socalsteve

This is exactly the way I felt when I test drove it.

I love the looks and the fit and finish...But, they seemed to have taken a bit of the soul out of the car. The steering felt disconnected, the car felt larger, less "sports car like" and the clutch felt heavy. And, this may sound like a stupid reason not to buy one, but I hated the electronic parking brake! A sports car needs to have an e-brake that you can pull up on and feel the ratcheting. Again, a big disconnect from being a sports car.

Just some thoughts. I am sure everyone has a different opinion.

One last thought...Feels like they designed this car for the business man who wants to drive the "marque" but not actually be engaged in driving a sports car.

Thank you all for your thoughts and impressions!

Steve

Gruson

I almost bought a 991 but every time I got into the 997, it just felt more "fun" and "alive" to me. Lower end torque seemed much better too. The base 991 felt sluggish to me.

I also like how you can see more out of the front windshield of the 997.

slicky rick

Not a driving impression but sandwedge, i feel the same way..i do not like the look of 991's behind. The 997.2 is simply sexy.

96redLT4

I drove a 991 base 7 speed on a perfect mountain road coming from my 997 C2S. Steering felt good to me and handling /chassis is far superior with the wider track and the engine further forward. Whether it is a lot more fun to drive? I kept trying to picture it with 75 more hp as I would want to get the powerkit. It definitely feels more advanced, but I just don't know if it is 3X the car mine is.
Jim

MessyMarvin

I drove a PDK C4 and C4S, I never thought I would buy an Automatic, but that C4S changed that thinking, it was Awesome. I like the look of the 991, I just can not get over the prices of them now. Honestly if I were looking for a New car the C7 would be on my short list, but I love my C2S so I am not looking.

onedae

I went from a 2011 997.2 C4S to a 991C2S about 4 months ago. Both manuals (I'm old school) and both my daily drivers. Initially, I was bummed that I made the switch - I missed the more raw experience of the 997. Now after a bit more time, I'm loving the 991. It is every bit as much a 911 as the 997 but significantly more comfortable for my everyday, traffic filled life. When I get on this car, it just roars, sticks to the road like glue, and yet has plenty of the old 911 road feel. It is a great car.
As far as pricing goes, the numbers get crazy very fast if you load it up and actually buy the car. But if you do short term (like 2 year) leases, the PFS pricing structure is more reasonable and the car becomes much more affordable.

996911

I drove a 991 C2 and there was a gap in the low end torque so I found myself wanting more in the lower rpms. It changed my driving mentality and made me more concerned about keeping rpms at a higher average level. I had a Honda s2000 many years ago and always had to maintain the engine at 4k+. I've never felt that way with my 996 C2 or 997.2 C4S, where torque is readily available.

996911

@onedae: great point. I almost leased a 991 C2S vs buying a 997.2 C4S, because there was a huge savings by not having to pay sales tax on a leased vehicle.

Para82

I'm still getting to know my 997 after 4 years of ownership, can't imagine letting go of it for anything really....unless it was a Ferrari F430 Scuderia or Ford GT but then i'd have to think about the maintenance.

wheeler

I ran over to our local P car deal, Aristocrat, on Saturday to poke around. They had a white C2S with aero kit sitting out front...STUNNING car imo. The rear end needs the aero kit I think. Not sure I like the interior as much as my .2...had a little more plasitc, shininess or something. It was Saturday and the salesman I talk to there was delivering a car so I didn't ask to drive one, I'll go back and do that sometime though. Love reading all the comments from you guys that have driven them! I sure have a hell of a lot of fun in my 09 at half the price, literally. I think I'd be more inclined to buy a SECOND car...C7, used R8, something.

perfectlap

A colleague picked up 991S (to keep in South Florida), still had 997.2S. He asked me to drive both and get an impartial opinion. All I can say is that on paper, the 991S is better in every way but one. The steering. But honestly you have to be a very good driver to feel like you're missing something, and certainly not on street driving.. And if you've never driven the 997.2 not an issue. When the 991 gets the 991 GT3 steering upgrades, it will be near perfect grand touring coupe. But the other enhancements far outweight the steering compromise. There's simply no getting around the firmer front end plant. That's a game changer. Now as far as price, I'm not sure that this isn't a diminshing returns situation. Frankly a moderately but well looked after used DFI 997 is still the best Carrera bargain second only to a 996 GT3. But if you have to have the latest and greatest and don't mind the resale hit (I see problems ahead with Fed taper) why not, it's going to be a while before 991.2 comes around.

As far as styling that's personal opinion stuff but the lines of the 991 progression seems far too muted for me. But if you like the 997 I don't see why you would dislike the the styling of the 991. If you overlay the studio renderings from the side profile the 991 is just an extension of the same 997 angles with the trajectories goinng longer and wider, basically a flattened 997. But after sitting in a 964 RSA recently I'm just struck at how the proportions of these cars have swelled. That 964 made my BoxsterS feel like I was sitting in a A8.

Ynot

As much as I hate to admit, the 991 is better in every way. A lot of discussion about steering, I honestly can't say bad things about it. You can't feel every pebble on the road (not sure if that's what you want) but it's direct. It's smoother, more refine, and still fun to drive. The more you look at it, the more you like it. It obviously still looks like a 911 with a lot of modern upgrades.

fbfisher

No point asking over there, as they have already voted with their wallets.

sandwedge

There...you just said it. I like the 997 just the way it is. Not flattened. Makes the rear portion look more elongated (Panamera genes) and it also makes the rear bumper look larger and clumsier, especially with the small tail lights. At least to my eyes.

perfectlap

obviously you are intimiately familiar with the car as an owner so small things to some are big to you. But if you lined up 997.1, 997.2 and 991 and asked the average bloke to sort them by year, I doubt they could tell the difference. Yet they can each be had from low $30K's to over $100K.
I don't think I would be upgrading either... Let gravity take care of the Porsche tax like it will take care of this inflatulated stock market.