What's a standard 991 like on track? - Page 1 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

Bit of a strange question really, but for context I've owned a few Porsches - three 987 S (a Boxster S and then a Cayman S and at the moment a Cayman R in fairly 'comfort spec'), and also a 718 GT4. I'm considering selling the R and getting into something else for b-road fun, but also a few track days. I also have a GR Yaris for daily duties and also the odd track day and sprint. I was thinkng about a GT car again, but my finances are looking a little shaky at the moment (I work in the City - it's bloody quiet!), so I'm wondering - should I perhaps get a 991.1 or .2 Carrera or Carrera S instead. Has anybody tracked one of these and, if so, how was it? At similar money the AMG GTS looks tempting or, of course, I could maybe stretch to a 981 GT4 or perhaps look to go back to a Lotus Exige V6 again. Curious to hear any views on this rather rambling 'what car' conundrum!

Why sell the R? - Will hold its money better than most of the other options you're looking at and more than capable for occasional track use. Can probably make some minor tweaks to hone it a little more - braided lines, pads and tyres.. and you're all set.

The R is more of a comfort spec set up - sports seats and PDK - but I suppose I could change the driver's seat and the other bits and get going. Or I could swap it for another R...but I've never had a 911 and I fancy trying one out for a bit. But only if they're actually going to work on track and down a b-road.

Why don’t you book a session at the experience centre and try it? I’m sure the Lotus would be great. AMG - the brakes seem to get very hot far too quickly compared to a 911 of any type

The experience centre is a good idea. The Lotus I'm also familiar with and they are good - and cheap to track. But I've had one and variety is the spice of life etc etc. The AMG kind of intrigues me - 500hp and not stupid money and quite a handsome thing too, but Porsche are a go-to car for a reason.

I'm reminded of a comment made by Andrew Frankel in Autocar when he reviewed the 991 on it's original release: 'The transformation of the 991 when driven on track is not dissimilar to Clark Kent after he's visited a phone box.'

STiG911 said: I'm reminded of a comment made by Andrew Frankel in Autocar when he reviewed the 991 on it's original release: 'The transformation of the 991 when driven on track is not dissimilar to Clark Kent after he's visited a phone box.' OK, those are encouraging words from a reviewer I have a lot of time for.

Not a 991, but my experience with my 997.2 S when it was standard was that it coped very well on track. Main limiting factors as with most normal road cars were tyres and brakes. I ended up investing in a second set of track wheels fitted with Cup 2 tyres plus Pagid RSL29 pads and Castrol SRF fluid and it would lap all day long without issue. I also fitted a DSC PASM controller along with EIbach springs which both work very well on road and track. I ended up retiring it from track duties and built a K20 Elise S1 but to be honest I get nearly the same amount of enjoyment on track with the 911 and much prefer the drive to and from track in the Porsche!

The short answer is they are very good. On road tyres and road brakes, they will have limitations, but a well-driven standard Porsche will likely be one of the fastest cars on the track unless you are up against some lunatic in a 458, etc.