Needsdecaf

All:

I've owned a nicely equipped 2013 991.1 C2S Cab for almost 3 years now. It's my first 911 (not first Porsche). When I was looking at buying it, I was trying to figure out the best car for me at the time. I settled on a 991 cab for several reasons:

1. Newest, most up to date tech at the time.
2. Drove cab and coupe, very few drawbacks to 991 Cab vs. coupe. Wife preferred the cab, I came to really enjoy it in Houston spring / fall.
3. 997 Cab back seats didn't fit my kids at the time.
4. Slightly more roomy cockpit vs. 997 is more comfortable to this 6'2", 250 lb guy.

I've never fallen for the car. I mean, it's a 911, don't get me wrong, so it's a world-class sports car. But it's never gotten under my skin. I remember driving a clapped out C2S 997 MT and thinking "this is the way it should feel!". The 991 to me is just a little too inert. I've driven the 991 Carrera T and think it has the mojo, but honestly the new turbo motor is a bit TOO anodyne.

Now that my son no longer fits in the back of my Cab, we don't take it four up any more. I kind of want to swap it out for something a little more frenetic. For reference my car has PASM (standard on 991 S), Sport Chrono, Sport Exhaust, 7MT and is modded with a GT4 shifter and Rennline adjustable pedals. I've been thinking either 997 GTS, 997 Turbo, or even a 993. I just saw a 997.1 GT3 at Porsche West Houston but it went under contract before I could drive it. The reason I was interested is that it had the rear seats added back..But not having driven a 997 GT3, I wasn't willing to buy it without driving it first.

I drove a 2012 Turbo today. PDK. Nicely equipped, but no Sport Chrono. It felt great. "Right". It's a little tighter in the shoulders, but I'm still comfortable. This car would not be my daily. I'm in Houston and the roads aren't great driving roads. Very few curvy roads. The 991 doesn't work well here as 2nd gear is good for 78 MPH at redline...and peak torque is at 5,600 RPM. That means I can redline it ONCE until I am speeding, or twice if I'm on the highway. Or breaking the law pretty badly on back roads. The Turbo seems like a good fit for Houston's straight roads.

Will I miss the MT? Looks like 997 Turbo manuals are pretty hard to find, especially in .2 guise.

Anyone go backwards from a 991 and either love or hate it? I feel like it's just more "Porsche" like. The ride is a bit stiff for the roads here but I plan on buying a DSC controller if this is the way I go.

993 appeals to me on the rawness level, the coolness level, but I think they're largely overpriced and the ones that are reasonable aren't factoring in that they'll need a full top end rebuild soon.

Your thoughts are appreciated. Thank you!

MexicoBlueTurboS

You're only going to find 997 enthusiasts here. I have a Turbo S and love the living hell out of it. It's a life and death decision every time you step hard on the gas. In less than 3 seconds, you're going 60. By 7 you're over 100. It's definitely a 'fast car fast' situation. The 997 is the best of all worlds if you ask me. I don't think I would want to have a 996 or 991 or any other car for that matter. Perfectly happy with what I have.

Big Swole

Another large guy here (6'2" 265 lbs) with a 2012 997.2 TTS.

I sold my 996TT 6MT for my 2012 TTS. I LOVE my car. PDK and all. I rarely miss rowing gears when I'm driving it. However, I do enjoy rowing gears when I get to drive my GF's Honda Civic Si.

Part of me wants another manual car, but only to ADD to my choice, not replace my TTS.

I think you'll love the 997TT.

Steve 96C4S

OMG, just get the 2011, 2012 or 2013 911 Turbo S and never look back. I shifted cars for 20+ years and LOVE not shifting now. I can enjoy my car, enjoy bumper to bumper traffic, talk on my phone (on bluetooth) and not have to focus so hard on shifting. My left knee appreciates and and yes, it'a bit boring sometimes but I don't care. I'd never go back. The Turbo S is the way to go for me. I had thought about upgrading to a newer 911 Turbo S (991) and my buddy tonight who saw my car said, "ARE YOU CRAZY? Your car looks better, better rear taillights, a classic. DON'T DO IT".

I was sold. ;o) I'm a sucker for peer pressure. I can't imagine ever selling my 911 Turbo S. I drove it for 10 hours on Sunday and was SO comfortable and I have a bad back. So good on my body. I had to have the adaptive sport seats, the other ones killed my back. I also had to have the sport steering wheel, NOT the other one which I hated, Sirius radio was non negotiable and the center lock wheels since I preferred this look. I came from 13 years in a 993 C4S. I would NEVER go back. The A/C sucked in that car and I had it fixed every year I had it and just gave up on it. That was my primary reason for selling it. And I sold it for a lot. My car has everything I'd ever want or need. I may go soft one day and get a newer one but I don't see the point.

RobBlack 993C4S

I went from a 993 C4S to a 12 TTS, The TTS has everything and more than my 993 that was a beautiful garage queen. The desire to drive TTS is unreal and I have had it for 15 months. They are all great but I have to say I am enjoying the PDK far Maier than shifting as it is always in the correct gear and Power from this TTS is addicting.

Drive them hem all before you make a decision as that is where you will see the differences for your tastes.

Good luck and keep us posted

cyclrder

I have to add my 2 cents.... if I want an automatic... I’ll take my E63S Wagon... and sure it’s faster than even a PDK S.... but driving a .2 TT MT is simply magic... you can still have fun at 40-90 just shifting gears.

but I think we can all agree, you need the Sport Chrono!

sfbanchs

i kept my 993TT and added a 2012 Turbo S best of both worlds unlike some i would never sell my 993 but its also looking that way for the Turbo S

Bxstr

I am 6'5" 200lbs. 997's have so much room in them. Having driven many Turbos and having quite a bit of seat time in a PDK .2, I can say you will absolutely like it. The 991 is going to be a better daily. The 997 is going to be the better weekend car if you are looking for engagement. DFI engine is great too.

lflouie

I recently purchased my first Pcar, a 997.1tt 6 spd, so my experience is pretty fresh from going through the 997 vs 991 and 6spd vs pdk evaluation.

991 vs 997: like them both! But these 2 cars, while similat, drive/feel different from one another (comparing same transmission). As mentioned, the 991, especially with pdk, is a better daily and a more "relaxed" driver......still handles well but seems rather passive and less edgy. I actually thought the 991 with 6 spd was an interesting balance of refinement coupled with the increased joy of a 6spd. Drove a few with this combo and would have gone this route for a mixed use occasional driver/weekend car.

Since I only use my car as a weekend driver, the daily driving aspect/benefits were lower on my priority list and the Pdk was a compromise that I could have reluctantly accepted.

The size, analog feedback and overall look and feel of the 997 won me over. The 997.2 has a nicer updated interior and a few other changes vs the 997.1 but in my opinion, they are both superior to the 991. Both cars are improved with the addition of the DSC controller, so get one asap.

Either a .1 or .2tt would have been fine for me since I planned on keeping them stock, but the cost and limited availability led me to an early 997.1.

I have driven a 997.2tts and ridden in a 991.1tts and 991.2tts, all great cars....and really fast. If pure speed would have been my priority, one of these would have been on the list, cost aside. But quite frankly I felt that the TTS was over the top power wise, and bc they were only PDK, weren't as much fun to drive on the weekends and way over powered for a DD. If a TTS was on my list, I might lean towards the 991.1tts simply bc for me it would be more of a grand touring car vs a backroad driver.

MexicoBlueTurboS

[QUOTE=lflouie;15894463 I might lean towards the 991.1tts simply bc for me it would be more of a grand touring car vs a backroad driver.[/QUOTE]


I'm still getting accustomed to my TTS but my overall sense having last had a 928S before getting a 997 (first a C4S cab, now the TTS) was that the 928 was truly a GT car - it was so easy and assuring to drive from 100 - 150 mph. True autobahn car. When I've gone fast in the TTS - I feel like I have to pay more attention as it's more responsive (I hate to publicly use the word twitchy but it's in my mind). I know without a doubt my car is in 100% mechanical shape and that it's 3x better of a car than the 928 so this just may be comfort level and experience with the car. I haven't driven so much since I brought it home. But the first 3 days I had it, 2000 miles and accomplished relatively easy.

TRIPLEBLK1

I am fortunate to own three generations of 911's & it's wonderful to have the best of air cooled worlds. Water cooled for me is

hands down the 997. I have a 997.2 TT with Factory Aero Kit, it is the last of a true Porsche Sports Car.

Needsdecaf

Thanks all. Drove another car today with Sport Chrono and it was better in auto, but shifts felt pretty firm even in just Sport. Is it a must have? I have it on my 991 and I’m not all that Fussed about it, although I do have a manual.

4ocious

6'0", 260 and locked in a time warp. There is no going forward (991) for me.

sfbanchs

not sure about that i raced one at pbir 1/4 mile in my audi s8+ he ran an 11.6 and i ran an 11.5 a stock 997.2TTs will take an e63s wagon any day, also did a few rolling starts in the s8 and e63s wagon and gapped him each time

tango131

I’d say yes, sport chrono is a must have in a TT. I have a 997.2 TT with SC, and it adds dynamic engine mounts (I do feel it on track) and, crucially, an over boost (2psi) for 10 or so seconds (just like the TTS has always on). So you get TTS speed for a short burst. You also get launch control if you are into that sort of thing. Shifts in sport and sport plus are firm on purpose . It’s not a full automatic, but in normal it comes close. Good luck