
Fast is fun....If you want entertaining handling get a 968, no you cant throw the back end out in it likeI know they are very fast but does that translate to an interesting drive regarding it's handling?
an M3, but why would you wasn't to do that with your 60K asset?????
I have found them to be a bit clinical if honest, the 996 T has passive suspension as opposed to active,
and more steering feel, kick in the back turbos too, last of the analogue turbos really, however it can be
classed as boring too by some drivers. No accounting for taste...
Plenty clowns on here will have different versions of this, you watch and see....
david hockney said:
Can any former or current drivers of 997 turbos give an honest description of how much fun they are to drive?
I know they are very fast but does that translate to an interesting drive regarding it's handling?
Depends on how fast you want to drive it. The problem is to feel on the edge and fully involved will require you to drive at speeds that are totally anti social on any public road. A 997 GT3 or even GT2 will be much more satisfying to make progress in as driver participation is greater however they are slower cars except at a dry fast race circuit. An interesting drive would be an old 911 (pre 964) where even at low speeds you will be facing high levels of under steer no ABS no power steering misting up of your windscreen along with clutch smoke filling the cabin. How's that for interesting. I know they are very fast but does that translate to an interesting drive regarding it's handling?
The other thing is that 911 Turbos can ruin the speed bug forever, after fully
getting to grips with the power it kind of ruins it when you go to drive another car.
Like that superb bottle of Red your mate pulled out at the dinner party, after that all
Reds taste secondary...
I do like comparisons...
getting to grips with the power it kind of ruins it when you go to drive another car.
Like that superb bottle of Red your mate pulled out at the dinner party, after that all
Reds taste secondary...
I do like comparisons...
The Red Devil said:
The other thing is that 911 Turbos can ruin the speed bug forever, after fully
getting to grips with the power it kind of ruins it when you go to drive another car.
Like that superb bottle of Red your mate pulled out at the dinner party, after that all
Reds taste secondary...
I do like comparisons...
Spot on totally agree really is a most accomplished car. We all sing about GT3RS and similar but a 911 Turbo 997 and 991 are the most accomplished cars of the range for road use. getting to grips with the power it kind of ruins it when you go to drive another car.
Like that superb bottle of Red your mate pulled out at the dinner party, after that all
Reds taste secondary...
I do like comparisons...
david hockney said:
Can any former or current drivers of 997 turbos give an honest description of how much fun they are to drive?
I know they are very fast but does that translate to an interesting drive regarding it's handling?
What's boring about passing a well driven GT3 or GT3RS on a wet road or a B road safely and decisively.I know they are very fast but does that translate to an interesting drive regarding it's handling?
What's boring about being at the helm of one of the fastest A to B cars around. Yes it cool to run a GT car but we are totally at the mercy of good Turbo drivers. Luckily most Turbo drivers are old guys just cruising.
Edited by GR GT2RS on Sunday 29th May 23:13
The Red Devil said:
The other thing is that 911 Turbos can ruin the speed bug forever, after fully
getting to grips with the power it kind of ruins it when you go to drive another car.
Like that superb bottle of Red your mate pulled out at the dinner party, after that all
Reds taste secondary...
I do like comparisons...
Disagree. getting to grips with the power it kind of ruins it when you go to drive another car.
Like that superb bottle of Red your mate pulled out at the dinner party, after that all
Reds taste secondary...
I do like comparisons...
The power delivery in a Turbo isn't to everyone's tastes. Fast may be, but plenty find the linear delivery of a normally aspirated Porsche more satisfying.
Had a manual 997 turbo for two years now, and I find it involving enough, and the performance is exhilarating
I think it depends what you are used to - coming from a TVR or GT3 or anything very analogue then maybe too secure and too competent, from an M or RS or AMG then not boring no. RS4 was my previous car.
Also depends on use, mine is my only car so I need some practicality, creature comforts and rear seats - prefect car for me
I think it depends what you are used to - coming from a TVR or GT3 or anything very analogue then maybe too secure and too competent, from an M or RS or AMG then not boring no. RS4 was my previous car.
Also depends on use, mine is my only car so I need some practicality, creature comforts and rear seats - prefect car for me
anonymous said:
[redacted]
That's all OK. Personally I love my Turbo S and I love my GT3RS. But they deliver different experiences in different conditions. The question at the start of this thread was is the 997 Turbo "AN INTERESTING TO DRIVE CAR" I am merely pointing out some of its attributes. One of these is it ability to travel at very fast speeds safely, personally I find that interesting but sure not totally involving. Sweeping through a series of bends in the wet or dry nailing the apexes and just feeling the way she glides in and powers out along with the amazing braking is I think very interesting. Edited by GR GT2RS on Monday 30th May 07:54
OP asked if a 997 turbo is fun. Not really in a way an old air cooled on sorted modern suspension or even a manual 997 C2 can be a hoot. I'd describe it as "devastating" or a "tech showcase". Very 959 like. N/A 2wd cars have always been the fun cars in the Porsche line up and the pick of the range. The turbos changed a lot over the years from being an unruly even dangerous car in the wet to one that nowadays conversely feels more fun in the wet than on a good piece of tarmac. I love them but not for everyone. Fantastic road car IMO and can handle the odd track day but be prepared for a very expensive tyre and brake disc bill post track day.
Yes it cool to run a GT car but we are totally at the mercy of good Turbo drivers. Luckily most Turbo drivers are old guys just cruising.
I like that, and yes they are. I often find long trails of traffic behind me if I am going slow on a B road
despite numerous opportunities for people to pass, they just wont bloody dare pass a 911 T. Maybe they
like following the fat rear end, or maybe they suspect that a light prod of the throttle makes a fool out of the passing move.
Also if you cut someone up in a Turbo you rarely get a horn. Do it in any other car and the horn gets blasted.
People are in awe.....
I like that, and yes they are. I often find long trails of traffic behind me if I am going slow on a B road
despite numerous opportunities for people to pass, they just wont bloody dare pass a 911 T. Maybe they
like following the fat rear end, or maybe they suspect that a light prod of the throttle makes a fool out of the passing move.
Also if you cut someone up in a Turbo you rarely get a horn. Do it in any other car and the horn gets blasted.
People are in awe.....
David , I had a 997.2 GTS and then a 997.2 Turbo - I preferred the GTS .(both PDK) The Turbo looked brilliant IMHO & was really quick but it was just a bit too point and squirt - great fun initially , but the novelty soon wore off and I found it a bit boring - put it like this I would not buy another and the 991 Turbo does nothing for me - I had a day at the PEC in one and it left me cold. I think you had a lovely GTSM 991 GTS IIRC , that was a lovely looking car. Going back to someone's red wine analogy - I think once you've driven a GT3 you don't look back - whenever I drive one , I don't think it's cool to drive a GT3 , I just think , why aren't all 911's made llike this - it just seems totally illogical to me that they aren't : but it's all personal preference in the end - good luck 
Edited by RSVP911 on Monday 30th May 15:53
[quote=RSVP911]David , I had a 997.2 GTS and then a 997.2 Turbo - I preferred the GTS .(both PDK) The Turbo looked brilliant IMHO & was really quick but it was just a bit too point and squirt - great fun initially , but the novelty soon wore off and I found it a bit boring - put it like this I would not buy another and the 991 Turbo does nothing for me - I had a day at the PEC in one and it left me cold. I think you had a lovely GTSM 991 GTS IIRC , that was a lovely looking car. Going back to someone's red wine analogy - I think once you've driven a GT3 you don't look back - whenever I drive one , I don't think it's cool to drive a GT3 , I just think , why aren't all 911's made llike this - it just seems totally illogical to me that they aren't : but it's all personal preference in the end - good luck
Nearly all 911 s are wonderful cars in different ways. The four wheel drive versions deliver something different to the rear wheel drive models. The old ones are a much bigger challenge to drive than the new ones. If you take the argument that a 991 GT3 is much more engaging than a 991/997 turbo then can you argue that a 996.1 GT3 is even more involving or how about even earlier models with no ABS etc. As you so rightly say its just a matter of where you feel comfortable with your involvement and the cars level of accomplishment or interference. Everyone has there own take on that. Personally I see merits on both sides of the argument.
But don`t lets us forget that the current GT3 cars now have ABS, PASM, power steering, rear wheel steering. torque vectoring, PSM, traction control, comfortable seats. auto transmission, tyre technology and minimal overseer and a normally aspirated linear power delivery. By any standards this lot adds up to a day in the park compared to what our Dads had to deal with. But hey don`t lets tell too many people how easy the current Porsches are to look good in and travel quickly lets maintain the myth that they are real mans cars. love you RSVP911 have you stayed at Sutton or migrated.
Nearly all 911 s are wonderful cars in different ways. The four wheel drive versions deliver something different to the rear wheel drive models. The old ones are a much bigger challenge to drive than the new ones. If you take the argument that a 991 GT3 is much more engaging than a 991/997 turbo then can you argue that a 996.1 GT3 is even more involving or how about even earlier models with no ABS etc. As you so rightly say its just a matter of where you feel comfortable with your involvement and the cars level of accomplishment or interference. Everyone has there own take on that. Personally I see merits on both sides of the argument.
But don`t lets us forget that the current GT3 cars now have ABS, PASM, power steering, rear wheel steering. torque vectoring, PSM, traction control, comfortable seats. auto transmission, tyre technology and minimal overseer and a normally aspirated linear power delivery. By any standards this lot adds up to a day in the park compared to what our Dads had to deal with. But hey don`t lets tell too many people how easy the current Porsches are to look good in and travel quickly lets maintain the myth that they are real mans cars. love you RSVP911 have you stayed at Sutton or migrated.
Edited by GR GT2RS on Monday 30th May 22:21
But don`t lets us forget that the current GT3 cars now have ABS, PASM, power steering, rear wheel steering. torque vectoring, PSM, traction control, comfortable seats. auto transmission, tyre technology and minimal overseer and a normally aspirated linear power delivery. By any standards this lot adds up to a day in the park compared to what our Dads had to deal with. But hey don`t lets tell too many people how easy the current Porsches are to look good in and travel quickly lets maintain the myth that they are rear mans cars. love you RSVP911 have you stayed at Sutton or migrated.
[/quote]
I guess this was sort of where I was coming from - the new GT3/RS's are super drivable for all the points you raise above and as such , they are very easy as a DD (but are capable of soooo much more !!) , hence in my tiny little mind , I think they should all be like this as they cover all of the bases (except for the rear seats I guess ) I suppose I just feel evangelical about them and I get carried away as I think everyone should have one in their lives
Don't get me wrong I love them all - especially the old air cooled stuff . Which reminds me , on reflection , I actually own an old 964 Turbo - so that shows how full of s
t I am - LOL . So , in conclusion , I guess I'm wrong - they're all good , just some are better than good , some are super great and fantastic
Re SC - all very confusing - I hear its remaining open , is this correct ?
Edited by GR GT2RS on Monday 30th May 17:46
[/quote]
I guess this was sort of where I was coming from - the new GT3/RS's are super drivable for all the points you raise above and as such , they are very easy as a DD (but are capable of soooo much more !!) , hence in my tiny little mind , I think they should all be like this as they cover all of the bases (except for the rear seats I guess ) I suppose I just feel evangelical about them and I get carried away as I think everyone should have one in their lives
Don't get me wrong I love them all - especially the old air cooled stuff . Which reminds me , on reflection , I actually own an old 964 Turbo - so that shows how full of s
t I am - LOL . So , in conclusion , I guess I'm wrong - they're all good , just some are better than good , some are super great and fantastic Re SC - all very confusing - I hear its remaining open , is this correct ?
Edited by RSVP911 on Monday 30th May 18:14
RSVP911 said:
David , I had a 997.2 GTS and then a 997.2 Turbo - I preferred the GTS .(both PDK) The Turbo looked brilliant IMHO & was really quick but it was just a bit too point and squirt - great fun initially , but the novelty soon wore off and I found it a bit boring - put it like this I would not buy another and the 991 Turbo does nothing for me - I had a day at the PEC in one and it left me cold. I think you had a lovely GTSM 991 GTS IIRC , that was a lovely looking car. Going back to someone's red wine analogy - I think once you've driven a GT3 you don't look back - whenever I drive one , I don't think it's cool to drive a GT3 , I just think , why aren't all 911's made llike this - it just seems totally illogical to me that they aren't : but it's all personal preference in the end - good luck
My last five Porsches represent something of a round trip:Edited by RSVP911 on Monday 30th May 15:53
996.1 GT3
997.2 GTS
997.2 Turbo S
981 Cayman S
981 GT4
The Turbo S is just a very different car to the other 4. It is incredibly fast and safe - very much a super rapid grand tourer imho. The various electronic aids/systems are integral to the proposition of the car. It is - if you like - very much a digital car and should be seen and appreciated for what it is. I did a 35 mile A-road commute at 6am year round in mine and enjoyed driving it in all conditions, including times when any of the others would have been nerve wracking. Ultimately I found I was very aware of the sheer weight of the car when driving on anything twisty, hence making the leap to the Caymans. A reach for handling over power.
I'll have another Turbo S at some point. They are iconic, and an absolute blast. Everyone should have one, if only for a little while! A Turbo S and a GT4 would be a great combo....
Edited by iantr on Monday 30th May 20:04
My last 5 cars-
Lancia Integrale
Subaru WR Prodrive 2000
Subaru STi Type UK 2005
Audi C5 RS6
Porsche 997 Turbo tip Gen 1 ( covered 25k in 2 years)
Current car-
Porsche 997 Turbo S PDK Gen 2
Are the Porsches fun? Yes. But then I'm a 4 wheel drive turbo nut.
Is the Gen 2 PDK boring? No,I would say it is the most confidence inspiring car I have ever driven.
Do I feel safe driving home in a storm on the motorway at 4am? Yes,unbelievably safe.
Lancia Integrale
Subaru WR Prodrive 2000
Subaru STi Type UK 2005
Audi C5 RS6
Porsche 997 Turbo tip Gen 1 ( covered 25k in 2 years)
Current car-
Porsche 997 Turbo S PDK Gen 2
Are the Porsches fun? Yes. But then I'm a 4 wheel drive turbo nut.
Is the Gen 2 PDK boring? No,I would say it is the most confidence inspiring car I have ever driven.
Do I feel safe driving home in a storm on the motorway at 4am? Yes,unbelievably safe.
Edited by Carlson W6 on Monday 30th May 20:03
I actually own an old 964 Turbo .................. Now that's a seriously interesting car. What colour?
Re SC - all very confusing - I hear its remaining open , is this correct ? ............................. Yes it is remaining open as a full centre not just a satellite they are in the process of hiring new staff as most of the original team have gone to Wolverhampton. Do you realise what this might mean???
Re SC - all very confusing - I hear its remaining open , is this correct ? ............................. Yes it is remaining open as a full centre not just a satellite they are in the process of hiring new staff as most of the original team have gone to Wolverhampton. Do you realise what this might mean???
Edited by GR GT2RS on Monday 30th May 22:22
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