992TurboS

I recently (Feb 2021) purchased 992 Turbo S after driving a 991.2 Turbo (non S) for 4 + years. Both amazing cars and arguably one of the best sports car daily drivers ever. I’m now looking to add another 911 (manual) and I’m interested in a 991.2 GT3 Touring. However with prices rising 20% + in the last year and being so picking on having the right spec I’m starting to consider a 992 S or 992 GTS with manual transmission when released. I understand the obvious differences between a Porsche GT car and non GT ( NA vs Turbo engine, 6 speed manual vs 7 speed manual, suspension etc). However I’m trying to evlatuate the value proposition of a GT3 Touring now that prices are very high and so few cars available. Do you think that the driving experience in the 991.2 GT3 Touring is/will be greatly superior to a 992 S or GTS with manual transmission? Anyone have experience driving both the Touring and a 992 S with 7 speed manual? I know the new 992 GT3 Touring will be released soon but the design langue just doesn’t speak to me the same way as the 991.2 Touring does. Any feedback from the community would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

ForeverCar

I had a 991.2 C2 coupe GTS (no sunroof, PCCB, manual). I still have my 991 GT3T.

These 2 are very different car. It depends on what is important to you and how much that’s worth.

I find the 6-speed a lot more enjoyable to use (better gate spacing, I don’t cruise for long distance on the freeway). Power delivery is also very different. If you like “chasing revs”, the GT3 engine is about as good as it gets. If you like lots of torque lower in the rev range, the turbocharged power band is fantastic. The GTS turbocharged exhaust doesn’t change in tone as much with increased revs but stock tuning has fun pops & cracks. Then there’s the chassis difference.

Anyhow, from my perspective, once you figure out what you are looking to prioritize, the choice should become clear as the difference in experience is significant.

jackmac

Why not 992.2 touring? No offense, but as you mentioned, we are seeing ridiculous prices for these current models. Did your dealer ever offer you a build slot?

992TurboS

(ForeverCar) - Thanks for the reply. The solid spec low mileage GT3 Touring's I've been seeing are in the low to mid $200k range. I'm assuming the new 992 GTS will be around $10k to $15k above a 911S? So a loaded optioned GTS should still be under $200k. My thought process is simply weighing out the pros and cons of the driving dynamics of each car. I've read that the 7 speed manual in the 992 is much improved over the 991.2, a trickle down from the 911R and GT3 manual. And I'm assuming the 992 GTS will be getting close to 500HP. So the question I'm left with is does the exclusivity, NA engine, and the sublime GT3 chassis warrant the increased cost, buying used vs new, and compromise on spec over a new 992 GTS manual at less cost. Will the GT3 Touring experience be that much better to compensate?

ipse dixit

Sounds like you want the Touring but will settle for a 992 GTS (whenever or if it is ever released).

If you end up getting the 992 GTS you will forever have buyer's remorse every time you see a Touring.

Buy the car you want, and you'll never regret the money you spent.

Buy the deal, and you'll never really enjoy the car you bought.

992TurboS

I've seen all the spy photos of the new 992 Touring and I much prefer the 991.2 Touring design wise. I feel this way about the non Touring GT3 as well. To my eyes the 991.2 has a more understated and less busy design. Hence I never discussed a 992 GT3 build slot with my dealer.

992TurboS

Good point and well said. My emotions say GT3 Touring and my logic is saying consider GTS.

Porsche911GTS'16

I suggest you drive a GT3 before getting too invested in buying one. Have you ever actually driven a GT3? The differences between the GT3, the Carrera and the Turbo is marked. You may find that after driving a GT3, it is not to your liking. It is not for everyone and with every iteration, there will be buyers who buy it because it is the "hot new blonde" on the block only to realize that the car is not what they were expecting and they end up selling it and moving on to something else.

evilfij

All new porsches from the most recent GT4/Spyder on run at a stupid high temperature. I am not sure about the 991 speedy or 991.3 GT3RS, but everything else cruises around at close to near boiling. A 991.2 GT3 runs at 183/184 water and 190s oil.

They also have the particulate filter (whether monitored or not).

IMHO that is not good for reliability. Anything with a turbo, whether called a turbo or not, is fast, and probably will feel faster driving around. But again, not good for long term reliability.

So what’s your ownership horizon? If it’s like me, and it’s death or destitution, then get the 991.2 touring you want. If you are going to be out of it before the warranty ends, who cares.

Just my view.

PS let’s hope touring prices go down. The current market is stupid … well, not really because they are pretty great, but I rather have lower prices and cheaper insurance.

homesauce

I just picked up a touring today and paid a lot of money for a car optioned exactly the way I would have spec'd it. Finding a car with the exact specifications I wanted has been really difficult and I have been scouring for sale listings for cars and it was surprisingly hard to find something that checked every box for me.

I'm coming from a 991.1 GT3 which was also a great car, but I must say the 991.2 manual is next level. I was over the moon shifting my own gears again, learning the car, and am really happy with my purchase even though it was a terrible financial decision all the way around. I think I still prefer the high pitched scream of the 991.1 at 9k, but outside of that I have grown to really lust after the 991.2.

From my perspective, life is so short and as long as you have everything else taken care of in your life, are you really going to lament not having an extra 50k in your bank account (invested maybe 500k after XX years) down the road? Other cars I considered were the 992 touring and 991.2 RS. With the 991.2 touring premium, it's crazy to think that you could buy a 991.2 RS in the same price range. That being said, the RS is PDK only, is a larger car and is pretty attention grabbing. The RS is an amazing bucket list car, but not sure it's something that would have worked out as a daily driver and I don't think it was going to age as well.

IMO I really don't prefer the 992 as it is right now. The steering wheel has all of these buttons/driving modes, which I think takes away from the car. All of the piano trim doesn't please my eye, and the rear end is so busy while the front end has nostrils and a fish maw. I think the 991.2 touring is going to age pretty well, and I'd like it to be a forever car that I can pass down. One day the touring will be considered an old and dated car, but I have a hard time imagining that it won't put a smile on someone's face in 50 years that gets to drive it. 500HP, 9k rpm, manual, classic 911 lines without the wing, and simple interior is hard to argue with and will age really well. For me, this is one is a keeper and would recommend getting a touring.

Porsche911GTS'16

Congrats, homesauce, and welcome to the club! I too live in LA and it would be great to cross paths with you sometime. Since the Touring hit the USA in 2018, I have seen a grand total of one Touring in the wild in LA (other than my own). Glad to hear you found your forever car!

homesauce

Thanks for the kind words! I hope to see you driving as well. What color is your touring?

Porsche911GTS'16

Light ivory…

kento521

Congratulations!

I share similar opinions about the new 992. Who knows, my opinion may change in the future. For one, the Touring version of the 992 GT3 will replace the strange shaver looking shifter with a proper manual. But the exterior, especially the rear end doesn’t work for me.

LionelB

I am going to make this very short: Yes !