Hi all,

Long time lurker, so I decided to join.

With my budget, I can either afford a nicely equipped, low mileage 991 Carerra 4S Cab or a relatively late model 997 Turbo S Cab.

What to do...what to do? Or do neither and look at something else....

Thoughts?

Mike

 

If you live in Florida you probably don't need the 4s, I would go with the 997 Turbo.
More power is always lots of fun cause you never can go fast enough. Either way a nice Porsche is lots of fun.

 

997 turbo S.

 

Go drive both. Most people are either turbo people or not. There's a significant difference between a 991 and a 997.

 

This is what a friend of mine is telling me. He said, to him, the 997 interior feels "dated". Don't know.

The car won't be taken to a track, so a 991 C4S might be the better way to go.

As a side, I test drove the Jag F Type R and S yesterday. I had both for a good long time (most of the day). I felt the R was heavier and not near as nimble. The S felt faster and much more nimble due to its decreased weight. That being said, they both road like a skateboard. Had to make a trip to the dentist on the way home to make sure no fillings fell out. I will likely circle back to the F Type S one more time before buying anything, but the initial impressions of the ride were not good. I don't ever remember my 2004 Porsche shaking me about like that.

 

A big plus one on that! Maybe even a +2. Can I do that?
I test drove the F-U-type (don't remember which letter) before buying my 991S, and I was not impressed with it, not for the money, and certainly not with their well-deserved reputation for quality.

 

The 997 interior is dated if you are used to the 991. The 991 will be more comfortable on a daily commute. If you don't care about speed and you don't track the 991 is for you. The 997 guys complain about the numb feel of the electic steering. I don't have a problem with it. You feel what you need to, which is the road, you don't need to feel every pebble or rock on the road through the steering wheel. I have a 997 C4S with an aftermarket turbo which puts out similar hp as the 997 turbo S, I rarely get to used that hp on public roads. And on my daily commute to and from work. I prefer to take my 981 Boxster. The power is nice to have but will also gets you in more trouble.

I test drove the F-type multiple times, both the V6 and V8, ride is rough even on the softest setting. The auto trans isn't as smooth and as fast as the PDK. The only thing it's got going for it was the looks and sound. Porsche has the overall package. Resale value is horrible if you care. You can pick up a used one at $65K with a MSRP of over $80K with barely any miles on it.

 

Thanks for your reply. I think you're right, the Turbo/Turbo S could be a whole lot of trouble. The 911 C4S seems plenty fast for me. It's funny, people think "wow, you live in Florida, you don't need AWD!" WRONG! Hot, hot, hot pavement + massive amounts of rain in a short period of time = VERY slippery conditions. Not black ice conditions - but real slippery none the less. I've also seen the C4S pummel the C2S in a head to head. I'm not interested in spinning out the back, but I do like going around a corner as fast as I can!

As for the Jaguar, I noticed the used market prices too. If the suspension was better, and it had a bit more trunk space (or maybe a back seat like the 911), it would be worth considering. But the F Type R is such a heavy heavy car.

I still have to drive a few others on my list: BMW M4 Cab, Ferrari F430, MAYBE Ferrari California. But I owned a BMW M3 in 2008 and couldn't sell it fast enough. After driving a Porsche from 2004-2008, going to the M3 was like driving Dad's Buick. But I will at least test drive the M4 because having a usable back seat and decent sized trunk would be nice. But it looks big and lumbering.

I have never considered the Boxster...but maybe I should. The GTS Boxster or even Boxster S looks interesting. My only concern is the "stigma" attached with the car...you know: chicks and hair dresser comments from the uninformed.


I half thought about the Corvette, but after riding in one, I kept thinking "was the designer only allowed to use a straight line and a ruler?" It's just full of jagged edges. I also keep wondering why you have to sit so far below the hood. I feel like I'm sitting in a hole, looking up to drive. Maybe if I was 6 foot, 4, then it would be different. 5', 10 is average at best.

 

there are more reasons to by the 4 than bad weather... i had a 556 hp cts-v 6mt before my 4S. i bought the 4 because i was tired of spinning the tires all over the place. my 4S goes like hell in all conditions.

personally, i bought t the 991 over a 997 because of the tech.

 

I was in the same situation regarding deciding between a 997.2 or a 991 with both being within the same budget.

After driving both, I decided I wanted the newer car with the newer amenities and newer technology even if it meant giving up all of the additional power the turbo came with.

I spent a good amount of time just like you going back and forth but your friend is completely right. The 997 interior just feels dated no matter how you look at it.

Either way, youll love either car, but my money would be on the 991. Unless you go aircooled...

 

Turbo S's are Porsche's ultimate GT style 911s. Boring at anything but high speeds.

 

I would go with the newest you can get....

 

991, not as fast as the 997TT but IMO more fun to drive at legal speed.

 

I had the same dilemma when I got my car so I drove both and the 991 won me over.

 

You would prolly take less of a depreciation hit with the already 4+ year old 997TT. If the car will be a multiple year keeper, then depreciation is not as important.

I based my 911 choice on what I wanted, which was lots of power and acceleration, acceleration being the most important. So I bought a TTS. If a standard S 911 variant has enough power for your needs, then get the 4S Cab.

Both are kick **** vehicles by any standard.