This indecision’s bugging me. Which 911? - Page 2 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

Merry Christmas to everybody here! It’s the season to ponder after drinking too much Christmas wine, and I predict my dilemma recent months will get even worse over the next few days. (Just to add that I haven’t started on the wine yet!). Since I sold my last daily driver car back in August (Brabus C63S) I have been actively seeking a return to 911 ownership, having owned a few in the past. For most of this period I have been convinced I wanted a 991.2 GTS. I use a car three or four times a week, mainly for a run to a sports club out in the suburbs of London from my home in central London, around 15 mile round-trip. Occasionally we will drive one of the children and a friend somewhere this is really very occasional now as they are at Uni. Sometimes for shopping etc and occasionally for a proper drive, I do have a couple of weekend cars for that purpose. Anyway I haven’t found a 991.2 with the right spec, and have been distracted by other possibilities, including people pointing out that a good 997 GTS or 997.2 S would serve me just as well, and perhaps a little more organic feedback, for a chunky saving. And then there are all the other cars out there. Whatever I buy needs to be two pedal. So..a good 997 C2S for £45-£50k, GTS for £60-65k, 991.2 GTS for £75-85k…I just don’t know anymore. It’s a conversation that has cropped up before, but if anyone has too much time on their hands over the festive period I would love to hear more views. I have ruled out 991.1 because I really didn’t get on with the steering. I should add that I also had a 992 C2S last year and didn’t like its lack of engagement/involvement at normal speeds and sold it. Edited by Venosta on Sunday 24th December 12:34 Edited by Venosta on Sunday 24th December 12:34

I think you have answered your own question, 997.2 it is then!

Go with a manual 997 GTS

Given the age of the 997, I'd go for the best low mileage manual GTS you can. I assume by two pedals you don't mean PDK ?

any choice is the right right one at the time given buying a Porsche is a luxury purchase. I have run most 911 ‘s in one format or another since the 996. The cars that suited best did big miles with European trips. You get to know the potential of the car and the limits of your ability to exploit it. The 991.1 in GTS form stands out and for me it’s the pick if speccd well. If you’re changing models frequently as many do I guess it doesn’t matter so much which iteration you choose, but I have had far more satisfaction from using my 911’s over 25/40k

991.1 GTS, I’d at least try one. Engine is much more special than the .2, although as a daily probably more usable. If it’s anything like a DD for you then no older than 991 just on the basis of tech, Bluetooth streaming etc.

I've had a 997 GTS for 2 years and also had a 991.1 GTS for a month as a courtesy car. Both wonderful. The 991.1 GTS is sublime, a more modern experience than the 997. The 3.8 N/A engine is just unreal,it wails like a Symphony Orchestra and has lovely burbles. The 997 seems more rudimentary and pure and in a way, less vocal (hence people putting in the x pipe), the 991 was a serious refinement and modernisation. I would never get the 991.2 because of the turbo. A much less special engine...

991.1 4S cab, the car for all seasons. Low end torque can be sorted with a little tickle. The .2 engine was a bit bland for me, sorted in 992 but I’m not a fan of the screen based tech in the new cars. All IMO of course. Enjoy the hunt.

PGNSagaris said: Go with a manual 997 GTS It will have one too many pedals. The OP said two pedals. OP - 997 GTS is the answer you are looking for IMHO. Probably the best car I have ever owned. I have owned more exotic cars but at the business of fulfilling its brief well the 997 GTS has so far been the best. I always described it as THE car for the dad perpetually late for the school run.

°^^^ Yes he did state 2 pedals. He also stated that he didn't get on with the steering of the 991.1 and the modern screens in the 992, so that rules out a couple of the above suggestions too. It pretty much seems to be that a PDK 997 of some variety is the answer. GT4P almost got there but didn't specifically state PDK Edited by BAMoFo on Monday 25th December 08:41

Agree steering on 991.1 not as alive as 997, they did improve it on later models, is it just software or is a rack change needed? It still may never be as good as hydraulic I acknowledge.

I’m going to follow this with interest. I’ve owned a 993 for 15 years & at some point intend on a modern 911 as a semi daily. Some of the options appeal to me as does a 992 Carrera but I suspect I’d find it too big & sanitised. GTS in all varieties have for years in Evo obviously been described as the sweet spot.

[quote=acme]I’m going to follow this with interest. I’ve owned a 993 for 15 years & at some point intend on a modern 911 as a semi daily. Some of the options appeal to me as does a 992 Carrera but I suspect I’d find it too big & sanitised. GTS in all varieties have for years in Evo obviously been described as the sweet spot. [/quote I am a big believer in always buying the newest . For the extra £10-15k that a Carreras 992 would cost ,I thinks tts by far better value than a 991.1 GTS and also 5-6 years newer. Paul

To be honest, pretty hard to make a wrong choice, each gen. has it merits, which ever you choose, you can always try the 'other' one once your done

Folk can sometimes over think these things. For the op’s intended use, a base 997.1 Carrera is plenty of car for the money, is quick, handles well and if bought right, should return at or near the purchase price come resale. Would a 997 GTS or S be quicker on paper? Perhaps, but is the additional power useable? If you’ve owned a Brabus you know the answer. I’ve got a 400 bhp R171 SLK 55 and a standard 3.6 325 bhp 997.1. The SLK is much faster but the Porsche is just as quick in the real world.

Thank you, everyone. Each iteration has pros and cons and it’s pretty subjective but I am always interested and grateful to hear views. In theory 991.1 GTS should be a sweet spot of NA engine and more modern car as a DD. But I remember not liking the steering on all 991.1s and 991.2 was an improvement. Will a 997 feel old as a DD..maybe..as a development of a car that was launched in the 1990s.. Maybe I am seeking the impossible, a car that gives back a lot of organic feedback at ordinary speeds while also being swift and modern in its interface and gizmos. My 992 S was swift and modern but no feedback or fun at ordinary speeds.

What intrigued me about this thread is seemingly like the OP I look for cars that are interactive & engaging, it’s exactly all those years ago why I chose a 993 & not a 996! As cars have become faster having to be at the outer limits to access this engagement has only got worse, it’s one reason I gave up riding sports bikes. From years of reading the various generations tested in Evo it does seem the GTS version is usually best at this, but I do wonder if years of air cooled 911 has spoilt me. I’m intrigued to see input in this thread for the OP.

My feeling is the GTSs are more than just faster than the Ss. More feedback and somehow better to drive more than just the extra power and equipment..

Is a 992T worth thinking about as there are now quite a few new ones available from stock

991.2 Carrera T. Great blend of (reasonable) modernity and driving engagement. Not that many PDKs about though.

Had 991.1 now 991.2, both GTS. The .2 is better in pretty much all ways, bar the noise. I’d try as many as you can, one will speak more than others. Let’s be honest what ever you get it won’t be wrong will it?

991.2 T is a smart idea. They’re not cheap though.. My daughter just looked over my shoulder and suggested a 928 GTS, apparently one with a OPC warranty available in Europe. (She’s a 90s buff). It’s going to be a long Christmas

Similar dilemma here! Have owned a 2007 manual 997 Turbo for 10 years but with my aging years, it's becoming less enjoyable. The clutch is very heavy and using it is an event every time. Have to be 'on it' to get the best out of it. So tempted by something a little more sedate with modern tech and PDK. I've never driven a 991 or a 992 so only speaking from desktop research but the 992 T seems to tick the most boxes if your budget can stretch to well into the 90k range.

James44 said: Similar dilemma here! Have owned a 2007 manual 997 Turbo for 10 years but with my aging years, it's becoming less enjoyable. The clutch is very heavy and using it is an event every time. Have to be 'on it' to get the best out of it. So tempted by something a little more sedate with modern tech and PDK. I've never driven a 991 or a 992 so only speaking from desktop research but the 992 T seems to tick the most boxes if your budget can stretch to well into the 90k range. I'm happy with the older automatic box in the 996 Turbo. Just can't be arsed with a clutch pedal these days. Sure, it doesn't change as quickly as a manual but these day's I don't care. I can be in the right gear for a boooost of power when required. It's not difficult. As for the drive itself, I read a lot about how modern 911s don't feel as raw. I enjoy how the 996 feels and it's not like driving a Mercedes, Seat or TT of a similar age. The TT does feel decent to drive, more so than, say a Leon FR, maybe because of the driving position, but the 911 Turbo is leagues above in terms of how it feels and the overall experience. Edited by Hoofy on Tuesday 26th December 00:59

Most of your driving described sounds pretty dull, so I’d go for the most modern version you can and aim to find reasons to escape London. Personally I find the modern 911 chassis to be so well resolved that you need plenty of torque to give it any challenge at all. This is why the 991.2 GTS works best.

Hoofy said: I'm happy with the older automatic box in the 996 Turbo. Just can't be arsed with a clutch pedal these days. Sure, it doesn't change as quickly as a manual but these day's I don't care. I can be in the right gear for a boooost of power when required. It's not difficult. As for the drive itself, I read a lot about how modern 911s don't feel as raw. I enjoy how the 996 feels and it's not like driving a Mercedes, Seat or TT of a similar age. The TT does feel decent to drive, more so than, say a Leon FR, maybe because of the driving position, but the 911 Turbo is leagues above in terms of how it feels and the overall experience. Edited by Hoofy on Tuesday 26th December 00:59 You've hit the nail on the head. If I jump in a 992 for a drive, I'll love it and have my pen out in no time. Then, a few months later, I'll be pining for the analog, hands on, involving 997T back ... first world problems and all that ...

Worth mentioning that the first generation PDK in the 997 isn't great. I've not experienced it personally but the 991 version is much much better. Worth bearing in mind. A 997 PDK will probably be cheaper than a manual as they're not so well loved. I like the early first gen 996. So I thought I'd give it a mention even though its probably out of place here. Yes I'm banging the drum. Lots of feedback and character even at pedestrian speeds. Even gets loads of attention just getting petrol or groceries. I ran one as my DD a few years ago. I still have it but it never moves nowadays. Driving round in a 20 year Old Porsche will always be special if you are that way inclined. Sure the newer cars are nice but if you had the opportunity at a party to talk to the guy who arrived in a 991 or the guy who arrived in a 996 which would you choose?

ATM said: Worth mentioning that the first generation PDK in the 997 isn't great. I've not experienced it personally but the 991 version is much much better. Worth bearing in mind. A 997 PDK will probably be cheaper than a manual as they're not so well loved. I've experienced both, a lot. The 997 'box is undeniably slower, but it's fine. The 997 is the better car IMHO,

Agree steering on 991.1 not as alive as 997, they did improve it on later models, is it just software or is a rack change needed? It still may never be as good as hydraulic I acknowledge.