WSJ Review
Well if you pick the Porsche up in Europe, you can actually put it through its paces. In 2006, I hit 170mph on the Autobahn, held on tight with white knuckles as the C4S ripped around the "Ring" and did a dizzing amount of switchbacks through the Italian Alps! When you get back Stateside you can join PCA and do some light track days or go do the Silver State Classic in Nevada, where you can run your new 991 for 90 miles on a closed public highway!
you must enjoy living in colorado
It doesn't mean it isn't superior at all speeds, but it doesn't it is superior either. And of course it depends on what we mean by 'superior'. If we mean more engaging, that's fairly subjective, and there's no substitute for driving a car yourself to decide. Even if most reviewers like a car, that's no guarantee that you or I will, and vice versa.
Adding to the mix, our subjectivity is shaped by what we're used to and what we expect.
Adding to the mix, our subjectivity is shaped by what we're used to and what we expect.
One thing seems to be for certain. The guys at porsche worked on this new 991. It wasn't a lazy effort. Love it or not.
cheers all.
I liked the review but the overall tone (it's a great 911, but the future variants will be even better) is off-base IMO. That's always the case with these cars. Until the 991 came out, did the 997.1C2S feel dated our eclipsed by the later variants? I get it if you want a track-focused car, in which case it's obvious you are waiting for the GTs. But re the Carrera line, sure the 997.1GTS is a better car, but was it worth waiting 7 years for from the GTS? I say no way.

What do you mean by that? It makes no sense.
Well I'll take the side of the race car drivers turned reviewers in the six video reviews I've watched. What they are dripping in love about is probably something I would appreciate too. I doubt a sports car would be loved by professionals but not quite for me. Our tastes probably jive.
One thing seems to be for certain. The guys at porsche worked on this new 991. It wasn't a lazy effort. Love it or not.
cheers all.
One thing seems to be for certain. The guys at porsche worked on this new 991. It wasn't a lazy effort. Love it or not.
cheers all.
Three ways I might come to like the 991 more: getting used to it, driving it with MT, and/or driving a GTS/GT3 version.
Meanwhile, for guys who like the 991 more than the 997, I suggest checking out the Cayman R as well. That may sound odd, but the CR has a similar planted feel like the 991, while also being more of a pure sports car.
I agree on both counts - that I appear to be in the minority regarding my feelings about the 991, and that a lot of engineering went into the 991.
Three ways I might come to like the 991 more: getting used to it, driving it with MT, and/or driving a GTS/GT3 version.
Meanwhile, for guys who like the 991 more than the 997, I suggest checking out the Cayman R as well. That may sound odd, but the CR has a similar planted feel like the 991, while also being more of a pure sports car.
Three ways I might come to like the 991 more: getting used to it, driving it with MT, and/or driving a GTS/GT3 version.
Meanwhile, for guys who like the 991 more than the 997, I suggest checking out the Cayman R as well. That may sound odd, but the CR has a similar planted feel like the 991, while also being more of a pure sports car.
BUT I went with a buddy to test drive the 991 and they gave us a loaded model (except no PDC, but loaded in every other way) and turned us loose for 40 minutes alone. There is a highway interchange where you can hit posted 65 MPH and then exit onto a perpendicular highway via a flyway. My friend had never owned a 911 but has driven them a bit. He took this flyway at about 105mph which is a huge arc'ing 90* turn. We were in SPORT PLUS MODE (which is insanity by itself) It's a dual lane interchange elevated about 3 stories high. He decided to get off the gas a little and the lift-off oversteer we experienced at that higher rate of speed was damn scary. That back end kicked out and chirped HARD and then he automagically decided more gas was a good idea
I turned ghost white and IM THE ONE WHO HAS OWNED A 911. But it gathered itself quite readily. You could feel that the wider front end helped in that situation. This car can be a wild horse without a doubt. And there is no forgetting where the power is located in the car. Way in the back
I came away loving it. I wish I video'd the moment with my iPhone.
Last edited by samuel; Feb 12, 2012 at 09:34 AM.
Oops, my bad (a little rushed on the typing). I meant that the article basically says that the 991 is a great car, but that the writer would be hesitant to buy it knowing that the 991's Turbo, GT's, and GTS will eventually be released. To which I say that is silly -- nobody who bought a 997.1 C2S in 2005 or 2006 regretted it 6 years later when the GTS was released just because it's a better car. And the Turbos and GT's are different beasts than the Carrera's, so "waiting for them" kind of misses the point.
I can understand why guys like the older 911's. They are awesome. I owned a 993. I'm just not in a position to buy a 991 today.
BUT I went with a buddy to test drive the 991 and they gave us a loaded model (except no PDC, but loaded in every other way) and turned us loose for 40 minutes alone. There is a highway interchange where you can hit posted 65 MPH and then exit onto a perpendicular highway via a flyway. My friend had never owned a 911 but has driven them a bit. He took this flyway at about 105mph which is a huge arc'ing 90* turn. We were in SPORT PLUS MODE (which is insanity by itself) It's a dual lane interchange elevated about 3 stories high. He decided to get off the gas a little and the lift-off oversteer we experienced at that higher rate of speed was damn scary. That back end kicked out and chirped HARD and then he automagically decided more gas was a good idea
I turned ghost white and IM THE ONE WHO HAS OWNED A 911. But it gathered itself quite readily. You could feel that the wider front end helped in that situation. This car can be a wild horse without a doubt. And there is no forgetting where the power is located in the car. Way in the back
I came away loving it. I wish I video'd the moment with my iPhone.
BUT I went with a buddy to test drive the 991 and they gave us a loaded model (except no PDC, but loaded in every other way) and turned us loose for 40 minutes alone. There is a highway interchange where you can hit posted 65 MPH and then exit onto a perpendicular highway via a flyway. My friend had never owned a 911 but has driven them a bit. He took this flyway at about 105mph which is a huge arc'ing 90* turn. We were in SPORT PLUS MODE (which is insanity by itself) It's a dual lane interchange elevated about 3 stories high. He decided to get off the gas a little and the lift-off oversteer we experienced at that higher rate of speed was damn scary. That back end kicked out and chirped HARD and then he automagically decided more gas was a good idea
I turned ghost white and IM THE ONE WHO HAS OWNED A 911. But it gathered itself quite readily. You could feel that the wider front end helped in that situation. This car can be a wild horse without a doubt. And there is no forgetting where the power is located in the car. Way in the back
I came away loving it. I wish I video'd the moment with my iPhone.ChuckJ
I'm not sure how to override PSM. It was a PASM car with Sport Chrono but without PDCC. We simply pressed the SPORT PLUS button with activated all systems I believe (including PSE). You could tell the throttle and shift mapping changes instantly. We then approached the flyway. The was no adjustment or overrides made thru any button or setting other than hitting sport+.
fill me in on PSM.
I'd estimate the rear kicked out 6 inches. Enough to scare us but probably not visible from outside the car.
I respectfully disagree. It happens all the time. This just puts more great crs on the used market.
Buckwheat:
I'm not sure how to override PSM. It was a PASM car with Sport Chrono but without PDCC. We simply pressed the SPORT PLUS button with activated all systems I believe (including PSE). You could tell the throttle and shift mapping changes instantly. We then approached the flyway. The was no adjustment or overrides made thru any button or setting other than hitting sport+.
fill me in on PSM.
I'm not sure how to override PSM. It was a PASM car with Sport Chrono but without PDCC. We simply pressed the SPORT PLUS button with activated all systems I believe (including PSE). You could tell the throttle and shift mapping changes instantly. We then approached the flyway. The was no adjustment or overrides made thru any button or setting other than hitting sport+.
fill me in on PSM.
Sounds like it was on...its the stability management system and you guys did the throttle snap oversteer with it on. You were certainly flying.
There is a PSM button on the 991, just wasn't sure if the Sport Plus button overrides it or alters it in any way. At some point, electronics cannot defy physics from a throttle off oversteer.



