What's so special about a 911?
Discussion
It's as perfect as we humans have achieved in balancing form and function. As far as industrial design goes, the 911 is the pinnacle for me. And I waited 30 years to own one. And every second of that wait was worth it. No other object I own, or have ever owned, has filled me with as much joy.
Use the words scalpel sharp...
I've long admired the 911 as the perfect sports car. I got to drive one, the unpopular 996, many years ago. It was in basic C2 manual spec. To this day it's probably the nicest drivers car I've driven. In a straight line it wouldn't trouble my m135i but that's missing the point. I don't know how the current crop of 911's drive but I can't imagine Porsche have dropped the ball on their iconic car.
I've long admired the 911 as the perfect sports car. I got to drive one, the unpopular 996, many years ago. It was in basic C2 manual spec. To this day it's probably the nicest drivers car I've driven. In a straight line it wouldn't trouble my m135i but that's missing the point. I don't know how the current crop of 911's drive but I can't imagine Porsche have dropped the ball on their iconic car.
It's mainly down to history and lore...it was historically iconic and Porsche have used this brilliantly to great success. When they tried to kill it - History and lore keep it alive... and they used to continue to build the company.
The 911 today is not the 911 of yester-year, or the year before that.
The driving dynamics are unique in the industry though... even to current generation.
The only car like it... so thats what makes it 'special'.... which is different to the best...
The 911 today is not the 911 of yester-year, or the year before that.
The driving dynamics are unique in the industry though... even to current generation.
The only car like it... so thats what makes it 'special'.... which is different to the best...
When I was in my late twenties I got to drive a 964RS owned by a neighbour and I really didn't like it. Consequently with the arrogance of a young man I thought well if this is the best Porsche can do I'm not buying one of them.
In my early 40's the wife wanted a Boxster and I reluctantly agreed, but I had to agree it was brilliant and showed up my beloved V8 Esprit in many areas. I bought a GT3 within a few months and sold the Esprit. It took a little while to "get it" but 10 years later and with a GTS following the first GT3 and that now replaced by a 991 GT3 I really do appreciate how special a 911 is.
I think a short test drive of one is a dangerous thing, I hate that old 964RS as it deprived me of 20 years of driving a 911. Truth is though it was my own arrogance and lack of understanding of how you drive a 911 and when you know that you can extract so much pleasure from it.
Oh and if any 964RS owners offered to let me try one I'd be willing to give it a second chance!
Regards
Fred
In my early 40's the wife wanted a Boxster and I reluctantly agreed, but I had to agree it was brilliant and showed up my beloved V8 Esprit in many areas. I bought a GT3 within a few months and sold the Esprit. It took a little while to "get it" but 10 years later and with a GTS following the first GT3 and that now replaced by a 991 GT3 I really do appreciate how special a 911 is.
I think a short test drive of one is a dangerous thing, I hate that old 964RS as it deprived me of 20 years of driving a 911. Truth is though it was my own arrogance and lack of understanding of how you drive a 911 and when you know that you can extract so much pleasure from it.
Oh and if any 964RS owners offered to let me try one I'd be willing to give it a second chance!
Regards
Fred
It has a unique drivetrain layout that gives it an incredible amount of grip and is easy to slide / correct in a fairly outrageous way
It combines has an iconic shape, good performance, and is easy to live with for day to day use
There is also a wide variety of different models across the range to suite everything from cruising, to ballistic power, to track use, in the way that a normal performance car like an M3 can't really cater for
It also has strong brand heritage and racing pedigree
Caymans are great too, having owned 3 Boxsters and a 911 I preferred the 911. Better shape, power, noise, preferred the drive
It combines has an iconic shape, good performance, and is easy to live with for day to day use
There is also a wide variety of different models across the range to suite everything from cruising, to ballistic power, to track use, in the way that a normal performance car like an M3 can't really cater for
It also has strong brand heritage and racing pedigree
Caymans are great too, having owned 3 Boxsters and a 911 I preferred the 911. Better shape, power, noise, preferred the drive
After waiting 30 odd years like many others to be able to buy a Porsche
I bought a Cayman S.
It's a superb car, probably the best Porsche with its mid engined capabilities.
But I am now on a 911 997.2S I had to satisfy the 911 "Porsche" itch!
I have a Cayman S I now need to sell. It's the perfect Porsche .....
....... but it's not a 911
I can't keep both,
I bought a Cayman S.
It's a superb car, probably the best Porsche with its mid engined capabilities.
But I am now on a 911 997.2S I had to satisfy the 911 "Porsche" itch!
I have a Cayman S I now need to sell. It's the perfect Porsche .....
....... but it's not a 911
I can't keep both,
Edited by Caymanwhite on Thursday 30th May 22:13
I agree with Cmoose on this, I've owned 7 911's and my first, a 993 C2, was the best of the lot. Skinny rubber, slim profile, no driver aids, a gear change that felt more engineered than anything I'd experienced before and steering feel that was just so right.
I've owned most top tackle and keep coming back to the 911, for me it's the everyday usability, performance, build and character that attract me, no performance other car has quite so much going for it, but my first was the best and always will be, which is why I daren't go back to a 993, the dream may just shatter!
I've owned most top tackle and keep coming back to the 911, for me it's the everyday usability, performance, build and character that attract me, no performance other car has quite so much going for it, but my first was the best and always will be, which is why I daren't go back to a 993, the dream may just shatter!
For me one of the great things about the 911 are the controls....my first 911 was a manual 997 GTS....within 200 yards of getting in for a test drive it I knew it was for me. The gear change and steering just felt so bloody good compared to anything else I’d driven/was comparing it with at the time.
I like Caymans over 911's but seem to have 2 911's atm !
the issue is Porsche strangle the Cayman performance to keep the 911 king.
we all know the race lemans RSR is a Cayman under the skin not a 911
thing is my 991.1 GTS and GT3 have the 2 best engines which would never be let inside a Cayman.
the issue is Porsche strangle the Cayman performance to keep the 911 king.
we all know the race lemans RSR is a Cayman under the skin not a 911
thing is my 991.1 GTS and GT3 have the 2 best engines which would never be let inside a Cayman.
Blue62 said:
I've owned most top tackle and keep coming back to the 911, for me it's the everyday usability, performance, build and character that attract me, no performance other car has quite so much going for it
^ThisI’ve had 4 and just keep coming back every few years. Love how they look, how they handle, and how you can leave one in a station car park without it drawing attention. That said - and at the risk of committing sacrilege - I do think the modern ones are getting so “GT” now that in many ways the Cayman IS the modern 911. I’d certainly be more tempted by one than a 992.
Porsche911R said:
I like Caymans over 911's but seem to have 2 911's atm !
the issue is Porsche strangle the Cayman performance to keep the 911 king.
we all know the race lemans RSR is a Cayman under the skin not a 911
thing is my 991.1 GTS and GT3 have the 2 best engines which would never be let inside a Cayman.
How many 991 rsr have you seen stripped down then R!the issue is Porsche strangle the Cayman performance to keep the 911 king.
we all know the race lemans RSR is a Cayman under the skin not a 911
thing is my 991.1 GTS and GT3 have the 2 best engines which would never be let inside a Cayman.
After 10yrs in my 996 I still haven't mastered it, in over 30yrs of driving it's the only car I can say that about.
That challenge is a big part of the appeal. I test drove a V8V, Maser 4200 & 997 non S back to back, the 911 was the only car for me despite the others being fantastic in their own ways.
That challenge is a big part of the appeal. I test drove a V8V, Maser 4200 & 997 non S back to back, the 911 was the only car for me despite the others being fantastic in their own ways.
Blue62 said:
I agree with Cmoose on this, I've owned 7 911's and my first, a 993 C2, was the best of the lot. Skinny rubber, slim profile, no driver aids, a gear change that felt more engineered than anything I'd experienced before and steering feel that was just so right.
I've owned most top tackle and keep coming back to the 911, for me it's the everyday usability, performance, build and character that attract me, no performance other car has quite so much going for it, but my first was the best and always will be, which is why I daren't go back to a 993, the dream may just shatter!
I think if you found a time warp and or a good condition high miles 993 C2 you'd forget modern 911s I've owned most top tackle and keep coming back to the 911, for me it's the everyday usability, performance, build and character that attract me, no performance other car has quite so much going for it, but my first was the best and always will be, which is why I daren't go back to a 993, the dream may just shatter!
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