Taxdr1965

Looking to purchase a used 2013 991 cab s from a guy out of state. Went to my local Porsche dealer to try and test drive a 991, which they did not have, but they had a used 2012 997. It had 13k miles on it and was also an Carrera S cab. I came away unimpressed. The car pounded over rough pavement and the whole suspension felt out of sorts. Did not have the feel that it was well planted and locked down to the road. Thought my 2018 panny suspension felt better. My question is this. Does the 991 drive a lot better or is it pretty similar to the feel of a 997. My previous cab was a 2012 r8 v10 for a frame of reference and also had a 2010 boxster. Thanks in advance for your input

mgordon18

Your local Porsche dealer didn't have a 991 for you to drive? I'd find a new dealer, drive one and feel for yourself. My feeling, having owned a 997.1 S and now a 991.1 4S is that the 991 is MUCH more composed. It gains speed with zero drama, while the 997 made some flash and clatter. Some may think that's better, some may not. Try it for yourself and see.

It'sGoTime

I've driven a 2012 Carrera S Cab and currently own a 2014 Carrera S coupe. The 997 was definitely less isolated/more communicative of freeway expansion joints than my 991. It was a little less planted than the 991, but certainly still a tight driving car. The two cars definitely have differences in character. I'd say to seek out a 991 and drive it yourself, even if you have to drive an hour or two to make that happen.

Bobby 911

OP, you really (REALLY) need to do a basic search. There have literally been dozens of threads comparing the 997 to the 991.

flsupraguy

I've had both. 997 is so much more raw

rk-d

997 has more of a classic sports car feel than the 991. They are very different cars, IMO.

That said, 911s should feel planted and composed, regardless of generation. I'd wonder if there is something off about the car you drove.

If you are looking to buy a 991, then drive a 991.

Bob Z.

I drove over 2 hours to test drive a 991.2 Targa before I ordered one, and you need to do the same with whatever model you are thinking of buying. At the very least check the preowned private party cars in your area if there is not a dealer that has one.

Fbrooksr

I owned a 997.2 Targa 4 for 18 months. I decided to get something newer so I drove a '15 991.1 Targa 4S, then a '16 Targa 4S, finally drove and bought a '19 991.2 Targa 4S. There are differences between the 3 variants that appeal to different folks. The 997.2 was fun, raw and was reminiscent of older sports cars. The 991.1's were NA and much roomier, and had a great sound. The 991.2 was quicker (a relative term as all were fast!), roomy, and very sophisticated. As I will not track the car, but we'll spend hours in it I went with the 991.2 as it was road hugging and torquie. Something new in my Porsche experiences.

Drive, drive and drive some more. You will know the right car for you immediately. I do miss my 997.2 only as the car was great fun. However, I have no (NO!) regrets buying the 991.2. It rocks!

fast1

As a former 997S owner, I can attest that there were no suspension problems. Moreover, many prefer the hydraulic steering of the 997 over the 991.

Dennis C

I’ve also owned a 997 and a 991. The 991 offers many improvements over the 997, and ride quality is one of them. The 997 is a nice car, but the 991 is in a completely different league. I’d never go back to a 997 after owning a 991.

Bob Z.

I recalled that I test drove a 2006 years ago at Millennia Motors in Longwood FL and it did rattle my teeth at times on some bad roads there, enough for me to buy another Viper, and I had owned a 930. After driving 991s though it was a big improvement and I made the move.

vodkag

I have driven the 997.2 as well and totally agreed with the previous comments

the 997 is much more direct and raw. you also feel the car is a bit "front light" under normal driving (without the PASM on) the 991 is much more compose

But the 997 is prob more fun and classic feel to it

garfunkle

The 997 reminds me of my old M Roadster in this regard. Much more primitive than the 991 and the M Roadster (z3 version) didn't handle well vs its competitors (unlike the 911) but it was fun as hell to drive. The 991 handles much more like a mid engine car than a rear engine car and is significantly softer and more compliant. To many the rawness and mechanical factor is more fun in the 997. Just remember that every 911 was "perfect" until the next one came out.

rk-d

This is a good point. I believe that the 991 is literally more mid-engine than it was before and it doesn't seem to have that same rear engine bias feel that previous generations had. The gizmos (PDCC/RAS/etc.) also dial some of that out. It's actually lighter than the 997, but it feels like a bigger more composed car. Flip side is that stable and composed can be boring if the car isn't pushed.

Those old 911 idiosyncrasies can be called flaws or character, depending on your point of view.

snake eyes

I've owned both 997.2 and now a 991.1
I track my cars

The 991 is in another league such that the new 992 is just improvement on the 991 and shares MUCH in common with the 991.
991 Platform (structure talking about here) gave birth to the MIGHTY all conquering GT2 RS