An improptu comparison between a 928 and new 991
02-03-2012 | 10:15 AM
#46
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From: Bird lover in Sharpsburg
02-11-2012 | 09:40 PM
#47
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The local Porsche dealer has a driving event this weekend. I had the opportunity to drive a 997 Carrera 4S first, and a 991 Carrera S next. Both had tiptronic transmissions.
The 997 performed pretty much as expected - I had driven a 997 Cab when they first came out. It felt powerful and quick, and thanks to the PASM suspension, the ride was quite comfortable. A sweeping freeway entrance with a few bumps made the car twitch a bit more than I was comfortable with, but otherwise I really enjoyed the drive.
Then I got into the 991. I much prefer the upgraded interior with the new center console. Everything seemed to be in the right place, including the up/downshift paddles for the PDK (one each behind the steering wheel). The seats appeared a bit larger, but made no significant difference to me, compared to the 997 seats. The engine sound was a bit different, and more engaging.
Once we started driving, the 991 engine felt significantly more responsive. The power was comparable to Bill Ball's 928 when it had the compressor; with a little less low end grunt. The electrical steering felt very precise, while keeping bumps and vibrations away completely -- A big difference compared to the 997! The ride comfort (again with PASM) was noticeably improved as well. The transmission downshifted with beautiful rpm matching; it was a joy to play with it. At the traffic light, the engine turned off and restarted once I took the foot off the brake (this can be turned off).
Overall, the 991 is a fantastic car. I could absolutely imagine to drive one everyday. It is comfortable, responsive, well made, and it is said that fuel efficiency is great as well. This is clearly the first Porsche that I would consider giving my 928 for.
Congratulations, PORSCHE - job well done!
The 997 performed pretty much as expected - I had driven a 997 Cab when they first came out. It felt powerful and quick, and thanks to the PASM suspension, the ride was quite comfortable. A sweeping freeway entrance with a few bumps made the car twitch a bit more than I was comfortable with, but otherwise I really enjoyed the drive.
Then I got into the 991. I much prefer the upgraded interior with the new center console. Everything seemed to be in the right place, including the up/downshift paddles for the PDK (one each behind the steering wheel). The seats appeared a bit larger, but made no significant difference to me, compared to the 997 seats. The engine sound was a bit different, and more engaging.
Once we started driving, the 991 engine felt significantly more responsive. The power was comparable to Bill Ball's 928 when it had the compressor; with a little less low end grunt. The electrical steering felt very precise, while keeping bumps and vibrations away completely -- A big difference compared to the 997! The ride comfort (again with PASM) was noticeably improved as well. The transmission downshifted with beautiful rpm matching; it was a joy to play with it. At the traffic light, the engine turned off and restarted once I took the foot off the brake (this can be turned off).
Overall, the 991 is a fantastic car. I could absolutely imagine to drive one everyday. It is comfortable, responsive, well made, and it is said that fuel efficiency is great as well. This is clearly the first Porsche that I would consider giving my 928 for.
Congratulations, PORSCHE - job well done!
02-11-2012 | 10:38 PM
#49
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You need to study the history of the sports car to answer that question. The birth of the sports car belongs to the UK. Where light weight cars designed for blasting through the countryside were created.
They are not terribly comfortable, don't hold much for luggage, loud, all kinds of fluid smells, very sparse on creature comforts if any at all.
Basically something your typical mother-in-law would never ride in.
Sports cars are a dying breed and someday I fear, they will be gone forever.
The 911 stopped being a sports car with the 996 and many argue the 964 is the last of the "true" Sports Car 911.
The 991 is too heavy, too quiet, and way too comfortable. You know, everything the purists said about the 928 - and they were right.
The 928 has never and will never be a sports car. With the death of the 928 & 944 the Porsche model family got up and moved one chair over.
The 911 became the GT and the Boxster became the sports car of the family.
If you want to go old school, a Sports Car must be a roadster - not a convertible, there is a difference (Jeremy Clarkson said so.......)
"But, but....the 911 is so fast..." So is the Countach and the Testarossa, two cars never considered Sports Cars.
The GMC Syclone could spank most Sports Cars around any track & it's a truck. Absolute speed and lap times are not what makes a sports car.
Some of the greatest sports cars of all time are not really that fast:
Back in the 50's and 60's the Corvette was coined a sports car, by GM. To the rest of the world it was a bit bloated but it got a pass since it was American. Everything "we" did was a bit bigger and heavier anyway.
1967 Corvette Curb Weight = 3,360lbs
1697 Porsche 911 Curb Weight = 2,380lbs
My how times have changed......
2012 Corvette Curb Weight = 3,208lbs
2012 Porsche 911 Curb Weight = over 3,000lbs - the turbo will be over 3,200
Starting to make sense yet? "But....with modern safety and equipment......"
Meanwhile the Lotus Elise is under 2,000lbs proving it can be done with modern safety equipment.
The term "Sports Car" has always been more emotional than actual facts and figures. Picturing yourself blasting through an Italian mountain road with your favorite gal is much more romantic in an MG than any modern 911. Even if the 911 is 10 miles up the road after leaving you in the dust.
It's a sad state as fewer and fewer people truly understand or appreciate what a Sports Car really is. Which is why there are so few to pick from. Then again, the Sports Car was never meant to be for the masses. It's for the person that truly appreciates the rawness only a Sports Car can offer. So actually, the Sports Car market is where it should be - reserved for the select few that truly understand.
Growing up my father had his own basic definition = "If it has back seats, it cannot be a sports car". Now that's not to say anything without rear seats is a Sports Car - your Exotic and Hyper car category is made up of mostly two seaters that jump beyond the Sports Car category into a field of their own, but that discussion is for another thread.
They are not terribly comfortable, don't hold much for luggage, loud, all kinds of fluid smells, very sparse on creature comforts if any at all.
Basically something your typical mother-in-law would never ride in.
Sports cars are a dying breed and someday I fear, they will be gone forever.
The 911 stopped being a sports car with the 996 and many argue the 964 is the last of the "true" Sports Car 911.
The 991 is too heavy, too quiet, and way too comfortable. You know, everything the purists said about the 928 - and they were right.
The 928 has never and will never be a sports car. With the death of the 928 & 944 the Porsche model family got up and moved one chair over.
The 911 became the GT and the Boxster became the sports car of the family.
If you want to go old school, a Sports Car must be a roadster - not a convertible, there is a difference (Jeremy Clarkson said so.......)
"But, but....the 911 is so fast..." So is the Countach and the Testarossa, two cars never considered Sports Cars.
The GMC Syclone could spank most Sports Cars around any track & it's a truck. Absolute speed and lap times are not what makes a sports car.
Some of the greatest sports cars of all time are not really that fast:
- Austin Healey
- MG's
- Morgan
- Lotus (before the Esprit)
Back in the 50's and 60's the Corvette was coined a sports car, by GM. To the rest of the world it was a bit bloated but it got a pass since it was American. Everything "we" did was a bit bigger and heavier anyway.
1967 Corvette Curb Weight = 3,360lbs
1697 Porsche 911 Curb Weight = 2,380lbs
My how times have changed......
2012 Corvette Curb Weight = 3,208lbs
2012 Porsche 911 Curb Weight = over 3,000lbs - the turbo will be over 3,200
Starting to make sense yet? "But....with modern safety and equipment......"
Meanwhile the Lotus Elise is under 2,000lbs proving it can be done with modern safety equipment.
The term "Sports Car" has always been more emotional than actual facts and figures. Picturing yourself blasting through an Italian mountain road with your favorite gal is much more romantic in an MG than any modern 911. Even if the 911 is 10 miles up the road after leaving you in the dust.
It's a sad state as fewer and fewer people truly understand or appreciate what a Sports Car really is. Which is why there are so few to pick from. Then again, the Sports Car was never meant to be for the masses. It's for the person that truly appreciates the rawness only a Sports Car can offer. So actually, the Sports Car market is where it should be - reserved for the select few that truly understand.
Growing up my father had his own basic definition = "If it has back seats, it cannot be a sports car". Now that's not to say anything without rear seats is a Sports Car - your Exotic and Hyper car category is made up of mostly two seaters that jump beyond the Sports Car category into a field of their own, but that discussion is for another thread.
02-11-2012 | 11:33 PM
#51
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From: TEXAS
The side mirrors have changed too, closer to the Aero mirrors design compared to the ones on the 996 and 997. They even mounted them back on the doors skin instead of the corner of the side windows.
02-12-2012 | 05:21 AM
#52
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From: Silly Valley, CA
