993RS

I took my first test drive of the new 997 Carrera S today. I was pleasantly surprised. The engine sounds very nice and revs as if you have a LWF. The door closes like a Porsche door should, the interior was very expensive-looking and nice (except for the steering wheel which reminded me of my Cooper's steering wheel). I was not able to drive long, just about 10 minutes. It has a lot of punch. Almost as good as a Turbo (in which case the 997 turbo will really be something..). Very good low end torque, very elastic, great engine! The ride was excellent also.


As far as the outside looks are concerned, I think a couple of pictures are worth a thousand words:

1) 997 S



2) 993 C4S



and now some side-by-side comparisons

3) rear view (I prefer the C4S from this angle. Less high)



4) front view (I find them both equally nice, maybe a slight edge to the 997 S)



5) rear wheel arches (C4S is more muscular)



6) rear seen from side (I prefer the C4S, the 997 S is more hump-backed, less sleek)




Summary(from my point of view):
1) Exterior: Aesthetically, I find the 997 S a big improvement over the 996, but I still prefer the 993.
2) Interior: If it weren't for the steering wheel, I would give a slight edge to the 997 S
3) Engine/transmission: 997 S is definitely ahead. (But my Swiss 993 C4S, like the U.S. 993 C4S is handicaped by the G50/20 gearbox, which is not how Ferry Porsche originally engineered it. This has now convinced me to look for a G50/21 gearbox, for better low end response.)
4)Quality/finishing: a tie
5) Suspension: Can't say because I was not able to test it that intensely, but expect the 997 S to have the edge.

So great car, but I still prefer my 993 C4S because it is smaller, sleeker and more muscular. Once I put in the shorter gear ratios, I will have an ideal solution for myself.

99D3C2

You just saved me like 40 large...thanks!

Arrwin

Ya lucky dog! Nice write-up and comparo pics.

Looking at these side by side pics just shows how timeless our cars really are. Even our 8 yr. old cars don't look out of place next to a 2005 one. Some may not be able to tell which is the newer of the two.

Thanks again!

Jim Sorensen

Well it took them from 1999 to 2005 but they finally got it right. Now the "new" 911 looks like a 993 as it should.

MikeAlwaysWins

I'm sold........I'm keeping my 993.... Thanks for the review and pix...

chris walrod

Great report! They do look more a like than I thought they would, especially when the two are side by side. Someone should photo shop them with a transparent overlay (if thats possible) of their side views..

Just the wheels on the 997S needs to be changed.. MMMMMM BBS LM's would look great on that car

Derrick B.

Thanks for the great side by side comparison! Good stuff. I like the performance of the 997, but there are a few details of the styling that really bug me. So close but yet so far.
The cut lines on the fenders are awful. The rounded front trunk edges are just crap. The wheels are busy and trendy (seen the wheels on a Vette or BMW lately, they are very, very similar). And that steering wheel! Hmmm, starting to rant. Sorry.

Thanks again for the comparo.

911

Thanks, Phil. Great side by side comparison. In appearance, the 997 is much improved over the 996. It's probably what the 996 should have looked like from the start.

STLPCA

Phil - Nice report & pics. Thanks.

The G50/21 is a RWD box, don't you need the AWD G64/21?

993RS

Yes, sorry you are right! Thanks Dan!

CAHRERA

Awesome report, I will post the pics in my Garage with the other Porsche pictures I have. Great Comparison. 993 Lives on!

ZAMIRZ

Phil, excellent write-up and comparison. I'm curious, did you drive the standard Carrera, and if so what are your feelings on that? I really think the 997 is going to finally eclipse the 993 in every category, whereas the 996 was only better at "some" things and left a lot to be desired.

993RS

Zamirz,
No, I only drove the Carrera S because it was out on the lot. The Carrera was in the showroom.

brian J

Phil

Great post. The 997 looks far to similar to the 996 for my liking. 993 is still the king I have been to Lugano back in 91' when I lived in Switzerland as a student..beautiful town and setting.
Brian

993Dave

Phil: excellent reporting. The side-by-side photos are very interesting, and may be a world photojournalism exclusive. Thanks for taking the time ... I'm sure it was quite a sacrifice.