Hi all! I have been lurking here for a while and finally joined to ask for your help. Please be gentle with me.

First, a little about me. I have lusted after Porsches ever since I got to drive a friend's 911 in college in the late 70's, but never thought I'd be in a position to own one. I think the new 991 is such an amazingly sweet car that I just have to have one, and am at a point in my life where I can afford it. Currently I drive a 1991 Nissan 300ZXTT, which shows you how long I hang on to vehicles, so whatever I buy I'm going to keep for a long time.

This car will be used both for dd and for weekend fun, but not on the track, so I think a base 991 will suffice for me. I'm a bit of a purist, and personally think I want the MT, (although obviously much has been said already about the PDK and I'm not trying to beat a dead horse and re-start that debate. You guys have had enough of that.)

The number of options on these beauties seems almost overwhelming to me. I'm willing to wait for a build so that I can have it exactly as I'd like it, given that I will be keeping this baby for a long time. So, my initial question is more to get a sense of what you all consider to be "must-haves," "nice-to-haves," and "doesn't matter/don't bother" options. Thanks in advance for your input and help in spending my money!

 

You have really opened it up when you say you aren't going to track it. I would drive a normal (base) w/PDK and MT before you decide on PDK or MT. I took a chance and got the base stereo with HD but that's mainly because my hearing is not what it used to be (helicopter ears) so spending $5000 for a good radio was not for me. I've had Bose in my last two and did not think it was cost effective. You will have lots of time to refine the list once you put it in, so try test driving many. Congratulations, and have a great time!

ChuckJ

 

Thanks ChuckJ. I realize that as soon as I get it I will probably want to spend all day at the track!

 

I chose manual because 1) I like driving manual, 2) I am not planning on tracking the car, 3) it isn't going to be a DD and will not be driving in a lot of traffic. I notice you will be using as a DD and being in SoCal you most likely have traffic on your commute to work so driving a MT might become loathsome.

I went with Burmester sound and really like it, but really didn't test it directly with the other sound options.

I did not get PSE because I couldn't justify the cost in my mind. If it was 2k or so then maybe.

 

Test drive both the Carrera and the Carrera S and obviously drive a MT and PDK in varying traffic conditions. On my build I included all performance options except ceramic brakes and PDCC. I would have ordered PDCC and ceramic brakes if I planned on a lot of track time.

This thread may be helpful.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...91-owners.html

 

Same case here, I've been a Porsche fan for years, but never owned a 911 until I was ready to afford a 991, I decided to go with a bare bones Base, only options were 20" wheels which IMO they affect the ride quality in my non PASM car, but look much, much better than the stock 19"s. M/T was a no brainer for me.
I really enjoy my Base car, it is a blast to drive and I feel great in it, but now that the honeymoon is over, I am getting tired of driving the manual as a DD, I find myself working too much with the clutch and shifter in order to keep it in the power rev range, this thing needs to be revved hard in order to appreciate its potencial, both Base and "S".
After debating with myself for a few days and analizing my initial mistakes, I finally decided to trade it for another 991 that suits my needs better and came out with these options I consider "must haves" for a DD with no planned track time:

08/2012 Build Base Carrera, PDK w/Sport Chrono and Paddles, PASM, 20"s. Sunroof and an upgraded stereo (Bose sounds very similar to the Base stereo, not worth the extra $$$ imo, maybe I will tick the Burmester box)

This time I will pass on the white exterior, for some reason my car doesnt looks like a +$100K car in that color. Platinum silver is my new color of choice, sporty and classy at the same time. IMO the 991 looks great in a light metallic color, shows the bulbous lines much better.

Anyway, have fun in the process and let us know whatever you decide.

 

I think it's a great idea to get some seat time and a good sales person for advice..Maybe a budget to guide you.There may be $50 K of options..hold on...Consider PDK for DD use manual mode as you like..your Z will seem ancient to the basic Carera may not want the S and spend your saved cash on options !!!


I ordered lot of options on my forthcoming S...leather and 14 way seats package..I wanted the newest technology so got PDDC plus PSE, sound is essential..I would do Bose or Bumester also sound is wonderful..
Good luck and enjoy the ride!!!!

 

I also after 7 months traded my 977 for a June build 991 agate grey with Blk interior..I agre whole heatedly with dd and the manual....plus you can never blow a gear shift !!!!!

Enjoy the process and it's only money !!!

 

Thanks for the replies so far everyone. Well, I spent the afternoon taking a few test drives and am now much more confused. The MT is really fun, but the PDK is way more than I thought it would be. I had this idea that,"this is a Porsche and it is meant to be manually shifted." (My friend's 911 required double-clutching for every gear shift since it didn't have synchro-mesh for cryin' out loud.) I am really amazed at how far the technology has come, and you're right about comparing it to my Z, as in, no comparison.

Even adding more to my confusion is the S vs. base. I drove a fully dialed-in S with Sport Chrono, Sport exhaust, etc. Wow, what sweet machines these are!

...it's just money, right?

 

Told you that you were going to have fun deciding since you had opened up the option boundaries so wide. It's much easier for the guys that want to track it and have the money- they just get everything! I envy them.

ChuckJ