Picking up a 991 today for a ten day test
Discussion
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I've been driving the Wife's a couple of times recently, and apart from some annoying squeaks with the roof up I have to say the car is bloody brilliant. Obviously can't push it at the moment, but it's dual character is really useful. It also sounds sooo good compared to the Mk2 997. Up the rev range it sounds fan-tastic. This is with standard exhausts. I used to really like the noise of the pre-DFI unit in the Mk1 (kind of supersonic sound) but the Mk2 seemed to get a bit buzzy to me. Anyway, I'm still a big fan after a month or so of ownership and I expect when the summer arrives again will become an even bigger fan.
Lagerlout said:
I've been driving the Wife's a couple of times recently, and apart from some annoying squeaks with the roof up I have to say the car is bloody brilliant. Obviously can't push it at the moment, but it's dual character is really useful. It also sounds sooo good compared to the Mk2 997. Up the rev range it sounds fan-tastic. This is with standard exhausts. I used to really like the noise of the pre-DFI unit in the Mk1 (kind of supersonic sound) but the Mk2 seemed to get a bit buzzy to me. Anyway, I'm still a big fan after a month or so of ownership and I expect when the summer arrives again will become an even bigger fan.
My cab is 6,000 miles in and we've bonded beautifully. I took a little while to become convinced by its driving character (as opposed to looks and features). Now I can hardly imagine anything better.I have just read this thread from front to back for the first time. First of all praise to Ronan for taking the time to share, excellent write up. The comments I love most are those condemning the 991 even before they have driven it - don't let the facts get in the way of a good story don't you!
Over the past year I have been driving the 997.2 RS, a month in a GTS4 and then a 991S (and before that a 996 GT3 and a 993 C2) so feel reasonably well positioned to compare the 991.
When I first drove the 991S it was straight from the RS and it was a little disappointing. The key thing for me is that in PDK Sport mode I had to work too hard to get the car between corners and the chassis did not quite as well resolved.
I then had the GTS4 for a month and whilst initially liking it, liked it less and less as time went by. I felt it was harsh where the RS would be firm, it lacked feel unless really pushed on. Having said that, when pushed on it surprised me with it's pace. Over I struggled to see the value in the GTS - just too expensive for what it offered me.
Getting into the 991S from the GTS was a revelation. The 991 feels so much better resolved, so much more modern. One of the comments I see being thrown at the 991 is that you really need to drive it hard to bring it to life. I think this is to misunderstand it's character. There is no doubt that the 991 has this dual ability to cruise like a limo and then be like an insane banshee.
The difference, to me, is not about outright speed and how much you push on, but how it is driven. Saunter in cruise mode and that is how it responds, drive it, even at relatively low speeds and it is much more alive. Not alive like a 6GT3, but there again to my mind, no other 911 is, and that is not the design brief of the Carrera S.
The car is modern, contemporary and certainly competes with any car at it's price level in terms of toys and quality. The button array is a little fiddly but easy to learn.
The most telling thing is that whilst it lacks that extra 10% you get from the RS, I am driving it so much more than any other 911 I have owned. Driven briskly across country the chassis is truly incredible, although like Ronan, the rear end of the RS was easier to move around, I need to unlock this feature on the 991
So ultimately I liked the RS more, but I like the 991s more of the time. It combines multiple facets of motoring excellence into a single car - a remarkable achievement.
I cannot wait to get it on track - I am confident that its performance will be more accessible, more of the time and so will be quicker - I await to see how rewarding it is, based on my experience so far I struggle to see it will not be.
There are those in this thread who fancy themselves as Steve Rance or Chris Harris that will bemoan this newly accessible performance - but I think this is delusional. You only need to look at the stock of beloved 993 to realise that nuggets who can't drive are not new to the 991, they turned up on droves and specced the truly appalling Tiptronic 993. An anathema to driving enjoyment and involvement if ever there was one.
Yes the PDK is phenomenal, yes I miss heel and toe. Swings and roundabouts.
The only thing I really wonder about the car is the great noise, the crackles and burbles on overrun - sounds great but synthetic surely? Like having a flamer kit on my Sierra Cosworth!
Over the past year I have been driving the 997.2 RS, a month in a GTS4 and then a 991S (and before that a 996 GT3 and a 993 C2) so feel reasonably well positioned to compare the 991.
When I first drove the 991S it was straight from the RS and it was a little disappointing. The key thing for me is that in PDK Sport mode I had to work too hard to get the car between corners and the chassis did not quite as well resolved.
I then had the GTS4 for a month and whilst initially liking it, liked it less and less as time went by. I felt it was harsh where the RS would be firm, it lacked feel unless really pushed on. Having said that, when pushed on it surprised me with it's pace. Over I struggled to see the value in the GTS - just too expensive for what it offered me.
Getting into the 991S from the GTS was a revelation. The 991 feels so much better resolved, so much more modern. One of the comments I see being thrown at the 991 is that you really need to drive it hard to bring it to life. I think this is to misunderstand it's character. There is no doubt that the 991 has this dual ability to cruise like a limo and then be like an insane banshee.
The difference, to me, is not about outright speed and how much you push on, but how it is driven. Saunter in cruise mode and that is how it responds, drive it, even at relatively low speeds and it is much more alive. Not alive like a 6GT3, but there again to my mind, no other 911 is, and that is not the design brief of the Carrera S.
The car is modern, contemporary and certainly competes with any car at it's price level in terms of toys and quality. The button array is a little fiddly but easy to learn.
The most telling thing is that whilst it lacks that extra 10% you get from the RS, I am driving it so much more than any other 911 I have owned. Driven briskly across country the chassis is truly incredible, although like Ronan, the rear end of the RS was easier to move around, I need to unlock this feature on the 991
So ultimately I liked the RS more, but I like the 991s more of the time. It combines multiple facets of motoring excellence into a single car - a remarkable achievement.
I cannot wait to get it on track - I am confident that its performance will be more accessible, more of the time and so will be quicker - I await to see how rewarding it is, based on my experience so far I struggle to see it will not be.
There are those in this thread who fancy themselves as Steve Rance or Chris Harris that will bemoan this newly accessible performance - but I think this is delusional. You only need to look at the stock of beloved 993 to realise that nuggets who can't drive are not new to the 991, they turned up on droves and specced the truly appalling Tiptronic 993. An anathema to driving enjoyment and involvement if ever there was one.
Yes the PDK is phenomenal, yes I miss heel and toe. Swings and roundabouts.
The only thing I really wonder about the car is the great noise, the crackles and burbles on overrun - sounds great but synthetic surely? Like having a flamer kit on my Sierra Cosworth!
Old Trout said:
The only thing I really wonder about the car is the great noise, the crackles and burbles on overrun - sounds great but synthetic surely? Like having a flamer kit on my Sierra Cosworth!
That's worth a shout, I will enquire when I go to have my ducktail fitted, maybe we could do a group buy?Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff