Terry73

I thought I wanted to buy a 997.2 until I drove a 2012 911 S 991. But then again I have not driven and 997.2 yet either. I thought I would get the 997.2 because it is said that it is the last of the true driver enthusiast's 911 and therefore will hold its value better. I would appreciate any thoughts on the resiliency of the value and the differences in the drive experience between the 997.2 and the 991 would be appreciated.

Balr14

When I was originally looking for a Porsche, I drove every model I could from the last of the air-cooled models through the 997.2. Since selling my 997.2, I've driven both 991.1 and 991.2 models. The longer wheelbase and shorter overhang gives the 991 a nicer ride and the interior feels more roomy. Unless you are buying a GT model, if you put mileage on any Porsche, it will depreciate. The "last of the true driver enthusiast" stuff is largely esoteric and may or may not translate to cash. From what I could tell, every generation shows some improvement over the previous one, in handling and performance. I'm pretty sure that was Porsche's intent. I prefer the 991.

LISsailor

It really depends on what you want out of the car. Mine is a toy/weekend car so I bought the 997.2 for thrills. The 991 would be a better daily. More comfortable and more stable at speed, especially on the highway. 991 is less twitchy.

Outside of the above, I prefer the 997.2 and the 991.2 over the 991.1. The depreciation on the first gen 991 cars has not been pretty.

Carreralicious

This is gonna sound silly, and it probably is, but I’m OCD when it comes to my Pcar, and I really don’t like that the models newer than the 997 you can’t just click a button to open the rear engine lid to gain easy access to the engine.

Not only do I want to be able to go in there easily when I want to poke around and inspect things like the drive belt, etc, but I also don’t trust that a tech at the dealer or Indy will put back all the little screws and clips after working on the car and reinstalling the rear bumper that has to come off in order to even get to the engine of the newer cars. That’s a big reason I like the 997...that, and I’m too lazy to spend 20 minutes to take off the rear bumper and tail lights just to be able to see my engine.

Jaws1

I had a C2 991.2, sold it and “went back” to a 997.2. I found the 991 to be too refined and felt too much like a daily driver, which is not how I use the car. Porsche engineered too much of the visceral nature out the car. I find driving the 997 to be more of an event - rougher and louder, but acceptable. Pay attention to the steering feel of the 991 (electromechanical) vs the hydraulic steering of the 997.

I prefer the looks of the 997, but both are beautiful 911s. It’s a matter of preference between the two.

Doug H

Drive the 997.2 and decide for yourself. I just ejected my 2017 991.2 Turbo with a $200k+ sticker for a used 2012 997.2 GTS.

boisenelson

Drive them both and then decide what is right for you. I've owned both generations and stuck with the 997.2 just because I "like" it. I have two air cooled that are a totally different animal but it will come down to a personal preference. 991's are a very refined vehicle and a pleasure to drive. 997's still have a subtle old school feel to them. Again, it's all about what ticks the boxes for your personal taste.

vern1

You have to drive both to see what you like.

Pls dont listen to the "its the last of the true driver enthusiast 911" BS. Every older generation claims that is the case vs the newer one. My 993 was way more visceral, analogue blah blah blah then my 997 but that doesnt mean the 997 (or the 991) is a luxo barge. I am sure the 991 guys are saying that about the 992's now

I would not touch another 997 series .1 or .2 due to potential scoring issues. Many will (and have) disagreed about this perspective and I am obviously biased having gone through it. I would just not want to have to think about this issue ever again (and I guess I dont now that i have Nikasil cylinders). Your risk threshold may vary

sandwedge

Never owned a 991 but drove a couple of them so nicely summed up. Saved me a lot of typing since that's how I would describe the difference between the two as well.

Balr14

If you live in a cold climate where the roads are crappy, you might find the 991 ride is a lot more comfortable.

GTRR

I’ve had 3 997’s (2 were GT3’s) and 2 991’s (a GT3 and a 991.2 C2S). I am really liking the current car (991.2 C2S). It’s definitely quicker than the 997 GT3’s. After 7 years of GT3’s, I’m good with the C2S... what’s not to like? 1) Manual 7spd 2) Tuning options 3) Refinement (now the wife will come along for drives).

snaphappy

991 sounds better, it has that tube that brings engine sound into the interior, pretty cool.

991 has crackles and pops programmed into the tune from the factory. Really nice.

991 has massively better interior. But I prefer the basic 997.2 interior, because the center tunnel and fake buttons in the 991 kinda bother me. That’s just me

991 looks more substantial and flashier when parked next to a 997.2

991 is probably a better performer in every category, track, 1/4 mile, etc

991 has no engine, haha, that you can see, and wrenching is a little more annoying. I guess just add 30 minutes each time to remove the bumper

991 has more tech/screens. You know, more electronic stuff that can break. I suck at diagnosing electric problems, so this one scares me. Nick Murray haha

991 supposedly has vague electric steering

991 has newer/better PDK

991 has annoying electric park brake

991 has bluetooth music streaming right? Jealous!

Anything I’m forgetting?

Money/value? I’m guessing the 991 will pretty much always be more valuable than the 997.2...Kinda like the 997.2 will always be more valuable than 997.1

SpeedyD

Market is speaking to the consensus already. Despite 991s being newer cars, like-for-like the 997.2 is now at the same price and even sometimes commanding a premium.

997.2 is a nearly faultless car. Combines most of the beauty of the best historical 911s with incredible reliability. A 993 is just a bit more striking but the 997.2 is close behind. Last of the true driving cars regardless of what some folks on here think... the hydraulic steering in 997 to electric in the 991 is a huge, regulatory based change that Porsche was forced to do. The bulbous cabin and softened GT driving experience was necessary to hit a wider market. The styling shared with panamera and caymans is another big 991 fail.

SpeedyD

I forgot the 991.1’s redeeming quality (singular) - performance. It will imperceptibly outperform an equivalent 997.2.

This is meaningless, of course. Or we would all be driving GTRs or vettes at lower price points lol. What it does mean is that over time the 997.2 will continue to be disproportionately preferred over the 991 because that imperceptible advantage has already become a moot point.... both cars are “slow” relative to less expensive cars out there.

Doug H

This is funny. I always thought pipping artificial sound in the interior or through a speaker as some cars do super lame. Video game rev inside, wussy outside. Cheesy!

interesting on substantial look. Most long time Porsche guys feel exactly the opposite which is why the air cooled market has held so well.

Have you priced late model 997.2 Ss and GTSs lately? The price nexus for 991s and 997.2s has crossed, especially for late model 997.2, especially for desirable builds in great condition.

2012/13 991 Ss are dipping into very lows $60ks or sitting a while.

The 991.2s are also starting to dip down into and Chris’s into the late model 991.2 price nexus.

I dabbled with purchasing a 991.1 Turbo and a 991.2 Turbo both purchased new. Just went and picked a a 2912 GTS to replace the 2017 Turbo . . .