991 GTS PDK Cab - A beardy view
Discussion
So, amongst a few others, I test drove a 991GTS a few weeks ago, and thought I might share a few thoughts here. Some beardy thoughts. As many of you will know, I like the air cooled 911 and own a 993 Carrera coupe manual.
Where to start? OK, key thingy in and engine started. Its burbly. In fact, it is quite loud, albeit its pretty much all exhaust farty noise. But, fair enough, its got some sound. And we are off.
Ok, lets get the roof out of the way, I put it down (but not for long). I am in a new white cab Porsche and I feel like an idiot, I get a few knuckle shuffle waves and its time to put the roof up. Besides, its raining.
Driving? Well, its bobbing about and there is something that seems like feel. It certainly has more 'character' than the Cayman I have just got out of. But I wonder how much of that is real and not engineered?
Power? Its quick, of course it is. Its quite linear in its delivery but its so damn easy that I fear I would serving some sort of sentence quite quickly. The engine sound, or exhaust sound, is quite nice, and I press the button with two 'O's on it and it deepens maybe 20%? In 2015, with all of the regulatory requirerments, its pretty impressive, but I want more intake and mechanical noise. I don't know whether thats really possible?
Steering? You know, its ok. It doesnt have the connection that older cars have, but again, this is where we are. And of course, I expect most new buyers don't want a busy wheel, alive with detail.
Handling. This is where I get a surprise. Its far looser than I expect and I can still feel the weight transfer, is the PASM making me feel like a hero, allowing a little bit of slip? Probably.
PDK. Well, its the best version yet (OK I havent driven the PDKS in the GT3), and in Sport Plus it does that exagerrated revvy thing that makes the car lurch like you are changing manually in a difficult to drive car, very clever. I am almost sold. Almost.
I liked it, I really did, I think Porsche have set up the controls of this car with a lot of thought and intelligence. But that may be the problem.
Its not exciting. When I get out of the car, I don't have that feeling of 'I want one' and I don't look back at it. In fact I didn't really look at it at all, it was one of my mates who took the picture.
So I am torn, its impressive, its quick, its easy to drive, especially near the limit (if I know where that is?), but its not really hitting the spot. Perhaps I need more than an hour with it? Don't misunderstand me, its a great car, it really is, there are many high points, but its just not exciting enough.
And heres the shocker, I am not sure that a manual box would help much, its deeper than that.
Anyways, must be off, beard to trim and all that....
Where to start? OK, key thingy in and engine started. Its burbly. In fact, it is quite loud, albeit its pretty much all exhaust farty noise. But, fair enough, its got some sound. And we are off.
Ok, lets get the roof out of the way, I put it down (but not for long). I am in a new white cab Porsche and I feel like an idiot, I get a few knuckle shuffle waves and its time to put the roof up. Besides, its raining.
Driving? Well, its bobbing about and there is something that seems like feel. It certainly has more 'character' than the Cayman I have just got out of. But I wonder how much of that is real and not engineered?
Power? Its quick, of course it is. Its quite linear in its delivery but its so damn easy that I fear I would serving some sort of sentence quite quickly. The engine sound, or exhaust sound, is quite nice, and I press the button with two 'O's on it and it deepens maybe 20%? In 2015, with all of the regulatory requirerments, its pretty impressive, but I want more intake and mechanical noise. I don't know whether thats really possible?
Steering? You know, its ok. It doesnt have the connection that older cars have, but again, this is where we are. And of course, I expect most new buyers don't want a busy wheel, alive with detail.
Handling. This is where I get a surprise. Its far looser than I expect and I can still feel the weight transfer, is the PASM making me feel like a hero, allowing a little bit of slip? Probably.
PDK. Well, its the best version yet (OK I havent driven the PDKS in the GT3), and in Sport Plus it does that exagerrated revvy thing that makes the car lurch like you are changing manually in a difficult to drive car, very clever. I am almost sold. Almost.
I liked it, I really did, I think Porsche have set up the controls of this car with a lot of thought and intelligence. But that may be the problem.
Its not exciting. When I get out of the car, I don't have that feeling of 'I want one' and I don't look back at it. In fact I didn't really look at it at all, it was one of my mates who took the picture.
So I am torn, its impressive, its quick, its easy to drive, especially near the limit (if I know where that is?), but its not really hitting the spot. Perhaps I need more than an hour with it? Don't misunderstand me, its a great car, it really is, there are many high points, but its just not exciting enough.
And heres the shocker, I am not sure that a manual box would help much, its deeper than that.
Anyways, must be off, beard to trim and all that....
Hi Molly, good report. I drove a 991 S PDK the other week and a similar experiance really, great car, very accomplished, sounded good but as you say exhausty and lacked the rattle and transmission noises and whirs in the 997 GT3 I'm used too, steering again pretty good when compared to most cars but felt a bit numb to me, but as the Porsche experiance centre guy said I'm making a back to back comparison to one of the best steering cars ever made.
What I would say is that I would use a 991 PDK GTS every day and for everything, the back seats would be handy as well, and I don't use my current Pork anywhere near that.
At over 100k the GTS is a lot of money as well, though I expect it won't be long until a 2015 GTS and a 2007 GT3 are at the same price point and a straight swap deal, that might be interesting, especially if you could find one with buckets and GTS interior.
What I would say is that I would use a 991 PDK GTS every day and for everything, the back seats would be handy as well, and I don't use my current Pork anywhere near that.
At over 100k the GTS is a lot of money as well, though I expect it won't be long until a 2015 GTS and a 2007 GT3 are at the same price point and a straight swap deal, that might be interesting, especially if you could find one with buckets and GTS interior.
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