skynet

Given the chance to buy either a base 997 or a 991 with the same options and mileage which would you choose?

Blue Chip

991 - hands down. Are you talking 997.1 or 997.2? Not that it matters to me - but I still subscribe to the idea that you buy the newest P car that you can afford.

Para82

I went to the Porsche dealership last weekend to convince myself that the 991 is more awesome than the 997... it didn't work.

Quadcammer

Probably not because the 991 turbo doesn't have a manual transmission.

robh75

For the same price? Um, 991.

Carmichael

Tough call.

991? Mostly because of the warranty?

Some say the 997 is the last "driver's" 911 ...

ltcjmramos

Nope, 991 is too close to the GT category to my liking. IMO, the 6GT3 was the last driver's car, no nannies (except ABS), all driver.

Blue Chip

If anyone wants to trade their 991 for my 07 997.1 Cab with 20K miles... let me know...lol!

Carmichael

But the nannies can always be dismissed, be it with ECU tuning or the press of a button!

I have yet to drive a 991, though. Maybe I would change my mind.

DC911S

No, unless its a GT3. The 991 is just too big for me, as a sports car. Its a GT car now.

997_Toronto

Can't get myself to like the 991, just like I can't get myself to like the 996. There's something about the 997 that just appeals to me.

SpeedyD

No offense OP, but this is a bit silly, isn't it?

I would trade the car for a brand new 991 with a market price materially higher, sell that car immediately, and re-buy my own car.

If you don't allow that in the hypothetical, then no way no earth would I trade for a 991. I would rather make my car more raw than more posh, so it would be going in the exact opposite direction. Not to mention that the rear on the 991 C4S (I know you said base, but I'll assume you mean any carrera model) just doesn't compare to my 997.2 ... even my fiance who isn't into cars asked why the newer one looks odd (that crease they did). Just doesn't look as aggressive from the back. Electric steering and about 1/10th of a second advantage from 0-60 (non-PDK)... no thanks!

SpeedyD

BTW, multiple recognizable auto journalists have come out and said they think the 997 iteration is the best 911 ever made. This is in the last year or two, so after the 991... Matt Farah for one has said it, and a number of others.

It is frankly closest to the 993 in exterior style, has a modern interior that is still sports car rather than pure posh / cayenne, has the hydraulic steering, and still has many modern touches. I would likely go used R8 V10 instead of a new 991 carrera...

Little Green

No, I would trade it in for a newer 997.2 GTS or GT3. I don't like the 991 as much.
The rear crease,
The side mirror style and placement on the side of the door.
The headlight shape
The fact that the rear spoiler is now huge and cuts into the hips of the cars adding lines where they don't belong.
On a Manual car the console feels too high

For a street car the 2012 GTS with an aero kit is the pinnacle of 911 design
For street and track use nothing beats a 997.2 GT3. I'm old school and have to have a manual in a sports car.
I have driven a PDK 991 and it's a stunning transmission, the rev matching etc make my shifting feel inadequate but it's not a stick. Period.

DC911S

The 991 center console, stick too far up I agree. Its cumbersome and gets in the way.