has anyone here driven a 911? what did you think of it compared to your car?
11-26-2018, 12:45 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
Just as Boxsters and Caymans have changed over the years, so too have 911s. Older 911s feel older, more raw, and less sophisticated than newer models.
It’s hard to answer your question unless to define it a bit more.
Are you asking about 986 Boxster vs 996 Carrera? 987 vs 997?, 981 vs 991, 911SC vs 986 Boxster? 964 Carrera vs 987 Cayman? etc, etc.
My experience is with an ‘01 996 Cab vs an ‘06 Cayman S and ‘09 Boxster. The 996 was enjoyable, a great road trip car, quite comfortable and more roomy.
The Cayman S is more “fun” to drive overall. It and the Boxster were more lively cars to drive and were best for shorter excursions and on curve filled roads.
In a very real sense the Cayman is more like what the older 911s used to be, while the newer 911s (991s) are larger, smoother, and more “GT” IMO.
It’s hard to answer your question unless to define it a bit more.
Are you asking about 986 Boxster vs 996 Carrera? 987 vs 997?, 981 vs 991, 911SC vs 986 Boxster? 964 Carrera vs 987 Cayman? etc, etc.
My experience is with an ‘01 996 Cab vs an ‘06 Cayman S and ‘09 Boxster. The 996 was enjoyable, a great road trip car, quite comfortable and more roomy.
The Cayman S is more “fun” to drive overall. It and the Boxster were more lively cars to drive and were best for shorter excursions and on curve filled roads.
In a very real sense the Cayman is more like what the older 911s used to be, while the newer 911s (991s) are larger, smoother, and more “GT” IMO.
11-26-2018, 01:01 AM
#4
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I find my 964 to be very comparable to the Spyder as far as the fun factor and driving enjoyment. The 911 did need lots of upgrades to the suspension to make it fun whereas the Spyder was perfect as it left the factory (with some minor exceptions).
I do think the newer 911's (2013+) are geared more towards comfort and touring and are too large. They've lost a bit of the edge that the older cars had except of course the GT versions.
What exact models are you comparing?
I do think the newer 911's (2013+) are geared more towards comfort and touring and are too large. They've lost a bit of the edge that the older cars had except of course the GT versions.
What exact models are you comparing?
Last edited by Marine Blue; 11-26-2018 at 01:24 AM.
11-26-2018, 01:08 AM
#5
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
981 Cayman S & GT3, 911's at Porsche class
Good (often repeated, many answers) question.
I have 2014 Cayman S with Summer minor track mods. I love driving it, street and track. I recently purchased a 991.2 GT3. Amazing car, incredible to drive, but because I'm only an average driver (solo on track but slower run groups), I can't push the car like i can the Cayman. So this said, I find the Cayman more "fun", although I hope to get closer in the gt3. There's a saying, it's more fun to drive a slow car fast then a fast car slow
Either way, great cars!
I have 2014 Cayman S with Summer minor track mods. I love driving it, street and track. I recently purchased a 991.2 GT3. Amazing car, incredible to drive, but because I'm only an average driver (solo on track but slower run groups), I can't push the car like i can the Cayman. So this said, I find the Cayman more "fun", although I hope to get closer in the gt3. There's a saying, it's more fun to drive a slow car fast then a fast car slow
Either way, great cars!
11-26-2018, 01:12 AM
#6
Many years ago, I was invited to a Porsche track / auto cross day courtesy of a friend of a friend who knew a dealer, etc. Back then, I was a diehard BMW guy, loved the 50/50 weight distribution in my 1M and thought that if I were to ever buy a Porsche, I’d naturally prefer the mid-engine Boxster / Cayman.
I drove the Cayman and really liked it! The handling was balanced, predictable and the car was great to drive. However, it was not very different from the BMW that I just gotten out of.
Then, I drove the 911. Wow! Like nothing else I had ever driven before. Having all that weight behind me as I went into a curve and slingshotted out was simply mind blowing. I have never looked back!
I don’t doubt that the mid-engine platform is “better” and faster on a racetrack. But, the joy of driving a rear-engine car quickly around a curve cannot be explained! You need to experience it.
I drove the Cayman and really liked it! The handling was balanced, predictable and the car was great to drive. However, it was not very different from the BMW that I just gotten out of.
Then, I drove the 911. Wow! Like nothing else I had ever driven before. Having all that weight behind me as I went into a curve and slingshotted out was simply mind blowing. I have never looked back!
I don’t doubt that the mid-engine platform is “better” and faster on a racetrack. But, the joy of driving a rear-engine car quickly around a curve cannot be explained! You need to experience it.
11-26-2018, 06:27 AM
#7
For me it comes down mainly to size and feel. I love driving my base 981 Cayman, but it is pretty raw on the street having been “trackified.” The Carrera T feels larger, more sophisticated and somewhat more powerful, but it lacks the superior 6-speed manual transmission in the Cayman. I’m also not a fan of the SPASM suspension, which feels floaty and imprecise. I have yet to even turn on Apple Car Play.. In many ways the most enjoyable ride is my ‘86 Targa, which you wear like a pair of comfortable shoes. You feel everything, you hear everything, you smell everything. You have to pay attention if you want to hit the right gear. You can put the hammer down and not be going too fast by the time you reach fourth. On a curvy back road on a nice day the Targa is the clear winner.
You can make an argument that one needs all of the above!
You can make an argument that one needs all of the above!
Trending Topics
11-26-2018, 10:56 AM
#8
I drove a 991S Cab PDK in Europe for 5 days last year. As noted above, the newer models are very much Grand Touring cars. Much heavier than my Boxster GTS 6 speed, and not nearly as nimble. On one of the days we drove over Stelvio Pass and it was very much: Look ahead at the next switchback, slow/stop to make the turn, crank the wheel around, squirt on the gas to the next switchback. On the autobahn, we got up to 162 MPH, and the car felt relatively stable, but not as much as I was expecting. (It is pretty hair raising with the speed differentials.) Overall, I liked the 991, but if I was making a purchase, I would stick with my 981 GTS. More nimble and tossable with a lighter car. Overall power is not as great, but there is enough there to have plenty of fun on the street or country roads.
On the highway, a 991 might be a slightly better choice, but you don’t buy a sports car to drive on the highway all the time. Thus the Boxster/Cayman is my choice. I am on my second Boxster and could have downgraded to a 911 when I bought the 981, but chose not to do so.
On the highway, a 991 might be a slightly better choice, but you don’t buy a sports car to drive on the highway all the time. Thus the Boxster/Cayman is my choice. I am on my second Boxster and could have downgraded to a 911 when I bought the 981, but chose not to do so.
11-26-2018, 02:01 PM
#10
I suspect the only chance of having a flat six in a new Boxster/Cayman will be in a Spyder/GT4. And that is just a chance, not a guarantee.
11-26-2018, 02:35 PM
#11
Boy that is a can of worms!
I have a 6MT 981 Boxster GTS. Last month I bought a PDK 991.2 911 Carrera to serve as my daily driver. The BGTS is now for weekend canyon carving, autocross, and private track days.
My summary would be:
The PDK 911 is great to drive. Particularly as a daily. Parking lot maneuvers aside, the 911 feels remarkably small, light, and nimble. It's wonderful to drive at perfectly legal speeds (and just a bit over). For me it's hard to describe the 911 when driven hard. When you are used to a Boxster/Cayman the 911 feels like it really shouldn't be driven that hard. It doesn't have the same balance. But at the same time you can push it harder and harder and it eats up the road and asks for more. The noise it makes is OK.
The 6MT Boxster is a different animal when driven hard. It flows like no other car I've driven. The balance is flawless. The noise it makes is otherworldly.
I took the BGTS for a fun drive yesterday. First time I've driven it like that in a month and a half (been taking the 911 to get used to it). My conclusion was that while I really like the 911, the Boxster GTS will in all likelihood be the finest car I ever own in terms of driving dynamics. I suspect the only way it will ever be surpassed is if I replace it with a Boxster Spyder.
I won't give up my Boxster unless it is for another Boxster.
The 911? I really like it. But if a situation arose and I could only keep one Porsche I'd keep the Boxster and replace the 911 with a Golf R.
I have a 6MT 981 Boxster GTS. Last month I bought a PDK 991.2 911 Carrera to serve as my daily driver. The BGTS is now for weekend canyon carving, autocross, and private track days.
My summary would be:
The PDK 911 is great to drive. Particularly as a daily. Parking lot maneuvers aside, the 911 feels remarkably small, light, and nimble. It's wonderful to drive at perfectly legal speeds (and just a bit over). For me it's hard to describe the 911 when driven hard. When you are used to a Boxster/Cayman the 911 feels like it really shouldn't be driven that hard. It doesn't have the same balance. But at the same time you can push it harder and harder and it eats up the road and asks for more. The noise it makes is OK.
The 6MT Boxster is a different animal when driven hard. It flows like no other car I've driven. The balance is flawless. The noise it makes is otherworldly.
I took the BGTS for a fun drive yesterday. First time I've driven it like that in a month and a half (been taking the 911 to get used to it). My conclusion was that while I really like the 911, the Boxster GTS will in all likelihood be the finest car I ever own in terms of driving dynamics. I suspect the only way it will ever be surpassed is if I replace it with a Boxster Spyder.
I won't give up my Boxster unless it is for another Boxster.
The 911? I really like it. But if a situation arose and I could only keep one Porsche I'd keep the Boxster and replace the 911 with a Golf R.
11-26-2018, 08:01 PM
#13
Many of us have had 911s in the past (I've had two) and are in a Boxster or Cayman not because it is cheaper...but for what we perceive as the better sports car experience. I won't repeat all of the things that have been said above, but this is such a subjective decision that each potential buyer should drive both the 911 and the Cayman or Boxster to see what they prefer. All are very fun to drive.
11-27-2018, 02:09 PM
#14
The only 911 I would trade my Spyder for is that mid engine RSR and its very unlikely anyone is going to make that trade.
I have driven quite a few 911's and I used to prefer the 914 converted to a 86 Carrera engine, now I prefer the 3.8L 981
Porsches need their engines in the middle... LOL
I have driven quite a few 911's and I used to prefer the 914 converted to a 86 Carrera engine, now I prefer the 3.8L 981
Porsches need their engines in the middle... LOL
11-27-2018, 02:49 PM
#15
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
For me the only 911 that could replace the Spyder is the 997.2 GT3/RS which is from the same Era as the 987.2 Spyder. I have debated making the switch but realistically the GT cars need to be used on the track to really take advantage of their capability and I think I would feel to restrained to use them on the street. The newer 911’s as noted before are far too refined and large for my tastes, even the GT model.