Queen: "I'm in love with my car"

 

The one thing I've noticed and its probably the most noticeable difference between the 997 and 991 is ride quality. Where my 997 feels somewhat rough (you can certainly feel Toronto's roads underneath) the 991 is a bit more compliant and you certainly don't feel the road surface as much.

 

Almost all the feedback here revolves around performance and technical advances and I'm bewildered that the looks of the car is hardly ever mentioned as a consideration. For me, I can't drop 130K on a car I don't like to looks of, no matter how it performs. This is the first 911 that looks better to me from up front than from behind. I really like the 3/4 view of the front end but I just go cold when stepping behind it.

Wonder if the dude who drew the 996 didn't play at least a small role in the 991 design. Some of the pretty body curves of the 997 have been flattened out just like the 993 curves were almost completely neutralized with the 996. Add the 20" wheels and the tall stance along with the shorter overall height and it's just a very different, bigger looking car than the 997 no matter what the actual measurements are. A 991 4S at the dealer last week sort of bucked the trend I'll say. It was lowered with wheel spacers and had a factory duck tail. Subtle mods but it pulled the package together to my eyes. Made the car look a bit more compact and fluid.

 

The 991 is a more comfortable car to me, but there is something sill cool and funky about the 997 that feels more sporty to me and less of a GT car that I like. If I had to pick a single every day driver sports car I would pick the 991 since it does everything well, if I had to pick a fun weekend sports car that is more contrasting to what I drive all week to work, it would be the 997..

 

All interesting perspectives. Here is mine.

I've owned a C4S 996 MT SPASM, C2S 997.1 MT SPAM and now 991 C4s PDK, PDDC, SPASM in addition have been on track in 996 GT3s, 997GT3s, Caymans, Cup cars etc. Each car had characteristic both desirable and undesirable, but, one thing I have noticed is that in each iteration, the car has become more refined. There is less of a visceral / raw nature to the car, but yet the performance improves incrementally. Some may appreciate this refinement or not, to each their own, there is no right answer here, but I'll take the 991 over the 997.

In my opinion, I think the folks who prefer the 997 over the 991 are reacting to the visceral thrills of a VERY slightly more raw car. I'm getting older, so a more comfortable and refined performance car lacking a small amount of that visceral excitement suits me fine. Again, just my opinion so please no flames. Frankly, if you want to try something super fun, inexpensive and more visceral, try a spec miata HA HA.

In summary for me for the three generations of 911 that I have owned, each has embodied that refinement of the design which Porsche believes to be the evolution of the car. I think they are on the right track and I will continue to support a company which has brought to market such an incredible car!

 

Nope. My GTS is better than my 997 was in every way. Can't think of a single reason that my 2008 997 is better than my new GTS… other than that it was cheaper to buy.

 

I am glad to see this thread revived now that the 991 has been out 3-4 yrs and the GTS is available. I have been hesitant to get rid of my 997 but now have a GTS on order.
Jim

 

I had three 997's, my last being a 2012 GTS that I loved. I wasn't sure I would ever get rid of that car. I traded it about four months ago on my 991 GTS. I still like the 997 GTS a lot, but the 991 GTS is better in every way, at least to me.

 

I have a new GTS and before that a 991 S. My neighbor has a beautiful 997 Targa that I have driven many times. I can tell you that the fit and finish of the interior was embarrassing on that car compared to the 991. That, along with the rough ride, road noise and rattles make it no contest.

 

Funny how different people are, I had a 991 and sold it for a 997.2 because I prefer the more spartan, simpler interior. But there is no argument that the 991 is leagues ahead in terms of style and design, I just prefer the slightly cramped cabin feel better. I also like the rougher and busier ride.

Having said that I drive a Cayenne as a daily driver, the 997 is purely a toy.

 

I didn't like my 991 until I bought a 993. The 991 and 997 are completely different cars. To me the 997.2 is a proper sports car and the 991 is a "sporty GT"

If I am driving on Sundays I'd go with the 997 but for a daily driver the 991 is far superior. As to the looks; every girl I've shown both prefers the looks of the 991

On the same token; I wouldn't be caught dead at a Porsche meet in a M97 equipped 997.1 or should I say the 996.3

 

Drove my friends 1983 911 SC today back to back with my car. Wow, Porsche has come a long ways in a relatively short 30 years. I have enjoyed all 6 previous 911s and each had it's merits and compromises. The 991 is an awesome car. So was the 997 and 996 and so on. The dna is so obvious that it cracks me up to read this thread. Drive what you have and enjoy it. No one knows what tomorrow brings.

 

I went from a RSA (964) to the 991...still trying to get used to it.

 

High speed stability is something that was a little lacking in the 997. The rear suspension always felt a little loose going into turns. There was about two inches of play in the rear suspension before settling into a turn. It also felt floaty to me and not as planted at high speed.

The chassis of the 991 is leaps ahead of my previous 997.2. The 991 feels more mid engine to me. There is still a slight give in the rear suspension that I don't like but with sport plus it's almost fully eliminated. At high speed it's very planted and give great confidence. The transition into over steer is also better manageable and one can easily predict when the tires are going to let loose.
The 997 wasn't as predictable and also felt easier to spin once traction was lost.

Throttle steering is a breeze in the 991. Just about anybody can drive it fast. The only thing that suffers in the 991 and more so in the 997 is it's turn in ability on tight turns. It tends to plow or under-steer, but only seems to be an issue on large sweeping turns. Where trail breaking can't be induced.
While I do still miss the allure of the 997 for it's 80's look and simplicity. I wouldn't be going back any time soon. The 991 is a real substantial improvement. Kudos to Porsche for always improving on perfection.

 

Had both 997 Cab and now 991 Cab...991 is the best Porsche so far..