John's 991

Hi Para, I think you will find the 991 both a better DD and faster on the track. The interior is more spacious and more nicely laid out, the longer, wider track gives it better stability and ride comfort. Many folks say the 997 GTS is more "raw" and "intimate" (less refined and smaller in 991-speak) but as I posted earlier, after nearly going with the GTS, I got the 991 and am really happy with it.

The 991 GTS is probably coming out next year, if you want to marry the two.

goofballdeluxe

Well this is the 991 board, so....no wonder there is bias.

Here's a perspective from a 993 guy who has neither a 991 or 997.

I'd take the 997GTS over the 991S all day long.

Why? Many reason, in no particular order:

The 997GTS has more power than the 991S: 408 horses vs. 400.

The 997GTS was a limited run car, made in much, much smaller numbers than the 991S will be.

So, not only has it hit much of it's depreciation, it will probably hold value way better than the 991.

Aside from the nicer looking rear, the 991 is not that great looking, especially when viewed head-on. The 997 wins in that department, in my opinion. The short wheelbase 997 has some of the classic 991 styling, which I prefer.

I prefer the 997GTS interior. The 991, while nice, is now pretty much the same as the Panamera and Boxster.

The 997 has hydraulic steering. The 991 has electric steering. Hydraulic steering is better. Period.

After driving both, they're both wonderful. But given a run-of-the mill 991S or a 997GTS, I'd take the 997GTS, without a doubt.

My 2 cents worth

chuck911

I drove a GTS, and despite having to make do with the MT was loving it, and for a lot of the reasons others have mentioned. The dynamic motor mounts, one of Porsches more underappreciated advances, give it really amazing throttle response. Pretty cool on a 997. However, when cornering very hard on a 3rd gear curve where the road was undulating up and down the rear end was practically hopping around. I've driven a lot of 911's and sorry to say this was the most disconcerting handling I've every experienced in any of them. Same curve, same day, 997 C4S, going at least as fast, total aplomb.

My overall impression is Porsche markets the GTS to track wanna-be's. With its center lock wheels, alcantara interior and steering wheel tape it sure looks like a track car, a GT3 without the wings. In reality, don't even go on a track, just push it hard on the street like I did, you will learn very quickly not only is it no GT3 its not even a match for the same year C4S.

I seem to recall someone (Rainier?) some months ago mention driving their 991S at a track event with several GTS's a couple of which spun out trying in vain to match his pace. There you go.

A lot of people are eagerly anticipating when Porsche will release the 991 GTS. When they do, I just hope they dial the car in to have the driving chops to match the looks.

jmirandes

Drove them both back-to-back in a Porsche world roadshow and it was a clear answer for me. Ordered a 991-50 months later. Very different cars....

Para82

I've been going to a lot of HPDE lately and the 991 definitely got my attention at Sebring. I watched a novice driver move that car very fast. For a long time i've not liked the new bodystyle then I saw a white C4S with ducktail spoiler at Road Atlanta last weekend, looked damn good.

What options are a must on the 991? I know the Sport Exhaust is incredible.

Are there any issues/problems known?

///Malcontent

I went through this same decision point about the same time this thread was originally posted. Prices for 2012 997 Carrera GTS and 2012 991 Carrera S were roughly the same. The biggest hurdle was finding a GTS equipped as I wanted with full leather, adaptive seats and Alcantara delete. Yes, I was looking for a unicorn but I found one locally. Unfortunately, the owner is still in love with it.

I've driven both cars and now own a 2012 991 Carrera S and am extremely happy. Do I wonder "What if?" sometimes? Yes but here are my impressions and why the 991 is the better car for me.

- The car is a daily driver so the added room, quiet and comfort of the 991 are welcome. With PSE, PASM and Sport Chrono, the ability to make the car "more raw" at the push of a button is great.

- The 991 grips like a slot car. The wider front track, less rear biased weight distribution, PDCC and torque vectoring make this chassis amazing. No contest.

- The GTS center lock wheels weren't a deal breaker for me. I wasn't going to track the car and I'm mechanically inclined enough to deal with them.

- I found a 991 Carrera S equipped as I wanted, and then some, for roughly the same money as a comparable mileage GTS. Having ventilated adaptive seats is awesome. Some might pooh-pooh this feature but as a daily driver, I like having my cake and chilling it too.

- The 991 is just plain sexy. This is probably what sold me on the car: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=402692 The 997 is more "workmanlike". Ok, the 911 ethos is form follows function. Whatever, the 991 is a gorgeous car.

- The steering - they're not the same. The 997 wheel wiggles around in your hand and the 991 is more muted. Still, in comparison to a BMW, the 991 is communicative.

Larry Cable

wait for a 991GTS Joe ... problem solved!

Larry Cable

Sport Chrono if you want to track it ... maybe Sport PASM also ...

GlengarryGR

Arrival



Nervous



Nivana

GlengarryGR

Great old thread. Chuck911 hits the mark with his 997GTS profile. But goofballdeluxe outlines the exact reasons why I purchased a 997GTS after a year of consideration. Particularly the "limited run" point. But my decision was clear once I drove both back to back. The 991 variant is clearly a better engineered car, but the 997 is a bit more 911 to me. This one has the full leather interior (dash/doors). It has 11k miles. Now I just need to learn how to handle it.

GSIRM3

Congratulations on your 997 GTS. I owned a 2012 that looks almost identical to yours. I traded it about two years ago for my current 2015 991 GTS. They are both great cars, and you can't go wrong with either. I thought I would never get rid of my 997 GTS, but after having it for almost 4 years, I decided to jump to the 991 GTS. I had a manual in my 997 GTS and PDK in the 991 GTS.

They are both great, but I do think the 991 GTS is a better performing car. Not only does it seem to handle better with the new chassis, it also rides a little smother. Performance wise, the 991 GTS is superior, but the 997 GTS is a great performer also.

Enjoy your car.

GlengarryGR

Thanks GSIRM3; there is no question the 991 is superior...but I'll never get even close to either car's envelope. Maybe a few Autocross events but no tracking for me. Racing days are over for me (motorcycles). But I see myself holding onto this 997 GTS for many years. I don't see myself selling the 993 either, which is an MT. I went with PDK on the 997GTS. Like you said...great thing about Porsche; can't go wrong with either decision. I do know this...the 991 (non GTS) did remind me a bit of our family Cayenne inside. So if I ever go 991; GTS will be the route for me. I like your jump from a 997GTS to a 991GTS. Makes the entire debate mute! I looked a long time for the 997 GTS in white with the full leather interior. I see you stuck with white as well...

Old Guy

Had a 2011 Carrera GTS for almost 3 years. Fantastic automobile. Great at the track. BUT. BUT. When I decided to downsize the garage as in get rid of the concours '85 Carrera (that I hardly ever drove) and go with a single Carrera 911 my objective was to get a NEW Carrera with a MANUAL gearbox. Have you tried to order a manual 911 lately? The dealers do NOT want to take your order. But to my luck (Merry Christmas to Me!!) a local dealer had a Carrera manual gearbox they were dying to sell...in Lava Orange. Trust me: the color combo grows on you; I get nothing but compliments! Merry Christmas to Me!! So: the '85 and '11 are gone and I am a happy, happy camper with this new '17, 3 pedal Carrera. Put 100 miles on it today, if fact. Cat's meow. It seems smaller than the GTS, interestingly...and has MORE torque starting at 1700 rpm even if giving up bhp. So all in all, with the manual transmission, it is a MORE responsive ride than the '11 GTS. Bucket List?? All my life a NEW 911 was just beyond my financial reach. Finally with age 71 coming up in Jan '17 I said "what the Hell" and bought the car.

GlengarryGR

I've seen that Lava Orange but only in ads..love it. I would like to see it in person. One of the better colors ever. Isn't it a complete privilege/joy to drive your dream car? 100 miles in one day scratches that itch. I've driven it to work a few times so I've clocked about 20 miles on it. Then it snowed here in IL.

GregD

OOPS old thread, never mind..

Depends on your goals...

Love love love the 997 GTS... Looks, performance, everything...
Then I drove a 991 and it made the 997 feel like an oxcart. No joke. The increase in refinement is a quantum leap - and I don't mean I need a back massage, I mean just the tire noise for example... That always irritated me on 996/997s... gone in the 991 ! as a daily car, the 991. As a collector/weekend warrior, the 997GTS maybe.

My goal was to buy the last analog 911 and a GTS seemed to be it. But then the price difference was silly (big 997 premium) and the 991 turned out to be more car for less $, so I changed tack and now I get my "analog" kicks with my 72 instead...