I genuinely feel sorry for new 911 owners as they will never
Discussion
...get to drive a 'real' 911. 
I was offered a 24hr test-drive by my local Porsche Centre to experience a 992 Carrera S PDK. I have a 997 C4S and was looking forward to trying out the 992. It's a fantastic car but too large and 'GT' ish to be a true 911. No way one can hustle one down country lanes with confidence and enjoyment.
The 911 has sadly become a Panamera Coupe. The visceral, nimble, lithe, raw sports car has gone. It's a shame that all the new owners will never know what it feels like to drive the 911 of the past. Most new owners won't care of course (and may just want the badge and all the modern comforts) and will think the car is wonderful - but the 911 'feel' only materialies at very high speeds and the right size of winding roads.
Not really a rant... more an observation about how 911 now is a 911 in name only. Real shame.
I was offered a 24hr test-drive by my local Porsche Centre to experience a 992 Carrera S PDK. I have a 997 C4S and was looking forward to trying out the 992. It's a fantastic car but too large and 'GT' ish to be a true 911. No way one can hustle one down country lanes with confidence and enjoyment.
The 911 has sadly become a Panamera Coupe. The visceral, nimble, lithe, raw sports car has gone. It's a shame that all the new owners will never know what it feels like to drive the 911 of the past. Most new owners won't care of course (and may just want the badge and all the modern comforts) and will think the car is wonderful - but the 911 'feel' only materialies at very high speeds and the right size of winding roads.
Not really a rant... more an observation about how 911 now is a 911 in name only. Real shame.
I hear you, but that's just where you are individually placed in the circle of evolution, say your are getting old without saying your getting old!
I think 80's music is great, I don't much care for the 70's and 90's
There will be 993 owners that think you are missing out g, G series owners that think the 993 crowd are missing out, etc, etc.
It does seem a universal opinion that 997 might be the sweet spot however, so history could prove your point!
I think 80's music is great, I don't much care for the 70's and 90's
There will be 993 owners that think you are missing out g, G series owners that think the 993 crowd are missing out, etc, etc.
It does seem a universal opinion that 997 might be the sweet spot however, so history could prove your point!
Chris Peacock said:
Why do some people assume the owner of a particular car doesn't own any other cars, have never driven anything else and never will. 
Good point! 
I suppose I mean new 911 owners who haven't owned previous generations of 911's. Even if they have, surely they must feel that the 911 has lost a lot in the interests of 'progress', modernisation and capturing extra market share (especially in the US). I own a 2024 ‘911’, and largely agree that the latest generation cars are far removed from the original ‘911’ concept, but the nomenclature remains a clever marketing tool.
I bought my first 911 in the late ‘80s, and then a new one every 2-3 years since - so each generation to the present - including some earlier, collectible and race models alongside.
Each new model has added some improvements to target a broader customer base, but each has lost some DNA in the process.
Personally I think the ‘real 911’ era ended with the air-cooled models, and there will always be one of these in my garage.
Interestingly, 911s weren’t mainstream popular during that era. Many people (even on here) would not have bought a 911 at that time. That market preferred BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Ferrari, and 911s were seen as a bit quirky, austere, tricky to drive, and less exotique than similar priced competitors.
I bought my first 911 in the late ‘80s, and then a new one every 2-3 years since - so each generation to the present - including some earlier, collectible and race models alongside.
Each new model has added some improvements to target a broader customer base, but each has lost some DNA in the process.
Personally I think the ‘real 911’ era ended with the air-cooled models, and there will always be one of these in my garage.
Interestingly, 911s weren’t mainstream popular during that era. Many people (even on here) would not have bought a 911 at that time. That market preferred BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Ferrari, and 911s were seen as a bit quirky, austere, tricky to drive, and less exotique than similar priced competitors.
pick whatever 911 you want and get AI text generator to justify your choice.... easy....
In my opinion the 964 is the last true 911. The styling and handling of the 964 capture the essence of what a 911 should be. The classic lines, the raw driving experience and the connection you feel with the car are unmatched by later cars.
Many enthusiasts agree that the 964 represents the pinnacle of the 911’s evolution before it started to become more of a GT car. The newer models, while impressive in their own right, have lost some of that pure, unfiltered driving joy that the 964 offers. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s about the fundamental characteristics that define a 911.
I’ve heard this sentiment echoed by many in the community, and it seems to be a universal opinion among those who have experienced the different generations. The 964 stands out as the last of its kind, a true driver’s car that embodies the spirit of the original 911.
In my opinion the 964 is the last true 911. The styling and handling of the 964 capture the essence of what a 911 should be. The classic lines, the raw driving experience and the connection you feel with the car are unmatched by later cars.
Many enthusiasts agree that the 964 represents the pinnacle of the 911’s evolution before it started to become more of a GT car. The newer models, while impressive in their own right, have lost some of that pure, unfiltered driving joy that the 964 offers. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s about the fundamental characteristics that define a 911.
I’ve heard this sentiment echoed by many in the community, and it seems to be a universal opinion among those who have experienced the different generations. The 964 stands out as the last of its kind, a true driver’s car that embodies the spirit of the original 911.
wax lyrical said:
...get to drive a 'real' 911.
I was offered a 24hr test-drive by my local Porsche Centre to experience a 992 Carrera S PDK. I have a 997 C4S and was looking forward to trying out the 992. It's a fantastic car but too large and 'GT' ish to be a true 911. No way one can hustle one down country lanes with confidence and enjoyment.
The 911 has sadly become a Panamera Coupe. The visceral, nimble, lithe, raw sports car has gone. It's a shame that all the new owners will never know what it feels like to drive the 911 of the past. Most new owners won't care of course (and may just want the badge and all the modern comforts) and will think the car is wonderful - but the 911 'feel' only materialies at very high speeds and the right size of winding roads.
Not really a rant... more an observation about how 911 now is a 911 in name only. Real shame.
What do you expect from a automatic carrera S,Treat yourself to a gt3,its as nimble as my early car,its faster,has more grip,has better brakes,better gearbox etc,dont feel like a big car down B roads,you can feel the weight of it it though at 500kg heavier.I was offered a 24hr test-drive by my local Porsche Centre to experience a 992 Carrera S PDK. I have a 997 C4S and was looking forward to trying out the 992. It's a fantastic car but too large and 'GT' ish to be a true 911. No way one can hustle one down country lanes with confidence and enjoyment.
The 911 has sadly become a Panamera Coupe. The visceral, nimble, lithe, raw sports car has gone. It's a shame that all the new owners will never know what it feels like to drive the 911 of the past. Most new owners won't care of course (and may just want the badge and all the modern comforts) and will think the car is wonderful - but the 911 'feel' only materialies at very high speeds and the right size of winding roads.
Not really a rant... more an observation about how 911 now is a 911 in name only. Real shame.
As an owner of a 997 C4S I can honestly say, great car though it is, if that is where you are planting your "real 911" flag then you are wide of the mark.
I have been lucky enough to have had most generations and, if you want something to hustle down bumpy, narrow British roads then I would pick a 911 from the 70s. I had a 2.2s, but suspect a 2.4s would be better. Or even, budget allowing, a 2.7 RS
Those are real 911s.
I have been lucky enough to have had most generations and, if you want something to hustle down bumpy, narrow British roads then I would pick a 911 from the 70s. I had a 2.2s, but suspect a 2.4s would be better. Or even, budget allowing, a 2.7 RS
Those are real 911s.
No, I am definitely not saying that the 997 is the pinnacle of '911ness' ( I haven't been fortunate enough to drive all the generations - especially pre-993) but more that the 992 is SO far removed from being a 911 it really should not be called a 911 anymore. It really does look and feel more like a Panamera Coupe. Each to their own though.
Discombobulate said:
As an owner of a 997 C4S I can honestly say, great car though it is, if that is where you are planting your "real 911" flag then you are wide of the mark.
I have been lucky enough to have had most generations and, if you want something to hustle down bumpy, narrow British roads then I would pick a 911 from the 70s. I had a 2.2s, but suspect a 2.4s would be better. Or even, budget allowing, a 2.7 RS
Those are real 911s.
I have been lucky enough to have had most generations and, if you want something to hustle down bumpy, narrow British roads then I would pick a 911 from the 70s. I had a 2.2s, but suspect a 2.4s would be better. Or even, budget allowing, a 2.7 RS
Those are real 911s.
I do think the size of the things did indeed take away much of what was the 911 experience previously, from 991.1 onwards.
I was shocked at how far the 991.1 windscreen was away from my head when I first sat in one, and then drove it.
But the engineering has gone from strength to strength - as much as I love a Metzger, have you heard a 991.2 or 992.2 GT3 giving it the beans? On another level. In fact the 997.2 might have been a bit of a low point for emotional connection (excluding the gt3), as that first switch to direct injection from the 997.1 stripped out much of the aural delight which they then fixed in the 991.1. But that had s
t gen 1 electric steering. And so it continues....as in I think the history is more nuanced, over time some things get 'better', some get 'worse'.
All highly subjective based on what the owner is looking for.
I was shocked at how far the 991.1 windscreen was away from my head when I first sat in one, and then drove it.
But the engineering has gone from strength to strength - as much as I love a Metzger, have you heard a 991.2 or 992.2 GT3 giving it the beans? On another level. In fact the 997.2 might have been a bit of a low point for emotional connection (excluding the gt3), as that first switch to direct injection from the 997.1 stripped out much of the aural delight which they then fixed in the 991.1. But that had s
t gen 1 electric steering. And so it continues....as in I think the history is more nuanced, over time some things get 'better', some get 'worse'.All highly subjective based on what the owner is looking for.
wax lyrical said:
...get to drive a 'real' 911.
I was offered a 24hr test-drive by my local Porsche Centre to experience a 992 Carrera S PDK. I have a 997 C4S and was looking forward to trying out the 992. It's a fantastic car but too large and 'GT' ish to be a true 911. No way one can hustle one down country lanes with confidence and enjoyment.
The 911 has sadly become a Panamera Coupe. The visceral, nimble, lithe, raw sports car has gone. It's a shame that all the new owners will never know what it feels like to drive the 911 of the past. Most new owners won't care of course (and may just want the badge and all the modern comforts) and will think the car is wonderful - but the 911 'feel' only materialies at very high speeds and the right size of winding roads.
Not really a rant... more an observation about how 911 now is a 911 in name only. Real shame.
I would agree. I couldn’t believe the 991 or 992 after the 997. I don’t know if one is more real than another but the difference is stark. They dialled out nearly all the good things out of the 997. I was offered a 24hr test-drive by my local Porsche Centre to experience a 992 Carrera S PDK. I have a 997 C4S and was looking forward to trying out the 992. It's a fantastic car but too large and 'GT' ish to be a true 911. No way one can hustle one down country lanes with confidence and enjoyment.
The 911 has sadly become a Panamera Coupe. The visceral, nimble, lithe, raw sports car has gone. It's a shame that all the new owners will never know what it feels like to drive the 911 of the past. Most new owners won't care of course (and may just want the badge and all the modern comforts) and will think the car is wonderful - but the 911 'feel' only materialies at very high speeds and the right size of winding roads.
Not really a rant... more an observation about how 911 now is a 911 in name only. Real shame.
It’d probably cost me £100k + my current car (GR86) to get into a modern 911 I’d want, which I was pretty set on as a near-term goal but I do find myself questioning it. Obviously a far nicer place to sit but I do wonder if I could throw it about as much as I do the GR, would the size (and cost) be prohibitive? Is it really £100k more of driver enjoyment? Hmm
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