Progress cannot be stopped. If you want enduring charm - 1973 Carrera RS, 1992 964RS, 2016 911R.

 

OMG your therapist at the end did it!
thinking the same

 

+1, perfectly said.

 

Currently have a 991.2 RS as well. Can only afford one car in the garage right now and torn between GT4 and 997.1 RS. I actually prefer slower and more usable on the road hence the .1 RS instead of 997.2 RS. Plus the 3.6 motor sounds better than the 3.8 in my opinion.

 

I'm going backward too. I now DD my 993 and I'm enjoying Porsche and driving more than ever.

 

Depends on use - backward step in performance (a big one). Daily driving - get what works. If you’re going that route 996RS.

 

I believe no matter what direction you go, forward or back, there is the desire to try something else. I would move on to what suits you if you are bored of your current RS.

That said, I would not make that change. I would add, but not replace. Yes, they made less of the 997 and people love how they drive for a variety of reasons. And, they are holding in the market based on these factors. Good on Porsche for delivering a high quality car for that era. For me, it can't be ignored in high end sports cars, especially the GT models, evolution matters and is critical to remain competitive. The only flaw in the car you currently own is that fact you can't drive it on the street the same as you do on the track. The same holds true with the 997RS.

 

Not so much a question of “progress” or going “forward” or “backward”. That tends to dumb down the debate. Think if you would for a moment of both generations independent of their model years, as if the 997 and 991 were contemporaries of each other with equal price and warranty coverage. Which would you buy then?

997: You get a superior driving experience, you can tinker with, and for the most part, service your own car, but you do have to drive an MT. With less than 1/3 the production of the 991’s, the 997 is rarer and will likely hold value better. Generally speaking lighter, smaller, less complex, easier to service, and more agile than the 991. Excellent reputation for long-term reliability.

991: With moderate skill, you could edge out most of your buddies at the local DE, you dont need to drive MT, but you do have to have a good relationship with your dealership’s service department. With close to 3.5x more 991’s made than 997’s, they are more common and will likely not hold value as well. Generally speaking, larger, heavier, more complex, harder to service, and more powerful than the 997. Mixed reputation for long-term reliability.

Which best fills your personal idea of what a sports car, or more specifically, what a 911 should be?

After you answer, we must then acknowledge the reality that the 991 is newer, and thus has more potential warranty coverage. Does that change your answer?

Taken one step further down the road, we already know the 992s are even larger and more complex than all previous generations. The 992 GT cars will no doubt post incrementally faster laptimes than their 991 predecessors. Complete marketing failure if not. If that’s what you are after, you will effectively have no choice but to stay on the “latest and greatest merry go round”. Even if laptimes are not your thing, being on that merry go round brings with it certain bragging rights. Everyone has their own set of values and what is important to them.

I do find it interesting so see how many GT owners start out with 991s but then end up with 997s. Not what normally happens with other marques, and even with other Porsche generations. You dont see lots of people going from 997 to 996 for example. At the end of the day, it’s good to have choices. Will be curious to hear OP’s final decision and reasoning before the 992 GT forum on Rennlist becomes the new place to hang out.

 

meh, I was tool 995GT2Evo RS is the one to get

I don't use "thoughts" to buy cars.
just buy it
drive both
keep both or sell one that doesn't sing to you.
don't listen to anyone else.
I have friends with some insane cars that I got the chance to play with. I appreciate the opportunity, but I cannot fathom why anyone would like those things. but hey that's me. so you have to decide for yourself.

but you are talking to someone who spend 2 Hours placing a maple leaf in his zen garden and 3 hours to rake the sand perfectly every week. and who think 914/6 is as zen as CGT and let go a Speciale in 3 days feeling it boring. each person is different. go drive it.

 

Yeah, but only if you continue to defend the .2 3RS lap time honor against all pretenders like the 600LT, F8 etc., to include posting all magazine lap time clippings.

On the serious question - I don't know. Sometimes old cars are over-rated. I bought a 993 18 months ago and drove it for 500 miles (over the course of a year) and sold it. kinda an expensive mistake (especially here in CA). Obviously the 997.2RS is a much better car, but just giving you a different perspective. I wouldn't do it. Do you still have the Ford GT and still drive it. That's gotta scratch the manual analog itch. This is just an ADD issue and i think the .2 RS is very sweet and i'd keep it. Nothing forcing you to get the next one either. Skip a generation or two

 

Agree with Mooty's points. Drive what you like and enjoy. Whether something is a better or superior "experience" is 100% subjective. Each person makes that decision when driving, not clear how that can ever be decided for another person?

As an example, five years ago I was set on buying a 430 Scuderia. Had to be red w/black interior and had to be very low mileage. Found one and spent 30 minutes driving it. It was a beautiful car and special for what it is; however, it didn't move me. Maybe my expectations were too high based on all the research I had done that led me to believe it would be the better and superior experience, but it wasn't. I'm certainly not diminishing the car in anyway, but the same could hold true for anyone who drives any car.

 

I can see how a 997 is maybe a replacement for 991 generation depending on what the car is used for but much older than that and its most definitely an add. Older aircooled especially are such a different driving experience and more so as you go to earlier models, that you will want both.

 

Yep, forget prices, press, HP, 0-60, laptimes, and marketing BS. Drive a car and buy it if it moves you for whatever reason. No one can quantify the feel a car gives them -- not to themselves much less for others. I drove a 986 Boxster and a Ferrari 430 back to back at the Barcelona F1 track. The F felt like a pig in comparison -- took the Boxster for the rest of the day. I drove a friend's 991.1 RS. Was happy that I went back home in my 6gt3.

 

If you haven’t owned a 997rs before, you should try it. There are options I’d argue for/against in a multi-car garage. If one toy car only, 997rs is my top choice, money no object. If mainly the street, I like the 3.6. If street/track mix, 3.8 so much better out of the box on track. While I have 4.0, premium for it these days is high enough, I’d pass and go 3.6 or 3.8. If you need something that is part car and part toy and/or makes u a better driver than u deserve on track, 991’s are the better choices by far. Toy-only AND you’ve never owned one, 997rs is an easy choice IMO.

 

hmm, no-wing on your criteria for charm list?