I agree.... The pinnacle 911 would have to be air-cooled so 993 it is.

But 997.2 is the best water-cooled so far (991 is fat and 996 odd looking) and the 911 developments that we are seeing would suggest fatter (every gen has gotten bigger than last) , PDK dominance if not exclusivity, no normally aspirated (BMW already there), and (God help us) hybrid. Unless there is a dramatic turn in development, this would suggest the 997.2 position as the purest water-cooled 911 - and-the closest relative to our pinnacle 993 is assured.

So does that mean future 997.2s will be as sought after as today's 993s? I think that is a certainty. The only way that could be derailed IMO is if Porsche produces a smaller, more raw, NA flat-6 with MT in the future. Don't see that happening....

In fact from the looks of things the 911 is becoming a fast GT (remember Porsche tried this move towards GT in the past with 928 being the successor to the 911) and it feels to me that many of us who love the characteristics of the 997 and want a new Porsche will be into Cayman's in the future, unless something changes. Remember it was customer revolt that killed the 911 to 928 move.. Do we have the moxy to pull off another coup?

 

997 is the greatest series of 911 ever produced. Most likely the only series I will ever even consider for the rest of my life.

 

Yes. Yes it is. Without question. The best. There can be none better. A better Porsche simply doesn't exist. It can't. The 997 is the best car ever.

i wonder what the original poster thinks.

 

Uhhh #3... Why the hell are you in a 911 then? ALL 911's fail miserably at a centered point of gravity. The friggin engine is over the rear wheels. 997.2 C2's weight distribution is 38/62. Peace Bruce in Philly, you have a lot of great things to say in the forum but that one doesn't make sense.

 

This sounds like a case for 914 or 944 . The real spiritual successor to the Lotus way of building cars though is the Miata especially the latest generation which is smaller and lighter than the previous...

I think what Bruce was saying is lighter, simpler, more mechanical 911s are the closet to his ideal - and that the latest generation is anything but.

 

That answer wouldn't have worked out too well in 1999.

 

With every generation, there will be the 1st and last of many things. ie:
911 ? last of the smugglers box, manual steering
993 ? last air cooled
997 ? last direct steering
The list goes on. To me, it's the brand itself, that is the best. But that's just me

 

Love my 07 997 Carrera. To me it's a timeless design and I think it will be a desired classic in a few more years. The fact that it's a manual alone is awesome and I can't see myself ever driving a futuristic PDK.

 

THIS! You're not just buying a 911, you're buying a legend with a lineage that goes back fifty years. And, yes, the 997.2S is the best, 'cause that's what I own.
T

 

Not a bad article but not very well researched, I would say the boxster was the car that saved Porsche rather than the 996.

 

lol, it amazes me how many times people can discuss the same topic over and over again, and how many times people will try to justify their choices to themselves.

991.1 guys say the 991.2 is going to suck cause turbo
997 guys say the 991 got fat
996 guys say the 997 is a GT car and is too soft and big
993 guys say the 996 isn't a real porsche
964 guys say the 993 is a decline in quality and no longer true to the porsche brand
911 guys think they have the last real 911

Pick the one you like and STFU!!!!!

 

Many folks would argue that it was the Cayenne that saved Porsche!

 

One last thing.
Next year or year after, the current batch of 991 owners will say theirs is the best because all models going forward will be turbos.
No more normally aspirated cars and I'm sure shortly after that, no more stick!
How will current turbo owners feel I wonder.
"I have a 911 Turbo" use to mean something. Soon everyone will have one. Will that diminish the claim?

Fun conversation though I wonder why get so angry about it.

 

Can we agree that the 991 is the best 911 because it does everything better, but it's just not what everyone wants (because it's too big or soft, etc.)? I was torn between a 991 and a 997.2 and chose a 997.2 because I wanted more of a sports car. I had a BMW 650i as a daily driver when I bought the 997.2. Sold the BMW and my daily driver is currently a Mercedes S550. That said, I love the 991. It really does everything better. Design is subjective, but I love the design of the 991. I also love the 997 and think the 997 looks more classic.

 

They might but they would be wrong
The Boxster was the was the biggest seller up until the Cayenne, some six years later.