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I'm currently driving an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (QV). It is the most engaging car I've driven, but due to some issues I may be looking to get out of it. I was originally set on moving to a 992 4S until I drove one and found the experience lacking.
I wanted to share my experience driving a 2021 992 4S (PDK), 2016 991 Turbo (PDK), and the Quadrifoglio to get some advice: Based on my subjective and prioritized first impressions below, are there any other model years or trims of Porsche I should consider driving?
Thank you!
1. Steering:
991 (win): light, quick, communicative, precise - best overall steering
992: precise like the 991, but much less communicative, slower, and heavier
QV: lightest and quickest steering of the bunch, close to the 991, but not as communicative
2. Torque, Acceleration:
991 (win): strong torque through all revs. Feels zippy at all speeds, including under 60 MPH. Surprisingly does not require high speed to enjoy, but occasionally loses traction
992: least zippy of the bunch. Most machine like. Requires higher revs, higher speeds, and travelling through more of the rev range to get the same feeling as the other two cars. But it is the most glued to the road at all times.
QV: similar feeling to 991 Turbo at lower revs but turbo leaves it behind at higher revs/speed. Being RWD, it likes to slide more than the others which can be fun
3. Throttle Response:
991: more sensitive than 992, less sensitive than QV
992: least sensitive
QV (win): most sensitive, most fun
4. Chassis:
991 (win):Feels lightest. Stiff but pliable, allowing you to feel the road and a sensation of carving through corners more than the others.
992: Feels heaviest and most clinical to the point where it mutes G forces. Zero body roll. Comfier ride than the 991
QV: Somewhere in between the 991 and 992 in feeling of weight, but not as stiff as the other two.
5. Transmission:
991: quick and engaging. Jolts you slightly through shifts
992: shifts feel like non-events. They just happen instantly and without any drama
QV (win): slower, but jolting shifts from the ZF accompanied by fantastic exhaust pops. Less refined than the others but subjectively the most fun to me
6. Interior / Tech:
991: Not very attractive. I think Car Play from the 2017+ models would be necessary to enjoy it, especially for a passenger.
992 (win): Big step up, very premium feeling, great tech.
QV: most streamlined interior and similar in design to the 992. Average tech, but has Car Play. Obviously the most space.
7. Exhaust:
991: Sounds good, loud, crackles and pops - really wails at higher revs
992: Like the 991 but more subdued
QV (win): best sounding exhaust in my opinion, with a deeper tone, exhaust pops on gear shifts. No crackles and pops otherwise.
Comparing 992 C2S, 991.1 TT, GT4 and M2C on your parameters I’d also put the 991.TT on top, fit, finish, form and function is beautiful outside and in. Although i was concerned about a 6 year old car, If it’s been garaged and cared for it’s still like a 6 month old car cosmetically. Lack of CarPlay I thought would be a bind but Bluetooth linking for music and a phone mount to use Waze covers most of that. Always loved bathe style and fun of the Alfas but reliability and rust would put me off having one as a keeper.
Last edited by Mercuriell; 05-02-2021 at 08:31 PM.
Thanks everyone. So it seems the power of the TT is the key factor - I was wondering if a 991 or 997 C2S or C4S might give me enough of the same overall driving dynamics of a TT. Too bad inventory is so low and price so high. Will keep looking! Or just buy another Quadrifoglio
Thanks everyone. So it seems the power of the TT is the key factor - I was wondering if a 991 or 997 C2S or C4S might give me enough of the same overall driving dynamics of a TT. Too bad inventory is so low and price so high. Will keep looking! Or just buy another Quadrifoglio
Was in a similar boat, was looking for a 992 C4S and took one out for an extensive test drive.
Upon our return they had a 991.2 TT with 1500 miles on the clock he suggested we go out for a comparison.
Have you driven 981/718 cars? Boxster/Cayman? They are much lighter and more fun IMO. Cargo space is also bigger then in 911. You just have to live without two rear seats made for small dwarfs
I've owned 19 Alfa's over a 40 year period, and driven plenty of modern ones like 916 GTV V6's and 156's. To me the Giulia QV is really the spiritual descendent of the 156 GTA and 147 GTA. Unfortunately that generation of Alfa's never came to the States but they are very similar with big engines, fast steering, stiff suspension, body hugging interior etc. Great cars that shout passion but ultimately somewhat flawed, which you either learn to live with or pretend doesn't exist. It's a bit unfair to say they are more about instant gratification than a non-GT 911 but I think to some extent that's true.
A modern non-GT 911 on the other hand grows on you over time and likewise you grow into it. Item by item you can say one car is better or worse than the other but the thing about a 911 is that it's a complete package and supremely competent. Which is somewhat obvious after a short drive but really only sinks in after you've owned and driven them regularly for a while.
Funny thing is though, older Alfa's from the 60's and 70's were like the 911's. Many of us have owned those cars for literally decades and to this day never tire of getting behind the wheel of one.
Have you driven 981/718 cars? Boxster/Cayman? They are much lighter and more fun IMO. Cargo space is also bigger then in 911. You just have to live without two rear seats made for small dwarfs
When you count the back seat storage area, the 911 has more cargo space than the Boxster or Cayman. I wouldn’t say that the midengine engine cars are “much lighter” when the weight difference is on the order of 100lbs.
I seriously considered a Boxster S before getting the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider instead, which happens to be 1,000lbs lighter than a Boxster.
The Boxster/Cayman are great cars, but even the GT4 gets slotted below the 992 Carrera S by journalists like Motor Trend’s Jonny Lieberman.
With regards to fun, there are folks have an easier time tossing around a less expensive car. There are some 911 owners that are a little more gingerly and cautious, because they are driving a $150k+ car. It’s probably a reality for many owners. Those owners might be happier with a Cayman or Boxster if it made them less uptight about the experience — hence, more fun. A 911 is best enjoyed when you treat it like a regular car.
Just giving OP another thing to consider. Who knows what he's looking for in his next sports car, progressing from 4 door sedan... It sure looks like he's not sure himself.
The way I see it - exactly, modern 991,992s are the beasts, and 981/718s are less serious and more fun. The weight difference between 992 and boxster can be 200lbs+, according to internet, and while you can use rear seats area for storage, it's not as convenient to throw there groceries and garden supplies And whatever journalists says about GT4, a lot of people with money who actually BUY cars will and do choose it over other beasts. It looks like the only Porsche you can make money on resale
Originally Posted by detansinn
When you count the back seat storage area, the 911 has more cargo space than the Boxster or Cayman. I wouldn’t say that the midengine engine cars are “much lighter” when the weight difference is on the order of 100lbs.
I seriously considered a Boxster S before getting the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider instead, which happens to be 1,000lbs lighter than a Boxster.
The Boxster/Cayman are great cars, but even the GT4 gets slotted below the 992 Carrera S by journalists like Motor Trend’s Jonny Lieberman.
With regards to fun, there are folks have an easier time tossing around a less expensive car. There are some 911 owners that are a little more gingerly and cautious, because they are driving a $150k+ car. It’s probably a reality for many owners. Those owners might be happier with a Cayman or Boxster if it made them less uptight about the experience — hence, more fun. A 911 is best enjoyed when you treat it like a regular car.
Just giving OP another thing to consider. Who knows what he's looking for in his next sports car, progressing from 4 door sedan... It sure looks like he's not sure himself.
The way I see it - exactly, modern 991,992s are the beasts, and 981/718s are less serious and more fun. The weight difference between 992 and boxster can be 200lbs+, according to internet, and while you can use rear seats area for storage, it's not as convenient to throw there groceries and garden supplies And whatever journalists says about GT4, a lot of people with money who actually BUY cars will and do choose it over other beasts. It looks like the only Porsche you can make money on resale
Thanks. I’m looking for a car that best addresses the priorities I listed in my original post, all but one of them (interior/tech) related to driving dynamics/experience. The rear seats in my Quadrifoglio get used maybe 1-2% of the time I drive it. The 911 has the advantage of two semi-usable rear seats for the rare occasions passengers will need them, or more commonly for storage. I will test drive a 718 to see how it compares with the others.
I've owned 19 Alfa's over a 40 year period, and driven plenty of modern ones like 916 GTV V6's and 156's. To me the Giulia QV is really the spiritual descendent of the 156 GTA and 147 GTA. Unfortunately that generation of Alfa's never came to the States but they are very similar with big engines, fast steering, stiff suspension, body hugging interior etc. Great cars that shout passion but ultimately somewhat flawed, which you either learn to live with or pretend doesn't exist. It's a bit unfair to say they are more about instant gratification than a non-GT 911 but I think to some extent that's true.
A modern non-GT 911 on the other hand grows on you over time and likewise you grow into it. Item by item you can say one car is better or worse than the other but the thing about a 911 is that it's a complete package and supremely competent. Which is somewhat obvious after a short drive but really only sinks in after you've owned and driven them regularly for a while.
Funny thing is though, older Alfa's from the 60's and 70's were like the 911's. Many of us have owned those cars for literally decades and to this day never tire of getting behind the wheel of one.
This is great advice - thank you. My driving style has certainly adapted to what the Quadrifoglio is capable of. The same will probably be true of any capable car, perhaps the 911 more so than others given how much engineering and has gone into it.
Originally Posted by detansinn
With regards to fun, there are folks have an easier time tossing around a less expensive car. There are some 911 owners that are a little more gingerly and cautious, because they are driving a $150k+ car. It’s probably a reality for many owners. Those owners might be happier with a Cayman or Boxster if it made them less uptight about the experience — hence, more fun. A 911 is best enjoyed when you treat it like a regular car.
05-02-2021, 08:00 PM
992 vs. 991 vs. Quadrifoglio
