Hey everyone, could use some advice form those of you who also upgraded from 997s to 991s...

right now I have a 06 C2s Cab, absolutely love the car, been trouble free since the day I got it, now partly because our family is growing and i can't fit child seats in the back of it easily and partly because i'm sort of bored and want something new I've been looking at the 991...

So I went to Porsche of Princeton today to look at a 2012 Carrera S that I was ready to buy but really got turned off by their dealership, I had an appointment to drive the car with the agreed upon plans of taking it home if I liked it, well I showed up, it was filthy, the battery was dead, had a check engine light, heat didn’t work and they hadn’t even run it through the shop for certification yet… so needless to say, I left and came home.

I did however finally test drive it after they cleared some stuff up. Have to admit, I was expecting a lot more... in my 997, when I turn on sport mode and PASM, it makes it really sort of an exciting driving experience, with the 991, it was just sort of blah... I mean I could tell that the 991 handled better and was faster, but it felt so much more of a fast luxury car rather than a luxury sports car if that makes any sense....

I have plans to go test drive a few more today at a different dealer, maybe it was just that car... otherwise I think i'm going to go find as late of a 997.2 as I can find and then just keep it forever...

Sorry for the lengthy post but thanks in advance if you take the time to reply!

-Jon

 

991 is better in every way (this is my opinion). What options did the car you tested have? The 991 is a great daily driver then turns quickly into a great sports car at the push of a few buttons. The chassis is so much improved over the 997. Others have felt the way you do as the 991 is much quieter and much more refined and it's capabilities are some what masked. Maybe the car is not for you but I used to have s 997 Turbo and feel the 991 C4S is a much better driver for me. I can actually hear myself think or go to the track all in the same day.

Focus on options as there are a lot that make a big difference:

-PDK
-PDCC-
PASM (SPASM)
-PSE
-Sport Chono

 

Jon...Lots of cars out there & this time of year you have the advantage over dealers
who think they're king of the world - good time make a deal.

Take your time. The hunt is part of the fun.

 

Mike,
Thanks for the response, the car i test drove had all of the above with the exception of PSE which I would have added later. Hoping to get a better handle on what the right car is for me after test driving a few more today.

 

The 991 doesn't feel as racey just driving around but with the right options engaged at speed feels very racey.

 

Jon - you and I have a great deal in common I traded my 08C4S tip cab for a 12CS PDK,PSE,Sport Chrono full leather Burmester hard top... I absolutely loved my c4s for its driving experience it was... Fantastic! However after multiple test drives with the 991 I finally realized how much better the car had become. As already stated with the right options the car is unbelievable..One last note I have been having so much fun with the new car this is my first post but I have been reading the forum regularly and haven't even changed my forum car information or picture... Lol So my suggestion take your time and drive it more....

 

I had a 991S and put about 21000 miles on it. Basically trouble-free. Much faster than my 997S and a better ride with the wheelbase extension and wider front track. Someday I may go back to a 911. Someday.

 

I bet the OP's testcar didn't have PSE !

 

PDCC makes a big difference for handling and AWd provides even more better traction

PSe is just aural delight

I have a 981 boxtser S pdk, pSE with Sport chronic, and I don't see value of Chrono

Sport button is standard on 991 and 981 and In manual mode , sport /sport plus feels the same in terms of pdk shift speeds

I doubt if sport chorno is worth it for engine mounts( PDCC and AWD is the killer though )

 

Disregard the comments about PSE and SC and the like - those are just gimmicks to drive the price up. It's the car itself that you need to focus on.

I will confess that when I first drove the 991, I was left unmoved. I then test drove a Cayman, and thought that would be the one for me. I returned with the boss and took her for a ride in the Cayman S with PSE - and the horrible ride quality did us both in, the exhaust was boomy and the car felt claustrophobic. So that was out. By this time I had sold the 997 and needed to scratch the itch, so I returned and drove another 991 and 991S, and that did it for me.

 

PSE was a must-have for me and most definitely enhances the driving experience. The SC package offers a lot of different things. Launch control is fun but not something you'll use much. However if you ever plan to drive your 991 enthusiastically or especially on the track (If you never experience your 991 on the track you are really missing out!) you get the benefit of dynamic engine mounts which really do stabilize the car at speed under load transfer and cornering. Sport Plus mode is a must for the track. The throttle and chassis settings are fantastic. And I really like the performance display in the PCM with the timer and track map. Cool toys that just make the 991 that much more fun. The way I look at it, I already spent $100k on a car so why skimp on some of the fun stuff that turns your awesome GT car into a stunning track capable monster. I like pushing a few buttons and transforming the car. I've been driving my 991 for a year and I still never tire of these options.