Hi guys

This is finally the year to buy my first Porsche 911. It's been my dream car for like 30 years, so it's time. I've been thinking all along that a very lightly used (2k miles or so) 991 would be the ticket. However, I've been looking at comparable 2012 GTS's with similar super low miles for even less money. This is going to be a cab either way if that matters.

I don't know that much about the 997 GTS. would I be just as happy with one of these as opposed to a 991? What do you guys think? Can't wait to get one of these beasts this spring.

Thanks!
Alec

 

The 997 GTS may be the quintessential 997 (if you are not a turbo guy or are not looking for a hardcore GT3). BUT the 991 platform has made huge technological progress, has a more refined chassis, a smoother ride and better PDK if you do not go for a manual.
This topic has probably been debated in many threads already.

There is no other truth than yours after taking a test drive with both.
The 997 GTS will be closer to the more 'traditional' 911 that you have dreamed of for a long time, the 991 will provide a state of the art driving experience (superior to any other on the market today, but I am biased). I have driven 997's, have owned a GT3 but am now a diehard fan of the 991

 

Thanks SM
That's a great point. Drive them both. I get that. However, it's not easy to do that in one place. I haven't even been able to test a manual and PDK with my local dealer. How can I request testing a 997 GTS against a 991. That's not gonna happen. I guess I'll break it up and find a 997 elsewhere.

Thanks for your thoughts

Alec

 

Well, I've owned both. I had a 2011 GTS (coupe) and now have a 2013 C2S (also coupe). Both have had the sport PASM suspension - the 991 also has the new PDCC system. Both were left completely stock.


Although I use my 911 as a daily driver, the deciding factor for me has been track and AutoX performance. In that arena, the 991S has been clearly superior. Although the 991S has 8 hp less than the GTS, the net performance is better. The car has significantly less understeer which makes a significant difference in competition applications. I bought my 991S when I realized my GTS was getting beaten consistently by the newer model.


As a daily driver, the two cars seem significantly different. The GTS is a little louder, a little stiffer, and little more challenging to drive hard. The 991S, by comparison, almost seems to "drive itself." Obviously an exaggeration, but everything seems a little more quiet, a little more comfortable, a little more forgiving.


Are those differences good or bad? That's in the eye of the beholder. Since I have a Panamera GTS for my "cruiser," I don't need the 991 for that. So, if I didn't track the car, I'd probably prefer to have the 997.2 GTS as a contrast to the Panamera. But since I do track the 991S, that's my preference in 911's.


It's up to you to decide which traits you want in a 911. The truth is, they're both terrific cars and you can't go wrong with either.


DMoore
'13 C2S
'13 Panamera GTS

 

1) It does matter that the car is a cabriolet. The structual benefits of a coupe point towards improved performance . Given that the 991 is a more comfortable car my vote would go to a 991 cab .

2) You did not mention if the car will be a manual or a pdk . if the car is a PDK then a 991 is even more of a desireable choice .

3) If however the urge to buy a traditional normally aspirated Porsche 911 with a 6 speed manual box at a good price them my vote would go to the 997 GTS. Also keep in mind that 07-08 997.1 turbo pricing is also very appealing .The 997.1 Turbo is the last Turbo GT1 engine outside of the Gt2 and Gt2 RS . It's a car you did not mention .

 

I've owned both 997's and now a 991... As mentioned previously, they are very different cars. If this is going to be a weekend runner in canyons, etc then the GTS would be great for that...if it's your daily driver and you have no other vehicle, then the 991 would be the car for you...

Good luck!

 

991 all the way.... It is in a different league than the 997.2.

 

This statement is not quite true....its comparing apples to oranges. Depending on what you want out of the vehicle, the 997 may be a better call. It has a "rawness" and truer sports car feel than the 991. If you want a quieter cruiser for daily use then the 991 may be the better bet...

Both are just different, not in a different league, per se.

Steve

PS: No disrespect meant

 

An honest answer, love it!

 

This is a close race. Since you want a Cab it sounds like you want a good all-rounder, but a GTS in white in cab form with the alcantara interior is a VERY nice option. I was actually choosing between a GTS coupe and cab vs. a 991S and I debated it for days.

 

Wow, thanks you guys. This has been very helpful. I have a 535xi for daily dad use. The Porsche is for when it's not 100 below and I don't need to pick up the kids and hit Target on the way home. So I'll use it as much as possible. I've wanted one for 30 years.

The cab factor for me is huge. It has to be a Cab. I will make it as much as a daily driver as possible. It sounds like the 991 is the way to go. That's cool. Really can't go wrong with that. I'll probably buy a 1 year old one with a few thousand miles to save 20%.

Alec

 

Right, I've already seen 2012 991 Cabs with <5,000 miles selling 20% off MSRP... before you start negotiating. This is a good way to go.

 

as daily car goes, i came from a 2010 997 C2S to a 2012 991 C2S. both manual. if i can find a perfect 997 GTS today i will go back to 997 all day. having said that, 997 GTS in my mind will be a future classic (too bad we don't get the real 997 Sport Classic here). i do agree that the new 991 is in its own league but the car is just too refined for me. nothing wrong with that but it makes u miss what a simple 911 should be.

 

With the above in mind I strongly suggest that you at least test drive the new Boxster S . I am sincere when I state that it is far superior to previous Boxster cars . I realize that when one dreams of a car for 30 years it's got to be the 911 . I have owned 9 911 cars and still have my 911 Turbo .

The main reasons I pound the pavent to the Boxster are as follows:
1) A Cab is a must -- The 911 Cab doesn't only sacrifices structual performance benefits . With the larger cabin it's really not as fun of a convertible as the Boxster . The Boxster has the ideal cabin size which diminish wind exposure along with perfect door sill ride height . It is a true mid engine roadster .
Consider this -- The 911 made its mark with its coupes but the Boxster began as a convertible for several years before the coupe (Cayman) was launched.


2) Price - Lets face it a 991 S Cab will cost as much as a GT3 . The Gt3 is the 911 icon. The Cab is not. The mere fact that a GT3 is priced this close is enough in itself to ignore the 991S cab . It's even priced near to a Turbo coupe . A boxster S is 50K or so less and a 991 S Cab is (IMO) just not greatness . Plus a Boxster can be bought NEW at reasonable pricing (which rules out any leftover or used car 991 bargain shopping doubt) .

3) It's not a daily driver - That's even more of a reason not to take the depreciation hit . The comparable depreciation of a Boxster vs a 991 is huge .

Lastly .. if you were buying a coupe I would not even open this discussion . The 911 is the coupe to get . We can split hairs on new vs used,GTS vs 991 , Turbo vs NA.. but at the end of the day if one is buying a coupe my opinion is that it MUST be a 911 . But a cab is a cab .Some will call it a "performane car" but in my opinion the missing roof plus the extra weight in a peformance car is like an athete who smokes . It's a disadvantage.
In this case it's an expensive disadvantage .