991 or 997
01-11-2013, 11:04 PM
#16
sorry inside joke
01-11-2013, 11:26 PM
#17
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Similar experience here, I drove the 991 in Germany for the weekend and was prepared for hoping I had waited for the 991 or thinking I had to "upgrade" in the future because actually the 991 does a lot of things I like (or at least thought I do) and addresses some of the things I did not like about the 997. Road noise for example. But I got out of it and couldn't wait to be back in the 997. I believe had I never experienced the 997 and the way it makes you feel everything and went ahead and waited for the 991 I would have been extremely happy with it. But now that I have experienced 997 I am not so sure I would be happy with buying a 911 carrera now. Actually there was a guy he came out of a 997 (pdk i think) got himself a pdk 991 just to go back to a 997 pdk again and he was happy he went back
01-12-2013, 12:03 AM
#18
Rennlist Member
It's so interesting to see how owners express the progression of driving experiences. When the 997 came out in 05 it was so far ahead of the 996. That earlier series (despite its styling and heretical water cooling) was hugely popular and drivers knew it was smoother and more comfortable than a 993. 997s greatly improved upon 996s. And so on.
I've looked at and read about (but not driven) a 991, and I know they're superior in every quantifiable way: performance, technology, fuel efficiency, everything. My dealer is begging me to trade in. Not crazy about the enlarged shape, but that's me. My brother has a Panamera Turbo S and the new 911 looks more like his car than mine - but shouldn't.
Like anything new, 991s are beguiling. But I find that each new-series advancement seems to add distance between the driver and the road. I believe that the 997 (.1 or .2) is the ideal combination of road feel, comfort, performance and (these days) price. Go for it.
I've looked at and read about (but not driven) a 991, and I know they're superior in every quantifiable way: performance, technology, fuel efficiency, everything. My dealer is begging me to trade in. Not crazy about the enlarged shape, but that's me. My brother has a Panamera Turbo S and the new 911 looks more like his car than mine - but shouldn't.
Like anything new, 991s are beguiling. But I find that each new-series advancement seems to add distance between the driver and the road. I believe that the 997 (.1 or .2) is the ideal combination of road feel, comfort, performance and (these days) price. Go for it.
01-12-2013, 12:08 AM
#19
I personally love the lines of the 997. I have a 2012 c4 gts and an 09 turbo, both 6-speed manual and incredible in their own unique ways. I just can't get my eyes around the 991 and probably never will. It's just not - what's the word? - PUGNACIOUS enough. Yea, that's it. The 991 lacks *****. Too polished, refined, sleek and feminine for my taste.
01-12-2013, 12:14 AM
#20
Nordschleife Master
"Quantifiable" being the key word there. I agree that it's probably superior in every quantifiable way as well it should be. Quantifiable improvements alone aren't enough for some buyers though, especially not for something with a price tag of 120K. For that kind of money I want more than just technological advancement. I want eye candy too and this car doesn't deliver on that for me. It looks awkward and clumsy from behind with too much borrowed from the Panamera. Maybe it'll grow on me and other detractors but I've looked at it at length now and so far it's not working.
01-12-2013, 12:48 AM
#21
Tough decision. I've owned a high end, high option 997 (997.1 Targa 4S). I now own a no frills 997.2 GT3. My opinion is the options are nice to have but they don't matter that much. The underlying car is what you're really paying for. You don't need four wheel drive because you have all the weight in the back. The leather interior gets shiny and looks dated after a few years. The electronics will never keep up with an iPhone. If I had I start again with your choices, I would pick the 991 and drive the hell out of it. Track it, autocross it, take some road trips. It's the best 911 they've made to date. Worst thing would be to buy a 997 because it's the "proper" 911, leave it sitting in your garage and spend your time racking up thousands of posts on this forum.
01-12-2013, 01:27 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
I went through the same experience. To me, the 997.2 4GTS was more interesting than the 991 CS, even from the interior appearance. Furthermore, the GTS is a manual and the 991 was a PDK.
01-12-2013, 03:06 PM
#23
Burning Brakes
assuming you are comfortable with the price difference being representative of the economic value difference between the cars, i would recommend you flip a coin. while it is in the air, your heart will tell you which way you want it to land.
01-12-2013, 09:59 PM
#24
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About 16 months ago I was in a similar position. I was debating getting a 997.1 or a 997.2. I went with the 997.2 that cost, ironically, about $12K more than the 997.1 I was considering, primarily because the advancements in the 997.2. If I was in your shoes, I would get the 991.
01-13-2013, 11:03 AM
#26
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+1 for $12K
01-13-2013, 11:27 AM
#27
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Drive both more than once. First time drive the 997 first and then the 991. The next time drive the 991 first and then the 997. Then decide which you like better.
There are some dealers that are offering 2012s (both 997.2 and 991s) that have been on the lot for a whilte at a very good price. $10-$20k+ off.
There are some dealers that are offering 2012s (both 997.2 and 991s) that have been on the lot for a whilte at a very good price. $10-$20k+ off.
01-13-2013, 12:39 PM
#28
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I personally love the lines of the 997. I have a 2012 c4 gts and an 09 turbo, both 6-speed manual and incredible in their own unique ways. I just can't get my eyes around the 991 and probably never will. It's just not - what's the word? - PUGNACIOUS enough. Yea, that's it. The 991 lacks *****. Too polished, refined, sleek and feminine for my taste.
