rodH

I remember watching this video a few weeks ago and being excited to purchase it. After I got done, it left me scratching my head and wondering what the hell they were thinking. At then at end the 2 guys rate their favorites in order. The 997 was pushed to the bottom and the ranking made little sense. I seem to remember that the car he drove was a blue base 997 with tiptronic cab (nothing against cabs, tips, base models, etc.....but this was the absolute slowest 997 one could purchase and in light of the next comments, made no sense). The guy made some comment to the effect that it was "good enough" as far as power goes. And then he goes and drives a 991 PDK C2S and one of the first comments he makes is about how fast it is, how "modern" and how impressive it was. I was like, "what the hell, if you actually cared about that, the cab base tip 997 is NOT 'good enough'!!!". Now that I think about it, wouldn't a base 6 speed 991 actually be slower than a 997.2 GTS PDK?

It just seemed weird to have the 997 being talked about by a couple "enthusiasts" and be judge driving a blue 997.1 tiptronic cab base car and then jumping to a 991 C2S PDK. And then "ranking them". Of course the 997 isn't going to be ranked as high.

If those guys ever came to this site and saw so many of the rennlist owners cars, I would think they might have a different opinion.

Personally, for me, the 997 hits a sweet spot between be a modern motor car with just enough features and reliability and still having some of the retro styling, lines and attributes of the older 993 and others. 6MT, hydraulic steering, shorter wheelbase and size than the 991, round head lights, etc.... I honestly don't think the design will ever be "out of date". Of course I am biased, but thats part of why I bought a 997. (I have a dad and a brother who both have 991 C2S, but I think they would even be a little surprised at the lack of 997 love.)

I guess I was just a little surprised that these "experts" seem to be a bit out of touch with the very subject they are supposed to be so knowledgeable about.

Anyone else feel the same way after watching the video?

ECS

Video won't play for me in Sweden.

GTS Sully

Video doesn't play for me. It does advertise renting the video for $1.99.....

Fined

Can't watch the video. I won't weigh in on the 997 base cab tip.
I will say it is indeed pointless to even try to make a comparison against that car vs a PDK 991.


To answer your question about base 991 vs 997 GTS.. (though no idea what transmissions are at play).. the power to weight will tell the story;

http://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/b33ih52tp95g

Alexandrius

Just based on what you have said, there is no way they are enthusiasts or even intelligent jornos.

sounds like a bs peice of a topic that has been regurgitated and hashed to death because:

1. It's easy to talk about 911 generations for days, there's so much material out there for free to imitate
2. There's apparently still huge demand for this material because people love 911s.

ElectricChair

I am getting the same.

Anyway, I don't really care what others think. IMO the 997 is the greatest 911 of all times.

Asquared

I met these guys at a recent track event in Chicago and sat next to one of the guys for drinks afterwards. One of them is a big porsche fan and recently bought a Cayman (GTS I believe) for his personal car.

I had never really heard of them before the track event, so I started poking around their videos, but I haven't purchased their 50 years vid. Not having watched the vid, I can't say much that is intelligent, but I believe they borrowed the cars for the video, so they were probably constrained in their choice of options.

nwGTS

Was this at LAPS this fall where you met them? What were they driving?

rherring

These guys used to have an article on their website titled "The Battle of Porsche" in regards to the rear engine configuration of the 911. It is intriguing that this article is no longer available once their 50 years of 911 video became available for purchased viewing.

Airbag997

Everything in the universe/life is about balance. The 997.2 is the most balanced 911 ever made.

It is the perfect balance of:

-Looks/Timeless Design
-Feel/"Analogness"
-Power
-Refinement
-Comfort
-Tech
-Reliability
-Case in point: 997.2 GT3 RS 4.0 (aka the greatest 911 ever produced)

Here's why:
-991 Too digital/Numb/Big/Too much of a departure from it's heritage
-996 Too ugly and unreliable (worst 911 ever)
-993 Too under-powered (Second best 911 ever)
-964 Too unrefined
-930 Too everything

rodH

Ya, sorry guys, I kind of assumed many people had already seen this video. I paid the $2 to watch it, but after I got done, I am sure glad I didn't go with the DVD option at a much higher price. A real disappointment from self proclaimed "911 enthusiasts".

As mentioned, there is a youtube of the one guy who recently bought a caymen and the debate is whether he should get an M2 to replace it when it is avail. Seems weird that such a 911 "enthusiast" would buy a caymen (which is a great car, no knock on that) for more money that he could have had a pretty nice 997 for.

rodH

I kind of feel the same way, although I own a 997.1 C2S. But in general, the 997 is so good in so many ways. Yes, my car doesn't have all the TECH that the new one has, but it doesn't bother me much at all. I keep intending to get the tranzit unit, to integrate with my phone, but I just am not in any hurry to do so. I know a lot of 991 guys would just say that people with the 997 are just jealous, or can't afford the new car, or whatever, but I really do think the 997 hits a very good sweet spot in all areas (I will admit, the 991 911R is one sexy machine. I also don't think the styling will ever be dated which is kind of unique in cars these days (you look at some very expensive Mercs, BMWs, Audis, Jags, etc....from 10-15-20 years ago and they look horrendous in styling).

GTS Sully

Pretty much my feelings across the board. Having bought my 993 in October of 96 and owning it for 9 years it never really felt under powered. But in today's standards, yes, under powered. Loved that car though. Definitely #2 behind my current GTS.

sf_c63

Relax, it's just their take on ranking the 911's. I don't know if they have a lot of credibility but I enjoy their videos because they seem to emphasize driving enjoyment vs. numbers.

It's a fun watch and as a 911 enthusiast its a great trip to see reviews on every generation back to back.

sf_c63

Btw I encourage you to spend $2 to see it.

...but I also have it uploaded on Google Drive. PM me for a link