Base Carrera vs Carrera S
#31
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Putting aside money and HP gain, you have to decide how much envy and jealousy matter to you. Do you care that many folks on these forums go for the S? Do you want to have that S on your car's rear or on decals? Do you want the red brake calipers?
When I bought my 997, the S was ~$10K more and you got the larger lobster fork wheels, the sport steering wheel, PASM, Xenon lights, silver tach...and a bump in HP. It was my first 911 so I got the C2 with Xenon lights and the sport steering wheel.
I find the 997 C2 a hoot with plenty of grunt and torque and it's official 0-60 is 0.8 seconds slower than the 992 C2. In terms of HP gains, the 992 should be just fine for you. Still, we have a Tesla 3 Sport and it outpowers all of these cars so just don't try to do any stoplight races with one of those ;-).
When I bought my 997, the S was ~$10K more and you got the larger lobster fork wheels, the sport steering wheel, PASM, Xenon lights, silver tach...and a bump in HP. It was my first 911 so I got the C2 with Xenon lights and the sport steering wheel.
I find the 997 C2 a hoot with plenty of grunt and torque and it's official 0-60 is 0.8 seconds slower than the 992 C2. In terms of HP gains, the 992 should be just fine for you. Still, we have a Tesla 3 Sport and it outpowers all of these cars so just don't try to do any stoplight races with one of those ;-).
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992wannabe (02-19-2023)
#32
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Put your ego aside and drive the Carrera over atleast a 30 minute period, preferably an hour. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll find that it’s more than fast enough for your needs. Drive the Carrera S as well as be honest with yourself and ask the question, is the additional performance of the S justifiable vs the Carrera?
#33
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I test drove both back to back a couple of times.
For me...the Base was far more engaging and fun to drive.
The Base engine is more responsive. Throttle response is practically immediate and the power delivery is linear.
The S engine takes a split second longer to respond...definitely more turbo lag. It’s noticeable. Then it slingshots you forward like a bat out of hell. It’s super fast but not as fun.
You don’t get to experience the acceleration as much with the S.
I like to dart/pass in and around traffic. The turbo lag in the S made this not as fun. The base provides a much closer experience to the “instant torque” of electric cars.
I much prefer the Base...which still pulls very hard and is extremely quick.
I have the budget to buy either one...I’m choosing the Base.
For me...the Base was far more engaging and fun to drive.
The Base engine is more responsive. Throttle response is practically immediate and the power delivery is linear.
The S engine takes a split second longer to respond...definitely more turbo lag. It’s noticeable. Then it slingshots you forward like a bat out of hell. It’s super fast but not as fun.
You don’t get to experience the acceleration as much with the S.
I like to dart/pass in and around traffic. The turbo lag in the S made this not as fun. The base provides a much closer experience to the “instant torque” of electric cars.
I much prefer the Base...which still pulls very hard and is extremely quick.
I have the budget to buy either one...I’m choosing the Base.
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#34
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Sports Chrono also gets you Sports Plus mode and dynamic engine mounts.
The aggressive throttle blip downshifts in Sports Plus mode with the PDK are fantastic and totally necessary for when I don’t feel like shifting manually.
When I drove a car without Sports Chrono in regular Sport mode, the aggressive downshifts were missing. It’s not the same.
The aggressive throttle blip downshifts in Sports Plus mode with the PDK are fantastic and totally necessary for when I don’t feel like shifting manually.
When I drove a car without Sports Chrono in regular Sport mode, the aggressive downshifts were missing. It’s not the same.
#35
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Drove them both bought the Carrera my 3rd porsche 911
I drive my cars I don’t race them, I enjoy them as gt cars
And the Carrera is always fast enough as well as comfortable
I drive my cars I don’t race them, I enjoy them as gt cars
And the Carrera is always fast enough as well as comfortable
Last edited by EMT1; 02-22-2021 at 10:20 AM. Reason: None
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KLOC (04-01-2023)
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michael818 (02-22-2021)
#37
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These conversations always seem to address the power delta between the base and the S which is roughly 60 square. The 60 some HP becomes a factor in the upper range of the rpm band but the 60 ft lbs of torque is there where the engine runs the majority of the time and is a near 20% bump for the S. This along with a few other S items makes a strong case for the upgrade. The choice for me is simple as I am a manual buyer.
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#38
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Also...flooring to kick down gears takes longer to respond than the Base.
I was incredibly disappointed with the S because of the lag. Went in with such high expectations since I drove the Base first, which blew me away.
I drove 2 different S cars back to back with the base and the results were the same both times.
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Mercuriell (03-12-2023)
#39
#40
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Not true. The additional lag in the S is noticeable, especially when trying to dart in and out of traffic.
Also...flooring to kick down gears takes longer to respond than the Base.
I was incredibly disappointed with the S because of the lag. Went in with such high expectations since I drove the Base first, which blew me away.
I drove 2 different S cars back to back with the base and the results were the same both times.
Also...flooring to kick down gears takes longer to respond than the Base.
I was incredibly disappointed with the S because of the lag. Went in with such high expectations since I drove the Base first, which blew me away.
I drove 2 different S cars back to back with the base and the results were the same both times.
But the S also "kicks" out more power and I figured that would compensate for the heavier turbos. Wouldn't the exhaust stream be more powerful from the S, and thus make up the difference?
And did you drive in Sport Plus mode? Turbo lag is minimal when I'm driving in Sport Plus
Last edited by Tupper; 02-22-2021 at 10:43 AM.
#41
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Not true. The additional lag in the S is noticeable, especially when trying to dart in and out of traffic.
Also...flooring to kick down gears takes longer to respond than the Base.
I was incredibly disappointed with the S because of the lag. Went in with such high expectations since I drove the Base first, which blew me away.
I drove 2 different S cars back to back with the base and the results were the same both times.
Also...flooring to kick down gears takes longer to respond than the Base.
I was incredibly disappointed with the S because of the lag. Went in with such high expectations since I drove the Base first, which blew me away.
I drove 2 different S cars back to back with the base and the results were the same both times.
Last edited by michael818; 02-22-2021 at 11:11 AM.
#42
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This video, though it’s for the 991.2, states the same thing. The Base engine is more responsive. The same applies to the 992 in my opinion.
https://youtu.be/X1O7XgcOVrU
https://youtu.be/X1O7XgcOVrU
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smiles11 (02-22-2021)
#43
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Not true. The additional lag in the S is noticeable, especially when trying to dart in and out of traffic.
Also...flooring to kick down gears takes longer to respond than the Base.
I was incredibly disappointed with the S because of the lag. Went in with such high expectations since I drove the Base first, which blew me away.
I drove 2 different S cars back to back with the base and the results were the same both times.
Also...flooring to kick down gears takes longer to respond than the Base.
I was incredibly disappointed with the S because of the lag. Went in with such high expectations since I drove the Base first, which blew me away.
I drove 2 different S cars back to back with the base and the results were the same both times.
#44
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I had a 997. It was plenty fast for me. I loved it. But... in the back of my mind was a little voice that kept thinking I shoulda got the S. It was mostly when I wasn’t actually driving the car, but it was there. And then, over time and when you’re used to the speed such that it doesn’t feel as fast as when you bought it (this always happens to me) the doubt becomes real and then you starting wondering again.
Point is this. If it’s your first 911 and you can afford the S then get the S. Otherwise you will always wonder.
Point is this. If it’s your first 911 and you can afford the S then get the S. Otherwise you will always wonder.
Last edited by Gripster; 02-22-2021 at 11:19 AM.
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#45
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Anyone saying the S has more turbo-lag over a base is just a product of confirmation bias. This no longer applies to the 992 generation. FTR - I’ve owned both.
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