PatrickBateman

I’ve had my 14 C2 3.4L in PDK for about three years. It was exciting at first but as I’ve spent time in rented Lamborghinis or AMG cars, I do feel the lack of torque leads to a lack of excitement.

I’ll be honest in that I haven’t had enough seat time in twisty roads, nor do I speed too much above posted limits, so my ‘fun’ is usually happening from 0-60. The car is quick (~4 seconds) but it doesn’t exactly put you in the back of your seat.

Would a 3.8L cure this? I’ve yet to track the car (though it’s something I want to do) and in the canyon drives I’ve done, I’m one of the slowest in the pack, behind much older and less powerful boxsters and 911s. This tells me my comfort level, skill, or most likely both, are lower than the capability of my car.

I don’t want to upgrade to a 3.8, .2 car or gt3 yet as it’s not the right time for me fiscally (I am conservative and like to have little of my money tied up in toys) but perhaps there’s a way for me to fall in love with the car. I do love the looks and the sound when I put it in sport mode and the PSE opens up the exhaust. I lowered it on techart springs and it does go around a corner beautifully.

Maybe the solution is to carve more time out to carve some backroads. Sign up for a DE day?

I’m curious to gleam experiences from the RL collective. Does anyone here think a base 3.4L is enough car to have a blast with?
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NF4710

Maybe it’s time to move to a 991.2 or a 992. They offer more torque. That said if you want torque and don’t hit the twistys much there are many great cars to consider these days. If it’s not doing it for you probably time to move on. Although the 3.8L S is faster it’s mildly so.

NF

PatrickBateman

I appreciate the reply... unfortunately it's not time for me to move up to another 911. I prefer NA for the sound, and regardless, I would like to keep my 911 until I can justify (skill and financially) getting into a GT car.

As for other marquees- I don't have the love for them that I do Porsche. I have a G-wagon as my daily and love it for what it is and that gives me my German V8 fill. I don't want another Merc. I used to want a Lamborghini but I don't really have that dream anymore unless I have multiple cars... the Aventador sounds incredible and offers a real sense of occasion when driving it, but it's wide and clunky. Huracan is wonderful but doesn't handle like a Porsche, and is almost a re-skinned R8.

My 'dream' car (my current 911 was a dream car for me and many others) would be a GT3. If the 3.8 is marginally faster, then there's something I'm doing wrong, and I'd like to explore that as it'll be better for me to enjoy my car for the next 2 years or so until I can get into a GT3, rather than just keeping it and not enjoying it.

docskeet

0 - 60 times:
2014 Carrera 4.2 sec
2014 Carrera S 3.9 sec
2015 Carrera GTS 3.6 sec (430 hp with power kit on the 3.8L)

I have a 2014 Carrera Cab (4.4 sec). The power seems best to me @3000 to 7000 rpm. Keep sport mode on and keep your revs up and hopefully you’ll enjoy it more.

PatrickBateman

See, on paper, 4.2 (C2) and 3.9 (C2S) seems so negligible. I wonder if the torque is any higher or the S car feels that much faster? I saw this video on YouTube, which seems to depict a different story, but that could be down to the headers and a tune that are on the S. Interesting.

Zylinderkopfdichtung

Track your base. You’ll learn to appreciate it in an entirely different way. Put a bit of work into learning how to drive fast and you’ll be faster than most S and GTS drivers on the track.

Anyone with money can add power. Adding speed takes brains.

PatrickBateman

I like this idea. I think that I will learn the car is actually far from slow, and probably gains most speed above 60 mph. I also want to learn how to identify the limits of my car (and driving) so when I go in the canyons I know where I am and can safely enjoy spirited drives in the canyons. Does Autox help with that or would you focus more on DE days?

Zylinderkopfdichtung

Driving fast cars slow is not fun. Driving “slow” cars fast is where it’s at. I believe driving a base 991.1 closer to its limit on the track will be infinitely more rewarding than any modern Lamborghini, AMG, or Porsche GT car on the street.

I only do DE and TT so I can’t answer the Autocross question.

Levy

drove base's and s's when i was shopping 991.1's a couple years ago. the s was noticeably quicker and made the decision easy for me. ended up with a 2013s and two years later, i still love it . zero regrets except getting black (love/hate black). base is a great car but the s is a fairly obvious step up when judging seat back push/acceleration. as far as being enough?? doubtful imho. thinking my next 911 will be a .2 tts....... but for now, i'm still good with the 3.8. it really is a wonderful motor

MingusDew

If you’re chasing a high from acceleration you will never have enough, because you always get used to the power and need more. Some of the most fun I’ve had is with low powered cars, so I think it’s more of what you’re doing with a car that affects how you enjoy it. The 991 chassis is amazing, and even a base Carrera is enjoyable to drive at the limit on a track. Go wear some tires and brakes out and I think you’ll enjoy the car a lot more 😊

Also, if you live anywhere near canyon roads, and you don’t go drive them every chance you get, you are missing out.

Here’s an idea, the $ it would cost to upgrade to a 3.8 car instead go spend on track fees/insurance, tires and brakes (you’ll need them, and luckily the base car brakes are less expensive lol).

737gdog

Excellent advice. I had a ‘14 base. In the mountains the car put a huge smile on my face. Around town not so much. Traded for a T and I have never looked back but I really enjoyed the NA 3.4.. Great problem to have.

PatrickBateman

In terms of enjoyment, how close is the 3.4 to your T? Let’s say twisty driving and around town, respectively. Happy to hear changing use case might be all I need to do.

RennListUser01

You're renting Lambos and AMG MBs, but can't afford a faster 911?

Bud Taylor

The 991.1 S may be one of the most perfect platforms ever built. I've driven lots of 500 and 600 hp cars but the S is like the sweet spot on a tennis racquet or golf club. 0-60 times and the rest do not mean much for a generation or two. I would choose a 991.2 way over a 992 full well knowing the 992 has a faster 0-60 time. I don't really drag race "competitively," so anything I do is for fun, and I'm at an age where losing can be fun.

rnl

Depends.

If you are drag racing Hellcats, well, no, it is not enough.

If you want head snapping action. Nope

Seems to me that you want a 1970 Dodge Hemi.

i am a retired attorney now, an advid amateur photographer. Many amatuers seek perfection with a checkbook - always seeking out the latest, greatest and best camera or lens. I take lots of photos (www.richardnlipow.com) and I take workshops and classes to perfect my skills and improve my craft. I read books and occasionally catch an online class. I work at it.

A good Porsche drivng experience can be had by just getting in and driving - they are wonderful driving cars. If you want to extract the most from your car, take some classes and DE with your local PCA or at Atlanta with Porsche of North America.

The C2 Carrera is equipped with a 3.4 litre boxer engine with direct fuel injection generating a maximum power output of 350 PS (257 kW; 345 hp) at 7,400 rpm and 390 N⋅m (288 lb⋅ft) of torque at 5,600 rpm. The Carrera S has a 3.8 litre engine generating a maximum power output of 400 PS (294 kW; 395 hp) at 7,400 rpm and 440 N⋅m (325 lb⋅ft) of torque at 5,600 rpm. IMHO, that's not much of a difference for me and certainly not worth the price difference.

I have a 991.1 C2, it's a lot of car, but, I don't track it and generally keep it within 15 mph of the speed limit. It is compliant and a joy to drive. I have driven S cars and, well, for my use, I did not see a difference.