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Did the Porsche Experience in Atlanta a few weeks ago. Gorgeous day, sunny, in the 80's. I chose a 911 Turbo and GT3 to drive. I had notions the 991 TT was basically an upgraded 997 TT. I was wrong. Car is completely different. I think I had an instructor who was a little crazy as no one seemed to be doing the insane crap we were. Passed about everyone. Loved the wet skidpad and getting the 911 TT sideways and keeping it to the floor, amazing.
There was absolutely nothing familiar in this car. Transmission, 4 wheel steering, seats, dash, handling, power, everything was completely different. My instructor really pushed me outside my comfort zone, and I loved it. Learned so much. I thought I had pushed my 997 TT to it's limits at times, I was wrong, really wrong. Using some tips and tricks, I can get far more out of it now that I know what I am doing a little better.
The GT3 was completely different yet again. It is a precision machine. If not driven right, it will let you know while the 991 TT was more forgiving, probably due to 4 wheel steering and 4 wheel drive. Both had under 2000 miles on them. I felt more comfortable in the 991 tt, but my fastest lap was actually in the GT3. The exhaust on the GT3 is crazy, love it!!! The interiors were as contemporary as anything I have ever seen.
Only time I had an issue was my third time on the wet skid pad getting it completely sideways, then keeping the gas to the floor. I did get the rear diff hot and had to let it cool down.
I am sure plenty has been written about the PE, but I can say the facility it incredible, loved the museum and seeing a real 959 up close. Worst thing was when it was over as I could have done it all day! Made me a better performance driver and taught me how to get the most out of my 997TT. Price for 45 min in the 911 TT and 45 min in the GT3 was 950.00.
+2, it was $200 less two yrs ago, but for all the amenities they provide and food/drinks for my party of four, still worth it. We had the restaurant reserved for the next evening, and walked throughout the facility at least twice. was able to touch and get in the "new" '16 GT3RS when they first started arriving in the US. the private collection displayed on the other floors was really neat.
Next stop, PEC LA.
$950 for both combined? Thats not bad then considering you get to really see what each car is like. I agree, facilities are incredible, I didn't do a driving experience, I just went through the museum, and then stayed at Solis next door, since I was down there to purchase my 911.
Nice story, thanks for posting. Since I'm thrifty I split a Cayman with a friend so we paid $175 each, 45 min each and it was awesome. I'm sure the 911 Turbo/GT3 was better but it wasn't worth the difference to me. The facility is top notch, which is an understatement really. If anyone has an opportunity to do this, I'd highly recommend. You don't have to spend much if you split it with a friend like I did, either.
$950 for both combined? Thats not bad then considering you get to really see what each car is like. I agree, facilities are incredible, I didn't do a driving experience, I just went through the museum, and then stayed at Solis next door, since I was down there to purchase my 911.
Yep, 950.00 for both, not per car. lineup up what you can drive is crazy. 991 Carrera starts at 400.00. They have an offroad track too if Cayennes and Macans is your thing or you want to see what a Porsche can do off road. Panameras, 718's, and 6 or so different 911's. All in different configs, Turbo, non turbo, Carrera, 4s, etc... Pretty cool. Pick which one, or ones you want, and go for it. . Throwing a 180k new 991 Turbo around that track wide as fast as I can go was fun as hell, and a little bit unnerving knowing I could wreck it. I got the insurance....lol. My instructor was kinda aggressive, which I liked. As far as he pushed me, I still do not think I got close to the limits of the car!
991 TT and GT3 will be the combo I choose as well. I'm just afraid it'll make me want to find a way to upgrade from my 997.2 TTS. lol
But, getting better sounds good. I'm already aggressive and have been my entire life in cars and on motorcycles, so that instructor sounds like a good pick.
I think what makes you better is not them telling you what to do, but explaining the physics behind it so you can picture in your head what the tires, suspension, etc... are doing. It made sense even if it went against the grain when explained. So, he will tell you how to enter and exit a corner, then explain why. Go for it!
Being local, I have been down to the experience twice. One time in a GT3, and again in the 991 TTS this summer. I would agree the 997.2 and the 991 are different cars, and I'm sure the 991 is a "better, faster" version. That being said, driving home in my 997.2 I was personally very happy with my decision to stick with the 997. To me, the overall size and feeling of the 997 package just feels better. Its a little more involving and I guess I felt more connected to the car than I did the 991. While I can't really put my finger on why I feel this way, I feel like the 997 was built and assembled to a higher standard and will age better. I could be very wrong - but thats my $.02. That being said, the 991 TTS was a TON of fun and I learned a ton about driving an all wheel drive car at the PE. Highly recommend it! My instructor was a young female race car driver. I believe she holds the track record - and was a ton of fun!
Will you be upgrading to the 991TT or do you prefer your 997TT?
I like my 997 TT for several reasons. First is price, the 991 TT I drove listed for 180,000.00 with sport chrono. Mine was 73,000.00. These cars were LOADED with every bell and whistle. This really an opportunity for Porsche to get people in the cars and hopefully get a sale, so they showcase the top of the line stuff. I like the 997 TT for it's simplicity over the 991. It was highly digital, with buttons, switches and stuff EVERYWHERE. The 997 TT interior is much cleaner and straight forward in my opinion. I just do not think I would use 80% of all the doohickies it has.
We were in automatic mode all the time, which was fine with me as shifting would have taken away concentration from driving. I was going to paddle shift a few laps, but ran out of time. I am still a fan of three pedals and shifting, which is no longer an option. I will say the automatic shifts were fast as hell and very good. The GT3 got a little confused on what gear I wanted the first few laps, but this was do to my driving, not the car. I got better with it, it is a precision machine. Fun to drive, but not for me.
I could see trading up to a 991 (or 992) one day when I am tired of the 997, but right now I am having a blast in it, especially with what I learned. Dropping an additional 100k on a new 991 is just not in the cards right now.
10-14-2018, 01:49 PM
997 TT vs 991 TT, Porsche Experience
