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Hey guys, I posted a similar thread on the 997gt forum and someone rightfully suggested I’d get a better perspective over here on this formula.
What I want to hear is your opinions on what you see as the best 911 for driving. A little context here to help guide choices. Car’s use is for pleasure mainly, so no commutes etc. Mainly looking for peoples ideas and experiences about a car that is fun to drive on the road, plenty of driver input, and fun to carve through your canyon of choice. Would not necessarily see this car as needing much track duty but could hold its own for those rare occasions. They say it’s more fun to drive a slower car fast than a fast car slow but that certainly doesn’t take away anything from the newer iterations in the Porsche lineup. I’ve limited the choices somewhat arbitrarily because first, I’m focusing only on Porsche, and second, I think with fewer choices that are substantially different from one another and enough votes, a leader, or dare I say winner will present itself. That said, I will put in an option for the 911 (1989 and older — please state which version you vote for in the comments section) and another option for the 997 gt3 without the rs since there were enough posters that felt it warranted it’s own classification and rightly so since I stated the car would only see limited track use. Another criterion I used in limiting the choices for the poll was looking at production numbers being over or around 1,000 units. There are so many special editions over the years that to me are very high on the collectibility list (e.g. 964 C4 lightweight and the 964 3.8RS) that are unobtainable without a lot of luck, deep pockets or both.
I think you should re phrase the question such as best driver to daily, best driver regardless of price, just a best driver regardless of anything, etc.... otherwise Imo all Porches qualifies to be the best driver.
I think you should re phrase the question such as best driver to daily, best driver regardless of price, just a best driver regardless of anything, etc.... otherwise Imo all Porches qualifies to be the best driver.
My vote is for the cars I have, a 964 C4 and 987.2 Spyder. If it floats my boat enough to own for years and actually want to drive it, it’s the best driver for me.
BTW: My mechanic in the early 2000s owned a 964 RS. He said it was hands down the worst road car he had ever owned. Horses for courses. It was never meant to be a daily or a road trip car.
Last edited by John McM; Feb 13, 2022 at 01:55 PM.
My vote is for the cars I have, a 964 C4 and 987.2 Spyder. If it floats my boat enough to own for years and actually want to drive it, it’s the best driver for me.
BTW: My mechanic in the early 2000s owned a 964 RS. He said it was hands down the worst road car he had ever owned. Horses for courses. It was never meant to be a daily or a road trip car.
It’s amazing how perspective changes. I drive a 964c2 that is trying to be an RS. Plenty of mods to make it handle/brake/steer better than a stock c2. I’m also very fortunate to been able to drive a very well looked after 964rs. One of the best street cars I’ve ever driven.
perfectly dialed in for street use and perfect amount of power to have fun on back roads.
I still enjoy the 964 on track but don’t mind a bit more power when you have the chance to use it.
My 997gt3rs4.0 is a masterpiece in its own. Would love to mod it and do 20track days/year but unfortunately to risky and out of my budget and comfort zone.
It’s fun to take it out a couple of time per year and just experience that masterpiece. But, it’s to fast before it starts to get really fun.
The 964 at 8/10 on the road is a blast. And at 9/10 it’s a blast on track. The 996rs is hiding behind its more attractive older brother.
It depends on if your daily drive is thru downtown London, Los Angeles or San Louis Obispo! Traffic, pot holes and nutty drivers do not make for a pleasant drive in an expensive high performance car....
For those of us here in the states - the 996 GT3 RS and the 964 RS are so rare that it would be hard to get a significant response (the 996 GT3 RS was never sold new in the US). That said - the cars you identify are all fairly limited in production and hard to get except for the last 2 categories - pre 89 and something else. I've driven a 996 GT3, a 996 GT2, a 991 GT3, a 991 GT3 RS, a 992 GT3, and a 991 GT2 RS on back country roads but that might be slightly unusual access to those cars and conditions for someone outside the automotive press. I've also driven a 964, a 993, and a "plain" 991 and 992 in similar conditions. I'll say all the older cars require more "driving" than the newer cars. A GT2 RS drives as easy at 100+ mph as an older 911 at 50 MPH. It's fun to drive but I don't think it's responsible to drive 100+ mph on the street. Fast is relative between cars. If you are driving in normal conditions - i.e. don't have access to empty back roads with curves, long views of possible slow traffic, possible kids or cattle - the slower/older cars are probably the more engaging cars to drive "fast" (but certainly not the faster cars to drive). For me the sweet spot is a 996 GT3. It's lack of nannies requires driving skill and all of your attention, it is capable of really high speed (perhaps with whiter knuckles than the newer cars), has very good brakes for the era, BUT is still very engaging to drive at 65 mph (and allot of fun from 0 - 60). For some fun = fast and for them the newer cars will be the best drivers' cars. I guess I see the reason for your poll.
It’s amazing how perspective changes. I drive a 964c2 that is trying to be an RS. Plenty of mods to make it handle/brake/steer better than a stock c2. I’m also very fortunate to been able to drive a very well looked after 964rs. One of the best street cars I’ve ever driven.
perfectly dialed in for street use and perfect amount of power to have fun on back roads.
I still enjoy the 964 on track but don’t mind a bit more power when you have the chance to use it.
My 997gt3rs4.0 is a masterpiece in its own. Would love to mod it and do 20track days/year but unfortunately to risky and out of my budget and comfort zone.
It’s fun to take it out a couple of time per year and just experience that masterpiece. But, it’s to fast before it starts to get really fun.
The 964 at 8/10 on the road is a blast. And at 9/10 it’s a blast on track. The 996rs is hiding behind its more attractive older brother.
I think perspective is based on local conditions and use. I have done a lot of track days in the past. My friend crashing his C2 in the wet put me off that. C4 saved me on that day. Nowadays it’s all about road trips with other Porsches for me. 991.1 and later GT3s can cope with them. The earlier ones are too harsh and focused. A good drivers car, in my use, is one where you can go on unknown roads in all conditions and enjoy your drive. Just an opinion.
I'm fortunate in that I've driven at least one 911 of every generation (with the exception of the 992). Without a doubt, a car without power steering is the most fun to drive. This includes the 964 RSA.
The fact that I'm the only person that has voted pre-1989 really shocks me though - maybe I'm interpreting what you said differently? (an older car is certainly not the best drivers car to LIVE with, but just for driving pleasure I would pick something like a '72 2.5 SS).
Last edited by Dubbed743; Feb 15, 2022 at 03:24 PM.
unless you've had sufficient access to all models in the poll, we're really talking about opinion based on the scope of models you have personal experience with. i'm no different, but for me the driving sweet spot is within the 964 - 996GT3 model range. you can actually drive them hard and experience their capabilities on a far greater frequency. for pure enjoyment, i think these cars offer a balance of handling, power, nimbleness, size, and fun factor that can exploited far more often than anything that came after them. i have owned earlier cars and i'm usually reminded that i always wanted more power to play with.
From: South Florida and Jersey shore (Monmouth County,)
My 964 is more fun to drive than my 991.2 tt, but I would not want to drive it cross country. It’s not that comfortable. The 991 is a much better car all around. But not as much fun.
It’s amazing how perspective changes. I drive a 964c2 that is trying to be an RS. Plenty of mods to make it handle/brake/steer better than a stock c2. I’m also very fortunate to been able to drive a very well looked after 964rs. One of the best street cars I’ve ever driven.
perfectly dialed in for street use and perfect amount of power to have fun on back roads.
I still enjoy the 964 on track but don’t mind a bit more power when you have the chance to use it.
My 997gt3rs4.0 is a masterpiece in its own. Would love to mod it and do 20track days/year but unfortunately to risky and out of my budget and comfort zone.
It’s fun to take it out a couple of time per year and just experience that masterpiece. But, it’s to fast before it starts to get really fun.
The 964 at 8/10 on the road is a blast. And at 9/10 it’s a blast on track. The 996rs is hiding behind its more attractive older brother.
beautiful picture and great feedback here. I think I would have to agree with perspective changing over the years and what might be considered a rough ride and intolerable as a street car in one era is mass produced and sought after in another. Nostalgia comes in to play with me also. Those two cars you have pictured above would go right to the top of my list as cars of first choice for my next purchase. Not only the rarity, especially in the USA, but also, over time, the number of highly favorable reviews these cars continue to garner. I really want one or both! But, as mentioned in another post, they are so rare that they become prohibitively expensive.
For those of us here in the states - the 996 GT3 RS and the 964 RS are so rare that it would be hard to get a significant response (the 996 GT3 RS was never sold new in the US). That said - the cars you identify are all fairly limited in production and hard to get except for the last 2 categories - pre 89 and something else. I've driven a 996 GT3, a 996 GT2, a 991 GT3, a 991 GT3 RS, a 992 GT3, and a 991 GT2 RS on back country roads but that might be slightly unusual access to those cars and conditions for someone outside the automotive press. I've also driven a 964, a 993, and a "plain" 991 and 992 in similar conditions. I'll say all the older cars require more "driving" than the newer cars. A GT2 RS drives as easy at 100+ mph as an older 911 at 50 MPH. It's fun to drive but I don't think it's responsible to drive 100+ mph on the street. Fast is relative between cars. If you are driving in normal conditions - i.e. don't have access to empty back roads with curves, long views of possible slow traffic, possible kids or cattle - the slower/older cars are probably the more engaging cars to drive "fast" (but certainly not the faster cars to drive). For me the sweet spot is a 996 GT3. It's lack of nannies requires driving skill and all of your attention, it is capable of really high speed (perhaps with whiter knuckles than the newer cars), has very good brakes for the era, BUT is still very engaging to drive at 65 mph (and allot of fun from 0 - 60). For some fun = fast and for them the newer cars will be the best drivers' cars. I guess I see the reason for you poll.
Yes, exactly. For me, I am looking solidly backward for my next car. I want something that is alive and engaging. I like your comments about the gt3. That is a beautiful car and sounds like a lot of fun.
unless you've had sufficient access to all models in the poll, we're really talking about opinion based on the scope of models you have personal experience with. i'm no different, but for me the driving sweet spot is within the 964 - 996GT3 model range. you can actually drive them hard and experience their capabilities on a far greater frequency. for pure enjoyment, i think these cars offer a balance of handling, power, nimbleness, size, and fun factor that can exploited far more often than anything that came after them. i have owned earlier cars and i'm usually reminded that i always wanted more power to play with.
I agree. I think I am leaning more towards one of these two models. Both have their strengths and it looks like it will be tough sorting out which way to go.
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Best drivers 911?
