"S" or no S
Banned
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 1,152
Faced the same dilemma as you last year.
Narrow your choice by deciding what you must have and go from there. I too wanted a base C4 but theyre rare, particularly with MTs.
Ended with an ordered C4S. Many have commented of the model upgrade creep, absolutely true. Base HP is enough for everyday needs and will outperform nearly every car you see on the road, I suspect Porsche HP figures are conservative.
if you find a good used one with warranty that is close to your specs, jump on it.
Happy hunting.
Narrow your choice by deciding what you must have and go from there. I too wanted a base C4 but theyre rare, particularly with MTs.
Ended with an ordered C4S. Many have commented of the model upgrade creep, absolutely true. Base HP is enough for everyday needs and will outperform nearly every car you see on the road, I suspect Porsche HP figures are conservative.
if you find a good used one with warranty that is close to your specs, jump on it.
Happy hunting.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 581
Likes: 240
From: Orange County
To me the sports chrono pack is a must- the pdk is even more snappier and multi gear skip shifts are quick. In the regular sports setting the pdk is honestly a bit slower at times than my F80 M3 dct, which is my daily.
Also the throttle becomes even more linear and the ability to modulate the car is unbelievable.
Individual setting for me allows me to dial down the suspension to more comfort while keeping pdk and the throttle in sports plus mode.
each their own, but just know what you get.
Also the throttle becomes even more linear and the ability to modulate the car is unbelievable.
Individual setting for me allows me to dial down the suspension to more comfort while keeping pdk and the throttle in sports plus mode.
each their own, but just know what you get.
Instructor
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 201
Likes: 17
From: Miami
Yea, I think you don't get launch control without sport chrono and other things, definitely important in the base turbo.
I went with a turbo because I saw a lava orange I couldn't resist.. the car is outrageous, I've scared myself once or twice on I95 when it gave more than I expected :-)
So I'd agree with getting the right color/options before deciding between S/non-S
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 242
Likes: 38
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 2,635
From: Pac NW
LOL. Fair point....but let's take that argument to its logical conclusion.
I met a GTS guy who wished he had an S
I met a Turbo guy who wished he had a GTS
I met a Turbo S guy who wished he had a Turbo
I met a GT3 guy who wished he had a Turbo S
I met a GT3RS guy who wished he had a GT3
I met a GT2RS guy who wished he had a GT3RS
I met a GTS guy who wished he had an S
I met a Turbo guy who wished he had a GTS
I met a Turbo S guy who wished he had a Turbo
I met a GT3 guy who wished he had a Turbo S
I met a GT3RS guy who wished he had a GT3
I met a GT2RS guy who wished he had a GT3RS
If you buy a base, you will kick yourself for not getting an S.
If you buy an S, you will kick yourself for not getting a GTS.
If you buy a GTS, you will kick yourself for not getting a Turbo or GT3.
If you buy a Turbo or a GT3, you will kick yourself for not getting a 918.
The only solution is to buy the car you want, and not the badge. Fortunately you get a free 'S' with the Boxter. It goes right between the 'x' and the 't'!
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 192
Likes: 57
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People
Verdad Gallardo
Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod
Verdad Gallardo
10 Reasons I Hate Going to the Porsche Dealership (& the 1 Reason I Stay)
Joe Kucinski
Porsche Shakes Up The Nürburgring Lap Record Table Once Again
Verdad Gallardo
6 Ways the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Redefines Performance
Joe Kucinski
10 Wildest Homologation Specials Porsche Ever Sold
Verdad Gallardo
Super Rare RUF BTR III Comes Out of Hibernation, Looking For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Opinions That Can Start a Fight
Joe Kucinski
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,237
Likes: 6,291
From: Fairfax County, Virginia
Heh. Now take this in the light its meant to be in and don't get your panties all in a twist.....BUT......
When Porsche went PDK and Turbos in the line, it was to give the UNSKILLED driver a shot at being a track hero, because Porsches of old (naturally aspirated) were always RPM cars, and you had to get them up on the cam and modulate them there to keep them whistling along. Plus, launching a rear-engine car from a stop is always a challenge that few do well. I'm on my 5th 911 in 45 years and still it requires me to be on my game. So, PDK makes it easy, launch control (you video era game kids) even more so. Stoplight heros you are.. Then you add in the low rpm boost from the twin turbos and presto! Anyone looks good driving it, minimal talent required. People always say they want horsepower, but what they really want is torque. And the '17's on up gave you the torque, the natural air breathers you have to work that tach above 3,800 rpm.
Plus, virtually no one under thirty years of age can even steal my 911, because they don't know how to drive a 3-pedal car.
And that's a fact, Jack.
When Porsche went PDK and Turbos in the line, it was to give the UNSKILLED driver a shot at being a track hero, because Porsches of old (naturally aspirated) were always RPM cars, and you had to get them up on the cam and modulate them there to keep them whistling along. Plus, launching a rear-engine car from a stop is always a challenge that few do well. I'm on my 5th 911 in 45 years and still it requires me to be on my game. So, PDK makes it easy, launch control (you video era game kids) even more so. Stoplight heros you are.. Then you add in the low rpm boost from the twin turbos and presto! Anyone looks good driving it, minimal talent required. People always say they want horsepower, but what they really want is torque. And the '17's on up gave you the torque, the natural air breathers you have to work that tach above 3,800 rpm.
Plus, virtually no one under thirty years of age can even steal my 911, because they don't know how to drive a 3-pedal car.
And that's a fact, Jack.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8,124
Likes: 2,635
From: Pac NW
How bad are the untrained, non-excellent MT drivers? Off track and outside of a launch I am pretty confident the power can be harnessed pretty easily. Keep the revs high and mash the throttle, what’s so hard about that? You even have rev matching if you really need extra help
Pro
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 526
Likes: 127
Just the other day, I was talking to Hamilton and said" "If you were really skilled and had any driving acumen, you would get a manual transmission. I read on a forum that you are just hiding behind all that technology" We both knew I was right but neither one of us wanted to sound like an arrogant asshat and just claim people who drive PDK cars are just not real "enthusiasts"
It's a good thing we have forums to keep things straight.
It's a good thing we have forums to keep things straight.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 832
Likes: 183
From: Long Beach, CA
I think it's really up to personal taste and needs. I've had a 997.2 Targa4, 997.2 C4S and now a 991.2 base.
The base motor is plenty on the street, I love it in fact. The brakes are only really an issue if you're doing serious track duty. I've read enough reviews of people stating the base motor is preferable for enjoyment due to less time to spool up - I've not driven an 'S' to verify this as my experience. All I know is 370hp and the resulting bump in torque is more than enough for fun on the street.
My base 911 has the S wheels, sports exhaust and 18 ways with a stick, so it's really the perfect fun car for me. It is graphite blue metallic, so I literally got the spec. I was looking for. If the car was available in 'S' trim for a few thousand more, I probably would have bought it too. Go drive them and see which best suits you.
The base motor is plenty on the street, I love it in fact. The brakes are only really an issue if you're doing serious track duty. I've read enough reviews of people stating the base motor is preferable for enjoyment due to less time to spool up - I've not driven an 'S' to verify this as my experience. All I know is 370hp and the resulting bump in torque is more than enough for fun on the street.
My base 911 has the S wheels, sports exhaust and 18 ways with a stick, so it's really the perfect fun car for me. It is graphite blue metallic, so I literally got the spec. I was looking for. If the car was available in 'S' trim for a few thousand more, I probably would have bought it too. Go drive them and see which best suits you.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 192
Likes: 57
People commonly say that PDK takes the skill out of the equation, but the top F1 drivers are paid eight digits a year to do something. Must be more to it than just nailing the gas and hanging on for dear life. I wonder if their salaries went up or down when the first sequential auto gearboxes came out?
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 867
Heh. Now take this in the light its meant to be in and don't get your panties all in a twist.....BUT......
When Porsche went PDK and Turbos in the line, it was to give the UNSKILLED driver a shot at being a track hero, because Porsches of old (naturally aspirated) were always RPM cars, and you had to get them up on the cam and modulate them there to keep them whistling along. Plus, launching a rear-engine car from a stop is always a challenge that few do well. I'm on my 5th 911 in 45 years and still it requires me to be on my game. So, PDK makes it easy, launch control (you video era game kids) even more so. Stoplight heros you are.. Then you add in the low rpm boost from the twin turbos and presto! Anyone looks good driving it, minimal talent required. People always say they want horsepower, but what they really want is torque. And the '17's on up gave you the torque, the natural air breathers you have to work that tach above 3,800 rpm.
Plus, virtually no one under thirty years of age can even steal my 911, because they don't know how to drive a 3-pedal car.
And that's a fact, Jack.
When Porsche went PDK and Turbos in the line, it was to give the UNSKILLED driver a shot at being a track hero, because Porsches of old (naturally aspirated) were always RPM cars, and you had to get them up on the cam and modulate them there to keep them whistling along. Plus, launching a rear-engine car from a stop is always a challenge that few do well. I'm on my 5th 911 in 45 years and still it requires me to be on my game. So, PDK makes it easy, launch control (you video era game kids) even more so. Stoplight heros you are.. Then you add in the low rpm boost from the twin turbos and presto! Anyone looks good driving it, minimal talent required. People always say they want horsepower, but what they really want is torque. And the '17's on up gave you the torque, the natural air breathers you have to work that tach above 3,800 rpm.
Plus, virtually no one under thirty years of age can even steal my 911, because they don't know how to drive a 3-pedal car.
And that's a fact, Jack.
Pdk vs Manual. PDK is faster around the track and it allows you to focus on being a better driver. Manual might be more fun for some. Some have more fun in a PDK car. Now if you are an excellent driver with a manual transmission then that’s great. But you’ll be slower around the track compared to an equally equipped PDK car. PDK doesn’t allow for great lap times. It gives the driver the potential for faster times. The driver needs to execute.
The good thing is that a Porsche is likely to continue offering a manual transmission at least in some 911s. That way you can row your own. To each his own. Porsche knows what their customers want and they got hell when the GT3 was PDK only.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 452
Likes: 35
I think it depends on how hard you are going to be driving it. If you like to drive very "spiritedly" then sport chrono is nice to have. If you like to take your time and occasionally punch it then you may not miss it. I had a .2 S. I think I would have been just as happy with a base, but only with SC. Then again you can get much of the experience of SC by shifting manually. But SC is very useful for the tight twisties. You can focus on the turns while the SC shifts for you while also keeping the revs at their highest.