Base Carrera vs Carrera S
03-18-2021, 12:11 PM
#106
Rennlist Member
The S torque “spike” shown on the dyno chart is what I’m feeling that I don’t care for in day-to-day street use. It makes the car a bit too frenetic compared to the base, where the power comes on in a more linear fashion that is a bit more tame, thus making the base a more enjoyable car for me to drive with moderate throttle input. To use a horse metaphor, the S is always champing at the bit, eager to bolt at the slightest throttle input. Coupled with SPASM - which all the S 992s I've driven have had - it's just not as well-calibrated for everyday/all use scenarios as my base on PASM suspension, especially given the condition of roads here and the fact that winter lasts from November to April.
Last edited by gcurnew; 03-18-2021 at 12:34 PM.
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03-18-2021, 12:54 PM
#107
Rennlist Member
No offense taken. There is no logical argument for a Turbo S, let's be honest. It's a ridiculous thing to get as a daily driver.
If you're wanting a manual, then your question is answered quite simply - GT3 or Carrera S.
It's true that you can't fully exploit a TT/S on the street, but of course you can't do that with a Carrera S either. You might be surprised that even at legal speeds, there is a meaningful difference between the Turbo/S and Carrera S. That said, there is no doubt the Carrera S is plenty fast.
As far as Turbo vs Turbo S -- I originally had a base Turbo on order. I really wanted PCCBs and that alone makes the Turbo S the only real option. Also, by the time I upgraded the Turbo to the spec I wanted, it ended up including $20,000 worth of options that came free on a Turbo S - wheels/lights/seats/trim. At that point, I was about $15k away from a TTS. Even then, I was struggling to keep the Turbo budget below some imaginary line that I didn't want to cross for fear of losing the one advantage the base Turbo gives you -- value. At that point, I gave up and committed. Of course now, I'm diving into the PTS weeds and the budget is way above where it was when I first started. Slippery slope....
If you're wanting a manual, then your question is answered quite simply - GT3 or Carrera S.
It's true that you can't fully exploit a TT/S on the street, but of course you can't do that with a Carrera S either. You might be surprised that even at legal speeds, there is a meaningful difference between the Turbo/S and Carrera S. That said, there is no doubt the Carrera S is plenty fast.
As far as Turbo vs Turbo S -- I originally had a base Turbo on order. I really wanted PCCBs and that alone makes the Turbo S the only real option. Also, by the time I upgraded the Turbo to the spec I wanted, it ended up including $20,000 worth of options that came free on a Turbo S - wheels/lights/seats/trim. At that point, I was about $15k away from a TTS. Even then, I was struggling to keep the Turbo budget below some imaginary line that I didn't want to cross for fear of losing the one advantage the base Turbo gives you -- value. At that point, I gave up and committed. Of course now, I'm diving into the PTS weeds and the budget is way above where it was when I first started. Slippery slope....
10-24-2022, 01:16 PM
#108
Rennlist Member
This is an interesting old thread for me to read now that I have an 911T on order. The debate of T vs S is a little heated, but this thread has a lot of positive points on why the T will be such a good car for street and spirited back road driving. (Says the guy with allocation #1 at his local dealership 
)
)
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10-24-2022, 04:28 PM
#110
Pro
This is where personal driving style comes into play. I am never in an rpm steady state below 2500 rpm. Anything less is, to me, lugging. Habit comes from driving motorcycles I guess…
10-24-2022, 08:02 PM
#111
The best 911 there is is the one you currently or will own.
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10-24-2022, 08:19 PM
#112
Any non-TT/non-GT 992 is a base in my book since on the road there is little to no difference between them. I bought a C2S as a daily driver but with hindsight would trade the extra, on paper, performance for additional tech/luxury options I would actually use.
10-25-2022, 01:22 AM
#113
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Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Orange County California
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Try a Lexus?
10-25-2022, 11:22 AM
#114
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Speaking in general, I already encounter a lot of people driving 911’s slowly and boringly as it is. I feel like, at least in many cases, there is a misalignment between the expectations of buyers and the product itself.
10-25-2022, 11:39 AM
#115
After more than a half century of driving I know one thing for sure about myself--if I had a base instead of an S, I would always wish I had the S regardless of how good the base was.
10-25-2022, 12:00 PM
#117
If it came with a stick, the answer is yes. In anticipation of your next question-do I wish you got a GTS-the answer is probably. But the wait for an S is long enough (getting it hopefully in December) and the fact I do not want some of the options that the GTS has plus the power difference is not that big should mitigate any buyer's remorse. The GT models are too long a wait and I like response at lower revs.
Last edited by Staffie Guy; 10-25-2022 at 12:01 PM.
10-25-2022, 12:06 PM
#118
10-25-2022, 12:09 PM
#119
Burning Brakes
https://www.topspeed.com/why-the-bas...ull-ever-need/
Bottom line, no one version of 911 is "the best", different tools for different jobs. I wouldn't want to daily a GT3RS and I wouldn't choose a Base as a 'Ring taxi.
My observation is for every person that buys a Base and finds they need the extra performance of an S, there are about a dozen people who buy an S and never drive it in a way that would distinguish it from the performance of a Base.
Bottom line, no one version of 911 is "the best", different tools for different jobs. I wouldn't want to daily a GT3RS and I wouldn't choose a Base as a 'Ring taxi.
My observation is for every person that buys a Base and finds they need the extra performance of an S, there are about a dozen people who buy an S and never drive it in a way that would distinguish it from the performance of a Base.
Last edited by remington; 10-25-2022 at 01:54 PM.
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10-25-2022, 12:19 PM
#120
I had the previous Carrera T when I was in Cali and it was a superlative car. Also, coming from exclusively NA Porsches, it never felt “turboey” to me. It was a joy to drive but then again the canyons above Malibu provide for some pretty spectacular driving. I think I preferred it to the 991.2 4S Cab I had when I was in Miami. The T felt a little more dialed in and direct. Then again the roads in Florida are fairly straight and uninspiring so that may have played a part as well. Bottom line both great cars but there was nothing in the 4S that I felt I was missing in the T except the drop top.
Now if only Miami had some mountains in the background. It would be pretty close to perfect.
Now if only Miami had some mountains in the background. It would be pretty close to perfect.
Last edited by Underblu; 10-25-2022 at 12:20 PM.