Discussion
I currently have Alfa Romeo 4C spider on lease that goes back in a couple of months and have now started the look out for its replacement. I have always wanted a 911 but wussed out of it a couple of years ago but now with a budget of about £50k it makes sense.
So I think I have got my 911 options down to 997.2 Carrera S and a 991 Carrera S and before I make the final decision I probably need to drive them back to back! But before I start viewing I’m looking for some guidance on a few things:
1) Is a 991 worth the premium over a 997? It will be a weekend fun car with some added practicality over the 4c like my old Boxster had!
2) I love the look of the coupe and to me it’s the real 911 having had convertibles for past 12 years I would miss it! Is a convertible a big no no?
3) Can anyone point me to a buyers guide for both as I’m struggling to find any recent ones for both cars? Or advice if their are any weaknesses like the chocolate engines on the gen 1 997’s!
4) is there anything else I should be on the look out for at this money? Unfortunately GT4’s and Spyders are a stretch to far!
Thanks
So I think I have got my 911 options down to 997.2 Carrera S and a 991 Carrera S and before I make the final decision I probably need to drive them back to back! But before I start viewing I’m looking for some guidance on a few things:
1) Is a 991 worth the premium over a 997? It will be a weekend fun car with some added practicality over the 4c like my old Boxster had!
2) I love the look of the coupe and to me it’s the real 911 having had convertibles for past 12 years I would miss it! Is a convertible a big no no?
3) Can anyone point me to a buyers guide for both as I’m struggling to find any recent ones for both cars? Or advice if their are any weaknesses like the chocolate engines on the gen 1 997’s!
4) is there anything else I should be on the look out for at this money? Unfortunately GT4’s and Spyders are a stretch to far!
Thanks
Based on your description:
1) Not worth the premium, the 991 is a better GT car which doesn't seem to be what you're after.
2) I am biased as I too wanted and got a convertible, I'm not a pro and don't notice a huge difference from the coupé but you need to drive a few examples to make up your own opinion.
3) Nothing huge to worry about across these 2 models, though a 997.2 can be 10+ years old so money will need spending eventually. These cars are mega reliable but maintenance isn't cheap! Someone else may be able to help more with links.
4) Depends hugely on what sort of car you're after, if you're keen on a 911 then there isn't a lot at the price that can beat it at its game. That said there are much more focused weekend toys at a fraction of the cost. Someone may come along and mention a 996 GT3 too!
1) Not worth the premium, the 991 is a better GT car which doesn't seem to be what you're after.
2) I am biased as I too wanted and got a convertible, I'm not a pro and don't notice a huge difference from the coupé but you need to drive a few examples to make up your own opinion.
3) Nothing huge to worry about across these 2 models, though a 997.2 can be 10+ years old so money will need spending eventually. These cars are mega reliable but maintenance isn't cheap! Someone else may be able to help more with links.
4) Depends hugely on what sort of car you're after, if you're keen on a 911 then there isn't a lot at the price that can beat it at its game. That said there are much more focused weekend toys at a fraction of the cost. Someone may come along and mention a 996 GT3 too!
991 for me. Newer, better looking inside and out (to me) faster, lighter and sounds better. Also the pdk if you want that is better.
Doesn’t feel anything like a gt car to me. £50k is unlikely to get you a 3.8 with reasonable miles and sensible colour/spec though. Prob need £55k plus for that.
Doesn’t feel anything like a gt car to me. £50k is unlikely to get you a 3.8 with reasonable miles and sensible colour/spec though. Prob need £55k plus for that.
You really need to drive both...991 feels more like a GT car that when pressed drives like a Sports Car....997 feels more like a Sports Car all the time to me. It kind of depends what you want. 991 is more comfortable (suspension deals with potholed roads better) and the PDK is better, 997 manual box is better, the steering is better. PCM is better in 991 but you’ll probably still use Waze anyway!
Cheib said:
You really need to drive both...991 feels more like a GT car that when pressed drives like a Sports Car....997 feels more like a Sports Car all the time to me. It kind of depends what you want. 991 is more comfortable (suspension deals with potholed roads better) and the PDK is better, 997 manual box is better, the steering is better. PCM is better in 991 but you’ll probably still use Waze anyway!
This, exactly. Just because they're both '911' doesn't mean they're the same car. You really need to drive both: the 991 is likely to be 'easy' from the off, the 997 is likely to take a fair bit longer to gel with...Thanks for the responses sounds like I should head over to Dove House or Ashgood and have a good look round both models.
I'm expecting the maintenance on either models to be in a similar ball park to my old 987 Boxster which averaged out at around £1,500 per annum over the three years (with a bit of luck less!)
What do people class as reasonable mileage? I've been looking at cars with circa 40,000miles on the clock.
I'm expecting the maintenance on either models to be in a similar ball park to my old 987 Boxster which averaged out at around £1,500 per annum over the three years (with a bit of luck less!)
What do people class as reasonable mileage? I've been looking at cars with circa 40,000miles on the clock.
Owned a 997.2 for 3 years, really great car. Tested a 991 a couple of times as an upgrade path but couldn't justify the £20k premium. The main difference I felt was the PDK gearbox (much better on the 991) but wasn't willing to part with the extra cash just for that. Don't care about the PCM at all (surely everyone use Waze?) and while the 991 interior is a bit more modern, I'm not really a fan of the high centre tunnel so I prefer the 997 interior in some ways.
991 felt just as much of a sports car to drive though, I've always found the whole GT label nonsense.
991 felt just as much of a sports car to drive though, I've always found the whole GT label nonsense.
987.2 Cayman S is one of the best value-for-money cars on the used market.
If you can find a well sorted one under extended warranty and under 40k miles you’ll have years of enjoyment from it for only ~£30k, similarly specced 997.2s and 991s are close to double.
There are some nice ones for sale on Pistonheads at the moment
If you can find a well sorted one under extended warranty and under 40k miles you’ll have years of enjoyment from it for only ~£30k, similarly specced 997.2s and 991s are close to double.
There are some nice ones for sale on Pistonheads at the moment
gwsinc said:
987.2 Cayman S is one of the best value-for-money cars on the used market.
If you can find a well sorted one under extended warranty and under 40k miles you’ll have years of enjoyment from it for only ~£30k, similarly specced 997.2s and 991s are close to double.
There are some nice ones for sale on Pistonheads at the moment
Cant disagree with you on the comment the 987 Boxster was the best all round car I have had and preferred it to the 981 I had for a short while.If you can find a well sorted one under extended warranty and under 40k miles you’ll have years of enjoyment from it for only ~£30k, similarly specced 997.2s and 991s are close to double.
There are some nice ones for sale on Pistonheads at the moment
sf88 said:
I currently have Alfa Romeo 4C spider on lease that goes back in a couple of months and have now started the look out for its replacement. I have always wanted a 911 but wussed out of it a couple of years ago but now with a budget of about £50k it makes sense.
So I think I have got my 911 options down to 997.2 Carrera S and a 991 Carrera S and before I make the final decision I probably need to drive them back to back! But before I start viewing I’m looking for some guidance on a few things:
1) Is a 991 worth the premium over a 997? It will be a weekend fun car with some added practicality over the 4c like my old Boxster had!
2) I love the look of the coupe and to me it’s the real 911 having had convertibles for past 12 years I would miss it! Is a convertible a big no no?
3) Can anyone point me to a buyers guide for both as I’m struggling to find any recent ones for both cars? Or advice if their are any weaknesses like the chocolate engines on the gen 1 997’s!
4) is there anything else I should be on the look out for at this money? Unfortunately GT4’s and Spyders are a stretch to far!
Thanks
If it's a weekend car then 997. If it were a daily driver, 991.So I think I have got my 911 options down to 997.2 Carrera S and a 991 Carrera S and before I make the final decision I probably need to drive them back to back! But before I start viewing I’m looking for some guidance on a few things:
1) Is a 991 worth the premium over a 997? It will be a weekend fun car with some added practicality over the 4c like my old Boxster had!
2) I love the look of the coupe and to me it’s the real 911 having had convertibles for past 12 years I would miss it! Is a convertible a big no no?
3) Can anyone point me to a buyers guide for both as I’m struggling to find any recent ones for both cars? Or advice if their are any weaknesses like the chocolate engines on the gen 1 997’s!
4) is there anything else I should be on the look out for at this money? Unfortunately GT4’s and Spyders are a stretch to far!
Thanks
If you're going for a 997 buy the coupe.
I drove a base 997.2 (no pse) back to back with my 981s, in comparison the 997 felt quite GT to me, a bit too quiet, heavy and refined. Lovely car mind you, all the inputs are perfect, has the feel good factor and admittedly when pushed it came alive with great balance.
I recall the 997.1 being a little less refined than the .2 but the gap between driving them was quite long.
I'd pick the 991 out of the two you mention because it's a better all rounder but if you want something you can take the top off that feels more agile and engaging i'd recommend a Boxster S again.
I recall the 997.1 being a little less refined than the .2 but the gap between driving them was quite long.
I'd pick the 991 out of the two you mention because it's a better all rounder but if you want something you can take the top off that feels more agile and engaging i'd recommend a Boxster S again.
It’s this simple
The 997 is much more involving car and a little harsher on the senses ( in a good way) great fun amazing car and a fairly safe place investment wise
The 991 is a great car but feels much more detached but easier to live with as a daily but in my opines fun
I’ve owned both 997 s and 991 s and have gone back to a 997s
And RPM can turn it into this :]
The 997 is much more involving car and a little harsher on the senses ( in a good way) great fun amazing car and a fairly safe place investment wise
The 991 is a great car but feels much more detached but easier to live with as a daily but in my opines fun
I’ve owned both 997 s and 991 s and have gone back to a 997s
And RPM can turn it into this :]
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