Previous Car to 911 (various) comparisons...
Discussion
Interested to hear peoples thoughts.
I am considering a 911 -looking at a 996 turbo or 997 2s/4s
In any case I am interested in peoples experience of moving from one nice car over to a 911.
I will be coming from a Z4M coupe, but I am also looking at RS4s, VXR8s, E92 M3sor even a tuned 3.0 supercharged s4 as an alternative (500hp seems pretty plain sailing!?!?)
Any thoughts welcomed
I am considering a 911 -looking at a 996 turbo or 997 2s/4s
In any case I am interested in peoples experience of moving from one nice car over to a 911.
I will be coming from a Z4M coupe, but I am also looking at RS4s, VXR8s, E92 M3sor even a tuned 3.0 supercharged s4 as an alternative (500hp seems pretty plain sailing!?!?)
Any thoughts welcomed
Hi, I think most agree that a 911 can be a bit of a 'marmite' car, love it or hate it; I've spoken to several people in both camps and it's hard to pinpoint why.
I had my first 911 back in the early 90's and I've been smitten ever since; every time I sell my current 911, my wife says don't do it, you'll only get another one, and guess what, she's always right.
Before buying one, I'd recommend having a decent drive in one to try and see what camp you'll be in.
Good luck.
I had my first 911 back in the early 90's and I've been smitten ever since; every time I sell my current 911, my wife says don't do it, you'll only get another one, and guess what, she's always right.
Before buying one, I'd recommend having a decent drive in one to try and see what camp you'll be in.
Good luck.
OP all I’d say is you need to drive a few to make your mind up....lots of people love Turbo’s but there are also quite a few people who Iove 911’s that don’t really enjoy a Turbo. I’ve got a 997.2 GTS which is similar to the 2s...I love mine, haven’t driven a 997 Turbo but have driven a 996 Turbo and just didn’t really like it. Felt like a bit of a blunt instrument to me compared to mine....but it’s quicker obviously.
Given you’ve got an Z4M which has got the sublime S54 engine in it I reckon you might prefer something naturally aspirated.
I think the major 911 choices are 2wd or 3wd and NASP or Turbo. And given the cars you’re looking at I would personally favour a manual gearbox.
Given you’ve got an Z4M which has got the sublime S54 engine in it I reckon you might prefer something naturally aspirated.
I think the major 911 choices are 2wd or 3wd and NASP or Turbo. And given the cars you’re looking at I would personally favour a manual gearbox.
I’ve had four, and for me, the 911 is the perfect blend of practical and fun.
Periodically, I get fed up with a weekend car that costs a fortune to run but only gets used occasionally (see Garage for list). So I buy a 911 and use it for commuting, leave it at the station all day, thoroughly enjoy having it. A few years later I then see something more exciting again, decide I’ll get it for weekend use only, and sell the 911. And so the cycle continues...
At the moment I need more luggage space and rear seats than a 911, so running a Maserati Ghibli as my daily. If I didn’t, I’d have a 991 Targa, cocoa leather, sport chrono...
Periodically, I get fed up with a weekend car that costs a fortune to run but only gets used occasionally (see Garage for list). So I buy a 911 and use it for commuting, leave it at the station all day, thoroughly enjoy having it. A few years later I then see something more exciting again, decide I’ll get it for weekend use only, and sell the 911. And so the cycle continues...
At the moment I need more luggage space and rear seats than a 911, so running a Maserati Ghibli as my daily. If I didn’t, I’d have a 991 Targa, cocoa leather, sport chrono...
Edited by 67Dino on Monday 19th August 22:46
The other cars on your list are super saloons and no matter how great their engines/chassis are, you'll still feel like you're sitting in an A4, 3 series etc. A 911 is a proper sports car, yet still perfectly useable day to day.
Personally I'm not a fan of Turbos, speed isn't everything. My pick would always be NA with PSE and 2WD.
Personally I'm not a fan of Turbos, speed isn't everything. My pick would always be NA with PSE and 2WD.
I had an E36 M3 Evo (and still have it) before getting a 997.1 C2S. Previously had several M cars, S cars etc, hot hatches and similar.
I'm probably in the minority but I prefer the BMW which is the reason I still have it. For me the 911 doesn't feel special compared to the M3, which most people I think will say the other way. The engine is quite a let down in the 911 compared to the M engines (S50/S54 etc).
I think I may have been expecting too much from the 911 but I wanted a step up from the M cars and it feels more sideways. I think a gt3 is really what I was after but thats totally out of my price range.
So anyway just a different opinion.
I'm probably in the minority but I prefer the BMW which is the reason I still have it. For me the 911 doesn't feel special compared to the M3, which most people I think will say the other way. The engine is quite a let down in the 911 compared to the M engines (S50/S54 etc).
I think I may have been expecting too much from the 911 but I wanted a step up from the M cars and it feels more sideways. I think a gt3 is really what I was after but thats totally out of my price range.
So anyway just a different opinion.
Z4MCSL said:
Interested to hear peoples thoughts.
I am considering a 911 -looking at a 996 turbo or 997 2s/4s
In any case I am interested in peoples experience of moving from one nice car over to a 911.
I will be coming from a Z4M coupe, but I am also looking at RS4s, VXR8s, E92 M3sor even a tuned 3.0 supercharged s4 as an alternative (500hp seems pretty plain sailing!?!?)
Any thoughts welcomed
VXR8 awful,996 Turbo very capable add an exhaust and you have real theatre, get the X50 packI am considering a 911 -looking at a 996 turbo or 997 2s/4s
In any case I am interested in peoples experience of moving from one nice car over to a 911.
I will be coming from a Z4M coupe, but I am also looking at RS4s, VXR8s, E92 M3sor even a tuned 3.0 supercharged s4 as an alternative (500hp seems pretty plain sailing!?!?)
Any thoughts welcomed
997 3.8 s a good choice if you like the newer car,again add induction and exhaust
Others are just fast saloons, boring IMO
Could also consider a Boxster Spyder or Cayman R for driving thrills
Get a Porsche
I've had 997.1 c4s manual
And 997.2 gts cab PDK which was a fantastic drivers car (manual must be even better).
Had rs4s. Rs6s e46 m3s. Which were boring compared to above.
Also had several gtrs which again once you get used to the immense speed gets boring.
Now gor a v12 vantage manual which really is fantastic.
I am now contemplating a 991 turbo s which is a scratch I need to itch.
My advice is drive c4s and c2s 997.2 is a step up from the 997.1 for sure.
I preferred the 2s tbh as traction is as good a 4wd.
Good luck whichever way you go
And 997.2 gts cab PDK which was a fantastic drivers car (manual must be even better).
Had rs4s. Rs6s e46 m3s. Which were boring compared to above.
Also had several gtrs which again once you get used to the immense speed gets boring.
Now gor a v12 vantage manual which really is fantastic.
I am now contemplating a 991 turbo s which is a scratch I need to itch.
My advice is drive c4s and c2s 997.2 is a step up from the 997.1 for sure.
I preferred the 2s tbh as traction is as good a 4wd.
Good luck whichever way you go
Z4MCSL said:
Interested to hear peoples thoughts.
I am considering a 911 -looking at a 996 turbo or 997 2s/4s
In any case I am interested in peoples experience of moving from one nice car over to a 911.
I will be coming from a Z4M coupe, but I am also looking at RS4s, VXR8s, E92 M3sor even a tuned 3.0 supercharged s4 as an alternative (500hp seems pretty plain sailing!?!?)
Any thoughts welcomed
I’ve owned most evolutions of 911 from a late 993 to a 992 C2S, while at the same time running some sort of fast daily hack...I am considering a 911 -looking at a 996 turbo or 997 2s/4s
In any case I am interested in peoples experience of moving from one nice car over to a 911.
I will be coming from a Z4M coupe, but I am also looking at RS4s, VXR8s, E92 M3sor even a tuned 3.0 supercharged s4 as an alternative (500hp seems pretty plain sailing!?!?)
Any thoughts welcomed
The appeal of a fast saloon or estate like an RS4, RS6, or M5 disappears pretty quickly in my experience, and I’ve become bored of them....Their torquey long range diesel engined equivalents do a much better job.
My current favourite 911 is a 996 Turbo manual - it looks superb, feels nimble, and thanks to an exhaust system with 200 cell cats, sounds fantastic. To drive it quickly in the wet is utterly terrifying, but I get out of it, look back and acknowledge that it’s got way more character than the 992.
Although as I can’t decide if a 996 is better suited to an aspirated engine, I’ve also got a 996 C4S tip....
As you can see, there is no perfect 911 for anyone....I would suggest you try and drive a few and see which one gets to you....although in my experience I never did take to any 997 I owned.....
Moved from mk2 focus rs to a 996 c2. Biggest shock was the weight distribution and the effect it has on the handling. Definitely a car to learn over a period of time whereas the rs was fairly conventional point n shoot weapon that didn't require much thought to finesse.
Try to get a decent test drive on the sort of roads you are most likely to frequent.
There is also a good owner's club, etc if you are looking for more than just a car to drive from A to B.
996TT seem pretty decent value at the moment and with vendors dropping prices left right and centre you could probably go in fairly bullish to carve a deal.
Try to get a decent test drive on the sort of roads you are most likely to frequent.
There is also a good owner's club, etc if you are looking for more than just a car to drive from A to B.
996TT seem pretty decent value at the moment and with vendors dropping prices left right and centre you could probably go in fairly bullish to carve a deal.
I had a 3l Z4C about 8 years ago. Not quite a Z4M. I then had a long string of the usual 300bhp hot hatches from the usual suspects. I now have a 996 C4 and had a brief stint in a 996 turbo.
I looked at many of the cars you mentioned when moving on from my last car, e9x M3, S4 etc. You need to go drive them but the thing I found is they weren't that different from something like a Golf R. It's a chassis primarily designed for commuting/shopping/being a taxi tweaked to accommodate an engine that puts out more power. A 911 is designed from the ground up to have that power and use in mind. That's so noticeable when you drive them. With many of the other cars the engine or performance can dominate the experience. With a 911 every component seems to compliment each other.
I looked at many of the cars you mentioned when moving on from my last car, e9x M3, S4 etc. You need to go drive them but the thing I found is they weren't that different from something like a Golf R. It's a chassis primarily designed for commuting/shopping/being a taxi tweaked to accommodate an engine that puts out more power. A 911 is designed from the ground up to have that power and use in mind. That's so noticeable when you drive them. With many of the other cars the engine or performance can dominate the experience. With a 911 every component seems to compliment each other.
IREvans said:
I’ve owned most evolutions of 911 from a late 993 to a 992 C2S, while at the same time running some sort of fast daily hack...
The appeal of a fast saloon or estate like an RS4, RS6, or M5 disappears pretty quickly in my experience, and I’ve become bored of them....Their torquey long range diesel engined equivalents do a much better job.
My current favourite 911 is a 996 Turbo manual - it looks superb, feels nimble, and thanks to an exhaust system with 200 cell cats, sounds fantastic. To drive it quickly in the wet is utterly terrifying, but I get out of it, look back and acknowledge that it’s got way more character than the 992.
Although as I can’t decide if a 996 is better suited to an aspirated engine, I’ve also got a 996 C4S tip....
As you can see, there is no perfect 911 for anyone....I would suggest you try and drive a few and see which one gets to you....although in my experience I never did take to any 997 I owned.....
How does the power of a 996T compare to a 997 3.8? In terms of actual driving? Is it in a completely different league or just a bit faster? The appeal of a fast saloon or estate like an RS4, RS6, or M5 disappears pretty quickly in my experience, and I’ve become bored of them....Their torquey long range diesel engined equivalents do a much better job.
My current favourite 911 is a 996 Turbo manual - it looks superb, feels nimble, and thanks to an exhaust system with 200 cell cats, sounds fantastic. To drive it quickly in the wet is utterly terrifying, but I get out of it, look back and acknowledge that it’s got way more character than the 992.
Although as I can’t decide if a 996 is better suited to an aspirated engine, I’ve also got a 996 C4S tip....
As you can see, there is no perfect 911 for anyone....I would suggest you try and drive a few and see which one gets to you....although in my experience I never did take to any 997 I owned.....
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