A Comparison: the 991 cab vs. 997 Cab
I test-drove my local dealer’s first 991 cabriolet today. It is a 991S with a base price of about $109k. It had a few options that brought the price to about $120. Going from memory, it had the premium package, Bose audio package, PDK, and ventilated seat; it did NOT have PSE or “performance” options.

Here is my comparison:
· Performance: Coming from a 997 with 325 hp, I could tell the difference between it and the 400 hp of the 991S only when I pushed it. The difference was not noticeable under normal driving. I am considering a base 991 (non-S) which will have 25 hp more than my current 997 so the difference between it and the 991S model than I drove should be even less than what I experienced.
· PDK: I am a manual transmission kind of guy so the only comment that I will make is that shifting with buttons is confusing. Porsche needs to drop the buttons and go with paddles, which are much more intuitive!
· The Ride: The 991 ride is more refined than that of the 997. For some that could be bad but not for me. I liked the ride very much. No problem with the steering here.
· Audio system: I took a couple of my own CDs with me to listen in the 991. On the way there, I played the CDs in my 997 cab stereo (Bose) to give me a point of reference. Then I played the same CDs in the 991 with the top up and with the top down. The Bose in the 991 is MUCH better than that in my 997. The sound is richer, fuller and the music is more involving. I had originally thought that the base audio system would have sufficed because it was a convertible and assumed that there would be a lot of noise coming from the outside. To my pleasant surprise, the interior of the 991 cab is so much quieter than that of my 997 cab that you can actually listen to the difference in sound even with the top down. The Burmester I am sure would be better sounding, but it is overkill for me.
· The interior finish: The 991 cab had a partial leather finish. Coming from a 997 with full-leather interior, my wife felt that the panels looked too plastic. Here is an option that will not make the car go faster but may make your wife happy. For once my wife and I agree on something!
· The Interior Noise and the Exhaust sound: The 991 cabin is MUCH quieter than that of a 997. I was amazed how quiet the 991 cab can be with the top up. I am sure the titanium panels in the roof have something to do with it. The 991S did NOT have PSE, however, the sound of the exhaust is SO much better than my non-PSE 997! For anyone going from a 997 non-PSE to a non PSE 991 there WILL be a noticeable improvement in the exhaust sound. How did Porsche do it? From what I understand, when you put the car in sport mode (a standard feature now) Porsche pipes some of the exhaust noise into the cabin. With the top down and sport mode on, you can hear the growling of the engine very clearly. If you put the top up while still in sport mode, you can still hear the growl of the engine but not as loud. But if you turn the sport mode off, the cabin becomes so much quieter and you do not hear the engine growl anymore. In essence, you can hear the engine sound only when you want to. Caution: The loud exhaust noise can become tiring on long trips I wonder if there is a way of stopping the “sound piping” while keeping the car in sport mode. With the PSE being louder still, being able to stop the “sound piping” without exiting sport mode can be even more important.
· My Summary: Most folks coming from a 997 or 997S cannot go wrong going straight into a 991 or 991S. You will get a more refined ride, a more powerful engine, and a quieter or louder vehicle as you may prefer. Whatever else YOU want to add in terms of options will make the car better for YOUR taste. I for one, after listening to the non-PSE 991 will not be getting the PSE option and instead will try to keep the wife happy with the full-leather.

 

The sport design wheel has the paddles . On my 997 I had the champion paddles installed and with it I was able to retain my multi function wheel . My new car will get the OEM wheel though as I wanted to leave this car entirely stock .

here are my champion paddles on my old car.

 

Thanks for the update! Good points you make.

 

LOL ..I can't help but chuckle .

Porsche exahust notes are generally quite civilized compared to other high end cars or aftermarket .

It will never be quiet like a Lexus .. but that's a good thing IMO .

 

Great comparison! Thanks.

 

Despite having ordered the car A month ago, for May Delivery. I had an
06 S Cab, and a 10 S Coupe, and this car was vastly more refined than both of them.

I drove an S Cab today with PDK and sport chrono. This car was absolutely fantastic! The Steering was firm, in fact more precise than either 997 that I owned, and the Sport plus button completely changed the character of the car, Pure performance, perfect shifts, All in all it was a blast!

I understand the comments about refinement vs style, both series are amazing, the 991, was just the next logical progression in a series of interpretations, drive it to understand.


May delivery
2012 911 Carrera S Cabriolet

Carrara White
Espresso natural leather interior
PDK
Sport Chrono package
Model Logo on center Console
Porsche crest in Headrests
Sport design steering wheel
wheels painted black
Burmeister (R) Audio Package
Premium package with 14 way seats
Cabriolet roof in black

 

Great review! Makes me want to order now and not wait for 4s!

 

i picked mine up yesterday and had a nice drive down some back roads today - i have only driven it in manual mode and have used the shifter all the time. after all, have to take the hands off the wheel on a manual so using the shifter rather than the wheel, gets you closer.

the PDK shifter is placed at the perfect height and proximity for my seat and wheel setting. reminded me of the sequential shifter postion you see in the rally cars on the tube: hand off wheel for the breifest moment to push or pull the ****.

 

just before the redline in a high gear (autobahn :-) the noise becomes so loud even without pse that my ears hurt.

 

Curious how the 991 compares to your 2010 Turbo.. PDK, power, handling, etc.

It seems the two are almost priced the same (used 2010 PDK turbo vs new 991).

TIA

 

I am normally not a convertible guy (I think they all look ugly when the top is up); however, the new 911 Cab is winning my heart and for the first time I can say that if I am ever buying a convertible, this has to be it.

 

They really got this one right, didn't they? IMHO, the aesthetic appeal of the roofline/profile of the 991 cab soundly trumps the 997.2 cab. (IMHO, YMMV, etc...)

Having said that, I prefer the Coupe's appearance. Both are smokin'....