Hi all,

I'm looking to buy my first 911 after many many years of wanting one. It's coming down to 3 choices, and I'd love some opinions - especially given the upcoming refresh rumors, I want to minimize the likelihood of buyer's remorse (although truth be told, I find it hard to imagine remorse over any of these). Thanks in advance for any advice!

- 991 Turbo: The turbo has been my dream car since I was a little kid, and I *could* stretch and do it... but I'm not sure I'd make the most of the car given that most of the time I'll be commuting or going for weekend drives. I may eventually get it to the track, but that's probably a couple years in the future for personal reasons. I'm also afraid of a bit of buyer's remorse if the 991.2CS gets closer to it. But it's gorgeous, and it is my dream car...
- 991CS : I liked this car a lot, but it rains a lot here, and I'm not sure if I'd need the AWD, e.g. if I happen to hit a slick when accelerating. I slightly preferred the true RWD feel of it over the other two.
- 991C4S: Very similar to the CS, except the AWD handling (pro and con!), had power steering plus that I am not a huge fan of but can live with.

The upcoming refreshes and the turbo-ization of the non-turbo models gives me another variable that I don't know how to evaluate. On the one hand I do like the feel of NA in general and I suspect I'm not the only one. On the other hand, it's hard to argue with the low-end torque of the Turbo!

Any opinions? I appreciate any and all!

 

I would wait for info on the 2016 lineup and then decide.

 

I was having the same problem deciding in 2013. Having owned both Forced Induction and Naturally Aspirated performance cars, I've always found the overall driving experience of N/A cars more rewarding.

Randy Pobst came to the same conclusion that I did: He didn't find the 991 Turbo as rewarding to drive and it didn't make "driver's car of the year," as did the C2S, C4S, ans the GT3.

Best of luck with your decision: IMO, you really can't go that wrong with any Porsche.
I've also owned several all-wheel-drive Audi S4s and I'm totally happy with the rock solid handling of my C2S. The 991 has surely come a long way in this area; it's really rock stable and quite predictible, even in less than perfect driving conditions.

 

Strumbringer had to make the same decision. Coming from a 2013 audi v6 puffer I was torn between the turbo, also a stretch for me and a C4S. Drove both pulled the trigger on a fully optioned 2014 C4S. Thought I would really miss the low end of the audi puffer, but push that sport + button and I was sold. I love the handling of an AWD car. Sorry purists but this will be my mostly DD. Drive both and make you decision based on the your test drives. I had an 08 C4S a few years back and the differences between 997 and the 991 in my opinion are pretty vast. The 991 feels roomier and seems to have a more pliable ride for daily driving. I also could not justify the turbo since I would probably never track the car.
Good luck and let us know which way you go.

 

Ahhh...opinions! Well, I'll add in mine.

Turbo: Overkill in any kind of urban/suburban driving. Really not even a good track car as its way too powerful for most any regular driver. Autocross...forget it. What it is really good at is Cars N' Coffee admiration and for showing whose ***** is larger at the stoplight lined up against a Camaro. They sound a little anemic compared to the normally aspirated cars, the exhaust tone is a bit weak. But, if money is no issue, why not? And it would be fantastic for open runs in Montana where you can just light it off and go. But where you going to use it realistically?

C2S: The workhouse of the Carrera line. 400 HP is really about the max for any track car driven by weekend warriors. You'll still lose your license in 4.8 seconds or less in all 50 states. Plenty of fun, and it sounds delicious when uncorked with a proper pipe. Fun all around.

C4S: God's Own Go-Kart, I kid you not. That 4WD is not for rain, its for pasting corners at ridiculous speeds that no 2WD car can match. Plus you get the oh-so-sexy wider hips with the rear fenders pushed out a bit. Downside is added cost, complexity in the running gear and some more weight.

 

I had a '07 TT then a '13 C4S and now a '15 C4S .. while I totally love the Turbo .. the truth is - I just have no where to enjoy it .. I can find ANY flaw with the C4S so that is my story

 

Thanks for all the suggestions! After agonizing over this for several days (and then more today), I went with the Turbo .Not an obvious decision by any means... hope it was the right one.

 

Clearly the FORCE is with you! Enjoy it.

 

Since this is it for the 991, go for a GTS with a manual (if you don't mind using one in a commute)! It is a better deal (?) than a comparably equipped S.

Whatever you do don't test drive a turbo first!