georgere

I test drove 3 different 911s and here is my feedback, and questions for seasoned 911 owners.
Cars:

1. T with PDK, front lift, and rear wheel steering, standard seats;
2. T with Manual, sunroof, and alcantera steering wheel, standard seats;
3. 4S with 18 way seats, sunroof, and PDK

All the cars had other options but not performance/driving feel related so I will skip those as my thread is about a car that will be better than my F80 M3 with DCT (meaning raw and natural like a sports car).
My feedback:

• worst car for my criteria was 4S. I'd rather stay in my M3 than pay way more money for a 911 badge. Assisted steering (because AWD) just killed it for me...
• next car on my not so sure list is the T with manual. I was surprised not to like it. I had such anticipation but I could not figure out how the heck I can have fun with this gear box. The gears are too short and the throws are very short and then there is that 7th gear. I know I can get used to it but I felt I was constantly fighting with the car. As I was always busy with the gearbox I was not able to take in the feel for the rest of the car. I loved BMW manuals for 10 years I had it and I was expecting the P-car to beat BMW in this department especially that everyone says how great Porsches are. Perhaps M3 with DCT subconsciously converted me to dual clutch?
• The car I loved and now thinking to get was the T with PDK and (see specs above). I could feel the car size, its dynamics, where the wheels are and what is turning inside the engine (ok that's a lie but I lie to myself sometimes), it had that raw feeling also probably due to reduced insulation. The PDK is great and at least for me it makes more sense over manual. I'd like to mention that I think just think that RWS and Front Lift had to do a lot with why I loved the car. It felt so different from the other T. I guess the weights of the lift system made the steering feel heavier while the RWS made the car twist quicker.... just my guess. I wonder what would I say if Manual T car was also equipped with these options...

Now is the dilemma - while I did not like the 4S, I loved its engine/power. M3 (my 1st true performance car) spoiled me and the difference in power in both T's was noticeable. So my question is - would RWD 911 S with Lift and RWS feel as good as T (but with obviously more power)? Or this would not be the case as the regular Carrera has more insulation and is more luxurious? Is it possible that rawness in that T I found to love was made by insulation and thin glass alone?

Note, this car will be my daily. My kids will be driven to school/day care (short rides) and once/twice a year my family of 4 will take it for an hour/so drive. So the gear box dilemma is relevant here in terms of comfort...
Thank you in advance.

Dennis C

georgere

What does GTS have vs S in terms of driving feel? I know it has more power, otherwise all options available to S.

Thanks

Archimedes

Cyberbug

Papa Fittig

Obviously it should bring you JOY! Buy what does it for you. No reason asking for someone else's opinions. If it helps my choice were NA GTS MT and TTS PDK.

Cyberbug

HenryPcar

You are right about the close ratio gearing of the manual. For everyday driving 7 speeds is an overkill. Yes, you'll be constantly shifting gears. As much torque and flexibility of the engine you have to question the rational of 7 spd. Its almost like for the manual shifting lovers, Porsche says fine, we'll give you 7 so you can shift to your hearts delight.

reacher

In my humble opinion, the GTS feels much, much better than the S. I didn't like the S I test drove one bit, so I was skeptical about even trying a GTS. I'm glad I did, because it felt like a completely different car. I'm not sure why, because on paper they should be fairly similar, but I guess the small differences add up.

After I tuned my GTS, it's even more fun. As strange as it sounds, it's even more fun than my 991.1 GT3 and my Lamborghini Huracan. Every time I drive it, I'm impressed by it. The S I drove felt slow, laggy, soft, and just underwhelming. The GTS blew me away and I ordered one on the spot after the test drive.

Maybe I'm talking it up too much and it won't live up to your expectations, but for me it's an almost perfect package.

jainbaby

georgere

Well my tech vocabulary is poor but whatever it is that exists between the steering wheel and front wheels, feels way different from a RWD car. I called it assisted steering b/c I believe there should be more power assistance for the steering due to FWD components.
Regarding short throws, sure I agree, the shorter the better, but after 10 years with BMW manual gear box, I thought if BMW is, let's say, red caviar than P-car manual got to be the black caviar, right?... during my test drive the p-car manual box felt like chicken tempura.... like I said, I was disappointed b/c I was about to sell my children in order to get the T with 7-speed and if I now go for PDK, I will need more children than I have
seriously though, I think its a learning curve for me now as I have not driven manual cars for 3 years and DCT in M3 got me spoiled... but I did like the PDK car better and for a daily car, why bother with black caviar and learning curve....

georgere

I know all about 911 (as a reader/YouTube 'customer') and have no doubt any 911 is better than M3 in sports category, but as I said 4S did not make me want it over M3 while other 911 felt much closer to what I am seeking in my next car.
Thank you for your reply however and let me ask you about your POV on current 911 for daily use. would u still drive manual or PDK every day including food shopping and haircut saloon?

georgere

Thank you, great info and POV.

jainbaby

georgere

I am afraid you might be right. what if the manual with these turbo engines is like this guy? some think he is still 'alive' in a way....