996RS VS 997RS - any solid conclusions?
Discussion
Can anyone definitively say which car is faster in a straight line and around the corners (say if both were on the Cup tyres).
I think it's fair to say everyone is agreed the new car is a revelation on the road whereas the old one is "demanding" (some would say compromised) to say the least.
But which one is FASTER?
I'm still in love with the 996RS but when I see the flared arches of the new car it does get me thinking.....
Didn't BarryThompson (?) have both? What do you think?
Specifically - which is more exciting to drive? and which is more RAW? (the latter point is essential)
This is more than just about bragging rights... I'm trying to get a sense of value for the new car - is it worth it?
I think it's fair to say everyone is agreed the new car is a revelation on the road whereas the old one is "demanding" (some would say compromised) to say the least.
But which one is FASTER?
I'm still in love with the 996RS but when I see the flared arches of the new car it does get me thinking.....
Didn't BarryThompson (?) have both? What do you think?
Specifically - which is more exciting to drive? and which is more RAW? (the latter point is essential)
This is more than just about bragging rights... I'm trying to get a sense of value for the new car - is it worth it?
Edited by murcielago_boy on Friday 18th May 13:28
Have had a couple of 996RS (one with Manthey engine upgrade), have passengered in a well driven 997RS around the Ring. And have toyed with both on track in my tweeked GT2.
The 997 definitely pulls harder IMO, also the dyno figs for a standard car are 30+ over a 996. My passenger ride was in a mapped one dyno'd at 445, apparently there is more to come with stronger code.
The 997 felt very well planted around the Ring, would think the wider track and footprint give a better corner speed grip. Noise in the cabin of the 997 is fooking awesome, almost worth purchase price alone.
At the end of the day, it is all about driver talent.. as a poorly driven 997RS will get eaten by a well driven 996RS, and vice versa.
The 997 definitely pulls harder IMO, also the dyno figs for a standard car are 30+ over a 996. My passenger ride was in a mapped one dyno'd at 445, apparently there is more to come with stronger code.
The 997 felt very well planted around the Ring, would think the wider track and footprint give a better corner speed grip. Noise in the cabin of the 997 is fooking awesome, almost worth purchase price alone.
At the end of the day, it is all about driver talent.. as a poorly driven 997RS will get eaten by a well driven 996RS, and vice versa.
ken993 said:
I've got both.
Not driven the 997 on track yet, on the road it is outstanding, much more comfortable than the 996 althought I can't help thinking all this road comfort is going to compromise the track performance.
Not driven the 997 on track yet, on the road it is outstanding, much more comfortable than the 996 althought I can't help thinking all this road comfort is going to compromise the track performance.
Is the 997 DISCERNIBLY quicker in a straight line? And which of the two car is the more exciting/visceral....?
Based on my track day experience I would say that the 997 RS has more grunt, however I've not found one on a UK track that I can't get past. It could be of course that the owners are still getting used to the car and not driving at 100%. I followed a couple round the ring and I just kept up, but I think that is more about knowing the track.
Whilst I do have both cars, it's difficult to compare not having tracked the 997, the 996 has a track set up so does not perform well on the road, the 997 is standard and is stunning on the road.
I had to look up visceral, on the road the 997 has it, it is yet to be proved on the track but I think the answer will be the 996, which is why I've not sold it.
Whilst I do have both cars, it's difficult to compare not having tracked the 997, the 996 has a track set up so does not perform well on the road, the 997 is standard and is stunning on the road.
I had to look up visceral, on the road the 997 has it, it is yet to be proved on the track but I think the answer will be the 996, which is why I've not sold it.
Edited by ken993 on Friday 18th May 21:14
From everything I've read, the 997 GT3 and RS have moved the game forward quite significantly.
But, of course, there is a cost consideration - GT3 Mk1 for £40k+; GT3 Mk2 for £50k+; 996RS for £65k+; 997GT3 for £85k+ or 997RS for £95k++
Still think a white 997GT3 Club Sport is probably the 'best buy'.
But, of course, there is a cost consideration - GT3 Mk1 for £40k+; GT3 Mk2 for £50k+; 996RS for £65k+; 997GT3 for £85k+ or 997RS for £95k++
Still think a white 997GT3 Club Sport is probably the 'best buy'.
Had a ride around Brands with Russ in his new 997 RS the other day. Lovely car and looked a million dollars. Went very well too!
Not sure about this 'significant' progress though if we are talking about track performance. Its still a 911 with the same block and as far as I'm aware is still derived from the same shell as a 996 with a few enchancements/different subframe/panels etc. Any changes are actually pretty small and incremental when you think about it. We are talking fractions of a second on a typical lap...
Of course on the road, I'm sure its a million times better. All depends what you are looking for. The 996 is a little 1 dimensional in its focus whereas the 997 iteration seems to be all things to all men and is clearly a bloody amazing piece of machinery.
A standard 997RS is a touch more accelerative and dynamic than a 996RS...but there is not much in it to justify the £35K price differential.
Road performance and civility are a notch up in the 997...If only Porsche had given it a 3.8 and stripped another 100Kg's off the weight.
That said I'm still willing to stump up for the new one. There are so few alternatives if you enjoy driving on track and the new car is visually stunning.
Road performance and civility are a notch up in the 997...If only Porsche had given it a 3.8 and stripped another 100Kg's off the weight.
That said I'm still willing to stump up for the new one. There are so few alternatives if you enjoy driving on track and the new car is visually stunning.
murcielago_boy said:
Can anyone definitively say which car is faster in a straight line and around the corners (say if both were on the Cup tyres).
I think it's fair to say everyone is agreed the new car is a revelation on the road whereas the old one is "demanding" (some would say compromised) to say the least.
But which one is FASTER?
I'm still in love with the 996RS but when I see the flared arches of the new car it does get me thinking.....
Didn't BarryThompson (?) have both? What do you think?
Specifically - which is more exciting to drive? and which is more RAW? (the latter point is essential)
This is more than just about bragging rights... I'm trying to get a sense of value for the new car - is it worth it?
I think it's fair to say everyone is agreed the new car is a revelation on the road whereas the old one is "demanding" (some would say compromised) to say the least.
But which one is FASTER?
I'm still in love with the 996RS but when I see the flared arches of the new car it does get me thinking.....
Didn't BarryThompson (?) have both? What do you think?
Specifically - which is more exciting to drive? and which is more RAW? (the latter point is essential)
This is more than just about bragging rights... I'm trying to get a sense of value for the new car - is it worth it?
Edited by murcielago_boy on Friday 18th May 13:28
I've driven both on the circuit. The 997 has a strong engine and although the straight line figures are almost identical, it has noticably more usable torque. in a straight line it would be marginal. If you are a driver of average ability the 997 is substantially quicker through the corners, if you have good ability the cars are very similarly matched. In terms of rawness, the 996 has it by a long chalk. I am very dissapointed with the lack of feel in the 997. The active suspension filters a lot away from the driver and feels like a very capable road car. The 996 feels much more like a race car. A passively suspended 997RS would be a very good car indeed but its too heavy and combined with the extra torque and power of the engine makes it a very expensive car to track in terms of tyres and brakes. I doubt if I could get more that 2 track days out of a set of rear tyres. The 996 ate tyres at an alarming rate but the 997 is much worse.
It depends on what you want. The 997 is a far better road car.
Steve R
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