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Long drama short - Sold my 997 C4 that I loved to buy back the 356 that I sold 27 yrs ago. Love the 356 however I got frustrated w/the difficulty getting in and out of my 356(Arthritis in both hips).
Have buyer(lots of buyers) for my 356 and pondered selling it and buying a 991 since it was close. I went thru this 991 idea 4 yrs ago and test drove a few.
Found a very nice 2014 991 4S w/Manual Transmission/Full leather and host of other options. Agate Grey w/Platinum Grey int. - Car is 15 minutes from my house. Got close to buying it.
I wanted Silver/black but thought I'd check the car out.
I decided not to buy the 991 and keep my 356 for now.
My updated review on the 991 vs 997:
Color: The Agate Grey unfortunately has too much Brown in it. I have had 997's in Seal Grey/Meteor Grey/Atlas Grey and just could not live with the Agate Grey. Too Brown. Int color: I normally dislike grey interiors but the Platinum Grey/Black full leather interior was beautiful. Design: The 991 possesses a much larger feel/look. The sharper design of lower nose and rear of car just don't match up to the smoother 997 design which I prefer. I also hate the black glass sunroof and swore I would never own one but with the darker exterior color it blends in more than the sore thumb look of black glass sunroof on Silver car. Driveability: The 991 feels bigger and much more electronics which I'm not a fan of. I like simpler controls. The power steering assist makes the steering feel different than the 997 at slower speeds.At higher speeds and in turns the 991 just feels heavier/bigger. Seats feel about the same as the 997 - Steering wheel has more position settings in the 991. The clutch felt different than the 997---->Grabbed higher and felt heavier---->My biggest complaint is the location of the shifter. It is much higher than the 997 and you wind up almost keeping your arm on the armrest when shifting. I really dislike the shifter location and that's one of my biggest bitches.
Anyway just wanted to give an update on my take on the 991.
Last edited by groovzilla; 08-30-2024 at 09:38 PM.
Groove, that Super is just a fantastic car. I understand the aging process as its starting get my attention too, and sorry to hear its keeping you from enjoying your 356. Selfishly I am glad to see you focusing your efforts on getting back into a 997. Not only does your 911 expertise help us out on this forum, but your desire to get back into a 997 validates all the we in this forum hold dear. Looking forward to hearing about your journey back to a 997.
I own both a 997 GTS 6spd and a 991.1 GTS PDK. To me, the 997 is far and away the better car. Maybe it's because it is my first Porsche but it's simply more fun to drive. I'm glad you got to drive the 991 and compare. Both of my cars way almost exactly the same but the 991 feels heavier, more sluggish, even though it isn't.
Every time I sit in my 997, it just feels right. Like putting on an old comfy pair of slippers. It's hard to describe. If you know, you know.
All excellent points, and agree 100 percent. I've owned a couple 991s, and much prefer my current 997.1. Just enough analog for that old-school feel, and just enough kinda modern touches for comfort and power.
I honestly can't say I know any better as I've driven (in my entire life) a.....
1974 911S Targa
1988 930 Slant nose Cab
2001 996 C2
and
My personal 2006 997 C2
But......I'm glad I went 997 (.1 just to be divisive)....I'm sure there are as many 991 and 992 die hards out there.......but most of all I just want to post one of my favorite gifs of affirmation.....
The 997 is the last of the "right sized" 911. The 991 and 992 are just too big, IMHO. Like most of you, I've seen the 991/992 side-by-side with older 911 cars and just can't believe how big Porsche made the those 911 cars. The 992 is just overboard for me. Both the 996 and 997 still have the classic 911 feel with special connection with the machine. One way of explaining it is the 997 and earlier cars still kept the driver on it's toes unlike modern 911 that has so many techno-nannies controlling everything in the background.
The 930 was given the widow maker title for a reason because those cars made you feel a little on the edge, especially around the corners at high speeds.
Living life on the edge can be exhilarating as long as you keep it between the lines. Long live the 997!
Prariedawg hit it right. A more nimble smaller manual and a bigger dpk. While its the perfect 911, my 997.2 c4s manual coupe isn't fun to drive everyday. I live in south florida with traffic its not fun. I need sport seats, my cooled ones make my right cheek go numb after 45 minutes. Manual 991 targa...yeah id drive it everyday. I think the 991 is a great 911 for a certain purpose. 997 for a weekend car cause its more connected and I'll say they already are starting to get a little nostalgic goin on 15-20 years old for some.
992 is a beast and the design grew on me. Love most of it but think the front fenders are a bit to wide and take a away from the traditional shape being *** heavy. But its a serious machine, I have a fair amount of time in a turbo S cab a friend owns. I truly can't think of a better car sold today for everyday driving.
I think thats one of the cool capris about the 911 being produced for so long, theres a different one for a different occasion and see why guys have 7 or 8 of em.
The 991 is the fancy, more comfortable car for someone that uses it every day as a commuter and wants sportiness occasionally, but it's not really a classic sports cars like the 997 and prior generations are. Each 911 generation got a little fancier and you could argue that the 993 was really the end, but the 997 has enough of that older 911 look and feel with just enough creature comforts to be the perfect balance before the scales tip too far to the other side, which starts with the 991 and just gets worse with each successive generation
Bang for the buck was a good point to. I think sticker on mine was 107.5k. I'm sure a new 992 c4s with the same options would be 165-180. Its out of hand. Im younger, ill be 38 in 3 weeks. I tell everyone ill be the old guy driving the old 911 in 30 years because I probably won't have the money for a new one. Dealers think the guy buying a base c2 should be as free spending as the guy paying ADM on a 911 ST. And we all know the profit margin on a carrera is the biggest in auto manufacturing.
The 991 is the fancy, more comfortable car for someone that uses it every day as a commuter and wants sportiness occasionally, but it's not really a classic sports cars like the 997 and prior generations are. Each 911 generation got a little fancier and you could argue that the 993 was really the end, but the 997 has enough of that older 911 look and feel with just enough creature comforts to be the perfect balance before the scales tip too far to the other side, which starts with the 991 and just gets worse with each successive generation
Pete...You are spot on! As you know I have a 997.1 and love it! Comfort but still analog with a few nice modern features. Great to drive between Clemson and Huntersville, NC.
Adding a PCCM+ (Or similar) provides a touch of modernity to the 997. That was the only thing I would change as far as tech in the car.
I just added Bluetooth through the CD changer, which I never used anyway. Gives me complete Sirius/XM and Nav (audio-only) access through my iPhone. Works perfectly and retains the original look of the stock stereo/dash.
Bang for the buck was a good point to. I think sticker on mine was 107.5k. I'm sure a new 992 c4s with the same options would be 165-180. Its out of hand. Im younger, ill be 38 in 3 weeks. I tell everyone ill be the old guy driving the old 911 in 30 years because I probably won't have the money for a new one. Dealers think the guy buying a base c2 should be as free spending as the guy paying ADM on a 911 ST. And we all know the profit margin on a carrera is the biggest in auto manufacturing.
Was on a waiting list for a Base 992 C2 w/ Aero for 18months (123K W/5K ADM)....Porsche couldn't deliver, bought a 997 Aero.....sold the 991.2 and bought another 997. The 997 is the perfect (Modern/water-cooled) 911 in my book.
I like the 992 styling better than the 991 but prefer the 997 overall. The Cayenne handles daily duty without an issue.
When someone initially looks at a 997 and 991 together, they deceptively appear pretty similar. Form factor is consistent and unique with the rear-mounted flat six. Dimensions are relatively close to being the same - 991 slightly larger and with a longer wheelbase. Everyone would say - yes, they are both obviously 911's.
But they are totally different cars, developed in vastly different times and by what some would say are two different companies (older Porsche vs the combined Porsche / VW operations that occurred in 2009.)
The 997 platform was derived from the 996 - and that design development goes back to the mid-1990's when the 993 was still in production.
The 997 development was done by Porsche, the sports car manufacturer. And it truly is a sports car.
The 991 was fashioned with VW influence and created to appeal more broadly - more refined, comfortable, less engaging (as has been stated previously in this thread.)
08-30-2024, 06:48 PM
997 better than 991
