As fortunate as I am to currently own two Porsches, I find myself in a position of audio envy: My '95 coupe is currently under stewardship of my wife whilst I won't let her anywhere near the 997S. Trouble is, every time I hear her coming up the street in that air-cooled beauty I feel the whole house rumble. Meanwhile, I can't help but feel that the tone of the 997 - even with PSE - is nice, but doesn't have anywhere near the deep-set rumble of an air-cooled Porsche - more a throaty Ferrari-like rasp. Does anyone else feel this, or am I just smokin' too much?

 

i remember what you are referring to on the aircooled's but i havent heard them side by side like that!
little bit surprised with the pse you even think it's a big dif!
and nothing done to the 993 exhaust?
growing up my dad had the aircooled 911's and inside the house you could hear him coming down the road!

 

There's certainly more of a low-end rumble off of the 993. To my ears, the 997 (even with sport exhaust) does not have that kind of sound. It's good....it's different, but it's certainly not the same. The 997 lacks the depth of tone of the 993 IMO. Having said that, it's a much more fun car to drive!!! So, I suppose we gain in one area, but lose in another.

 

I couldn't agree more with irish guitar..... In terms of sound, 997 is, to be frank, disappointing compared to 993, IMO.

 

disconnect it in engine compartment - it will sound better

 

I'm getting ready for that area of disappointment,--EVERYONE knew I was inbound when I drove in with my turboed 911. It wasn't exactly subtle. The PSE is supposed to help a bit in that area. I guess it is similar to when a Harley-Davidson goes by,--there is no mistaking it. (Of course, that is why Harley was a customer of Porsche's, to produce that special sound). Let's call it 'refinement.'

Dan