JLHendrix

I went from a 545 to a 997. I had owned porsches and other BMWs. I am surprised that you sensed so little difference in the handling characteristics between the 550 and the GTS. These feel radically different to me though I like them both. For me the whole reason of going back to a porsche was the unique feel of the 911 platform. Even my 2011 c2 has a distinctive feel that reminds me of my 1990 targa. IN porsche's current line up the Panamera is a more likely comparison to the 5series. Did you consider one of those?

aamersa

Sure there was a difference in handling considering the 911 GTS is much smaller and lighter than the GTS, so it was more nimble, in handling, what I said was that the GTS didn't seem more powerful.

As far as panamera, I consider its shape from behind to be ugly for a sedan. Plus I wanted a fast car, so to get an equivalent 0-60 on the panamera I would need to get a turbo which is too expensive.

JLHendrix

Well you asked how different the 991 would be from a 550 "from a driving standpoint" . I guess all anyone can say is that it will be more like the GTS you drove than the 550.

JLHendrix

(We hope.)

aamersa

Simplified and well said.

rodsky

The GTS is much faster than a 550. It has more HP (408) and weighs almost 1000 pounds less. Do the math on the power to weight ratio. With all due respect if it didnt feel faster, you either didnt really drive it or you don't know how to drive it. The GTS will do 0-60 in 4 seconds or less and will out handle the 550 by a mile. If you drove it in PDK normal (sport Chrono) it may "feel" less responsive as you have to press harder on the gas pedal to get more oomph. Trust me there is no comparison. In fact a GTS will be faster than an M5 with 500HP.

aamersa

I did try the gts in all 3 PDK modes briefly. Again I said it didn't seem more "powerful", I concede it had to be much faster due to its smaller size. Perhaps the V 8 has more torque in the speed range of 0-62.

BTW, new M5 is out with turbo charged, V 8, producing 560 hp and may come close to matching 0-60 by a GTS.

Zeus993

Having driven both I believe the key difference is not the horspower but the location of the engine and the effect that has on the handling. The BMWs are great cars but they are front engine and push a big chunk of mass into and through the corners. The Astons feel the same. The 991s wth the engine still in the rear will retain much of the planted feel of the earlier models. So what you feel in the GTS will be what you feel in the 991. Sure the electric steering will be different but the overall lightness in the front should be there. Once you've experienced the difference and with the more raw sound of the H6 jamming in the rear you'll be hooked! Good choice and welcome to Porsche.

MSR Racer

I find this very curious. I own 2010 BMW 535i and 2007 997.1 C4S. The difference in the way the two cars drive is nothing less than dramatic. They are both pretty quick but it is the handling characteriscts, the throttle response, the engine growl, and the steering that set them apart, one as a legendary sports car and the other as one of the best sports sedans money can buy. They are so unlike each other and therefore not comparable in terms of the emotions each evokes in the driver.

bluedog111

I have an 08 550i and a 997 tt. Both are six speed. The 550i feels almost as a fast as the 997 2s on the street in a straight line. The brakes are much better on the Porsche. The Porsche also turns much better than the 550i with all the weight of a v8 sitting over the fron wheels. Its hard to reach the limits of either car on the street but a few laps on a track will show the 550i for what it is. A fantastic sedan.

aamersa

My 550i is automatic and my 991 will be PDK, but I totally agree with your analysis bluedog.

Gadsby

Interesting comparison! I am currently evaluating a couple of friend GT3's who have too many porsches here in Barrington, IL, and my daily driver is a 545i SMG. I do miss shifting a H pattern, except in Chicago traffic.

Having driven the gt3's regularly quite often the cars are very similar in that they exibit many of the same driving dynamics although at oposite ends of the spectrim, i.e. slow slides out of the BMW. Similar to the GT3 the 545 eats rear tires as well at least with an SMG.

5 series has it's place for business and spirited driving especially with clients, but I plan on the Gt3 replacing my race only superbike for track time! Like some of you mentioned, hardcore requires a GT car!