997 GTS vs 991 GTS
02-14-2015, 03:19 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
997 GTS vs 991 GTS
Both are Porsche's best attempt for their respective generation. It almost seems like the 997 is more of a rare bird than the 991 is destined to be. Even though the 991 has just become available, it would be interesting to hear from folks who have experienced both or seen reviews comparing the two.
Jim
Jim
02-14-2015, 03:29 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
991 GTS is obviously a wonderful machine. But spending time in both cars, I am on the 997 side due to its intimacy. The 991 just seems A LOT larger. Even though it is technically not that much larger. The 997 just feels more raw, more visceral. I don't think it will be long before the 997 GTS becomes a holy grail car.
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ThomasCarreraGTS (09-01-2023)
02-14-2015, 03:46 PM
#3
Drifting
I just traded my 2012 997 GTS in on a 2015 991 GTS about three weeks ago. I can't give too much of a definitive comparison of the two cars because I have not had the 991 GTS long enough to really push it much. I am still obviously in the break-in period, and the weather has been cold enough around here that I haven't wanted to corner too aggressively with the cold, summer tires.
I also went from a manual to a PDK in the 991 GTS, so that in itself, is a big change. One that I might add, I like very much so far. Not trying to start a manual vs PDK debate, just commenting that I made that change after 7 previous 911's with manuals.
I think I can say that many of the comments that you have heard comparing the 997 to a 991 apply with the GTS versions also. The 997 GTS definitely had more of a "raw" feel to it, and the 991 GTS a little more GT like. That doesn't however mean that the 991 GTS is not a sports car. It is very much so, just more refined that the 997. The 991 is definitely smoother and quieter than the 997 GTS. The engine sound of the 991 GTS is a little better than the 997 GTS, but I thought the 997 GTS had a great sound with the power-kit engine and PSE.
I wish I could say more about the performance differences, but just don't have enough seat time to make a valid comparison yet. I loved my 997 GTS and kept it for longer than any car I have had in a long time, but I don't have any regrets about trading it for the 991 GTS. It is a fantastic car.
I also went from a manual to a PDK in the 991 GTS, so that in itself, is a big change. One that I might add, I like very much so far. Not trying to start a manual vs PDK debate, just commenting that I made that change after 7 previous 911's with manuals.
I think I can say that many of the comments that you have heard comparing the 997 to a 991 apply with the GTS versions also. The 997 GTS definitely had more of a "raw" feel to it, and the 991 GTS a little more GT like. That doesn't however mean that the 991 GTS is not a sports car. It is very much so, just more refined that the 997. The 991 is definitely smoother and quieter than the 997 GTS. The engine sound of the 991 GTS is a little better than the 997 GTS, but I thought the 997 GTS had a great sound with the power-kit engine and PSE.
I wish I could say more about the performance differences, but just don't have enough seat time to make a valid comparison yet. I loved my 997 GTS and kept it for longer than any car I have had in a long time, but I don't have any regrets about trading it for the 991 GTS. It is a fantastic car.
02-14-2015, 04:16 PM
#4
Drifting
I just ordered a GTS today. I have a tip for all you guys who feel like life is rushing by: order a car. The next 3 months of your life will feel like that September-to-Christmas period when you were in high school. 
I did this last March-May for another car, and I HATE it! 
Anyway, I have spent 3 hours test driving 991Ss now, and haven't yet done more than sit in a GTS. But the difference in former 997s (and my current 996 Turbo X50, which is similar in NVH to the 997) and these 991s I've been testing is undoubtedly the biggest leap chassis-wise Porsche has ever made in the 911 line. 993-996 was a big jump, but this is bigger.
The far stiffer chassis is going to behave differently. The taming of the intrusive road noise from the tires, particularly as they start to wear, really transforms the car. So does the reduction of porpoising over freeway expansion joints; I suspect this is the longer wheelbase, combined with the motor hanging off the rear end less, combined with active motor mounts. And finally, the bump steer when going over uneven pavement is dramatically, noticeably decreased.
Since I don't currently have a 997 I wasn't able to drive one back to back with the 991, but I did take my 996TT (25k miles on the car, 5k on the current OEM struts and springs and tires) and so I effectively drove them back to back. I am just in love with how much more "forged" the 991 chassis feels. Sure, bump steer and porpoising and tire noise could be considered part of the "hardcore" 911 experience, and if that's what you're looking for, the 997GTS may be the top of the heap, Carrera-wise. At least for a late-model.
But if you want a do-it-all car for touring, going out to dinner with your wife, or burning up the mountains, the 991 is hard to beat in my experience. And I suspect the GTS is just a really special version of the 991, at a good price. Funny I ordered a car without ever testing one, but I am going on faith that if I love an S, I'll love a GTS even more.
I did this last March-May for another car, and I HATE it! Anyway, I have spent 3 hours test driving 991Ss now, and haven't yet done more than sit in a GTS. But the difference in former 997s (and my current 996 Turbo X50, which is similar in NVH to the 997) and these 991s I've been testing is undoubtedly the biggest leap chassis-wise Porsche has ever made in the 911 line. 993-996 was a big jump, but this is bigger.
The far stiffer chassis is going to behave differently. The taming of the intrusive road noise from the tires, particularly as they start to wear, really transforms the car. So does the reduction of porpoising over freeway expansion joints; I suspect this is the longer wheelbase, combined with the motor hanging off the rear end less, combined with active motor mounts. And finally, the bump steer when going over uneven pavement is dramatically, noticeably decreased.
Since I don't currently have a 997 I wasn't able to drive one back to back with the 991, but I did take my 996TT (25k miles on the car, 5k on the current OEM struts and springs and tires) and so I effectively drove them back to back. I am just in love with how much more "forged" the 991 chassis feels. Sure, bump steer and porpoising and tire noise could be considered part of the "hardcore" 911 experience, and if that's what you're looking for, the 997GTS may be the top of the heap, Carrera-wise. At least for a late-model.
But if you want a do-it-all car for touring, going out to dinner with your wife, or burning up the mountains, the 991 is hard to beat in my experience. And I suspect the GTS is just a really special version of the 991, at a good price. Funny I ordered a car without ever testing one, but I am going on faith that if I love an S, I'll love a GTS even more.
02-14-2015, 04:21 PM
#5
Drifting
I just ordered a GTS today. I have a tip for all you guys who feel like life is rushing by: order a car. The next 3 months of your life will feel like that September-to-Christmas period when you were in high school. I did this last March-May for another car, and I HATE it!
Anyway, I have spent 3 hours test driving 991Ss now, and haven't yet done more than sit in a GTS. But the difference in former 997s (and my current 996 Turbo X50, which is similar in NVH to the 997) and these 991s I've been testing is undoubtedly the biggest leap chassis-wise Porsche has ever made in the 911 line. 993-996 was a big jump, but this is bigger.
The far stiffer chassis is going to behave differently. The taming of the intrusive road noise from the tires, particularly as they start to wear, really transforms the car. So does the reduction of porpoising over freeway expansion joints; I suspect this is the longer wheelbase, combined with the motor hanging off the rear end less, combined with active motor mounts. And finally, the bump steer when going over uneven pavement is dramatically, noticeably decreased.
Since I don't currently have a 997 I wasn't able to drive one back to back with the 991, but I did take my 996TT (25k miles on the car, 5k on the current OEM struts and springs and tires) and so I effectively drove them back to back. I am just in love with how much more "forged" the 991 chassis feels. Sure, bump steer and porpoising and tire noise could be considered part of the "hardcore" 911 experience, and if that's what you're looking for, the 997GTS may be the top of the heap, Carrera-wise. At least for a late-model.
But if you want a do-it-all car for touring, going out to dinner with your wife, or burning up the mountains, the 991 is hard to beat in my experience. And I suspect the GTS is just a really special version of the 991, at a good price. Funny I ordered a car without ever testing one, but I am going on faith that if I love an S, I'll love a GTS even more.
I did this last March-May for another car, and I HATE it! Anyway, I have spent 3 hours test driving 991Ss now, and haven't yet done more than sit in a GTS. But the difference in former 997s (and my current 996 Turbo X50, which is similar in NVH to the 997) and these 991s I've been testing is undoubtedly the biggest leap chassis-wise Porsche has ever made in the 911 line. 993-996 was a big jump, but this is bigger.
The far stiffer chassis is going to behave differently. The taming of the intrusive road noise from the tires, particularly as they start to wear, really transforms the car. So does the reduction of porpoising over freeway expansion joints; I suspect this is the longer wheelbase, combined with the motor hanging off the rear end less, combined with active motor mounts. And finally, the bump steer when going over uneven pavement is dramatically, noticeably decreased.
Since I don't currently have a 997 I wasn't able to drive one back to back with the 991, but I did take my 996TT (25k miles on the car, 5k on the current OEM struts and springs and tires) and so I effectively drove them back to back. I am just in love with how much more "forged" the 991 chassis feels. Sure, bump steer and porpoising and tire noise could be considered part of the "hardcore" 911 experience, and if that's what you're looking for, the 997GTS may be the top of the heap, Carrera-wise. At least for a late-model.
But if you want a do-it-all car for touring, going out to dinner with your wife, or burning up the mountains, the 991 is hard to beat in my experience. And I suspect the GTS is just a really special version of the 991, at a good price. Funny I ordered a car without ever testing one, but I am going on faith that if I love an S, I'll love a GTS even more.
02-14-2015, 05:03 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
I just ordered a GTS today. I have a tip for all you guys who feel like life is rushing by: order a car. The next 3 months of your life will feel like that September-to-Christmas period when you were in high school. I did this last March-May for another car, and I HATE it!
Anyway, I have spent 3 hours test driving 991Ss now, and haven't yet done more than sit in a GTS. But the difference in former 997s (and my current 996 Turbo X50, which is similar in NVH to the 997) and these 991s I've been testing is undoubtedly the biggest leap chassis-wise Porsche has ever made in the 911 line. 993-996 was a big jump, but this is bigger.
The far stiffer chassis is going to behave differently. The taming of the intrusive road noise from the tires, particularly as they start to wear, really transforms the car. So does the reduction of porpoising over freeway expansion joints; I suspect this is the longer wheelbase, combined with the motor hanging off the rear end less, combined with active motor mounts. And finally, the bump steer when going over uneven pavement is dramatically, noticeably decreased.
Since I don't currently have a 997 I wasn't able to drive one back to back with the 991, but I did take my 996TT (25k miles on the car, 5k on the current OEM struts and springs and tires) and so I effectively drove them back to back. I am just in love with how much more "forged" the 991 chassis feels. Sure, bump steer and porpoising and tire noise could be considered part of the "hardcore" 911 experience, and if that's what you're looking for, the 997GTS may be the top of the heap, Carrera-wise. At least for a late-model.
But if you want a do-it-all car for touring, going out to dinner with your wife, or burning up the mountains, the 991 is hard to beat in my experience. And I suspect the GTS is just a really special version of the 991, at a good price. Funny I ordered a car without ever testing one, but I am going on faith that if I love an S, I'll love a GTS even more.
I did this last March-May for another car, and I HATE it! Anyway, I have spent 3 hours test driving 991Ss now, and haven't yet done more than sit in a GTS. But the difference in former 997s (and my current 996 Turbo X50, which is similar in NVH to the 997) and these 991s I've been testing is undoubtedly the biggest leap chassis-wise Porsche has ever made in the 911 line. 993-996 was a big jump, but this is bigger.
The far stiffer chassis is going to behave differently. The taming of the intrusive road noise from the tires, particularly as they start to wear, really transforms the car. So does the reduction of porpoising over freeway expansion joints; I suspect this is the longer wheelbase, combined with the motor hanging off the rear end less, combined with active motor mounts. And finally, the bump steer when going over uneven pavement is dramatically, noticeably decreased.
Since I don't currently have a 997 I wasn't able to drive one back to back with the 991, but I did take my 996TT (25k miles on the car, 5k on the current OEM struts and springs and tires) and so I effectively drove them back to back. I am just in love with how much more "forged" the 991 chassis feels. Sure, bump steer and porpoising and tire noise could be considered part of the "hardcore" 911 experience, and if that's what you're looking for, the 997GTS may be the top of the heap, Carrera-wise. At least for a late-model.
But if you want a do-it-all car for touring, going out to dinner with your wife, or burning up the mountains, the 991 is hard to beat in my experience. And I suspect the GTS is just a really special version of the 991, at a good price. Funny I ordered a car without ever testing one, but I am going on faith that if I love an S, I'll love a GTS even more.
tick ... tock ... tick ... tock ... tick ... tock ... are we there yet?
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02-14-2015, 05:32 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
02-14-2015, 05:33 PM
#10
Drifting
2800 miles.
02-14-2015, 05:34 PM
#11
Drifting
02-14-2015, 05:39 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
Nope, standard color for me and metallic color for Larry. It will be at least 5 months from order to delivery. Almost three of that was waiting for my order to lock. Looking at the GT3 forum (Who's stuck in Emden) has me worried about delays in shipment that could push the total time to 6 or 7 months 
02-14-2015, 05:54 PM
#13
Drifting
02-14-2015, 05:56 PM
#14
Instructor
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: South Africa
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My order locked around the first week of Jan, ordered November and build was completed yesterday - yip - Friday the 13th build. Car is waiting for a ship and then headed South. Hope to take delivery in the next 3-6 weeks. I think I am over the hump and hopefully all down hill from here.
Test drove a 991S and 997GTS back to back. 991 felt more mid-engined to me and more connected. Both beautiful cars, however pulled the trigger on the 991.
Test drove a 991S and 997GTS back to back. 991 felt more mid-engined to me and more connected. Both beautiful cars, however pulled the trigger on the 991.
02-14-2015, 08:05 PM
#15
Rennlist Member
Nope, standard color for me and metallic color for Larry. It will be at least 5 months from order to delivery. Almost three of that was waiting for my order to lock. Looking at the GT3 forum (Who's stuck in Emden) has me worried about delays in shipment that could push the total time to 6 or 7 months
