Hey
I currently have 2006 997 carrera.

Of course I've ALWAYS wanted an S.

But now I want a 991.

But the 991 S is just a bit too spendy for me, especially since I am in MN where the winters force us to have a 2nd car.

So now I am contemplating a base 991

Is it a bad move?

Will it keep up 997 S's ?

Does it sound the same?

Handle the same?

 

There are numerous threads, where this same question rises.

Here's one: https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...s-4-vs-4s.html


In the end it's a matter of personal preference. There will be people like me, that tell you to go for a 991 S, but there will be also a lot of people telling you that a base car is more than enough and you don't need an "S".

It depends on what you expect of the car. Driven 8/10th or more, both cars will "feel" equally fast. My own experience during test drives is that the base engine lacks low end torque, when driven in traffic or driven easy on twisty mountain roads. (My current Boxster S has the same problem). The "S" solves this problem only for a small part. That engine also lacks a bit of low end torque (I'm probably spoiled because I have a powerful diesel as my DD).

In the end I think you just need to drive both cars, preferably back to back, to decide what you like most. The base 991 is without a doubt a great car and a true 911 (also sounds slightly better IMHO), but my choice would be a 991 S....

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

I have driven my base for almost 30,000 miles. It seemed to me that its engine was not full broken in until it had traveled 20,000 miles. The car is very powerful and extremely responsive in Sport. It drives like an ordinary - but insanely well handling DD - with sport off.

Low end torque? Mine has plenty.

IMHO you will not be disappointed by this car and I could not justify the additional expense for my purchase for the S.

If you are leasing and you're shelling out just a few more dollars a month for a limited time - hey, why not go Turbo

 

That's actually a very good point.
This might be a reason why the C4 I drove, felt a bit like it was held back at low revs. (It had something like 5500km on it if I remember correct). It was particularly noticeable when I drove up a mountain pass with lots of hairpins. When accelerating out of the corners, the car felt like it wouldn't come up to revs untill it was past 3500rpm. (Not sure if I explain it right in english).
The C4S with 7000km on the odo, didn't feel quite that way when I took it up the same road. It felt more powerful, esoecially at low speeds.

OTOH, my Boxster S (same 3.4 engine as C4, but with less power) has the same issue, but that is even more noticeable because of the manual transmission. Both 991 were PDK and that anticipates faster, so it is more efficient in using the engine's power range I guess. (Or it is just me being too lazy to shift down into first gear).

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

You have already been given the best advice by the comments above. If you have always wanted an S, and still do,after you drive them both (single most important thing) then get an S. I don't think it is about the car at that point. Speaking for myself, I will never be a good enough driver to take advantage of all that the base or the S have to offer. But you should not spend this kind of cash and have, at the back of your mind, regret. If you are going to say "I love this car, but, " than it is the wrong car.

And think about a used 991 or 991S. I can tell you from the depreciation hit I took by being an early bird, it can bring any car you want back into your price range.

 

Good advice above, base is likely fine, but the price diff when looking at lightly used cars will be pretty small, which may be worth not having to second guess yourself later.

 

here is my opinion coming from a 991 base owner. i too have S envy. if you are leasing get base, the increase in payment is about 40-50% for an S. if you are buying, find a lightly used S which will bring the price in the base territory.

 

AG991 said it right, you stated you wanted a S model, if you get the base which would most likely meet 90% of all our needs, you would see a S on the road and wish you had gotten it. Don't regret the purchase later when buy one of these great cars. You will be spending way to much either way to later wish you had bought the other. As many have stated, look around for a one year old S that meets your needs, you can save a bunch that way..

 

^This!

 

LUC,

I have a base C2 PDK, Sports Chrono, etc. and love it. I have had it a year and everyday I drive it I smile. In fact so much so that I will be ordering a new one in 6-9 months. It will be a C4S or possibly a base turbo once mad rush dies down a little. I will say on the street Suzy is correct the 3.8 are just more athletic and the extra torque helps. The 3.4 in the 991 you have to rev past 4k to get any power. My C2 991 PDK has no problem keeping up with a 997 S especially if it was a 997.1. That being said I have tracked my car a few times and it is a very humbling experience. The base C2 is more car than most can drive. On the track you will see spec Boxsters with better drivers blowing by you.

Get the C2S. There are a handful of 13's that are going for 20k off. Another option as suggest is to pick up a lightly used 13. You won't regret it.

 

Wow! GREAT advice here.

I'm in Suzy's camp. S or bust.

(But I also feel that the S should the base, and the GTS should be the S, and the Turbo should only have one trim level - ON)

 

At my second track day last year (base 991) I was turning times equal to or better than my experienced friend in his 997 GTS. I actually rode with him during his sessions to get more track time.

So either: I am a quick learner (probably not) or the car is easier to drive fast (more than likely) or my friend wasn't pushing it (doubtfull). I should have timed my ride in my instructor in his 997 GT3 but didn't.

When editing the go-pro footage I was blow away with my times from my 1st to second track day at the same venue. I was braking later and throttling out of corners earlier and shaved considerable times from my laps. This is just my limited experience on the track, so use it for what it's worth.

When I went to lease my car, the residuals were way higher on the base, that influenced my decision which model to get.

 

Don't know about straight line performance of 991 C2 vs 997 C2S but overall chassis the 991 is miles ahead of the 997. If you look at track times the 991 C2 will beat a 997 C2S. At an AutoX I was also surprised by how 991 C2 were about the same times as a 997 GT3! That said, I do think my 991 C2 is slightly underpowered. Then again, if I had a 991 C2S I'd probably say the same thing!

 

Like others have said, drive both cars back to back. It's the only way to tell if you miss the extra performance of the S.

I currently have the S, and if I were to order a new 991 today I would get the 'base' Carrera.

I have decided that I would be just as happy with a manual 7MT Carrera with SPASM as I am with my 7MT Carrera S.

The difference in performance between the two is so small that I don't really notice it on the street. And I think that the 3.4 liter engine sounds better than the 3.8.

 

I agree with this. With regard to leasing, the monthly difference between my base and an equally optioned S was 40%.

When I was looking at used prices it was about a $4k difference so might as well get the S if purchasing.


EDIT: Oops I was rereading this thread again and noticed studlee wrote he had S envy. I don't have any S envy even though everyone who compliments my car invariably asks me if I have the S. And I proudly say "nope!"