991.1 Turbo or 992 S?

991.1 Turbo or 992 S?

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Discussion

Sisu9

Original Poster:

268 posts

101 months

Monday 15th June 2020
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Currently considering getting into either one of these - the 991.1 Turbo (non S) is a 2014 model with 30,000 miles and top-spec the 992 is a 2019 model with 4.500 miles and base spec. The 991 would be about 10% cheaper. Both are PDK. I would like a GT car one day but I need the back seats.

I currently have a 997.2 C4S (manual) so quite happy with 4WD and narrowly missed out on a 997.1 Turbo at purchase.

I've driven a 991 C2S but not a 992.

Keen to hear your thoughts.

DomT87

63 posts

67 months

Tuesday 16th June 2020
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992 if you like the newer cabin and tech, otherwise the older turbo? Love the look of the 991 turbos myself.

I love my 992 4S and it's still PDK (pretty darn kwik), but.....it ain't a turbo.

IMI A

9,410 posts

200 months

Tuesday 16th June 2020
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Personally I'd keep the 997.2 C4S. I gave this advice to SWMBO before she went for a 991.2 turbo s. Lots of miles in 997 991 992 but not a chance you'd get her to swap to 992 imo. Both cars v.quick but turbo s has thrust that makes it warp along the road. 992 C4S just as fast real world as better chassis with wider front track. Drive both and let us know which you prefer.


arcamalpha

1,073 posts

163 months

Tuesday 16th June 2020
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Either is a big change from a 997 so go in carefully as many go back!

The 991 Turbo is a rocket ship and a near-perfect everyday car. I had one for a while and enjoyed it but it didn’t find it as connected as a 997 or in fact a 992. It had a floaty ride feeling where it just cruised over any road surface at any speed.

The 992 2S felt much more of a sports car like a 997. Weirdly it felt more solid and more direct.

A Turbo will always be special though whilst a 992 Carrera will soon be just another Carrera.

WCZ

10,492 posts

193 months

Tuesday 16th June 2020
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just get a 997 turbo imo, I've seen great condition ones around £50k with my own eyes

Sisu9

Original Poster:

268 posts

101 months

Tuesday 16th June 2020
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Thanks for the input, much appreciated.

Yes, the looks of the 991.1 and the fact that it's 'the turbo' are definitely a factor. I drove the 991 today and couldn't help being impressed by the outright speed - sports plus mode is just savage! Perhaps a bit floaty and I didn't feel as connected to the driving experience as in my 997 (it wasn't a disappointment getting back in it). I will aim to get a test drive in a 992 this week to get a comparison. As some have said though, that'll always be a C2S whereas the Turbo has this special aura around it - I know you understand...

I only have one car and although it's only used at the weekend it needs to sometimes do long journeys, ferry my 8yr old son about in the back and so on. My 997.2 C4S has been great and as a widebody manual car has faired reasonably well depreciation wise as there seems to now be a bit of a following for these. Any thoughts on depreciation on a 991.1T over a 992CS?

The only reason for a change would be the mileage on the 997 is now at 60k and this might be my last chance to get in a different 911 before my son gets bigger.

Negotiations with the dealer now indicate the 991.1T would only be 5% cheaper than the 992 C2S.



Edited by Sisu9 on Tuesday 16th June 13:07

Heathrow

444 posts

129 months

Tuesday 16th June 2020
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Haven't driven a 992 but for my daily I recently went from a 997.2 C2S (manual) to a 991.2 Turbo. Highly recommend the Turbo - they seem somewhat overlooked. The standard internet view of it being boring / linear power delivery / lacking character is misplaced IMO. Very versatile car - defo more usable day-to-day than the 997 but still fun on a spirited drive and rarer than a C or CS. Was initially worried about it being too wide for UK B roads and country roads but I've been pleasantly surprised. I like its GT nature - the suspension is just right for the poor quality roads round my way and the exhaust note is pleasing but still subtle, you can hold a conversation on the phone, the kids like being in it and it's not loud when starting it up. Basically I like that you can make swift but discreet progress when you need to or quickly ramp it up through the rotary dial and it gets more aggressive. I've driven a few 991s and can understand why some people would say the Turbo does nothing for them as a "sports car" but IMO it has a character all of its own. On a single test drive, it's difficult to get past the novelty of "F*** me this is fast!" but once you do I've found it has a depth of talent and has kept my interest. I'm tracking it next week so we will see how that goes - I'm expecting it to be pretty competent but the tyres I suspect will be the limiting factor!

Pricing is all over the place but you might find a 991.2 Turbo is within budget. Interior / infotainment / electric steering being notable improvements as well as a smidge more power than the Gen 1 (not that it really needs it).

From what you've said, whichever route you go I'd recommend finding one with front seat ISOFIX for max flexibility. I assume that option is available on the 992 also.

IMI A

9,410 posts

200 months

Tuesday 16th June 2020
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I think if its my only car for everything and same price as a gen1 991 turbo I'd personally go 992 having driven all the different generations if moving from 997. I was really quite taken with the 992. Some aspects I didn't like such as door handles on outside and gearstick/dig display dash. But you'd get used to them. First time 911 felt like a new buyer not having to put up with 10 year old infotainment tech worse than a VW Polo! 991.1 infotainment still a bit dated. Only 2017/18 I think when they gave us Apple Car play! Having said that I still use PCM 2 or Waze. I can't believe gen 1 991 turbo still the same price as a 992. Thats unbelievable residuals.

Sisu9

Original Poster:

268 posts

101 months

Monday 22nd June 2020
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Here was me saying I would like a GT car one day but need back seats - then along comes a 997.1 GT3 for sale, I read that you can retrofit rear seatbelts on these so I could fit my son's Porsche Junior Plus Seat.

I know I am comparing apples with oranges re the subject of the thread, but it would be significantly cheaper than aforesaid cars and surely more of an event come Sunday morning!

Crazy idea?

interstellar

3,233 posts

145 months

Monday 22nd June 2020
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Nope, it would be an event and you would have a permanent smile!!

Sisu9

Original Poster:

268 posts

101 months

Tuesday 23rd June 2020
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Now I have more details on the 997.1 GT3 and the want is strong. A couple of concerns I have, the last 2 services are done by an independent specialist (reputable) rather than an OPC - does this matter much on a 14-year-old car?

Naturally would have the local OPC do a 111 point check for over revs etc. Also would need 2/3 stage paint correction and some work on the seat bolster.

Any thoughts/advice much appreciated.

Heathrow

444 posts

129 months

Thursday 25th June 2020
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You'll know all the highlights no doubt (the drive train being the standout one for me) but some other things to consider:

Maintenance costs are significantly higher on older GT3s but they are generally robust if well looked after.
Many cars have been tracked hard over a number of years and things will need replacing in time: weeping dampers, corroded control arms, worn diff plates, rusty ARBs, etc. etc.
Ground clearance might present headaches re: general usability depending on where you live
It's firmly sprung and might be a pain for young children to travel any great distance in the rear (IMO)
Notchy gearbox and heavy clutch make it more of an effort for short journeys and in winter
Superb fun on a trackday/roadtrip/fun drive etc. less fun to drive day-to-day, again depending on your intended use, where you live and the road conditions etc.

Yes you can retrofit rear seats and seatbelts but there may be insurance implications. Also I don't believe you can retrofit isofix (if that's important to you), whereas it's standard on the 991 and 992.

Depending on the indie I would say equally preferable to OPC servicing history.

Really if you can you need some seat time in each to decide. Very different propositions in each case.

Sisu9

Original Poster:

268 posts

101 months

Thursday 25th June 2020
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All fair points. All these things are in the back of my mind. I guess I am looking for one last hurrah from the 911 bloodline, which holds its value and has a bit of an edge to it. My C4S is such a great car in every way, it seems bonkers to want anything else but this is my first 911 (had 2 Boxsters over the years) and the 911 magic is nowhere near out of my system.

Analogue, Manual, noise, theatre...before the inevitable progression to a more sensible family car (Taycan).

Deep

2,064 posts

242 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
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I've run a 991.1 TTS for about four years now, always been my dream car, use it as a daily and absolutely love it.

I drove a 992 C4S pre covid and thought it was a fantastic car. In many ways more fun to drive than my TTS, more agile, more nimble front end. And unlike vanilla 911s of old it is now plenty fast enough even for high BHP addicts like me.

I had an order for a 992 TTS which I cancelled, partly for covid induced financial reasons but in some significant part because I was so impressed by the c4s.

Once things settle down a bit I'll probably buy the C4S, or perhaps go for the GTS for that extra 30 BHP.

Rambling now but my point is, I'd go for the newish C4S over the 991.1 Turbo.

ispcarsurvey

103 posts

219 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
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Sisu9 said:
Now I have more details on the 997.1 GT3 and the want is strong. A couple of concerns I have, the last 2 services are done by an independent specialist (reputable) rather than an OPC - does this matter much on a 14-year-old car?

Naturally would have the local OPC do a 111 point check for over revs etc. Also would need 2/3 stage paint correction and some work on the seat bolster.

Any thoughts/advice much appreciated.
I was in a similar position but drove all the 997 variants (Turbo, GTS and GT3). Bought a 997.1 GT3 and installed rear seat belts from here - https://www.quickfitsbs.com/index.php

With the seat belts, no issue with insurance. Told them but didn't impact the premium. However, if you wanted to get it warrantied by Porsche, it may not pass the check as it'll technically be modified.

My car had full OPC service history but have since had it serviced twice by the independent that inspected the car before I bought it. As long as it's serviced by a Porsche specialist can't see a problem. Any independent that does an inspection would also check for over revs and also do a more thorough check than the 111 point inspection.