In follow up of a previous request, here are my thoughts after logging several thousand miles on each car. These were sequential experiences, not in the garage all at once.

12C, 458, AND 991TTS COMPARISON

Visual appeal: 12C
The 12C just does not have a bad angle. The 458 does have some bad angles (mostly solved by the speciale) but it has some inspiring angles too. The 991 versus 997 loses something, I'm afraid. The rear is so bland and fat, without even the pretense of a diffuser or a big wing to distract and intimidate. The front is improved and side view reveals a handsome, albeit less classic, smoother rake. Quartering away is just gorgeous over those muscular hips. I look over my shoulder when I walk away, like it was the only car on earth. Well, enough of the aesthetic stuff and on to the marginally less subjective.

Exhaust note: 12C (yes really)
Taking a 458 through an overpass at redline is smile inducing. I grew up on V8 Camaros and tractor pulls, not F1 metallic rasp, but I'm still smiling. The broken glass crackle on downshift is even better, and less likely to get police attention. The 12C is underrated for this obligatory application, but more commonly when you are putting around in town you can hear the turbines lovely chu-chu-chuff, an unpredictable animal noise from right behind your head. It'd be hard to overemphasize this constantly pleasant event. The 458 at "town" speeds has a flatulent ricer sound when the valves open at low rpm (2500 I think). Fail. The 991TT has a new, surprisingly brassy baritone that the 997TT totally lacked. I'm not aware of a wastegate in any VTG system but turbine noises are always there on lift, and are entertaining without sounding artificial or intrusive. On overrun there is a predictable, out-of-character, deep crackle. Maybe it's piped in somehow. I don't like it at all. Oddly I much preferred the lively low splutter of the 997TT. More organic, softer. One might have to roll up the windows or even drive on snow to hear it, but wow do I miss it. Nostalgia for cars past.

Acceleration: 991TTS
Incredibly 550 hp is a knife to gunfight these days. Those numbers were offered at entry level by Ferrari and Lamborghini 4-5 years ago. Domestics too are seeing 600-700 hp stock, with a warranty and a bargain sticker. The lighter 12C will destroy anything at it's price point and above once it grips. Nonetheless, despite it's weight, I'm giving the 991TT the powertrain blue ribbon. Minimal lag, rewarding gearing, smart auto modes, and sick torque. It's the nuclear rollerskate you can take anywhere.

Fun: 458

Tough call. The 458 and 991 turbo are both very responsive. The 458 is quick as a video game. Most city driving is between 20 and 50 mph, for me anyway. The 12C is not geared for enjoyment at those speeds. Torque to the wheels is more important than torque at the shaft, and the 991TT is a genius at torque management. What the Porsche lacks in thrill it partly recovers in accessibility. One does not have to fret about dragging the snout or parking 1/2 mile from gawkers.

Reliability: 991TTS, so far. Definitely not McLaren. Modern Ferraris are fine IMO, if you enjoy jokes about Italian culture (no offense intended) and can tolerate a few electronic gremlins.

Tech: 991TTS, despite the ground-breaking use of active hydraulic suspension and carbon fiber tub on the 12C. All told, the 991TT offers a LOT of tech, most of it quiet and interesting to read about, with no need to learn or fear the action of differential couplings and computer sampling rates. Just drive as fast as you dare. It's efficient too, not that it really matters, but why embrace low-tech and waste? The small fuel tank makes it seem to guzzle, but it does not. The start stop mode on the 991 I have tried once. If the digital gauge tells true, oil pressure comes up too slowly at take off. I know there's a microlayer of lube waiting there, but no. Just no. Fortunately it defaults to off. The keyless start on the 991 is embarrassing however. Lexus had push button start in 2005. Corvette had heads up display in the 90s I think. Are you there Porsche? It's me, clock radio. Sorry, couldn't resist.


Track potential: I don't plan on tracking the car and am in no position to instruct on rear engine dynamics. The 991 turbo with ECU, exhaust, and sticky tires should be a force. Perhaps THE force, depending on the track.

Luxury: 991TTS
No contest. I don't have to tell anyone here about practicality either. This is the only supercar my wife wants to drive, and has single handedly made me a sunroof fan. Good audio. Seating maybe position not as good as 997.

Value and depreciation: 458
Porsche for great value, Ferrari for slow depreciation.

Safety: 991TTS
Not very exciting to discuss but if the car does not have confident brakes, grip, and headlights, this is a fun killer, if not a man killer. Bearing witness, lots of turbos are daily drivers (mine is not). Porsche is the clear winner here, and has been for years. Visibility/seating position matters too when you're threading 18-wheelers in the rain.

Handling: 458

Twitchy, quick, alive, if not the grippest on stock tire options. Porsche is strong here though. It's nimble and doesn't feel like a heavyweight. Easy to place, as they say. The 4-wheel steering is not so noticeable to me, except in parking lots. Torque vectoring, just as innocuous. The Ferrari steers so jittery, snappy and the rear steps out on a whim. The 12C offers more feedback. The Porsche's steering is a little, well, different. The extent of wind effect and tramlining are disturbing. Happily there is less of the creepy rear end twitch than in the 997. It's less telepathic than it's peers and not as light in the nose of course. It's not the "snap out of your hand" wiggle of previous gen cars. But it's not really numb either. There is just something odd. Almost as if the less I consciously steer the better line it delivers. It likes inputs of pressure, not motion. That kind of feel flatters neither my driving nor the 911 pedigree. But, as I read reviews of the 918 and it's competitors, no one is talking about feedback. Reviewers use vague words like "rewarding", "precise" or even "heavy", which sounds an awful lot like "numb". Interesting. Whether it's the electric motor impact I don't know. I've read there is no difference between the 991TT and the 991 GT3 except software (and AWD). The new steering will take some getting used to. I am wondering about the impact of a yet to be announced software flash and different tires.

Comfort: 12C, once you're in
I'm not a fan of NVH, especially that whump of air the 911 sends into your skull on crossing an expansion joint. Any tech to get rid of it is worth an investment. The 12C suspension is almost as good as they say, but not like a sedan. It's doors are a huge PIA though. I'm 6 feet tall and reasonably flexible. And imagine a pregnant women shoehorning in then the door failing to close, or making wind noise all day. Yup, it happened. The Ferrari was versatile enough for short trips but I don't recommend driving it 400 miles with a hangover. The 991 ride is not much better than a 997. I've deflated tires, changed modes, considered the speeds and road surfaces, considered the deceptive softness of the seats. It is harsh. I'm reporting here as one who logged many road miles in 997 GT3 and GT2 cars. Noise level is high too, but such is life in the big leagues. Part of the experience. Until it's not, and then we admit it sucked.


Summary: I'm happily sticking with my Turbo S for the forseeable future. Even getting a child seat. The three cars above aren't perhaps direct market competitors but I hope these notes are useful to anyone shopping or thinking of a change. YMMV. I should mention I'm not brand loyal and have low confidence in any company to build and support a reliable super sports car using cutting edge tech. It is apparently too tall an order. I'd love to be proved wrong. If I had to give money to one of the big manufacturers in the future it would probably be Ferrari. But again, this hypothetical car isn't a daily driver. So far, have all been delights in one way or another. You get your money's worth, particularly in the preowned 12C and turbo markets.

Cheers

 

Just a great review, thank you!, and I'll have to take your word on the TTS being the better all around driving car. I won't be anytime soon driving the other two cars.

 

Nicely written piece. However, you are the only one I have ever read who thinks the 12C is prettier than the 458. IMHO and in the opinion of many others, the 12C is too generic looking and lacks any real personality. Again, I am only referring to the aesthetics of the car. The 458 is an absolutely gorgeous car that not only turns heads, but looks great at every angle...IMHO! :-)

 

I also think the 12C is "prettier " than a 458. So now you know 2 people

 

That's a great write up thanks for posting!

 

Ok, I stand corrected...two people! :-)

 

Great review, well written and entertaining, thanks!

 

Nice write up, thanks for sharing. Sounds like you have fond memories of the 997. Also, am I the only one who prefers the styling of the 12-C over the 650S?

 

I know what you mean. The 458 in red is curvy passion and drama. Almost like a spacecraft awkwardly sprouted wheels. In black the weird front features are somewhat hidden. Colors aside, the 12C is a bit bland, all tech and utility. I thought the 458 snout was so bad, and not just the headlights, I had no reservation in putting a front plate on mine, right in front of the cavallino rampante. The speciale is much better to my eye.

 

I'll take the looks of the 458 between three examples above. IMO, I think the 12C is kind of ugly and plain looking. However, I do like the 650S looks much better.

One of our club members just picked up his 650S - green color at that. And even with that crazy/unsual lettuce looking green color, the thing looks great.

I do not know how easy it is to live with the new 650 as DD, but I do know the Ferrari will not be a good DD canidate. The 991 TTS or even the 997.2 TTS on the other hand are great for daily commutes. My wife hates to draw attention to herself, but the P-car sort of hides in traffic and goes about its business as easy as ABC. Additionally, the P-car is much easier to do simple maintenance such as oil changes and brakes and so on. And, the P-car seems very reliable compared to the other two examples.

Jay Leno said it best regarding his cars collection - "you can break a Corvette or a Porsche on Friday, fix it on Saturday then race it on Sunday and sell it perfectly fine on Monday"...try that with your Ferrari.

 

Thanks for the writeUp. Very nice job. I agree with many of the points you make, as well as your summary. I do however much prefer the looks and sound of my 458 over a 12c. I did rent a 12c for a week to see what I thought. To be honest, I didn't like anything about car. I remember telling my wife how disappointed I was after spending a week behind the wheel.

Between the 991 TTS and the 458, they're extremely different cars. I love them both very much. If I could only have one, it would depend on how offen I drove the car. Nothing beats the 991 as an exotic daily driver, IMO.

 

I sure do miss them. I owned a 997 C4S, 997.1TT, 997.2TTS, and the GT2RS in the picture. If it sounds like I couldn't make up my mind, that's true. Threw in a GT3 too. I was disappointed to take big hits on most of the Porsches, regardless of miles. Yet I only lost 10% on my year long affair with the 458 (cash, not trade value). That's like renting for $2500 a month! Interesting.
Even though I had bad luck with recall and service issues, and unresolved conflict with PCNA, the 911s got under my skin. It's permanent I guess. I remember test driving a C2. I was in a daze. Couldn't do anything but go home and count my pennies. And oh that steering wheel wiggle, gave me butterflies. What a connection. What an experience.

I don't like the look of the 650S. McLaren should have focused on quality not cosmesis. Gimme the probably slower and certainly heavier Speciale any day.

 

Thanks for the write up, but you lost me thinking the 12C is a good looking car. It's so bland. Same with the 650S. McLaren might make great track cars but design wise they got a long way to go!

 

Why can't Road & Track publish articles that good? Super job, and extremely well written. Thank you.

 

Lovely write up and agree with most points except the looks department were I feel the 12C is the worse of the lot. 650S definitely better. I have the good fortune of driving all 3 variants and agree with the amazing ride of the 12C..almost like a Rolls if you can imagine it. When I'm doing a back road drive, my preference is my speciale which handles like no other. Tons of feedback grip and incredible brakes makes it the only choice for fast back roads and track work. It also looks the best by far. When it rains and for a dd, my tts is my choice. Comfort, good audio sunroof, heated and cooled seats with space at the back...definitely a sleeper supercar. In a pinch will do excellent duties at the track and on fast twisters as well. I am thinking of fitting the Michelin cup sport 2 on it and seeing how close it is in time to the gt3 at the ring, this alone will allow it to outrun the gt3 at the track.