Here's it...apples to apples
 

Lots of threads and comments ...991.2 3.0 turbo vs 991.1 3.8 NA PSE. Here's it to put it all to rest.

991.1

991.2

Decide yourself.

OK. First reply. Although I have a new 991.2 on order, I like the sound coming from the 991.1 NA Car.

What's a guy to do. The 991.2 is what is available now and I could not find a new or previously own 991.1 that fit my wants and needs.

I'm sure I will be able to live with the sound the the new engine. ;)

I like the sound of the .1 more, but the .2 aint bad at all. I knew that from hearing it at full chat at Rennsport. The new PDK, recalibrated suspension, rear wheel steering, modern PCS and large increase in torque are very attractive. I think the both are gorgeous and hard to beat for 911ness.

But differences in feel make it hard to determine from seat of the pants reviews just how much performance is actually improved when the NA and turbos are driven to the max. Porsche's advertised times around the 'ring are encouraging- but instrumented road tests will tell a lot more about what normal people can expect. It'll have to be damn good to get me out of my 12.5 C2S- which after 30k miles feels faster than ever and still thrills.

I voted blindly since I put aftermarket exhausts on :D

While sound preference is subjective, I think most current or prior owners (and even fans) of 911s will vote for the 991.1.

On my 997, I went through multiple iterations of the exhaust system until I found one to my liking. The lesson I learned is that video clips of the exhaust can be very misleading (to my ears anyway). So I would encourage anyone to whom this is an important issue to take the time to find a live example or the videos may send you down a wrong path.

They both sound alike until I heard the turbo whistle. Then I got sick and turned it off.

the 991.1 NA sounds the best by far, almost harmonic. you hear the bass humming with airy high-pitched notes, and the low-midrange has that pleasing raspy staccato roar.

the turbo sounds a bit neutered. you get this growling note devoid of the bass hum but with an unmistakable high-pitched turbo whine. even the BMW M2 has a more aggressive note.

I gotta say, though, it's quite apparent that they try to minimize the turbo sound in the 991.2. take the 991 Turbo S, for example. you hear nothing but turbos whooshing over the sound of the engine.

OK, who are the two who said they like the sound of the .2? Just kidding hilarious

What would matter to me is how it sounds to me *inside* the car while driving, not how it sounds to others. I've read some early test drive reviews in other markets by forum members (different forum) that inside the car, even with two sound symposer tubes, the sound is more muted in the .2 than inside the .1. I guess only time will tell.

The .2 sounded better than I expected, but still not quite as good as the NA 991.1. I would like to hear it on a track like the 991.1 video for a more even comparison.

Style-wise, I also like the 991.1 rear lid louvers much better than the .2 grate.