997 S/ 996 Turbo
Discussion
About 4 months ago, my Dad decided to upgrade his 996 C2, to a turbo, or a 997 S. I decided to make this post after seeing that the 997 S has been made drivers car of the year in this weeks Autocar...
Obviously having very limited driving experience, I could not comment on this, but I was a passenger in one when we were deciding between the two. Although the 997 was undoubtedly quick and balanced, to me (from the back), it seemed a little dry, or stale... as if it wasnt raw at all, almost like driving in a computer game... too much precision, and not enough feel coming into the car. My Dad thought the car was good, but agreed, he liked it, but thoght it didnt seem that much quicker than his previous car, and much preffered the turbo...
Now, anyone who has driven this car, can you tell me whether the impression I got was completely wrong, because personally it just seemed really dry and uninteresting, quick but felt slow, is this not actually the case, am I wrong? Anyone who has driven or owns the car, how does it feel to drive, why is it being raved about so much?
Obviously having very limited driving experience, I could not comment on this, but I was a passenger in one when we were deciding between the two. Although the 997 was undoubtedly quick and balanced, to me (from the back), it seemed a little dry, or stale... as if it wasnt raw at all, almost like driving in a computer game... too much precision, and not enough feel coming into the car. My Dad thought the car was good, but agreed, he liked it, but thoght it didnt seem that much quicker than his previous car, and much preffered the turbo...
Now, anyone who has driven this car, can you tell me whether the impression I got was completely wrong, because personally it just seemed really dry and uninteresting, quick but felt slow, is this not actually the case, am I wrong? Anyone who has driven or owns the car, how does it feel to drive, why is it being raved about so much?
I think perhaps the autocar article was full of shit
See the other thread re. Harris' comments that the 997 is quicker than a GT3. Look at the Boxster times, lat g reading and then the comments it felt slow on track...
The turbo will always feel quicker because of the monster torque. It will also be quicker!
>> Edited by DanH on Tuesday 27th September 17:12
DanH - am interested what he said about the 997 vs GT3. I haven't read the article.
Would tend to agree with above comments that the 997 is a little anaesthetised. Spent 45 minutes driving on fast roads and stepped out feeling unmoved. The GT3 was a joy to drive home even if it wasn't quite as easy.
My limited experience of driving a 996 turbo would back this up: although not the last word in feedback, it still has a signature 911 feel and certainly seemed more "meaty" than a 997.
Edited to say: ignore question, Dan, just saw your comment on the other thread.
>> Edited by Harris_I on Wednesday 28th September 08:50
Would tend to agree with above comments that the 997 is a little anaesthetised. Spent 45 minutes driving on fast roads and stepped out feeling unmoved. The GT3 was a joy to drive home even if it wasn't quite as easy.
My limited experience of driving a 996 turbo would back this up: although not the last word in feedback, it still has a signature 911 feel and certainly seemed more "meaty" than a 997.
Edited to say: ignore question, Dan, just saw your comment on the other thread.
>> Edited by Harris_I on Wednesday 28th September 08:50
I drove a C2S at the weekend - more out of curiosity than wanting to change (my 996 TT)
The 997 does feel a little sterile & in reality not much quicker than my old 996 C2 (with only 30 extra bhp & a bit more weight it going to be similar)
I guess its just because its ironed out some of the "flaws" of the 996 to the point where its getting almost too good !
I was a little worried I would fall in love with the C2S & want to chop in the 996 TT. The reality was that while its a crushingly good car, I prefer my 996TT (it brings out the hooligan in me!) and plan to wait until the 997TT comes out.
As an aside, as its always subjective, I still don't like the front end styling of the 997. The only colour it looks OK in is black, and it still looks like a Boxster from the front...and if it looks like a Boxster from the front then its also going to look like a Cayman from the front too (not that I am saying thats a bad thing !)
If your dad prefers the turbo after driving both then he should go for it.
Ro.
>> Edited by roshambo on Wednesday 28th September 13:05
The 997 does feel a little sterile & in reality not much quicker than my old 996 C2 (with only 30 extra bhp & a bit more weight it going to be similar)
I guess its just because its ironed out some of the "flaws" of the 996 to the point where its getting almost too good !
I was a little worried I would fall in love with the C2S & want to chop in the 996 TT. The reality was that while its a crushingly good car, I prefer my 996TT (it brings out the hooligan in me!) and plan to wait until the 997TT comes out.
As an aside, as its always subjective, I still don't like the front end styling of the 997. The only colour it looks OK in is black, and it still looks like a Boxster from the front...and if it looks like a Boxster from the front then its also going to look like a Cayman from the front too (not that I am saying thats a bad thing !)
If your dad prefers the turbo after driving both then he should go for it.
Ro.
>> Edited by roshambo on Wednesday 28th September 13:05
Having owned and driven the new 987/997,most people who own 996's will have the same thoughts on the driving experience when driving the new models i.e too easy to drive,steering feels dead,left me unmoved etc...just like the 993 owners before them.Its just progress and what you are used to IMHO.If you've never driven a 996 and drive a lets say for arguments sake drive a AMG CLK,then 997 will feel fine,i think its mainly porsche owners who upgrade from the 996 who talk this way,and maybe with some justification in that they are seeing their favourite car turn form raw beast to placid wild cat.
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