Picking a 992 - 992.2 base v 992.1 GTS - Page 1 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

As per title, I am looking into one of the above for the wife now junior is about to hit 15 months and can face forward (won’t be on daily baby duties). I prefer the aesthetics of the new car, subjective, but I think it looks slightly better. I haven’t really geeked out on all the changes, but think some of the GTS bits carried over? I did really enjoy a test drive in a 992.1 4wd GTS a couple of years ago - yet to drive .2 base. No interest in .2 GTS, nor the budget which is c. £100k. I would strongly caveat that I think all 992s are basically too fast for road use. I find my 981 GTS the perfect amount of power for a road car (will be keeping) but we want to try 911 and something new(ish).

I think the .2 has the turbos from the GTS .1 and you get the updated interior.The tach is now digital (boo), but they have fixed the hidden outer dial issue. You probably need to test drive - the differences are going to be fairly subtle and personal. Have you ruled out a 991.2 GTS? That would be where my money would go, better sound, more physical buttons. I think they made them up to 2019. I would have got one myself by it was a bit too much of a stretch.

I would avoid the center lock wheels. You try removing one by the side of the road. How on earth are you going to torque them to 600 nm? They need a special tool. They have also been subject to a large recall for safely reasons. I would also avoid 4wd as an expensive option that affects steering feel, adds weight, complexity, cost and takes up the front boot space. I have over 70,000 miles in 992s and have never had a traction issue with 2wd, even without the mechanical locking diff. Maybe I would if I lived up a snowy mountain or drove like a rally driver on loose gravel. As far as speed goes my C2 measures 3.6 seconds to 60. Not 4.2. I have measured it properly. That is without the "Sports Chrono" (£2,000) option. I hardly ever get the chance to reproduce these figures that on the road. I wouldn't anyway because I would look like an idiot and I like my tyres and my PDK gearbox too much. I wonder if the throttle pedal response in the non sports chrono cars just unlocks all the beans when you floor it? This negates the S/C button. It goes from "Comfort" to "Sports" instantly. Having driven both, I would say thats true. Fan boys will hate me for saying it. Thats another topic though. The smaller turbos on the .1 C2 really do have instantaneous throttle response too. Like my old Tesla Model S. I think its less laggy than the sportier turbo models. Maybe it is because I didn't tick any of the option boxes that it weighs 1,500kgs and goes like a ding bat, averaging 32 mpg. I dont need 18 way electric seats for example. My old GT 63 weighed 1,895 kg in comparison. The C2 is also significantly cheaper to buy in the first place, thats the one I would go for, with as few options as possible, if you could not tell. Friends and acquaintances I know with Sports Chrono have had engine mount issues that have been difficult to resolve. They can rattle. Just saying. They use a complicated active mount that. Not sure that has been resolved yet. This has been happening at low age / mileages too. I cannot say which one looks better, .1 or .2, however the last .2 I drove was full of beeps and bongs that needed top be turned off as per the new nanny rules for cars. The .2 also also lost the lovely "headlight" starter switch on the earlier cars. Good luck with the search. Edited by BuyaDuster on Sunday 13th April 09:50

BuyaDuster said: I would avoid the center lock wheels. You try removing one by the side of the road. How on earth are you going to torque them to 600 nm? They need a special tool. They have also been subject to a large recall for safely reasons. I would also avoid 4wd as an expensive option that affects steering feel, adds weight, complexity, cost and takes up the front boot space. I have over 70,000 miles in 992s and have never had a traction issue with 2wd, even without the mechanical locking diff. Maybe I would if I lived up a snowy mountain or drove like a rally driver on loose gravel. Edited by BuyaDuster on Sunday 13th April 09:50 I don’t disagree that center locks are not needed on the road but they do look cool. However no one changes at the side of the road as the cars don’t come with a spare wheel so its tyre weld stuff or professional. The ‘special tool’ comes with the car and all is needed is a breaker bar which a roadside professional would have. You don’t even need a torque wrench to do up at side of road - there are manual marks you can use to get close to required value as per manual. It just needs checking when you can get to a garage or someone with a torque wrench. In all likely road side professional would have one, but again who really changes tyres on the side of the road with a 911? It’s going to be weld or a plug to get you somewhere. I have had a 2wd S and had a few heart in mouth moments going sideways on certain roads around here. I have not in my current 4. So probably depends on skill, road conditions etc The GTS will have a much firmer ride - so spends on you local roads if that’s for you.

I'm 10,000 miles in with a new 992 C2S. 992.1. I did go a bit daft with the options - but it's a keeper, so things like front axle lift don't feel like an extravagance (it's not, I need it), the BOSE upgrade (not worth it) maybe not so much. It's massively fast and way too much for anything other than the very quiet UK road or a trip to Germany, so I'm not sure what I'd do with more power and the standard car would've been enough for me. In Normal drive mode, I would say that the throttle response can be a little lacking, but using it in Sport (much improve throttle response) can be a tad OTT all the time. However, with the Sports Chrono it is so fabulously easy to toggle between the two as you drive without menu adjustments. I've never used the launch control. The infotainment is good, but not class leading and the lack of buttons for things like pre-sets on the radio still drives me insane. It's my only car and to this end I can testify that it's entirely fine as a daily. I didn't even put winters on. Traction in the dry is great. If the wheel isn't quite straight and you're heavy on the throttle you'll have to modulate for traction and in the wet be careful, but all very controllable and predictable. It's on Michelin PS4S I think, which are much quieter than the 992 on PZ that I test drove.

Lancs Jag Boy said: I'm 10,000 miles in with a new 992 C2S. 992.1. I did go a bit daft with the options - but it's a keeper, so things like front axle lift don't feel like an extravagance (it's not, I need it), the BOSE upgrade (not worth it) maybe not so much. It's massively fast and way too much for anything other than the very quiet UK road or a trip to Germany, so I'm not sure what I'd do with more power and the standard car would've been enough for me. In Normal drive mode, I would say that the throttle response can be a little lacking, but using it in Sport (much improve throttle response) can be a tad OTT all the time. However, with the Sports Chrono it is so fabulously easy to toggle between the two as you drive without menu adjustments. I've never used the launch control. The infotainment is good, but not class leading and the lack of buttons for things like pre-sets on the radio still drives me insane. It's my only car and to this end I can testify that it's entirely fine as a daily. I didn't even put winters on. Traction in the dry is great. If the wheel isn't quite straight and you're heavy on the throttle you'll have to modulate for traction and in the wet be careful, but all very controllable and predictable. It's on Michelin PS4S I think, which are much quieter than the 992 on PZ that I test drove.

And so having done nothing when I originally posted, I now find myself staring at the same conundrum Think I m leaning 992.1 GTS more so based on aesthetics if I m honest I know sounds a bit ridiculous but it s the naff unpainted calipers on the base - can t get past it

RichDS said: And so having done nothing when I originally posted, I now find myself staring at the same conundrum Think I m leaning 992.1 GTS more so based on aesthetics if I m honest I know sounds a bit ridiculous but it s the naff unpainted calipers on the base - can t get past it I’m just selling a car with centrelocks as they are a PITA, I’d avoid them. Manual cars can also be an issue - dealers won’t buy them without an overrev report, one bad downshift and you’ve a marked car. A base model has plenty of performance, bags of traction and has a a much better ride than a GTS. The motoring press normally say it’s all you need. There are unsold new cars at dealers and they are doing big deals, you’d almost get in to a new one with your budget.

The GTS aesthetics do help it stand out, I suppose it looks a bit more purposeful and sporty, and residual values seem to be more stable on GTS models. But the compromise is a frankly atrocious ride, centre-lock wheels that are a pain to remove and a frustratingly noisy cabin. I’ve sold mine now and glad I owned it. It was a manual and I spent most of my time wishing I’d bought the PDK. Personally I’m not sure I agree with the journalist favourite of calling the GTS the ‘sweet spot’; it’s not hardcore enough to be great on track but it’s too firm and unpleasant for a daily - it’s the worst of both worlds. I think I’d go for a nice 992.2 base next time, or go the other way and try and get in a GT3. Maybe the other journalists who say a base model is all you need are actually correct?

RichDS said: And so having done nothing when I originally posted, I now find myself staring at the same conundrum Think I m leaning 992.1 GTS more so based on aesthetics if I m honest I know sounds a bit ridiculous but it s the naff unpainted calipers on the base - can t get past it I have the 992.1 GTS 4 and although not without shortcomings it isn't a bad car . My complaints are a dashboard thats 75% hidden behind the steering wheel , an interior thats clearly a step downwards on whats gone before in the use of VW parts bin plastics , and with the child in the front seat , you will want to be careful of that centre console being damaged . Wheels meanwhile when being used as a daily driver seem to pit at random . Mine are Spyders in Satin Black rather than Centre Locks . As always a full warranty is essential (you'll know this from previous Porsche ownership) and I would look for one with frontal PPF already applied . I had a failed water pump on mine at 8000 miles (see my other thread) something you may want to consider depending on what car you purchase . It wouldn't put me off .

I had a 997 GTS and the centrelocks always stressed me out and made me worried about making work trips with the car. But there is a new tool that you can buy that allows you to torque the wheel up yourself. It was reasonably priced a while back but I now see that they are around £3500! It's made by Hytorc... I suspect there is a cheaper one out there too somewhere

I’ve had my GTS for 3 years and love it, I don’t daily it but use it as much as possible and I’ve had no mechanical issues at all. I’ve done several track days & euro trips and for my skill level and usage it’s the perfect compromise (All 911s are) The ride is stiff but running the tyres in comfort and a change to PS4S improves the ride as do the 18way seats. I don’t have lift and even though I’ve scrapped the front splitter a couple of times (my fault for not noticing a high kerb ) I don’t thinks it necessary. As someone mentioned earlier in the thread, if you get a puncture at the side of the road in any 992 you’re going to need assistance, I carry a 2 piece torque wrench with me on long road trips (£350 norbar) and have removed the wheels myself to clean them and if you can change a normal wheel I’m sure the Center locks won’t be an issue. At the end of the day there’s a 911 out there for everyone, you just need to try a few to find the right one for you.

jackliebling said: I had a 997 GTS and the centrelocks always stressed me out and made me worried about making work trips with the car. But there is a new tool that you can buy that allows you to torque the wheel up yourself. It was reasonably priced a while back but I now see that they are around £3500! It's made by Hytorc... I suspect there is a cheaper one out there too somewhere Much cheaper alternative for dealing with centre locks- https://nut-cracker.com/

griffdude said: Much cheaper alternative for dealing with centre locks- https://nut-cracker.com/ There already was (and still is) a much cheaper alternative that didn’t require such a tool…..

jackliebling said: I had a 997 GTS and the centrelocks always stressed me out and made me worried about making work trips with the car. But there is a new tool that you can buy that allows you to torque the wheel up yourself. It was reasonably priced a while back but I now see that they are around £3500! It's made by Hytorc... I suspect there is a cheaper one out there too somewhere Haha, 3.5k pounds for a big spanner........what a croc. Sorry, I just fail to see why anybody would want centre locks.