997.2 or 991.1 as a daily?

[tallpaul26]

I appreciate this is probably a well trodden path and ultimately a personal choice, but as my Wife doesn't particularly care about the relative merits of weight, PAS v ePAS etc so I thought I'd talk to some complete strangers instead!

Background - I want a 911, wanted one for 20+ years. No objective reason, just because. Fortune has favoured me a little in the last few years and I'm in a good position to buy one. I don't want it to sit in the garage as I don't think it would come out enough to justify owning solely for high days and dry days. So, it needs to be my daily.

Budget allows me to go as far as an early 991 Carrera S. Indeed, looking at the market right now, these are starting to look better value than a late 997.2.

I guess my question is what are the pros and cons of each as a daily?

[MrVert]

In short, the consensus is 991.1 will be the better daily & 997.2 the better / more fun weekend car.

The last 997.2 models will be 9/10 yrs old now, if underside components haven’t been replaced you could be in for a shock for replacement (£2-3k’s worth) so need to get an inspection. Probably the same for an early 991.1 also..

Personally, I think the 997.2 is a real sweet spot in Porsche models from the last few years, modern enough but with some old school feel of 911’s gone by to make them special.

You’ll get a very good one for £45-50k, don’t discount a non ‘S’, but make sure you get a PASM + PSE equipped model, cracking cars.

[Milemuncher]

I am in a similar position and looking at options.

I’d actually set my heart on a 991.2 or 992 but I’m doing too many miles and too many long journeys at the moment so have bought something more suitable for those...but I still want to scratch the 911 itch.

I think we are in a bit of a price bubble at the moment due to under supply of new cars which is also putting me off...but I can see one in my life in the not too distant future.

[Midasman17]

Both great cars, I had a 991 GTS and currently have a 997 Turbo, both used as a daily. I love the 997, the way it looks, a bit retro and the way it drives. It’s a bit more fun and not as hardcore as the 991 although its still faster when pushed. Both brought a smile to my face every morning when started but the 997 is more of a grin. You will enjoy either one, happy hunting.

[Louis Balfour]

tallpaul26 said:

I appreciate this is probably a well trodden path and ultimately a personal choice, but as my Wife doesn't particularly care about the relative merits of weight, PAS v ePAS etc so I thought I'd talk to some complete strangers instead!

Background - I want a 911, wanted one for 20+ years. No objective reason, just because. Fortune has favoured me a little in the last few years and I'm in a good position to buy one. I don't want it to sit in the garage as I don't think it would come out enough to justify owning solely for high days and dry days. So, it needs to be my daily.

Budget allows me to go as far as an early 991 Carrera S. Indeed, looking at the market right now, these are starting to look better value than a late 997.2.

I guess my question is what are the pros and cons of each as a daily?

As Vert said, the 991 is a better DD and the 997 a better occasional car.

That said, I used a 991 as a daily driver for a while and ended up disliking it. I could have been in any hot German car. I disliked the stop/start which at that time could not be disabled and it always wanted to be in too high a gear unless it was in Sport. The cabin noise also irritated me. It was basically too refined to be fun and too keen to save the planet. I replaced it with a 997 GTS about 7 years ago and I still have it (but not as a daily).

[guyvert1]

This is an easy one, get a 997, have fun, in a year or so, if you want to change, not much would be lost.

...but beware, the 997 will attach to your soul

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Had a 997.2 C4S and loved it but didn’t feel special enough to use as a weekend car and too old to use daily. Felt old, was old. Sold it and bought a 981 Spyder for high days and couldn’t be happier. I’d go 991 as more useable, newer etc.

[Grantstown]

If you haven’t driven either then you’re in a win win situation. You’ll be happy either way.

The 911 is an evolution over time and the 997.2 S and 991.1 S have essentially the same power train. Every generation tends to have periods of being in fashion or not.

For what it’s worth, if you’re after PDK then I’d say go 991. For manual go 997.

[harrykul]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

Had a 997.2 C4S and loved it but didn’t feel special enough to use as a weekend car and too old to use daily. Felt old, was old. Sold it and bought a 981 Spyder for high days and couldn’t be happier. I’d go 991 as more useable, newer etc.

I'm a 993 owner and have had the use of a friend's 997.2 for the last week. It's a great car, but as above it's compromised as a daily and not special enough for a weekend toy. It was a surprise to me, as I'd long been a fan of the 997. My mate feels the same (he's got an SC which he prefers) and is now selling up. We both agreed a 991 PDK would do a much better job of daily driver.

[tallpaul26]

Thanks for all the replies. Until I started this purchase process, the only Porsche I'd driven was 991 GT3 RS so not much use as a reference.

I've now driven a 997.2 and loved the feel of the steering and the fact the brakes aren't servo'd like those in 'regular' cars - on the flip-side I do wonder if these attributes would become a little tiresome in regular driving. Interior felt fine, albeit a bit rattily. That particular car wasn't for me as despite an excellent mechanical history file it had a dodgy respray on a couple of panels and a not insignificant scratch on the bonnet - the rest of the paintwork looked like it have been cleaned with a brillo pad.

Hoping to drive a 991.1 tomorrow

Grantstown said:

If you haven’t driven either then you’re in a win win situation. You’ll be happy either way.

The 911 is an evolution over time and the 997.2 S and 991.1 S have essentially the same power train. Every generation tends to have periods of being in fashion or not.

For what it’s worth, if you’re after PDK then I’d say go 991. For manual go 997.

Interesting observation, what makes you say this?

[Louis Balfour]

tallpaul26 said:

Interesting observation, what makes you say this?

He is probably saying it because the 991 has a later, faster, PDK box. The 997 is more of a driver's car, so manual is desirable.

I personally disliked the PDK programming on the 991 and find the 'box on the 997 quite fast enough.

[Polome]

I’ve had 997.2 ( 3.6 manual) for 4 years and 991.1s (pdk) for 3 years as everyday cars. As a few on here have said it’s more the type of use that could influence your choice. I’ve got a good 40 minutes slog through city traffic before accessing decent roads and it’s here pdk wins against a manual car. In general the 991 is faster, quieter (especially at motorway speeds ) , more economic ( around 2-3mpg better on average for me) , better roadholding and has more interior space. My 997 always seemed to be egging me to drive faster…..whereas the 991 is like two cars in one…..the slouchy easy car to drive home after a long day or floor it and it becomes a sports car more than fast enough to get your attention…still miss my 997 , it had the best gearbox I’ve ever used..but would I change my 991 for one ..no. Good luck with whatever you choose…

[olv]

Pretty much everything has been covered but one thing to take into account is that there are so many options on both cars and the options can really alter the character of the cars. If it's PDK then even having paddle vs button wheel has a big effect and that's before getting to PASM (or even sports suspension), Sports Chrono, sports exhaust, PTV (lsd), Powerkit, which seats, 18/19/20" wheels, 2 vs 4 driven wheels, blah blah blah. The options that impact the way the thing drives are extensive, before you even get into the creature comforts.

[Louis Balfour]

olv said:

Pretty much everything has been covered but one thing to take into account is that there are so many options on both cars and the options can really alter the character of the cars. If it's PDK then even having paddle vs button wheel has a big effect and that's before getting to PASM (or even sports suspension), Sports Chrono, sports exhaust, PTV (lsd), Powerkit, which seats, 18/19/20" wheels, 2 vs 4 driven wheels, blah blah blah. The options that impact the way the thing drives are extensive, before you even get into the creature comforts.

Valid point, though the buttons vs paddles thing I am not so sure about. The shift was equally ponderous with both.

I'd avoid PDCC though. I had two 991s with it and it was never right. It would cause what felt like oversteer in long, fast corners, just where you really didn't want oversteer. It turned out that a number of PDCC owners were experiencing the same issue.

I'd also avoid very early 991s. I had one of the first in the UK and it wasn't well put together.

[g7jhp]

I'd also add these opinions vary alot. It depends on what you/ they have driven and it may differ for you. Someone saying a 997 feels old may be because they have a new cars or have never driven an aircooled 911.

Generally a 997 is more analogue and has more feel. A 991 is more refined and PDK will be more up to date.

I'd say a manual 997 would be more of a drivers car, a 991 pdk would be more relaxed.

I used a 3.2 Carrera as a daily for a few years and they are definitely old and raw but rewarding.

You really need to drive them and see what you prefer. A nice choice to have.

[Grantstown]

tallpaul26 said:

Interesting observation, what makes you say this?

Sorry, I didn't really explain. The manual gearbox on the 991.1 wasn't very well regarded and so was worked on and improved for the gen 2 car. On this basis the manual 997 would be the one to have. With PDK however, things are gradually improved over time. I do also worry about potentially expensive PDK problems, although I don't have any good basis for this other than hearing the odd thing on the grapevine.

[Louis Balfour]

Grantstown said:

tallpaul26 said:

Interesting observation, what makes you say this?

Sorry, I didn't really explain. The manual gearbox on the 991.1 wasn't very well regarded and so was worked on and improved for the gen 2 car. On this basis the manual 997 would be the one to have. With PDK however, things are gradually improved over time. I do also worry about potentially expensive PDK problems, although I don't have any good basis for this other than hearing the odd thing on the grapevine.

I had a brand new 991 'box blow up.

[tallpaul26]

At least on paper, I’m swaying towards 991.1.

Off to look at one in the morning. Spec is not 100% but I’m assured the condition is. We’ll see.

Thanks again for your replies, much appreciated.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

g7jhp said:

I'd also add these opinions vary alot. It depends on what you/ they have driven and it may differ for you. Someone saying a 997 feels old may be because they have a new cars or have never driven an aircooled 911.

Generally a 997 is more analogue and has more feel. A 991 is more refined and PDK will be more up to date.

I'd say a manual 997 would be more of a drivers car, a 991 pdk would be more relaxed.

I used a 3.2 Carrera as a daily for a few years and they are definitely old and raw but rewarding.

You really need to drive them and see what you prefer. A nice choice to have.

I have older cars than my 997 and the ‘old’ comment was nothing to do with it being analogue or classic, just old - not sharp, a bit rattly, rusty underneath etc etc despite being a gen 2 with only 50000 miles on. I’ve driven air cooled 911s and would rather have one of those over a 997. For daily I’d rather a 991.

[Chemical Ali]

For the same money you could get a higher spec 997. I would lean toward the 997 - an underrated car.