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I had one of those drives yesterday that made me do one of those laugh out loud moments in the car at 7,000 rpm with Sport + Mode on. I know that the 991.2 is faster and "better" in all those other ways, and I know the 992 is even "better" than that but man I love the sound of my 2013 C4S.
I also have an old air cooled car so maybe I'm just a sucker for the sounds, but I've also come to realize that even since the 997 (I used to have one) the performance differences with newer generations are only useful at the track or stop light races. As a result I have no desire to "upgrade" any more. That being said, I'd love to be able to afford a 991 GT3 for the track, but I have a boating habit. Taken on my recent cross country drive from SF to NY and back.
Just yesterday, after reading a lot of similar threads, I was thinking back to my entire ownership period (of cayman and both 991s), I couldn't find a single instance where the "power" of either of the 3 cars left me wanting more, or embarrassed because I "lost" a "street" dick sizing competition or disappointed that the car wasn't fun in any way... and I couldn't think of a single instance.
The only car I would upgrade to is a manual GT3, all others can have their 1/4 mile slips and their dyno numbers and enjoy all that. Aint for me ( and many many more owners)
I couldn't agree more. I had a highly modded 991.2 gts. Sold it. Bought a 997gt3 for track duty and just got a 991.1 manual targa gts for weekend fun. Nothing beats that na sound.
Agreed. There's a certain point where more power isn't actually helpful or even more fun as far as street driving is concerned, and that point was hit some 20 years ago in the 911 IMHO.
You also have the "slow car fast" argument/phenomenon to take into account. I drove a first generation AWD 5-speed RAV4 as a daily just a couple years ago (long story involving a lifted Miata), and to this day that is still one of the highest smiles-per-gallon vehicles I've driven if only because you're at WOT literally all the time.
Agreed. There's a certain point where more power isn't actually helpful or even more fun as far as street driving is concerned, and that point was hit some 20 years ago in the 911 IMHO.
You also have the "slow car fast" argument/phenomenon to take into account. I drove a first generation AWD 5-speed RAV4 as a daily just a couple years ago (long story involving a lifted Miata), and to this day that is still one of the highest smiles-per-gallon vehicles I've driven if only because you're at WOT literally all the time.
there you have it folks.. the .1 cars are now part of the "drive a slow car fast" analogy.. I remember not long ago, that analogy was almost always used for proper SLOW cars.. but the .2 cars are JUST so fast now, .1 cars are the new Miatas. LOL
Agreed. There's a certain point where more power isn't actually helpful or even more fun as far as street driving is concerned, and that point was hit some 20 years ago in the 911 IMHO.
You also have the "slow car fast" argument/phenomenon to take into account. I drove a first generation AWD 5-speed RAV4 as a daily just a couple years ago (long story involving a lifted Miata), and to this day that is still one of the highest smiles-per-gallon vehicles I've driven if only because you're at WOT literally all the time.
I love the maita reference. My other fun/track car is an exocet (based on a miata chassis engine/trans/and chassis). Smiles per gallon.
I agree with the “slow car fast” analogy. My c7 z06 wast faster in every way than a 991.2 and even a Gt3 but the 991.1 is just more fun to drive. 🤷🏼♂️
there you have it folks.. the .1 cars are now part of the "drive a slow car fast" analogy.. I remember not long ago, that analogy was almost always used for proper SLOW cars.. but the .2 cars are JUST so fast now, .1 cars are the new Miatas. LOL
Hey now, I did say since 20 years ago the 911s hit that "faster than useful" mark, the implication wasn't that 991.1s are slow
Originally Posted by flsupraguy
I love the maita reference. My other fun/track car is an exocet (based on a miata chassis engine/trans/and chassis). Smiles per gallon.
Good fun. I've got an Exocet in pieces in the garage right now, waiting for an engine transplant. Some day I'll get back to it...
Completely agree. I often feel my 991.1 GTS is too fast for the street as I must restrain myself from exploring the upper RPM ranges. If I ever get another sports car it will be older and slower (maybe 993). For me, driving a faster/more powerful car on the street would just be more frustrating as it would be even less full throttle time would be more boring.
The 991.1 is a special car for me and every time I drive it my thoughts are reinforced. For MY car journey, it was so fun to have the "current" and "latest" 911 at the time when I got it. That in and of itself was a special time for me and the manifestation of years of hard work and being a financial tight wad. I've also really bonded with this car and without that bond it would not be the same.
On group runs to the mountains, the performance gap is much smaller than the lap times around the ring in the hands of professional drivers and media style drag racing or figure 8 testing suggests. Emotionally, holding the naturally aspirated flat 6 in the right gear at the appropriate RPMs has never left me for wanting when I come out of a turn. If you "need" more power on a public road than a base 991.1 then the problem is not the car. The capability ceiling of any modern Porsche is ridiculous. A base anything Porsche is amazing and anyone with any Porsche is fortunate to be able to experience this.
When I finally reached the point that it was time for a 911, I followed the axiom that you should buy the newest 911 you can afford and for me it was a 2015 C4S that I bought two years ago. I traded a Corvette C7 for it and it was the best decision I’ve ever made related to cars. The C7 was a rocket and the acceleration was very good but with the 911 the overall package is so much better. I plan on keeping this one as long as possible.
I "hear" what everyone is saying but for me I want as much torque as possible so the .2 is my choice. I agree that the .1 cars sound better stock but mine is not stock! I love to floor it in gears 2-4 and the feeling of being pressed back in my seat (and locking up my wife's belt) with my Cobb Stage 2. And the sound I get now running high flow cats with the top down will be even better when my Soul headers arrive and get installed.
01-03-2021, 03:32 PM
Something about the 991.1
