sticky

There are conflicting reports on the gearing. I have documents from Porsche both stating different things.

In my own testing, it looks like the gear ratios are the same.

asia

Yes, I agree 991.2 MT and PDK gearing appear the same, unlike .1, where MT ratios were compromised. 981 MT suffered the same problem.

.2 S and base final drive ratios differ according to specs.

In .2 IMO torque helps mitigate the long gearing. And I like being able to cruise in 7th efficiently to get to my backroads, unlike my GT3.

ace37

Also a former S2000 owner - bought a new Red 2006 S2000 right out of college. Great car that I still miss once in a while.


From what you describe, I'd either go with a base MT 911 for street-only use or get a MT GT3 if you can do track days once in a while and stretch the car's legs. The GTS is an excellent all around DD and car but the GT3 should offer more soul. Since the base 911 is relatively cheap compared to the other options, you could always just get one on a short term lease and reevaluate.


If it's an option to you, I think in general the Cayman/Boxster platform would be more fun on the street and looking into them might be worth your time. For canyon drives Boxster Spyders are supposed to be among the most fun Porsches ever made.


While I really love my 911 TT, if I didn't have a race car project I'd have a different DD. It's a bit boring when driven slowly so it earns me more attention from LEOs than I would like. Exactly what you are suspicious of.


BTW there's a similar discussion is going on in this thread: https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1001...se-vs-gts.html

sticky

Right.

I'm referring to the base and S final drive ratios too.

I have seen the numbers where they differ but also Porsche internal docs where they are the same.

I don't know the truth but would love to get official confirmation from someone.

stout

If handling and engine character are biggies for you, the base 991.2 is hard to beat as a "less is more" sweet spot. Despite its mainline badge, I believe it is in the realm of the 996.2 GT3, 987.2 Boxster Spyder, 997.2 GTS, and maybe a couple others in terms of sheer goodness.

If you like power, the GTS may be a better choice. If you want certain options (SPASM, Powerkit, SC, Sport Seats Plus, etc) anyway, and like the wider rear fenders on the GTS, the GTS presents a value package worth considering.

If you like power and will order your GTS fairly well equipped and with PDK, I highly recommend getting a stripped 991.2 Turbo (non S).

subshooter

The base 991.2 w/pdk is faster than any production car made in the 1980s. The fastest was the Porsche 959 - a super car. Do you really need anything faster than that? Nope. Base 991.2 is fast as hell!

bkrantz

I agree with most of the posts here, that the reality of the current 991.2 C2 as an incredibly fast and capable car. In my experience, pushing this car at all on most public roads quickly crosses into extra-legal behavior. And I suspect the same is true for much track driving, except that extra-legal becomes extra risky.

But you also need to satisfy your fantasies. Will you be happy with "just" a base model car, or do you need the ego boost of a higher grade model?

Johnny5Alive

I had an S2000 for 4 years.

since then I've had countless other cars with horsepower well into the 500 range. I currently have a F150 Raptor, Boss 302, Panamera and a .1 C4S. I've learned that power doesn't mean much after a while. It's the overall experience.

I know this is a 911 board, but...

If I were you I'd keep the S2000 and drive it forever. No car I've had since has gotten to me the way driving an S2000 did. The 911 comes really close, and maybe my memory is more charitable to the S2000 than it should be, but... I miss it dearly.

DNorby

My base .2 MT replaced my .1S MT. Although I sometimes miss the way to power kicked in at 4k rpm range on the non-turbo, the new car is much better to me.

Hurricane

Surprisingly, the base 991.2 seems to weigh more than the 991.1S.

991.2 base: 3,153 lbs (manual)
991.1S: 3,075 lbs (manual)
991.1 base: 3,042 lbs (manual)

http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/91...turesandspecs/

http://press.porsche.com/vehicles/12..._911_Specs.pdf

Valvefloat991

Not so surprising. EVen though a few pounds were saved on the redesigned engine, Turbos and intercoolers add weight.

stout

Given the ^ there are two Porsches you owe it to yourself to find a good example of and try on a fun road somehow: 914 2.0 or 914-6, and 987 Boxster Spyder.

The S2000 was a really special car. Spent a couple of weeks in them back when they were new. Loved the driver-focused cockpit, with the HVAC just off the steering wheel and a radio you could hide to make it as if there was nothing except the steering wheel, pedals, shifter, and the road ahead, and I loved the "alive" feeling of that car. A real driver's car with few peers, and an incredible piece of engineering in terms of its engine as well as its super stiff unibody. Porsche engineers were very impressed with the latter, and it took them a while to pursue and surpass the S2000 on specific output. I suspect they were impressed by that, too.

rai

thanks, I have sold my S2000 around 9 years ago, replaced with M3 and replaced the M3 with nothing.

Anyway, did love the S2000 had it for 6 years but was not great as a DD car (my leg was developing a numb area from pressure with the center tunnel) and truth be told I wanted a car I could hear the stereo, and was safer. I love the 2800 lb car but anything that is smaller (seems to be less comfortable) so I went for the M3 which was better maybe too big? Perhaps the 911 is in between. I know these latest 911s are bigger cars but not quite as big as the M3s.

Likely the Cayman is the correct split between the S2000 and the M3. Maybe I'm saying 911 as more of a smaller size car than the M3.

I feel like (to me) that being in a fixed roof car like the 911 that it's a bit extra measure of safety as well as additional airbags and stability control that the S2000 which was deigned nearly 20 years ago didn't have.

ace37

You might really be after a Cayman GT4. The upcoming model is runoured to have a detuned 4.0L NA GT3 motor.

evilfij

I don't see much added value to the S or GTS personally (this is just IMHO). Unless you drive a Prius (or a four cylinder Tacoma like mine lol), basically anything you buy new will be capable of speeds too fast to be legal where you are driving to have fun. Unlike the 991.1, you are getting the same engine between base and S (or GTS). Any 911 is fast, even my 71T targa was fast. A 991.2 C2 is a veritable rockship. Only when you jump to a turbo (PDK only boo) or a GT3 (6MT yay) are you really moving up to a "different" car.

That being said, nothing in the current 991 range touches a lotus for driving fun. An Elise makes an S2000 look like a jag and an exige S, well, let's just say it might not be as fast as a 991, but it feels faster in turns than anything I have driven short of a caterham and it is no slouch in a straight line. If I ever find an untouched S260 in green, I will probably get it.