Picked up my 991S late last week and, despite the weather, have managed to put a few hundred miles on it.

Bit of background on the car - it's a solid black 991S coupe, with a couple of options including
Black interior
PDK
PDCC
SPASM (-20mm)
PSE
Paddles
Bose
Auto-dimming mirror/auto-wipers
Folding mirrors
Carrera sport wheels (with coloured crest)
Rear wiper
and other stuff.

It's early days, but first impressions?

I'll start by saying i've had weekend test drives of the Cayman, 911 GTS, 911 and the GTS4 during the past 12-18 months. All quality vehicles in their own right. The Cayman is a go-kart in my mind, much more than the 991/911 could ever be. The GTS/GTS4 has heavier steering than a 991 (in a good way) and certainly like the idea of it being the end-of-run model.

That all being said, nothing compares in my mind to this 991. I've heard it before in forums and reviews that this car has a split personality... i couldn't agree more.

I'll write updates from time to time and promise to send photos very shortly (need some sun), but for this post i just want to say that those who are contemplating it and can financially do it: DO IT. Seriously, it is special.

My first day following delivery was almost underwhelming. The sports exhaust is incredible (a must-have) for pure show-pony value and to remind you how many ponies you have working for you in this machine, but outside of that the PDK on Normal mode in auto borders on lazy. Arguably that laziness could well be me given i have the PDK in auto mode.
Take for instance when i'm travelling at 30mph in a built-up town. The PDK has me in 7th gear. Revs are kept low (when in auto-PDK) to the point where you could be driving a Ford Mondeo. Why? I'm certain its to keep emission levels low (and also car tax and local parking taxes), plus it certainly helps keep it as an everyday car for non-sports car enthusiasts. I get it. With paddles on it is very different and the above description is actually unfair, but certainly do not test drive this car and form an opinion without trying...

Sports Mode:
It is like you've stepped into a different car. It is simply incredible. Bring a smile to my face just typing this now. An experience both in terms of linear power (torque), sound and tightness on cornering which i can't recall from any Pork or any other car i've has the pleasure of driving.

I haven't mentioned the steering, but in both Normal and Sport mode i have no complaints since it tightens up. At 0-25mph i can certainly feel the difference between the 991 and a 997/Cayman - it filters out some noise and simply feels lighter to me, but beyond that speed i do not sense the difference. It's more secure and 'stable' at the front, but i am missing the point journos and others here when driven 'properly' (whatever that means). I'm also convinced it tightens further in Sports mode, though that may be psychological.

Happy to waffle on about it (feel free to ask). It's special.

Complaints? Not sure i have any at this stage. I'm not drinking the kool-aid, just a fact. The low revs and urgency to reach 7th gear in city driving makes sense, though feels odd compared to previous generations. I'd also like to be able to have auto-stop mode (engine cut-off) on off by default, but again i get it and it can be handy given current petrol prices.
Anything else? The lack of a deactivation switch for the airbag is a joke - they give the key for it, but has to be retrofitted for something north of £500.

But, with all that, it is simply an amazing car. It's a 911, make no mistake of that. Also make no mistake that it's not a 911 from last century... i'd hope not given what i just paid for it! Buy it or test drive it for a weekend (at least more than the token hour the OPC lets you usually drive it).

I'd be remiss if i didn't thank you all for your contributions to help me spec it and also thank you to the crew over at Paintshield for the paint film. Incredible job.

Photos soon folks, i promise...

Nice one, I take it you're running it in properly for the first 1800kms??

What a spec. No pics though, for shame!

(but seriously, congratulations - must be an amazing drive)

Sports PASM.

Sounds superb - congrats on the purchase.

Pics or it didn't happen

Congrats and enjoy it!!!

Think the handbook recommends 2k miles run in or somesuch.

Certainly over on boxa.net (boxster forum), going over 3000rpm before the temp gauge (water rather than oil) is above 80 is deemed to be a major sin

I thought the office Porsche run-in routine is...

a) Opt for Factory collection
b) Warm car up on Autobahn
c) Bed in at Nurnburgring
d) Bake fully on Autobahn on way to eurotunnel.
e) Arrive in UK, car fully run-in.

HTH.

1800 miles in my 991S handbook