cmb13

I was inspired to start this thread after perusing the 991 v Cayman debate.

I don't know about you, but my 991 is the PERFECT family car. Put me down in the "I use my back seats" camp. In fact, I carpool with it. My kids are 9 and 11, neighbors have 10 and 13 yr olds, another neighborhood kid is 12. Depending on where and which school I'm going to, I have 1-3 kids in my car at least 3 times a week.

The 991 has taken over the role of the family vehicle. The kids walk right past the e350 wagon to my car when we go out to dinner. They love getting in it, riding in it, and getting out of it. And I love taking an S-bend, dropping it down into 2nd or 3rd, and gently pushing it to 5-6 k.

Fringe benefit - the 11 year old son, usually too cool for me, is happy to ride to school with me now! He loves putting his backpack in the front trunk and getting it out on the car line!

Hammer911

Glad it's working for you...enjoy it while it lasts! None of my boys (15, 15, 13) fit in the back of my car anymore (youngest/shortest is 5'8.) Older boys are at the point of being off doing their own thing, will be driving in a year. They are all at the point where the 4runner is their dream car.

mrstep

Absolutely. I know some people don't use the rear seats, but if I say "who wants to go to the grocery store", I now get asked "which car?" and suddenly have company. Dropping off for girl scouts, going to soccer practice, etc. - I can have fun driving there and the kids clearly prefer riding in the Porsche (i.e. 'cool car') too. I might not want to ever try sitting in back, but my kids will choose that over having more room in the SUV. (10,11,13 - 13 is 5'9" and has to crunch in back, the others are fine.)

The 911's are awesome sports cars and much more family friendly than the alternatives.

And yes, the front trunk is fun for mine as well.

Hammer911

Ok you guys - now you need to train the kids to call it the "frunk."

mrstep

We do call it that, though of course the question I have is whether it was always 'frunk' or if that was just coined for the Tesla. I guess maybe 'frunk' wasn't specifically needed for the 911 because there's no back trunk anyway, but it's certainly a more fun/descriptive name.

mtbscott

I always dismissed the rear seats until I owned one. It creates a more "airy" cabin that feels less claustrophobic and increases rear quarter visibility. Great place for extra storage, seats up or down, when it's just one or two in the car.
And I've had a couple of 13-14 year old cycling teammates ride in the back. Whatever discomfort they felt roomwise was made up for by getting to ride in the "cool car." I think the rear seat adds a lot to the utility of the car.

kimf70

When I lived in Los Angeles 10 + years ago, my girlfriend (wife now) and I took my boss out for dinner and ended up going clubbing afterwards. He had way too much fun (ETOH) and I had to literally throw him in the back of my 997. The size of the back seats worked well and almost locked him in place. I think that is the only time I used the backseats for transporting a human being. The entire drive, I was praying that he doesnt repaint the back seats with his dinner.

slickster85

Anyone know how much more room there is in the back of a 991 compared to the 997?

bernpep

According to the internet, the 997 has 3.7 cubic feet while the 991 has 4.7 cubic feet of space.

Hammer911

I don't know the specific numbers, but i can tell you from practical application it feels identical. My golf clubs in a carry bag fit laid across the seating area exactly as they did in my 997. That was all I needed to know!

slickster85

That's what I was looking for, I know the numbers are more, but didn't know if it really made a difference.

911Jetta

Me too!

My kids and their cousins....
I use the back seats all the time in my 964. I even stuff my bicycle in the backseat and go ride in the mountains.

LonnieR

Let's face it, the best family car with performance is a Panamara GTS. Now we're talking comfort for 4 easily and performance like a 991.
I originally did not like the Panamara's shape. That is, until my son bought one. I had a chance to spend some time with him and the car. What an experience!. Only issue is PDK and no 7 speed option like in Europe.

cmb13

The mid cycle revision should be interesting. Especially that station wagon concept I saw - that looks hot!

mrstep

I actually like the Panamera's shape, it's a great performance sedan, but... it still only seats 4 and, as you mention, has no MT. Oh, and despite the enormity of the 991 ( ), the Panamera is larger than our SUV. Classic rear-engine sports car, 4 seats, MT, fantastic styling - the 991 was the clear choice for me, anyway.

But IMO 'best family car' is about the fact that it's a sports car that's actually usable for a (young) family. I was just commenting to the kids that there's it's a paradox - I want to drive the 911 all the time, but it isn't big enough for all 5 of us (even if the Panamera had a bench in back) - but any car that's big enough just wouldn't have me wanting to be out driving it all the time. So yes, the Panamera would be more comfortable in the rear seats, but it wouldn't have me doing completely pointless drives just to be out driving it.