GT3 - 991 v 997 Gen 2

[Skyman]

I have just made my life a little more complicated as a result of an afternoon on the net. I am looking for a LHD car to base at my house in France. I have the option on a UK based 2010 997 at £84k, but I now find that I can source a virtually new, barely run-in 991 in France for a little over £100k, thanks in part to the current weakness of the Euro. I was just about to pull the trigger on the older car, with a final viewing on Friday, and now this dilemma has been (self) created. The vfm of the French car is difficult to avoid. Bugger. Any thoughts, much appreciated. The specs of the two cars, apart from the obvious 997 vs 991 differences, are largely comparable. Both are OPC cars with warranties of two years plus.

[SFO]

why not buy a LHD 7.2 GT3 from a European dealer .. they are around £70k

[Skyman]

Another option admittedly, but the 997 v 991 dilemma remains at a level which in price terms is well below UK prices.

[g7jhp]

Do you want manual or PDK?

[mollytherocker]

g7jhp said:

Do you want manual or PDK?

Thats pretty much it really isnt it? Analogue or digital.

[Sierra Mike]

I think it all depends on how you plan to use it.

[LindsayMac]

On my 3rd GT3 now, 991 all the way. Took it out for a wee run up to GlenEagles yesterday, car is simply outstanding. Don't listen to the detractors who give you the analog/digital nonsense, this is a car full of emotion that has gone to the next level in a big way. I found the Nissan GTR quite a digital drive where you had to go mental speeds to get it too move around under you, the 991 GT3 is not the same, is it easier to drive, yes for sure, do I miss my first 997.1 GT3, yes but life moves on and so has the 991. To be honest I think the PDK is one of the highlights of the car, granted I am no Senna but I can't wait to get it over to Spa for a run out.

[Richie200]

One man's analogue/digital nonsense, is to another a step way beyond the boundary of involvement I'm prepared to relinquish. Great that you enjoy the new car but I for one don't want an auto in my fun cars no matter how good it is at changing gear for me and many here are of a similar persuasion.

OP first and foremost you really need to establish what the purpose of the intended purchase is and don't let any potential future gains factor into your decision if it really is a car for you to enjoy. It sounds like you are 50:50 regarding the investment side though which may be what is currently causing you the headache.

[Steve Rance]

To the OP.

Very subjective. You really must drive both cars yourself and make your decision. The new car is a very different driving experience to the previous cars. Some guys love it and some do not. No forum will give you the answer that you are looking for, it is utterly personal.

For me the 991 is a step backwards, to others a step forwards.

[Robbo66]

Steve Rance said:

To the OP.

Very subjective. You really must drive both cars yourself and make your decision. The new car is a very different driving experience to the previous cars. Some guys love it and some do not. No forum will give you the answer that you are looking for, it is utterly personal.

For me the 991 is a step backwards, to others a step forwards.

You can't compare them IMO, impossible. To say that the 991 is a step backwards is disingenuous at best.
They are both superb, but in different ways.

[Skyman]

Sierra Mike said:

I think it all depends on how you plan to use it.

It will be my fun car, used on the beautiful French country roads and occasionally on track.

[Skyman]

Thanks for all the replies. I do realise that only I can determine the right answer, and that a drive of the 991 (I have already driven the 997) is a must. However, sharing views on the forum does help in the cogitation and decision-making process.

In my heart I think I am more a manual than PDK kind of guy. I had a 997 C2S for a while last year, which had the self-shifter - that I found impressive for what it is and does, but too clinical. Perhaps there lies the answer.

Whilst prices are no doubt cheaper in France, cars are still few and far between. There were only three GT3s (one of which is the 991) on the Porsche France website yesterday.

Lastly, from an investment point of view, whilst I am not looking to make money, I do not want to lose any in the next two years of ownership.

Edited by Skyman on Thursday 5th March 09:15

[Steve Rance]

Robbo66 said:

You can't compare them IMO, impossible. To say that the 991 is a step backwards is disingenuous at best.
They are both superb, but in different ways.

That's my point. It's subjective to the driver. I cannot fully feel the 991 under me. There is too much going on which is beyond my control and effecting the car dynamically, therefore to me, as a driving tool it is flawed and is a step backwards. To others however, it is a step forwards. That's just subjective personal opinion, there is no wrong or no right.

[Steve Rance]

Interestingly though, Personally, the PDK thing is not the thing that actually defines the main difference between the two cars. The electronic/torque vectoring element is far more profound in its effect. If a 991GT3 was availiable without electronic aids, RWS, torque vectoring diff et al, I'd happily buy one with PDK

[isaldiri]

Steve Rance said:

Interestingly though, Personally, the PDK thing is not the thing that actually defines the main difference between the two cars. The electronic/torque vectoring element is far more profound in its effect. If a 991GT3 was availiable without electronic aids, RWS, torque vectoring diff et al, I'd happily buy one with PDK

If you had to pin it down to one element, which of the rws/e-diff/torque vectoring through rear brakes (or other fancy electronic system I can't quite think of the name) would you say affects the feel of the car the most? Or is it simply the combination of all the various electronics as a whole.

[sidicks]

Skyman said:

In my heart I think I am more a manual than PDK kind of guy. I had a 997 C2S for a while last year, which had the self-shifter - that I found impressive for what it is and does, but too clinical. Perhaps there lies the answer.

Don't forget that the standard PDK and the PDK-S of the 991 GT3 are quite different!!

[SFO]

Skyman said:

Whilst prices are no doubt cheaper in France, cars are still few and far between. There were only three GT3s (one of which is the 991) on the Porsche France website yesterday.

why restrict yourself to France, you could buy LHD from anywhere in the EU.

[Steve Rance]

isaldiri said:

If you had to pin it down to one element, which of the rws/e-diff/torque vectoring through rear brakes (or other fancy electronic system I can't quite think of the name) would you say affects the feel of the car the most? Or is it simply the combination of all the various electronics as a whole.

All of it really.

[lowndes]

isaldiri said:

If you had to pin it down to one element, which of the rws/e-diff/torque vectoring through rear brakes (or other fancy electronic system I can't quite think of the name) would you say affects the feel of the car the most? Or is it simply the combination of all the various electronics as a whole.

I would say on the 991 turbo S it is RWS. In slow speed corners you can actually notice the difference in turn in. PTV, transfer of power between the front and rear differentials, dynamic engine mounts etc may well be busy interfering but are not individually noticeable. The other great shibboleth; electric assisted steering in no way reduces my enjoyment of the car versus it's stablemate 997GT3.

[Sierra Mike]

Skyman said:

Sierra Mike said:

I think it all depends on how you plan to use it.

It will be my fun car, used on the beautiful French country roads and occasionally on track.

Both are fun but, for me, the 997 is more fun at road legal speeds than the 991. If you're planning to 'enjoy' the roads, the 991 is a good choice however it feels pedestrian unless you're really pressing on.