992 the regular Carrera or an S?

[G-996]

Full disclosure- I’m biased as I have an S on order (placed order last summer advised 2024 delivery). I’m buying this as a forever car, as soon it will be impossible to buy petrol-only sports cars. I “had” to go for an S as I wanted a manual, but even if that hadn’t been the case I’d have gone for the S as it’s very very rapid. It’s going to be a step up from my 996 Carrera 4….
My opinion, buy an S.

[bennno]

Lancs Jag Boy said:

I don't think the T is for me. I don't like the lack of choice on the wheel options alone.

It’s got a choice of 3 types of wheel and different colours.

[nickfrog]

PinkHouse said:

If I were in your shoes I'd buy the approved used C2 GTS on the other thread for £115k rather than spend £120k on a C2S which will be worth circa £90k in 2 years. If the lack of leather dash bothers you on that example then a retrim would cost well under the £10k price difference to the next most expensive one, plus you can customise the interior to your tastes since it would be a keeper

This. And you can have it straight away.

[Jeremy-75qq8]

I drove a carrera and an s back to back at the Porsche experience Centre at silverstone.

The s was mildly faster but the difference was marginal and not night and day.

At the end of the day buy what makes you happy but performance wise on the road there is noting in it

[Schuey_911]

Nice to see so many having these as their "forever" / "keeper" cars. I'm exactly the same and mine's a keeper and specced it accordingly.

[Nuttcase]

Why not test drive both on the road? OPCs will have demonstrators although you might have to go to two dealers for each variant.

[First Sea Lord]

Some very good rational thinking here. Given that it'll be a forever car (well played on that front) it may be worth doing a couple of emotional tests:

If you buy the very excellent base model:

How would you feel when an S pulls up next to you at the lights?

Would you ever feel the need to explain to those who admire the car why you went base and not S?

[nickfrog]

First Sea Lord said:

How would you feel when an S pulls up next to you at the lights?

Would you ever feel the need to explain to those who admire the car why you went base and not S?

Perhaps the OP doesn't care about other people's view on his choice of car.

If he gets a S and a Turbo pulls up etc etc

[Geneve]

I have always found the simplicity and purity of the base model 911s - 2wd, manual, coupe - very endearing.
Much closer to the original 911 ethos and all many buyers would ever need in the real world.

[First Sea Lord]

nickfrog said:

First Sea Lord said:

How would you feel when an S pulls up next to you at the lights?

Would you ever feel the need to explain to those who admire the car why you went base and not S?

Perhaps the OP doesn't care about other people's view on his choice of car.

If he gets a S and a Turbo pulls up etc etc

Maybe he doesn't. Hopefully not. The above questions will help him decide

[LeoSayer]

politeperson said:

Agreed, mine has done 50k now and is perfect.

The list of cars that do 0-100mph in under 6 seconds is an £exclusive one! Unless you have a £million or two to spend. I nicked this from somewhere.

Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo - [2014]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 4.5 seconds
SSC Ultimate Aero TT - [2008]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 4.6 seconds
Porsche 9FF GT9R - [2009]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 4.9 seconds
Caparo T1 3.5l V8 - [2007]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.0 seconds
Koenigsegg Agera 5L V8 - [2011]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.1 seconds
Koenigsegg CCX R Special Edition 4.8 V8 S - [2008]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.1 seconds
Koenigsegg CCR 4.7 V8 Supercharged - [2005]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.2 seconds
Koenigsegg CCX 4.7 V8 Supercharged - [2006]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.2 seconds
Koenigsegg CCX 4.7 V8 Supercharged - [2006]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.2 seconds
Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8 - [2010]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.3 seconds
Ultima GTR 720 - [2000]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.3 seconds
Ariel Atom V8 500 - [2008]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.4 seconds
Caparo T1 2.4 V8 - [2006]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.5 seconds
Porsche 9FF GT9 - [2008]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.5 seconds
Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 - [2005]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.7 seconds
Ascari A10 5.0 V8 - [2006]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.8 seconds
Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 - [2011]0-100 mph (0-160 kph) - 5.9 seconds

There are some newer cars missing from that list.

992 turbo s (5.3 seconds!?)
Various McLarens
Etc

[rawenghey]

nickfrog said:

First Sea Lord said:

How would you feel when an S pulls up next to you at the lights?

Would you ever feel the need to explain to those who admire the car why you went base and not S?

Perhaps the OP doesn't care about other people's view on his choice of car.

If he gets a S and a Turbo pulls up etc etc

Agreed, I've really never understood that line of thinking. However, I guess First Sea Lord meant it's a subtle way of eliciting whether you are indeed settling or not. If you were happy with your choice, you wouldn't care to justify/defend it?

[Lancs Jag Boy]

I’ve no interest in the upper models TBH. It really boils down to a c£9k difference of spending and will I really feel that performance on a daily basis, or will I find it just a little lacking. Hardcore drive is not my thing, so is the C2 the easier ride on UK roads and is its performance adequate? If it’s as fast a 500bhp M3 up to 70/80mph, then the C2 will be quick enough.

[Koln-RS]

I suppose some people like more ´bling and show’ with cars, watches, etc, where as others are more subtle.

But the difference between a 992/992S/992T/992GTS is minimal, especially as many are debadged. Only a Porsche ‘anorak’ would know the difference.

The base car is probably the most comfortable.

[Schuey_911]

Lancs Jag Boy said:

I’ve no interest in the upper models TBH. It really boils down to a c£9k difference of spending and will I really feel that performance on a daily basis, or will I find it just a little lacking. Hardcore drive is not my thing, so is the C2 the easier ride on UK roads and is its performance adequate? If it’s as fast a 500bhp M3 up to 70/80mph, then the C2 will be quick enough.

Based on your requirements, the base Carrera 2 will be more than enough. Some good vids online of a base Carrera showing up the current gen M3/M4 Comp.

I particularly liked this one:

https://youtu.be/N_5X9iGhVQA

[Roaringopenfire]

I had BMW for 20+ years and had same dilemma as you. We went for a C2 with 10k of extras to add things we wanted for touring. So for same price as a base C2S we have enough power for any road - Autobahns and Alpine passes included - plus things like glass sunroof; super adjustable seats, even colour matched Rimowa luggage. Good luck with your purchase, you won't want to go back to BMW!

Edited by Roaringopenfire on Friday 31st March 23:36

[Pivo-T]

If it is truly ‘forever car’ I would think usability and durability would be more important than 1-100 mph. I think C2 specced to your heart content lends itself better.

[Grantstown]

Schuey_911 said:

Based on your requirements, the base Carrera 2 will be more than enough. Some good vids online of a base Carrera showing up the current gen M3/M4 Comp.

I particularly liked this one:

https://youtu.be/N_5X9iGhVQA

Good car reviewers. I like these guys a lot more than the ‘why I sold ‘X’ car’ brigade that have too many followers.

[Lancs Jag Boy]

OK, so order is now placed - after the price increase unfortunately.

Crayon
Turbo wheels
Chrono pack
14 way seats with ventilation
Glass roof
Sports exhaust
Power steering plus
Heated wheel
Park assist with cameras
Comfort access
Painted sides skirts
Upgraded leather
Porsche filler cap (for my pleasure when filling up and nobody else's!)
Elec mirrors
Windscreen top tint

The thing I'm now thinking is should I go for the Bose sound system. Is it worth it. I've had B&O in an S4 and I didn't think it was much to write home about and my current B&W system is also pretty average.

I am going to be disappointed with the regular system, or do I need to Bose as a minimum for it sound anything near average?

[DC1960]

Re the BOSE, I have it in my May build, but if I am honest the test drives I have had the cars are much noisier than my 8 series, as an example, and therefore listening to high quality audio unless engine off seemed almost an impossibility. However, I got carried on the wave of forums opinions and potential impact on re-sale and bit the bullet! Sam from Seen Thorough Glass had a video of driving a limited spec 911 through Europe and he stated at the end the std sound system was good enough. Seems most of us ignored this and opted for the Emperors New Clothes!