996 to 991?

Has anyone considered an change from the 996 to a 991? I posed this question on the 991 board and as you can imagine it was very pro-991 with comments from a number of people who made the move. I'm very happy with my C4S, but the thought of a change has crossed my mind. Personally I'm not sure it's worth the extra $$ to change especially considering the extra love the 996 has had over the last few years. Would love to hear your thoughts though.

Quotes source post: 18852388

The 991 just like all the 911s are great cars. But each has issues. I would start with an understanding if the issues and potential solutions for the 991 engine and overall cost of service since the warranty will eventually expire. The good news with the 996 is that its been around for 25 years and we know all its issues, prevention and the solutions which are reasonably priced. Not sure of the 991. But the 991 forum would know.

I just got a 991.2 base manual car, after owning a 996TT Evo 600 package cab for a few years. I am much happier with the refinement, driving dynamics and tightness of the 991, although the 996TT was a faithful car that screamed like the dragon in the Game of Thrones. I feel like the 996TT cab got me through a "stage" of my car life, but the 991.2 will be by my side for years to come. Hope this feedback helps.

if you only have space for one, you wont regret the 991. they are very different experiences though. worthy of keeping both, based on how different and equally great they both are.

I just bought an 11 Turbo S to be honest I love the refinement and power the more I drive it but when I get back in the 996 I feel like I�m home the way it connects me to the road

Two stunners right there. ^^^^

Test drive one!

I thought about the same things as a Carrera S has the same 9A1 engine in the GT4. Good increase of power can be had with this motor through BGB Motorsports or DeMan.

991 too big...IMHO.

Quotes source post: 18853399

wheelbase is 3.9 inch longer overall car length is less than 2.3 inches longer width is 1.5 inches wider not much difference in my opinion

Quotes source post: 18853443

I was going to say "FAT" but didn't want to offend anyone.

Quotes source post: 18853443

Correct. The impression is that the 991 has become a behemoth, but the numbers say otherwise. Porsche is not backsliding with their newer cars and you should be able to still get CPO warranties.

Had both and they are VERY different. You should test drive the 991 and make your own decision. Fair warning: Be prepared to love the almost 2x HP

I've never noticed the size difference. The differences I notice when driving the two cars are the gearbox, the steering, the feedback from the road, and the throttle response. Each of these differences has positives and negatives in both vehicles and anyone who tells you that one is better than the other in all categories doesn't drive both regularly.

Objectively the 991 is a better car. But for me there�s two problems with the 991. 1. The majority are specced like a luxury SUV. Automatic transmission, heated steering wheel, navigation, full leather, heated and ventilated 14-way seats with memory, deviated stitching, blah, blah, blah�. 2. The price

Quotes source posts: 18852579, 18852834

Agree with this 100%. No such thing as any 911 series without issues. Some issues are larger than others but at the end of the day they all have some items that can prove problematic over time. As to the driving experience, much of that can be seriously influenced and affected by the particular car's original specification and any modifications done. A well setup and maintained manual 996 will "feel" far more "911 like" than say a PDK equipped Targa with every comfort option in the book. Choose ANY 911 wisely and you'll rarely be disappointed. Gorgeous!

No question the 991 is a much more neutral, comfortable, quiet and easier drive. I drove the 991 Turbo S, GTS and Carreras on the track back in 2017. Loved them. Thought they were big, heavy and neutral in feel in relation to the 996. But their power, speed and ease in driving with the nannies is absolutely incredible. But still prefer my 996 because I can feel everything thru the steering, pedals and seat. No question, not everyone wants that. So our preferences don't matter. What matters is what you want.

Personally, I wouldn't be opposed to jumping into the Carrera T from 991 generation. That one seems to speak to me the most. A simple tune can make these stupid quick if the stock power is not enough for you. Manual with buckets would be the ticket.

I alternate between a 2004 996.2 cab and a 2019 991.2 turbo S coupe. Will echo all of the sentiment here. The 991 is an amazing car. Pretty much perfect. Almost too perfect. Tons more HP (literally almost double) and tons more weight (500+ lbs). But I always go back to the 996...and it's just so much fun to drive. If I could have just one...believe it or not it would be the 996.

My Advice, get all the 911's you can, then you will know what you like best. I'm pretty partial to my early build 996. And even your own preferences will change. Currently own 964 996 c4 996 early build 991.2 GT3 touring 992 GT3 RS coming I'm guessing I'll still be partial to my early build 996 Something special about it. C4 aero car I could seriously daily. Great cars, love everything about them. Not a bad 911 but something special about the 996's.

I drove the 996 cab as a daily driver (in Boston) for 15 years. Wife put her foot down and said my new car had to have 4 seats, a roof, and 4WD. That pretty much eliminated all of the options except the Turbo S.

Quotes source post: 18853477

You could always say "big boned"

Quotes source post: 18852388

What is motivating you consider moving from the C4S? You could always go the other direction and move to a 2wd/6-speed/coupe 996.1 -- slightly less power with the 3.4, but 339 lbs lighter than the C4S.

One major difference in the 991 that others haven't mentioned is that you sit differently -- the windscreen is further away and you don't have the feeling you're close to the fenders like in a 996/997. The 996 feels more like an extension of your body, but there's no doubt the 991 is a special car too. I could someday see myself in a manual 991.2, but they are very difficult to find where I live. Almost all of them are PDK which dulls the experience for me.

Quotes source post: 18854093

What do you have sitting inside that Turbo S? Looking at the specifications between the 2004 Cab and the 2019 Turbo S, the Turbo S is actually just about 250 lbs more weight than the Cab. Is the Turbo S manual of PDK?

I picked the 996 as it's something I could tinker on. But i'll be honest, the 991 bug is starting to creep up. Not that I would buy a 99X to tinker on....but there isn't really any tinkering left to do on my 996.

Quotes source post: 18854588

Only the feeling that I may want something newer - especially seeing that I drive my 996 as a near DD during the spring and summer. The 991's also catch my eye at cars and coffee events. The newer interiors are very nice. However, I suppose that itch can be scratched with a Macan GTS or Turbo to get the modern Porsche interior experience. I'll likely keep my 996 at the end of the day.

I have a 996.2 C2 getting an engine rebuild atm, and a 991.1 GT3. I genuinely enjoy daily driving the 996 more than the 991. The 996 is more fun to drive around town, its nimble, easy to flick around at low speeds. Best grocery getter ever. $0.02

I've been pretty lucky in that I've been able to drive many different types of 911s. In short, spec means a lot. I'd never replace my personal 996 with a whatever base PDK 991.1 C4. But, that's because I've done a lot to my car to make it my own. And, it all depends on the 991. I've driven a few 991.2 GT3s. Amazing cars, but I personally preferred driving the 996.2, 997.1 and 997.2 GT3s. This is a **** picture, and its filthy, but its all I have of this car. IF I were to consider getting a 991, it would be this 2019 PCCB manual T. I LOVE it. It is just so much fun. It can be a grand touring car and a focused track car with the just a change of the dial. It also has a great interior and was a great place to be. It all depends on what you want though. I've driven a few 997.2 Turbo S and 991 Turbo S. Amazing power but they are entirely different than the GT3s. If I was driving to Boston every day: Turbo S. If I was driving the car on the weekends around the hill towns near me, 997.1 GT3. If I wanted a car to do both: 991.2 T. Money is a big factor though. I've love a T, but I don't think I'd spend the $70k ish difference to own one.

spec is everything. I found a 991.1 base carrera. rwd, 7mt, no sunroof, fixed ducktail, manual sport seats, PSE, PASM. A spiritual predecessor to the T. It might even be lighter than my comparatively loaded 996 C4S. If i was shopping 991.2 I'd go with a T for sure.

Best solution is keep 996 and get a 991. I haven�t�..yet�but a very good friend picked up a 996 in December. Below my former Guards Red 996.2, my current 991.2T, and my T with friends 02 996.

I made the move from an 02 C2 Cab mt to 991.1 C2 Cab mt. There will be things about the 996's driving dynamics that I will miss (steering feel, gearing, engagement), but not enough to regret my decision. The 991 is a more useable car with modern refinement and I find myself driving it MUCH more than the 996. Steering feel is something you'd have to be willing to give up if you make the move, especially in the 991.1. It'll take an off camber surface with a switchback to get the wheel to move in your hands. When it happens, I'm reminded how much more feel the 996 offered. And I always thought the gearing was perfect with the 996. 4k rpm was always at the right speed for each gear. The 991 is geared noticeably higher and takes away from the fun at slower, more reasonable speeds. I felt the seating in the 996 was magical. Not sure how they did it but I have 14 way adjustable seats in the 991 and I can't duplicate the seating/ergos that I had in the 996. The 991 will feel a little less engaged than the 996 but NVH is drastically better in this generation, it just feels like a modern car. Although the car is bigger, it's still relatively light at about the same weight (or less depending on model) as a 997.2 The roof design of the cabriolet is far superior than the previous generations. With the roof up, the hard headliner and quiet cabin makes it feels like a coupe. I was impressed with how Porsche managed the air in the 996 cabin when the top is down but the 991 is in another league. And you have a power windscreen that just adds to the versatility. The interior is practical and pleasant. Surprisingly, the back seat is useable even for adults! Not comfortable, but useable. The 996 community is active and it's very easy for DIY'ers to maintain and fix their own cars. Ask a question, and you almost always get multiple answers from people that have first hand experience. I think the 991 is a little too new and expensive for most people to roll up their sleeves and dig in. Hopefully in time this will change and it can be more like the 996/997. One big drawback is that 991 prices are very high and don't seem to be coming down. If you're OK with a PDK, you might find an early base 991 for a reasonable price but the prices on most 991's are hard to justify. The MT's are carrying a big premium right now and I don't see that changing and it could get worse. You have to remember that when the 991 gen PDK came out, it was one of the best automatics in existence. Everyone wanted that transmission and the take rate for MT's fell to 10% or less. Here we are years later and many 996/997 MT owners are looking to upgrade to a 991 MT and there just aren't a lot of them. When I think of my old 996, I feel fortunate to have owned it. When prices came down, especially pre-covid, many of us got to experience our first 911 and were introduced to a a car that always seemed just a little out of reach. Through my ownership, I really connected with the brand and wanted more, which led me to the 991. I don't expect it to stop there...

I think part of the decision may be base on whether you daily it and do your own work, or pay a shop. I have a good friend that just picked up a 991 and have driven it. I love the car and would consider buying from him down the road. However, we are about to tackle the 60K mile service and have learned a few things looking through the web. First, the rear bumper cover has to come off to access the air filter, second, 2 of the 6 spark plugs are a total PITA to get to, and third, you can't flush the coolant without a PIWIS to operate various bleed valves in the coolant system. I have not been able to determine if Durametric can do this. There is no engine access from the top. I haven't looked at anything beyond a basic 60K service, but to me the car appears to be a much bigger pain in the butt to work on than my 996 or 928. If its a weekend warrior that only gets a few thousand miles a year, it may not be an issue. Miles and subsequent maintenance and repairs will take a longer time to rack up. But my 996 is mostly a daily driver and build miles faster than I'd like if I were maintaining a 991. I'm almost at the point where I think the newest Porsche I'd get would be a997.2 unless I opt for a Cayman / Boxster that has a topside engine access panel. If I were paying someone else to turn wrenches, my opinion might be different.

Funnily enough I just did the 60k on my 991 last night. It's a little bit different from the 996/997 but honestly not much. Taking the bumper cover off is very quick and painless. Don't get scared off by it, it's very DIY-able. When I've done plugs/coils on the 996/997 I've always had to take the mufflers off those cars too. I've found that spending a little extra time to give myself clearance is worth it rather than trying to squeeze things. Fun times.