jlanka

OK I've narrowed my choice down to a 991. Tending toward C4S.

Will I regret going with the C4S and not waiting for a 991 Turbo or GT3 (not sure when those will be introduced but sounds like they're coming).

Or will I be more than happy with the C4S? I would tend toward the C4S satisfying my needs, but wanted to get more thoughts on it. I wanted to try to keep the price under 150 (American dollars) so I think that helps me stay with the C4S as I would think the Turbo and GT3 will be above that with the options I'm looking for

Thanks, Jeff

draxa

I think you should drive a 4 as soon as you can.

Ayubowan.

fester

GT3 or 4S...naturally aspirated engine is the way to go but the turbo can be tuned to hellish levels (if you're into it)

jlanka

How did you know I haven't driven one yet?

aamersa

Unless you are in a hurry, waiting for the GT3 or turbo sounds like a great idea. That way you are ensured you have no regrets after spending 150k.

solomonschris

They may all be Porsche 911's, but they are very different cars. How could you pick without driving each one?

jlanka

I wasn't aware the dealers gave test drives. Do they?

Anyway, the Turbo and GT3 aren't available yet so how do I drive those?

hakaida702

Wait for them to come out then test drive them.

jlanka

So pretty much any dealer will allow you to test drive any model? No restrictions?

Back to my original question though, I'm kind of looking for someone who has experience with Turbo/GT3 in the 997/996 to give an idea on how much I'm sacrificing by not getting one of those variants. I'm not a racer, just looking for a sweet ride to have some fun with. Will I miss the higher power a lot?

Mike in CA

991 GT3 test mules have been seen in many places, including here in the US, and it will supposedly debut at the Geneva Auto show in March of 2013. Ordering is rumored to begin shortly thereafter. Nothing that I've seen yet on when the Turbo will arrive.

If your budget is $150K US dollars, though, forget about a 991 TT and a 991 GT3 will really be pushing the limit. There's been a lot of speculation about 991 GT3 pricing but using 997.2 S/GT3 and 991 S pricing for comparsion, there is some consensus around a $130-135K base price. With any options at all plus tax you will easily break $150K. Since the base 997.2 Turbo was about $25K more than a 997.2 GT3, a 991 TT will likely bust your budget big time.

You could probably get a test drive in a 991 Turbo or GT3, but you might have a hard time finding a dealer that has one. There are already waiting lists for the GT3 (I'm on one) and I doubt there will be many demos around for quite a while.

Only you can answer the question as to whether you will be satisfied with the performance of a 991 C4S. But it's a spectacularly fast, competent car, and for someone who doesn't intend to track his car, it's hard to imagine it not having enough power to keep you happy on the street.

Just my $.02.

chuck911

You'll never miss it if you never had it to begin with.
The brakes and suspension by the way are more important to overall performance than the engine.
The driver, most of all.
Take Chris advice and drive them.
Then, if you get one, take my advice: join PCA and sign up for Driver Skills and Driver's Ed.
The better you drive, the more you'll appreciate your Porsche.

OldGuy

Here is the truth from someone who has driven all of them and owned some of them. I have had a turbo but it was a 993. But I had a 410 HP GT3 996, and a 405 HP 997 GT3 and now the 997.2 C2S.
In the 964,993, and 996 days there was a monstrous difference between the C2S and the Turbo.
And it WAS worth trying to get a Turbo.
After I got rid of my 997.1 GT3 I waited a couple months and I drove a 997.2PDK. The new generation 911s are SO fast in standard S trim that in 2010, I had a friend with a chipped 996 TT, and HE drove the PDK and a VARA (racing association) friend drove the 996TT. The C2S pulled the TT in every gear till we got to 120 and we both shut them down. AND we didnt use Launch control. I have never used launch control in my car.
The point is that the 991 C2S is 14 seconds faster than the last generation GT3 at the Ring!!!!! If you get a C4S youre going to have a HUGELY fast car and you will save who knows how much over the turbo. Seriously you need to have a reason to be in the 2 second range (0-60) for speed. I dont need that much speed any more. And my 997.2 C2S has been MORE than fast enough for what I do. In fact
there were threads in the GT3 forum (997) where some of the owners were complaining about not being able to over take the new 997.2 Carreras at the track.
So my point is in the generation you will probably have MORE than enough speed unless you are Don the Snake Predohme or Don Garlits (sorry about the spelling but I am dating myself and I hate dating myself, its like kissing your sister)

OldGuy

One other thing is I noted in one of the articles and I believe they did hit this objective
and that was Porsche wanted to make the 9A1 motor more like the GT motors, higher revs etc.
So that makes the Carrera even more like the GT cars in quicker revs etc.
I think they hit that one.

dochusar

I really have to agree with OH's post. Having driven my friends 2010 997.2 GT3 and my 991 C2S, I can say without equivocation that my ad has more than enough power, speed and agility. It is a monster car. The 4S, I have not driven, but according to Porsche US specs is about the same as the S. for a naturally aspirated engine and the dynamic engine mounts with the sport Chrono package and PDCC delivers such comfortable ride. I know that you will not need or miss the additional power in the new GT3 or Turbo.

I estimate at the pricing structure of the 991's, a well equipped coupe with PDK, sprts chrono, PASM, PDCC, Bose audio and standard leather interior would be $ 110,000 for the base, $120K for the S, and $130K for the 4S. Extrapolating, using the 997.2 pricing structure, GT3 should be about 15k more and the Turbo should be around where the current Turbo S is priced.

I think you will be very happy with the 991 4S.

jlanka

Wow thanks for the awesome answers here. My suspicion is confirmed, that I personally will be more than satisfied with a C4S. Based on what I've already read and the comments here. That shoudl seal the deal for me.

BTW, I plan on getting some track training (although would never risk her in a real race) from a guy who has a Porsche service business about 1/2 mile from me, Bill Rudtner. He also races. Good guy to talk to.

Again, thanks for the excellent info.