Marine Blue

fast1

The 911 has evolved over the years from a raw sports car to a refined GT car. Believe me the 991 has almost nothing in common with the first 911 I purchased many decades ago. As a mater of fact I'd say that the 981 has a lot more in common with earlier 911s than the 991. I reference the 981 rather than the 718 because the 981 is normally aspirated.

Selo

I think there's a natural progression that tends to occur in a lot of Porsche owners, leading first back to air cooled, then to the improved handling of the mid engine cars. I'd always dreamed of a Porsche, and when it became a realistic possibility I opted for the 997/911, the icon. Admittedly, at the time, I hadn't driven that many 911s or Boxsters. I loved that car, but in my discovery of the brand, and as I delved deeper, there was a drive to understand the heart of the issue, which led me back to a low mileage 993, which I owned concurrently with the 997. I had it modded for performance, and it was really fun to drive, but the quality was not anywhere near the 997. The AC was pitiful, and the fit and finish of the car was generally lacking, exactly what you'd expect from a car built with 40 yr old technology.
So I sold it, combined the $, and bought a special order 997 GTS Cab. Great car, silver with red, ut sideswiped by a woman in a Subie who said she was under a lot of stress. I always figured I'd get a manual GT3 at some point, so when they announce the 991 would offer no such thing, I went for a GT4. This actuated my mid engine conversion, but I realized what I really wanted was the Spyder, which is where I am now.
The 911 just doesn't drive like the mid engine platforms - they're so effortless. That said, I'm thinking of adding a 911 to the stable for my 55th bday gift to self. The mid engine cars are amazing handlers, but when I walk into a showroom and see a 911, I'm amazed by their presence. I feel like I'm looking at a Picasso, or a modern art sculpture. And I think RAS will help manage some of the less desirable handling characteristics of the rear biased icon.

DaveGee

Late to this thread, but;

Had a Boxster RS60, MT. Loved it. Sold it.
Bought a 911 50th Anniversary Edition. PDK.
Missed the RS60.
Bought a 987.2 Spyder. MT.
Sold the 911 last week.
New 911 Targa on order.
Spyder is next to go when the weather warms.

So many cars, so little time...

DaveGee

ramans

I've had 7 different Porsches as of this time, three 911 variants ('71 911, 90 C2 964, and a '07 997 C4S Cab), one 356 ('58 cab), two boxsters ('97 986, '13 981 S) and one Cayman ('14 981 S PDK) in my lucky lifetime.

I still own four of them, two 911s (the '71 and the '90) and the two 981s (The cayman is the new track car now that the '71 is getting a bit to dear to track regularly). I have loved them all, and they're all very different, We had a beautiful day in the pacific northwest this past monday, and having a day off of work as well I took out both the Boxster and the 964, and was amazed at the different in the vehicles, and how I love them both but in very different ways. I will probably own another newer 911 in a few years but we'll see. I think I like them all in different ways. I'm considering letting the 964 go for now as I don't really need to keep it, but I'm just not sure I want to just yet. The '71 was my first and I've owned it for 24 years so I'll probably keep it forever.

perretar

Definitely not redundant cars. Have a 911-50th with PDK, ultimate cruiser Porsche. Have GT4 for when I'm feeling frisky, looking to trade it into a Spyder. Had a 981 CaymanS, manual w/sport chrono and X73 suspension, awesome combo..

porscheprestige

This is pretty much how I felt...
Had a 997.2 C2S & 997 GT3 & 991 GT3. At some point the GT4.
Post above explains for me.

Mark Dreyer

speed_kills

Just found my old thread. Going back to my original post, I just sold my 997.2 TTS after getting a decent offer for it. I guess I already have a 991.2 S anyway. Was hesitant at first but when I compare the two, the 991.2 is just a much more superior car in pretty much every way. Even with 100hp less horsepower, I find acceleration not too much different from the 997.

Anyway, I'm considering a late model, low mileage, pre-owned 981 GTS recently and I'll take a look soon. I'm really curious with a naturally aspirated Porsche flat-6 boxer feel as I've never had one yet. Let's see how it goes...

jeffm

Just picked up my 2014 Boxster S last week after a 2 year ownership with a base 997. Prior to the 997, I owned an 06 Cayman S, 1999 996 and a 1999 986.

Never really bonded with the 997 like I thought I would. Like many of us, I was obsessed with owning a 911 since I was a kid. After owning multiple p-cars, I just found myself most comfortable in the mid-engine cars. Also, after owning all manual transmissions, I decided on PDK....which is a blast to drive! Hope to keep this car longer than my typical 2 year car rotation.

Zeus993

I enjoyed re-reading this thread. I have gone back and forth on the 911's to the Boxsters. I love them both. The Boxster Spyder is an incredible machine in every way but it does obliterate roads without much effort. I've often found myself ever so slightly bored with it. You can drive it HARD with one hand at times and be in full control. Crazy. This being said, there is nothing like it's top town open air motoring experience.

With Afshin (Maine Blue), a bunch of us drove modern 991.2's at the PECLA last December and all walked away saying "Yep. Been there, done that..." but ever so happy to get back into our slightly older Porsches. I liked the Carrera GTS4 I drove with gobs of power etc..., but I didn't walk away on a mission to place an order. My Gen 1 Spyder on the other hand I missed so much I bought another.

As for the 911 I went back in time somewhat to the 993. It is a TOTALLY different driving experience from the Spyder. Where Spyder is precise and bat **** crazy, the 993 is more subdued and requires focus to drive it. It's power feels "parceled" out, like a dealer at a Holden table. Old school. I love it.

And all this being said, I still do miss the 2000 996 I had custody of for 5 months and wish I had purchased it. It's a lot of 911 in your garage for not much money. And it was super fun to drive.

Ps. And I did admit to Afshin over the weekend I'm stalking 997.2 GT3 RS's. I had access to one last year for 5 days - it's an incredible car but budget wise would require selling both the Spyder and the 993. Am I willing to do that? Probably not. It's just too much fun having two Porsches so wide apart in their look, feel and experience. I'd hate to give them up. Fortunate to be able to have both but if I was forced to choose one? Now THAT is a tough call.

speed_kills

So I finally bit the bullet and ordered the low mileage 2016 Cayman GTS I found on sale recently. It will be my first "small" and naturally aspirated Porsche (coming from a 997 TTS and 991.2 C2S) and looking forward to enjoy it when I get back from a business trip next week.

Thanks for all the advice!

R_Rated

Own a 911. Can't stop looking at 986.2's...

vbb

Congrats! You will enjoy it. I had a 997.1 TT and before that a 997.2 C2 but my 981 Cayman has been the most fun to drive. Like practically everyone in this thread, the 911 was the dream car of my childhood, but the first true sports car I had was a Honda S2000 and I'm pretty sure that's where I fell in love. The Cayman reminds me of that visceral and pure sports car feel from the S2000, except it is better in every way. I've had a lot of sports and sporty cars over the years, and it took me awhile, but I now know what I truly want out of a sports car, and the Cayman delivers.

Zeus993

Well done my friend and welcome to the club. A 2016 C GTS? Holy crap! you are going to love it. MT or PDK?

Ps. I just noticed how many Posts I've made over the years - 4089. Only 911 to make it to 5000. I'm designated an "Addict". There must be something wrong with this.