I am thinking about trading my 2003 996 cab for a new or newer 991 and have a bunch of questions.

1. Manual or PDK? I have a manual now and have never wished it was an auto but the fact that about 90% of the new car being sold are PDK, this worries me. For those with PDK, do most leave them in auto or shift manually? I have driven the PDK for two short test drives and was not overwelmed. I think I would miss the driving experience. Would like to hear other feedback from both owners about why they made their choice. Might the manual hold its value better since they are becoming more rare?

2. What are the "must have" options. So far, I only know I want a cab, Sport exhaust, like the GTS alcantara interior (how does it wear over time?). It's easy to spend a fortune on options with these cars so which are the really importants ones?

3. What could I expect in terms of discount if I order a car to my specs?

4. Now after looking at the 991's, my 13 year old car seems pretty old and plan but since most non-Porsche people can't tell the difference, is it crazy to spend over 100K when I have a perfectly good car that is still fun to drive?

5. My other car is a 2006 mercedes CLS55 AMG and for the last two years had been considering a Maserati Granturismo but couldn't decide which car to sell so I haven't done anything. Now after finally looking at new 991's have decided maybe to replace the 996 since that is the older car. The Maserati, really doesn't replace the Porsche since its not a cab and not small an nimble and it doesnt replace the mercedes because its only 2 doors, so its kind of in the middle which would be great if I wanted to get by with one car but I enjoy having both and alternating. This way I have a true sports car and a true luxury 4 door coupe instead of something ½ way in-between. I have done a lot of reading on the Maserati forums and they seem to be great cars but not nearly as refined as the 991. i.e. need to keep it plugged in if not driving it daily, out of date infotainment system etc. Do have good sound but I was impressed with the 991 sport exhaust.

6. I drive very conservatively so don't feel I need the extra HP of the S or GTS but I do like the wide body look and the interior. Should I just get a c2 and spend the extra on options such as alcantara and carbon fiber?

Sorry for the long post but as I said, I have been wrestling with this for 2 years and just now feel like maybe replacing the Porsche is the way to go

 

Look hard for a CPO 991 that you like.
Otherwise, I think the 991.2 C2 will be the next best value, and the FI torque will make a Manual more fun.
I think 991 PDK became overly popular because it masks the low torque and shifts so well at high RPM.
At least that was my reason.

 

Can't say which you should *choose*, but I went in blind and bought my manual 991 without ever having driven it. I can't imagine going PDK, and I drive my manual car through 20 miles of LA traffic 6 days a week. The transmission is perfect, the shifts are smooth, and the clutch has the perfect bite point.

PSE (Sport Exhaust) is a great choice; the valved system is great, especially since you can close the valves and silence the exhaust during long drives or morning commutes in traffic.

Sport Chrono is also great, especially in Sport Plus mode (PDK gets launch control IIRC, manual gets rev-matching on downshifts and rev-"holding" for upshifts).

Premium Package (and P.P.Plus) are nice if you like the goodies that come along with it (PDLS, keyless entry and drive, etc.)

I personally love the way the Sport Design steering wheel looks, so I would opt for that over the multi-function wheel.

It really depends. I shopped around for a while before scoring a nice discount on an ordered car in LA. I assume you can expect a minimum of 4-5% on an ordered car. If you can't score that, move along and try another dealership. Throw them against each other and you'll be surprised how high the discounts will go.

Not at all. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your 13 year old Porsche. However, if you're itching for a new car, are financially stable, and can afford it, then why not? Remember the first day you got your previous Porsche, and how excited it kept you for years? You're going to be refreshing those emotions for another 10+ years. Nothing wrong with that.

Having driven a GT, I can tell you that the 991 is a much, much more refined car to drive on the daily. The MC feels great and the engine is to die for with a proper exhaust, but I'd take a 991 over it any day.

It depends on your driving style. If you can safely admit and feel comfortable with your statement above, then you would be more than happy with a C2. There are a few people who are quite vocal about their displeasure when it comes to the power output of "S" models, let alone a base C2. However, most of us here understand that a 911 Carrera is not a straight-line speed machine. It's a proper sports car that can drive you to work and home, to a classy restaurant, and then immediately onto Turn 8 at Willow Springs at over 120MPH without skipping a beat.

You'll be happy with a C2. They're great cars, and HP is only a single factor in a list of many.

 

Do it if you can afford it. I went from a 2004 996 TT Cab to a 911. I do miss the power and torque of the TT, but love the creature features on my 991. I bought a preowned and saved about $25K and got a manual trans. To me I feel a sports car needs the MT. PSE is great, full leather, mine doesn't have the keyless entry (wish it did), the radio is just blah….

Looking back a C2S would have been the right choice however. I never track mine either.

 

yeah I always had manually cars, with the Turbo went to PDK (had to), love it. You still feel involved with the paddles or the shifter itself. Don't miss the third pedal at all. shifts are quick and easy. Sport chrono, need that to get those neat little buttons on the console. Burmeister stereo is a must in my thoughts. PDLS headlight last forever and look cool, and really help at night. PASM is nice to have. Seats, didn't matter unless you have a back problem, once you set them you rarely change them. The cooling seats are really a plus so is the heated seats. The keyless option ok, wish they had a button instead of a blank key. All come under one option. Depending on the color of your interior deviated stitching looks really nice IMHO.

I think you get get 4-5% off an ordered car, but can do a whole better with a car on the lot. 10-12% is not unreasonably.

Good luck. Depends on your wallet with the options.

 

I just made the switch from a manual 991 C4 to a PDK 991 GTS and I can assure that either version will provide tremendous satisfaction. Of course, with PDK and the Chrono Package there's launch control; but there's also a lot to be said for controling the car and rowing through the gears with the 7-speed MT. It really boils down to a personal decision I think.

 

Trying to figure out when the cut off would be or ordering a current version 991. I love the sound the of the engine and don't know if the turbo will be as nice. Also not sure about the vertical back vents. Anybody have a guess as to how long I have to place an order before it becomes a 991.2?

 

You're probably better off asking a real live salesman that last question.

I vote for the manual transmission. It won't be too long before you don't have that option any more.

I had a 2003 996 cab, and still kick myself for selling it. The 991 was nice, but not good enough and I sold it after a year, and I never looked back. Wish I'd kept the 996. Did I mention that already?

 

Ok, So I've driven both the PDK and the manual and definitely decided on the manual. It just seems so much more fun instead of cruising around in 6th gear. Actually the manual I drove is an "S". Will the non S be as much fun?
I've been looking at the used market and many of the cars don't have PSE. Is there a good after market exhaust which will sound as good? Love the burbling when letting off the gas! Can you turn it on and off like the PSE? Also thinking about a new C2 Black edition. The dealer in offering 5% off. Good deal?
Thanks

 

My 991 C4 (no S) was a MT car and driving it in Sport+ (which was always) was great fun. FYI, I haven't yet "cruised" in 6th gear with the PDK in my 991 GTS. I drive the GTS mostly in Sport+, which takes the shifts to redline in full-auto and also allows me to use the paddles. So, there's a lot of 2nd and 3rd gear around town...much like how I drove the C4.

 

Sorry!. Didn't mean any disrespect. I'm just not sure the best way to drive the PDK. Know anything about the aftermarket exhausts?

 

There are endless exhaust and wheel threads. Do a search you should find a lot of info and clips.

 

No offense taken at all. I assumed that you had not fully vetted that 991 S's PDK you test drove and did not want you proceeding under any false apprehensions. As has been said here, the 991 is a fantastic performer in either version and it boils down to personal preference.

 

BTW, I love your GTS. My dealer here says he can't get me one

 

Thanks. According to my salesman there aren't a lot of new 991 GTSs left on dealers' lots. That might explain your dealer's difficulty in locating one.