Picked up my 991S late last week and, despite the recent UK weather, have managed to put a few hundred miles on it.

Bit of background on the car - it's a solid black 991S coupe, with a couple of options including*
Black full leather interior
PDK
PDCC
SPASM (-20mm)
PSE
Paddles
Bose
Auto-dimming mirror/auto-wipers
Folding mirrors
Carrera sport wheels (with coloured crest)
Rear wiper
and other stuff.

It's early days, but first impressions?*

I'll start by saying i've had weekend test drives of the Cayman, 997.2S, 911 GTS and the GTS4 during the past 12-18 months. All quality vehicles in their own right. The Cayman is a go-kart in my mind, much more than the 991/911 could ever be. The GTS/GTS4 has heavier steering than a 991 (in a good way) and certainly like the idea of it being the end-of-run model.

That all being said, nothing compares in my mind to this 991. I've heard it before in forums and reviews that this car has a split personality... i couldn't agree more.*

I'll write updates from time to time and promise to send photos very shortly (need some sun), but for this post i just want to say that those who are contemplating it and can financially do it: DO IT. Seriously, it is special.

My first day following delivery was almost underwhelming. The sports exhaust is incredible (a must-have) for pure show-pony value and to remind you how many ponies you have working for you in this machine, but outside of that the PDK on Normal mode in auto borders on lazy. Arguably that laziness could well be me given i have the PDK in auto mode.*
Take for instance when i'm travelling at 30mph in a built-up town. The PDK has me in 7th gear. Revs are kept low (when in auto-PDK) to the point where you could be driving a Ford Fiesta. Why? I'm certain its to keep emission levels low (and also car tax and local parking taxes), plus it certainly helps keep it as an everyday car for non-sports car enthusiasts. I get it. With paddles on it is very different and the above description is actually unfair, but certainly do not test drive this car and form an opinion without trying...

Sports Mode:
It is like you've stepped into a different car. It is simply incredible. Bring a smile to my face just typing this now. An experience both in terms of linear power (torque), sound and tightness on cornering which i can't recall from any Pork or any other car i've had the pleasure of driving.*

I haven't mentioned the steering, but in both Normal and Sport mode i have no complaints since it tightens up. At 0-25mph i can certainly feel the difference between the 991 and a 997/Cayman - it filters out some noise and simply feels lighter to me, but beyond that speed i do not sense the difference. It's more secure and 'stable' at the front, but i am missing the point journos and others here when driven 'properly' (whatever that means). I'm also convinced it tightens further in Sports mode, though that may be psychological.

Happy to waffle on about it (feel free to ask). It's special.

Complaints? Not sure i have any at this stage. I'm not drinking the kool-aid, just a fact. The low revs and urgency to reach 7th gear in city driving makes sense, though feels odd compared to previous generations. I'd also like to be able to have auto-stop mode (engine cut-off) on off by default, but again i get it and it can be handy given current petrol prices.*
Anything else? The lack of a deactivation switch for the airbag is a joke - they give the key for it, but has to be retrofitted for something north of £500 ($800+).

But, with all that, it is simply an amazing car. It's a 911, make no mistake of that. Also make no mistake that it's not a 911 from last century... i'd hope not given what i just paid for it! Buy it or test drive it for a weekend (at least more than the token hour the local dealer lets you usually drive it).*

I'd be remiss if i didn't thank you all for your contributions to help me spec it and also thank you to the crew over at Paintshield (UK) for the paint film. Incredible job.

Photos soon folks, i promise...

 

Congrats on the new ride! Nice write-up

 

Congrats! Pictures?

 

great writeup and congrats on the new ride.

 

Congrats and thanks for the write up!
But No pics = does not count

 

No cow feeling in Sport or more setting. I agree on the paddles though.

I think the auto start/stop default button behavior differs between markets. U.S. spec ones stay lit, yes. Not sure all do.

Oh, and OP -- Congrats again, even though I already did that on Rennline.

EDIT: Rennlist -- was just looking at the wire mesh grills kits at Rennline... 991 ones are supposed to be out soon, they say.

 

Yeezzz I actually thought I wrote that it drive very lazy in auto when not in sport/sport+ mode... my bad.

I think that's why so may people are disappointed when they drive the new 991... all they need to do this hit that button and the sports car is unleashed!!

Re; disabling the auto start/stop for different markets... from what I've read and heard from some mates in Holland and Germany it's the same there as here but maybe for the UK it's different, guess we're in the right place to find out for sure

Cheers.

 

Yes, just hearing the idle change when pressing sport yields a bit of excitement.

I understand why that they didn't/couldn't/wouldn't name it that, but "Normal" really could be called "Economy" mode.

 

I am not surprised that the auto mode is boring. We don't have any business there but manual mode! I've yet to hear the sports exhaust in person but I heard it's intoxicating.

How "jerky" is the manual mode in PDK? So far, I've only been in SMG variants and Porsche tips. I heard jerks are minimal compared to SMG variants but curious to find out. Care to share your impression of the transmission?

 

agree.

Congratulations!!!

 

even in a parking lot or stop & go it doesn't get confused & lurch about in manual mode. really is amazing tranny

it can even downshift into first w/o issue; that part surprised me as getting back to first while moving isn't always handled too well.

 

Thanks everyone.

I'm certainly getting no jerky gear changes; very smooth.

Pictures are coming, I promise. Work and the rainy weather are conspiring against me right now!

 

Well, i finally managed to take some photos. Again, the sun refuses to come out so i'm unable to show in these photos the black 'glass' look this solid black is getting. Also, these were taken are after a few hours of back road driving this morning with some friends who have also upgraded their choice of vehicle lately. The 991 more than held its own against the 458, surprisingly so!

Will take some of the black interior (with grey/silver belts) soon also. Plus the kids' booster seats in the back - the Maxi Cosi Ferofix fits perfectly.

I don't want to go on about it, but the 991 continues to amaze with what it can do - so versatile.... really couldn't be happier with it. Also glad i had the Xpel film put on it before this morning's drive - that rear fender gets a pounding!

 

Looks like a fun day!

 

The front lip is prominent, is that part of SPASM?