Just saw this today so apologies for a late reply. If I had to describe the differences between my two Turbo Ss, I would say they differ by these couple themes:

- Seating position in the 957 feels more upright whereas the 958 gives you a bit more back angle and tucked forward/angled lower seat bottom position. Both feel very good but there is a difference in how your back angle and arm reach feels to the steering wheel.

- Trans in the 958 along with the reduced weight give it a bit more sporty attitude for that first second when you take off or get into the throttle. I'd say its about as much difference as putting a tune on a car, different and improved but not a major difference.

- Steering feel and turn in... actually the 09 feels more lithe on initial cornering and setting to bite and I think this is all due to the PCCB weight reduction. Steering just feels more precise. It will be interesting to compare once I upgrade the 2014 to PCCB as I think then it will regain the edge due to overall weight being lower.

- Exhaust at idle and 3 grand up when pushing it... the 2014 pre / post GIAC tune just has a deeper bass note and bark than the 09. Both sound very good but when behind the wheel, you really can't hear much in the 09 and maybe its the upgraded glass that is taking away quite a bit of the good noise

- PCCBs... this has got to be the biggest overall difference in feel and performance between the two. Its tough to describe but the difference is when braking from speeds well north of 50 mph... the first initial set of the pedal and bite happens the ramp of bite of the ceramics has a much higher slope rate per pedal travel that it just gives you the perception that you a dropping boat anchors left and right. So then when you drive a car with steel brakes you think they got some grease on them as they don't continue to bite at as high a rate as the ceramics. If you are a clean wheel nut, this is the only way to go. Live in locations where you have to drive on gravel roads alot, I would stick with steel as the risk of damage to $ wallet is high.

- Overall, 957 has a more industrial/rugged feel to it and the 14 is just flat out fast and many of my friends just liken it to a supersized 911 or a cargo sized M5.

 

Thanks GDA. I also do find 957 is not that 'refined'. It's pretty sporty, yet compare to similar year RRS or even my old Discovery3(LR3), the word 'rugged' really says what I feel!

My car, sometimes the rev goes so low that when I accelerate (not to the floor), if transmission thinks it doesn't need to gear down, and put some load on engine, then I feel the engine is struggling, it's like on a manual driving 40kph when you're accidentally on 6th gear. Frankly I've never felt the same on any other automatic, it just feel that the transmission with solid connection without torque converter. Anyhow I hate that transmission :P it really downgrades the car for so much. Do you find gear change speed/logic on the 958 has some major improvements?

 

Mine seem to drive very similar when you disengage PSM to the point you might not tell one had more gears as they both shift pretty quick and smooth. There is a difference but worn motor mounts on a 5 year older car could probably account for that lack of smoothness. With PSM "on" then the second gear start and throttle behavior of the 957 has a lethargic attitude. I drive with PSM off unless its my commutes to from work where the stop n go in first gear painful.

 

WOW! Such big difference, totally another car when PSM is off! Many many thanks!

I can't believe Porsche tunes the car in such a way it's totally a waste when PSM is on! Not sure why they do that.

 

nice pick up! love the specs! I'd love to have a slicktop or a pano-top.

 

Turning PSM is great for the more aggressive shifting and engine mapping but I with 630+ hp, on rainy Seattle roads, I wish I could have the traction on but all the other benefits as well.

 

Everything Porsche does for engine and transmission programming and design is to kowtow to meet mileage and emissions targets while maintaining as much performance as possible. Often a tough balance beam to stay on.