991.2 Carrera - Confessions of a Cayman/GT4 Convert.
 

Some of you might know me from either the GT4 forum, 964 forum, my days at Porsche Motorsport North America, or most currently as a member of the coveted CJ Wilson Automotive Group's Porsche Fresno team. For anyone that knows me, knows that I'm a devout enthusiast of Porsche's mid-engine Cayman. Given my enthusiasm for the Cayman when it was first released, to my first Porsche which was a Cayman GTS, to leading the project for the Cayman GT4 Clubsport internally here in North America, which eventually led to my personal acquisition of a Cayman GT4 that saw heavy track usage, It goes without saying which platform in Porsches product spectrum is my absolute favorite. I've previously owned a 964 which I did a thorough restoration on, but given that the car was 27 years old and an AWD, I don't believe I ever truly got the full 911 experience up until recently when I decided to pull the trigger on one of our beautifully spec'd 991.2 Carreras which we had in inventory.

The particular car which I chose happens to be finished in the now discontinued Sapphire Blue Metallic (#poormansPTS), with full black leather interior, finished in deviated yellow thread throughout. Given that this car was not going to be seeing any track duty, (have a 718 Cayman S Track Project which I will be reporting on soon in the 718 sub-forum), I decided that PDK would be the best option for all of the long distance tours I'd be participating in with our local PCA chapter. Having experienced the awesome PDK gearbox once before in my Cayman GTS, I knew that I would not be missing anything by forgoing the 7-Speed manual, which I personally found to be a bit strange for my liking.

Coming out of a Cayman and going into a 911, the experience is quite different. It goes without saying that you definitely feel the difference with the rear-engine platform vs the more neutral mid-engine, but just like everything else, it definitely has its pros/cons. I've really enjoyed being able to utilize the increased rear grip that the 911 offers, and the stiff, rearward weight bias definitely has its own unique sensation, especially given how light the front axle feels compared to the Cayman. Where as with the Cayman and GT4 I felt like maintaining speed through a corner was top priority, with the 911 having the ability to mash on the throttle on corner exit about 30% sooner than you'd be able to in any other car is a very new way of calibrating my brain to drive a corner. The twin turbo 3.0L engine mated with the PDK transmission offers an exceptional experience, especially now that there is ample torque available down low in the power band while still maintaining the linear nature of the outgoing N/A engine which felt wheezy until wound up to at least 5K RPM. With the sport exhaust engaged, the noises from the snails in the rear definitely remind you that you've got a bit more grunt to play with, and having driven 911 Turbos in the past, very reminiscent of the noises heard in the mac daddy of the 911 range.

Overall I have to say that while I'm a little biased as a Cayman/Boxster fan boy, this new 991.2 Carrera definitely has opened my eyes to what the 911 experience is really like, and the new turbocharged engines are the only way I would ever have a 911 (non-aircooled / GT3). If any of you are on the fence with the new 911, I wouldn't hesitate to start sipping the Kool Aid. Its pretty damn good :rockon:https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...0ebe9e23e3.jpg
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Congrats! Beautiful pics. Your review speaks to one of the unique strengths of Porsche, each vehicle delivers a very different experience - yet in a familiar way. If that makes any sense! For example, all of my BMW's were variations of the same sausage. Some were shorter or heavier, but all basically the same car in may ways. Engine placement and options in Porsche vehicles create so many different drives. Just my 2 cents.

I drank the kool-aide.....and then put some vodka in it. I kept the 981 after I bought the 991.2. Love them both.

Looking for a third.

Great pics and great choice. I came from a 981 Spyder (which I loved) into the 991.2 and couldn't be happier.

Very nice. And I agree that the Cayman/Boxster is a "better" car, in terms of chassis dynamics under most conditions. But the 911 is more entertaining to drive.

Thank you. I'd agree, my GT4 was also SBM. We have a bit of a thing for Sapphire here at Porsche Fresno as CJ and myself both have a particular affinity for the color. Both our GT4s were SBM, as well as both of our 911's are SBM as well. Nick's new 991.2 GT3 is Sapphire too!

Absolutely. I think the fact that the two cars are radically different from one another really speak to how much effort Porsche puts into making each variant of each of their cars a unique experience all together. With so many different variations of the 911, its incredible how none of them really feel the same to one another!

Sold the GT4 as I'd gotten what I wanted out of it. 10,000 very, very awesome miles of fun and great memories. The car has been immortalized on the cover of the PCA Monterey Werks Reunion book which was handed out in 2017 if you happen to have a copy of it
Wish I could have kept both. Unfortunately sometimes a bad business partner can cost you more than just your business. What are you looking for? Feel free to PM me, I'm always sitting on some incredible inventory.

981 Spyder is an epic car. What color? I just moved up here from Irvine so I'm curious if I've ever seen you around in South OC.

Yes, this was the car that was listed for sale. I was holding off for a GTS but realized this car was perfect for what I was looking for. Don't really need much more than a base Carrera with the new turbocharged engine in my opinion.

This ...https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...4419b12cb1.jpg