991 Turbo vs GTS Driving Impressions
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It's a review on my part, so yes those statements of sound, stability and subjectiveness are obviously going to be introduced in my PERSONAL review.
You're playing into words way too much, I said it is faster. Yes, it's fact. I've never stated otherwise. We all know that, and I've said it.
We're not referring to drag racing, so that statement is irrelevant.
Speed isn't everything in a sports car...obviously, handling, suspension and transmission factors are a major component of driver engagement.
You're turning this into some sort of war and preying on every single aspect of my review and verbage isn't going to get you anywhere...because there's nowhere to go lol I've already said its faster, that wasn't the entire point of my review, get over yourself.
Now I'll wait for some smart a** reply, and kindly reply with, I could care less. Have a blessed day.
You're playing into words way too much, I said it is faster. Yes, it's fact. I've never stated otherwise. We all know that, and I've said it.
We're not referring to drag racing, so that statement is irrelevant.
Speed isn't everything in a sports car...obviously, handling, suspension and transmission factors are a major component of driver engagement.
You're turning this into some sort of war and preying on every single aspect of my review and verbage isn't going to get you anywhere...because there's nowhere to go lol I've already said its faster, that wasn't the entire point of my review, get over yourself.
Now I'll wait for some smart a** reply, and kindly reply with, I could care less. Have a blessed day.
I am not trying to minimize what a great car the GTS is. In fact I have come on in the past and said at times I would love a 7 speed GTS for the fun to drive factor. Best of luck.
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Great thread OP.
All of us turbo drivers may have not driven other 991's. I obviously have my 2014 stage 2 Turbo as a weekend warrior, but have driven friends 991 c2s and gt3 quite a bit. All 3 cars stock have their pros and cons.
991 turbo
CONS: My turbo even with my EP exhaust is fairly quiet and throttle is not as percise as other NA cars.
PROS: amazing car that defies physics. More Relaxed suspension for comfort. Unlimited torque and 4 wheel steering is so precise. I need to mention insane power/ torque bc I I think its worth it to mention it again and again. Cant compare acceleration with other cars in my opinion in stock form.
991 carrera s
PROS: amazing car! great chassis. Feels stiffer and lower than turbo, but less forgiving. Great midrange power and percision of na engine on turns or adjusting throttling in general. Very good sound
CONS: lack of low end power! Needs to rev out for high performance.
991 GT3
Pros: amazing car!!! amazing transmission calibration with pdk. Amazing sound and handeling. It just does what you ask it to do. Sound over 7k is intoxicating! Sounds like a race car. Feels like a race car. Car is always on its toes.
Cons: lack of low end power. Feels like I need to rev motor out to get performance out of it. If I owened it which I would be very happy with, Id feel the need to do an oil change every 2k miles bc Id have it at redline all the time to hear symphony from exhaust.
Overall all 991's are special. They are all amazing in their own way. There is a reason why Porsche has their 911 lineup. Non of the 911's are in anyway inexpensive. Although they do have their own unique personalities based on what driver is looking for.
Personally I love rwd and a 6 speed transmission with a NA engine. My turbo has none of that, but its hands down the best all around sports car I have ever driven including a couple exotics I have driven. If you ask me Ferrari 458 has best steering "feel" with their lock up diff. McLaren 650s has a great rwd acceleration "feel" with their amazing cross linked suspension.
Overall the turbo has the most check marks next to it in stock form for my driving habits.
All of us turbo drivers may have not driven other 991's. I obviously have my 2014 stage 2 Turbo as a weekend warrior, but have driven friends 991 c2s and gt3 quite a bit. All 3 cars stock have their pros and cons.
991 turbo
CONS: My turbo even with my EP exhaust is fairly quiet and throttle is not as percise as other NA cars.
PROS: amazing car that defies physics. More Relaxed suspension for comfort. Unlimited torque and 4 wheel steering is so precise. I need to mention insane power/ torque bc I I think its worth it to mention it again and again. Cant compare acceleration with other cars in my opinion in stock form.
991 carrera s
PROS: amazing car! great chassis. Feels stiffer and lower than turbo, but less forgiving. Great midrange power and percision of na engine on turns or adjusting throttling in general. Very good sound
CONS: lack of low end power! Needs to rev out for high performance.
991 GT3
Pros: amazing car!!! amazing transmission calibration with pdk. Amazing sound and handeling. It just does what you ask it to do. Sound over 7k is intoxicating! Sounds like a race car. Feels like a race car. Car is always on its toes.
Cons: lack of low end power. Feels like I need to rev motor out to get performance out of it. If I owened it which I would be very happy with, Id feel the need to do an oil change every 2k miles bc Id have it at redline all the time to hear symphony from exhaust.
Overall all 991's are special. They are all amazing in their own way. There is a reason why Porsche has their 911 lineup. Non of the 911's are in anyway inexpensive. Although they do have their own unique personalities based on what driver is looking for.
Personally I love rwd and a 6 speed transmission with a NA engine. My turbo has none of that, but its hands down the best all around sports car I have ever driven including a couple exotics I have driven. If you ask me Ferrari 458 has best steering "feel" with their lock up diff. McLaren 650s has a great rwd acceleration "feel" with their amazing cross linked suspension.
Overall the turbo has the most check marks next to it in stock form for my driving habits.
I'm writing this in hopes of it possibly helping someone who is on the fence of purchasing either a GTS or a Turbo Model 991. And before you reply, yes, I do know they will likely serve 2 different purposes.
I own a '16 GTS in Carmine Red...my friend just purchased a '16 Turbo. First off, I've always been a Turbo type of guy, although I love the likes of an NA high performance sports car. I have owned both variations of engines throughout an extensive list of brands...therefore I don't discriminate.
His turbo is fast...pretty damn fast, but not noticeably faster than my GTS above 4K RPM's, despite 0-60 in 2.9s vs 3.8s. The turbo drives more like a quiet fighter jet....it'll throw you back into your seat, but seems a bit boring to drive at times. The GTS feels a lot more raw, mind you both vehicles were equipped with PDCC and PASM.
Handling in the Turbo lacks, well I guess I'd call it, a more stable feel in Sport + mode...it also feels higher off the ground when compared to the GTS. In regular mode the turbo drives extremely smooth.
Both equipped with PASM, the Turbo has a much softer ride in comparison to the GTS...ofcourse the GTS seems to sit a bit lower and feels like it has tighter suspension due to its ability to be tracked.
I wish my Alcantara steering wheel was as thick as his carbon fiber wheel in the Turbo. Aesthetically, the DRL on the Turbo models look amazing, much better than what's standard across the 991 lineup. The Turbo also looks wider and more aggressive from the rear due to its side vents and exhaust/rear diffuser set up. In comparing front bumpers, I prefer the Sport Design bumper I have on the GTS over the Turbo's, but both pale in comparison to the GT3 front fascia IMHO.
Going above 100+mph...the GTS feels more planted, steering has better feedback and the suspension although emits a raw feeling, helps stabilize you at higher speeds, especially through turns/curves. The steering is "just" right, there isn't too much feedback and there isn't too little either...there's just enough play in the steering and coupled with the PDCC, it makes you feel like you can take on any winding road. Having PDCC is certainly noticeable, at least to my experience. This is an option the turbo I drove was also equipped with, however, on the same roads that I took both of them on (back to back), the GTS, as previously stated, felt more planted.
One thing I can't get over is the sound!!!!! The Turbo doesn't sound very aggressive at all, and it's way too quite for what it is...the GTS in Sport + mode with the valves open, sounds, well....glorious. Downshifts seem more violent and there's no other sound like an NA engine reaching 7.5k RPM's....hands down, lol Disclaimer: I haven't driven a Turbo S, so I'm not certain if the OEM exhaust sound is similar or not.
All in all, they're 2 completely different vehicles for different types of drivers, but the conclusion I've arrived to, is that for me, the GTS feels like it's more fun to drive. In all fairness, one thing that could also contribute to that train of thought is I daily a twin turbo sedan and when I drove the turbo it reminded me too much of it.
Bringing me to my last point, the Turbo 991 is an excellent daily driver...the perfect balance between luxury and a true sports car. Given the choice, if I had to make a decision between one or the other for daily driving purposes, I'd choose the Turbo over the GTS...difference is night and day.
I own a '16 GTS in Carmine Red...my friend just purchased a '16 Turbo. First off, I've always been a Turbo type of guy, although I love the likes of an NA high performance sports car. I have owned both variations of engines throughout an extensive list of brands...therefore I don't discriminate.
His turbo is fast...pretty damn fast, but not noticeably faster than my GTS above 4K RPM's, despite 0-60 in 2.9s vs 3.8s. The turbo drives more like a quiet fighter jet....it'll throw you back into your seat, but seems a bit boring to drive at times. The GTS feels a lot more raw, mind you both vehicles were equipped with PDCC and PASM.
Handling in the Turbo lacks, well I guess I'd call it, a more stable feel in Sport + mode...it also feels higher off the ground when compared to the GTS. In regular mode the turbo drives extremely smooth.
Both equipped with PASM, the Turbo has a much softer ride in comparison to the GTS...ofcourse the GTS seems to sit a bit lower and feels like it has tighter suspension due to its ability to be tracked.
I wish my Alcantara steering wheel was as thick as his carbon fiber wheel in the Turbo. Aesthetically, the DRL on the Turbo models look amazing, much better than what's standard across the 991 lineup. The Turbo also looks wider and more aggressive from the rear due to its side vents and exhaust/rear diffuser set up. In comparing front bumpers, I prefer the Sport Design bumper I have on the GTS over the Turbo's, but both pale in comparison to the GT3 front fascia IMHO.
Going above 100+mph...the GTS feels more planted, steering has better feedback and the suspension although emits a raw feeling, helps stabilize you at higher speeds, especially through turns/curves. The steering is "just" right, there isn't too much feedback and there isn't too little either...there's just enough play in the steering and coupled with the PDCC, it makes you feel like you can take on any winding road. Having PDCC is certainly noticeable, at least to my experience. This is an option the turbo I drove was also equipped with, however, on the same roads that I took both of them on (back to back), the GTS, as previously stated, felt more planted.
One thing I can't get over is the sound!!!!! The Turbo doesn't sound very aggressive at all, and it's way too quite for what it is...the GTS in Sport + mode with the valves open, sounds, well....glorious. Downshifts seem more violent and there's no other sound like an NA engine reaching 7.5k RPM's....hands down, lol Disclaimer: I haven't driven a Turbo S, so I'm not certain if the OEM exhaust sound is similar or not.
All in all, they're 2 completely different vehicles for different types of drivers, but the conclusion I've arrived to, is that for me, the GTS feels like it's more fun to drive. In all fairness, one thing that could also contribute to that train of thought is I daily a twin turbo sedan and when I drove the turbo it reminded me too much of it.
Bringing me to my last point, the Turbo 991 is an excellent daily driver...the perfect balance between luxury and a true sports car. Given the choice, if I had to make a decision between one or the other for daily driving purposes, I'd choose the Turbo over the GTS...difference is night and day.
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Hey bud, my apologies if I came off too strong. I understand what you're saying. Thank you, and Best of Luck to you as well.
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Great thread OP.
All of us turbo drivers may have not driven other 991's. I obviously have my 2014 stage 2 Turbo as a weekend warrior, but have driven friends 991 c2s and gt3 quite a bit. All 3 cars stock have their pros and cons.
991 turbo
CONS: My turbo even with my EP exhaust is fairly quiet and throttle is not as percise as other NA cars.
PROS: amazing car that defies physics. More Relaxed suspension for comfort. Unlimited torque and 4 wheel steering is so precise. I need to mention insane power/ torque bc I I think its worth it to mention it again and again. Cant compare acceleration with other cars in my opinion in stock form.
991 carrera s
PROS: amazing car! great chassis. Feels stiffer and lower than turbo, but less forgiving. Great midrange power and percision of na engine on turns or adjusting throttling in general. Very good sound
CONS: lack of low end power! Needs to rev out for high performance.
991 GT3
Pros: amazing car!!! amazing transmission calibration with pdk. Amazing sound and handeling. It just does what you ask it to do. Sound over 7k is intoxicating! Sounds like a race car. Feels like a race car. Car is always on its toes.
Cons: lack of low end power. Feels like I need to rev motor out to get performance out of it. If I owened it which I would be very happy with, Id feel the need to do an oil change every 2k miles bc Id have it at redline all the time to hear symphony from exhaust.
Overall all 991's are special. They are all amazing in their own way. There is a reason why Porsche has their 911 lineup. Non of the 911's are in anyway inexpensive. Although they do have their own unique personalities based on what driver is looking for.
Personally I love rwd and a 6 speed transmission with a NA engine. My turbo has none of that, but its hands down the best all around sports car I have ever driven including a couple exotics I have driven. If you ask me Ferrari 458 has best steering "feel" with their lock up diff. McLaren 650s has a great rwd acceleration "feel" with their amazing cross linked suspension.
Overall the turbo has the most check marks next to it in stock form for my driving habits.
All of us turbo drivers may have not driven other 991's. I obviously have my 2014 stage 2 Turbo as a weekend warrior, but have driven friends 991 c2s and gt3 quite a bit. All 3 cars stock have their pros and cons.
991 turbo
CONS: My turbo even with my EP exhaust is fairly quiet and throttle is not as percise as other NA cars.
PROS: amazing car that defies physics. More Relaxed suspension for comfort. Unlimited torque and 4 wheel steering is so precise. I need to mention insane power/ torque bc I I think its worth it to mention it again and again. Cant compare acceleration with other cars in my opinion in stock form.
991 carrera s
PROS: amazing car! great chassis. Feels stiffer and lower than turbo, but less forgiving. Great midrange power and percision of na engine on turns or adjusting throttling in general. Very good sound
CONS: lack of low end power! Needs to rev out for high performance.
991 GT3
Pros: amazing car!!! amazing transmission calibration with pdk. Amazing sound and handeling. It just does what you ask it to do. Sound over 7k is intoxicating! Sounds like a race car. Feels like a race car. Car is always on its toes.
Cons: lack of low end power. Feels like I need to rev motor out to get performance out of it. If I owened it which I would be very happy with, Id feel the need to do an oil change every 2k miles bc Id have it at redline all the time to hear symphony from exhaust.
Overall all 991's are special. They are all amazing in their own way. There is a reason why Porsche has their 911 lineup. Non of the 911's are in anyway inexpensive. Although they do have their own unique personalities based on what driver is looking for.
Personally I love rwd and a 6 speed transmission with a NA engine. My turbo has none of that, but its hands down the best all around sports car I have ever driven including a couple exotics I have driven. If you ask me Ferrari 458 has best steering "feel" with their lock up diff. McLaren 650s has a great rwd acceleration "feel" with their amazing cross linked suspension.
Overall the turbo has the most check marks next to it in stock form for my driving habits.
I chose to go NA because my current and last 3 daily drivers were TT. And I wanted something for the weekends that felt very different. But I definitely did consider the TT, I almost pulled the trigger on a '15 TT my dealer had in stock. The GT3 is amazing! There's absolutely no doubt about it! But I don't track my cars very often and if I took my 991 on long trips from time to time, I wanted a suspension a bit more softer.
None the less, I believe every 911 let a lone 991's have something very special to offer their owners. I honestly believe one isn't more special than the other all the way from the 991c2 to the 991TTS. They're ALL amazing, and offer different levels of enjoyment. It all boils down to preference and budget.
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I've driven a few 991s, but never a GT3 or RS. I own a TTS and a GT4. The TTS feels like it's "in a totally different class" type of fast. As low as 2.9k RPMS, that monster pushes a person into the seat harder than any other Porsche I've been in. I agree the exhaust noise is pretty sad for a car with the type of performance it has. Getting an EP installed in a couple of weeks, along with a raft of other things, but if that doesn't do it I suppose I'll have to go with something catless.
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Every porsche is different, they feel different, drive different etc. I get asked all the the how does the turbo S compare to your other Porsche's? I can't compare as they all drive different. Now to be fair, I haven't drove the GTS but I have a 918, Turbo S, GT3RS, and a GT3. However, when we talk about speed, .9 sec from 0-60 is absolutely noticeable in feel. The sound emiting from the GTS may play a part in why they feel close but that's just a guess. In any sense, your assessment and reasoning will allow you to pick the perfect car for your needs. I also understand what the other members are saying as I'm a speed freak! By the way, the 991TTS is the fastest car I have as it will beat my 918 in a half mile drag race. It holds the current 991 US record in the quarter at 9.7@143.
Glad you are choosing a Porsche as I have found anything better...
Glad you are choosing a Porsche as I have found anything better...
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Drove a friends 991 GTS manual and he was so excited to own it. I told him it was amazing and powerful just not to be a chump.
Truth be known, when you are acclimated to the 911 turbo line nothing else does it in the speed category, kind of takes you out of the running.
The GTS is hot looking IMO with the big back wing. At our Porsche events the GTS's get lots of the looks and stares vs the turbos. So, there are all sorts of trade-offs in life and no one perfect anything (except our chldren, lol).
I can't wait to see and/or drive the 911R but will prob never get the chance.
Truth be known, when you are acclimated to the 911 turbo line nothing else does it in the speed category, kind of takes you out of the running.
The GTS is hot looking IMO with the big back wing. At our Porsche events the GTS's get lots of the looks and stares vs the turbos. So, there are all sorts of trade-offs in life and no one perfect anything (except our chldren, lol).
I can't wait to see and/or drive the 911R but will prob never get the chance.
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I'll throw my 2 cents in. Back when I had a 997.1 c4s x-51, I went and test drove a 997.1 tip turbo. I had the same feeling as sheep did. While I knew the turbo was faster, the rawness of the x51 car (full exhaust) "felt" faster. I'm sure a lot of it had to do with the sound of the NA engine verses a stock turbo, and perhaps the gearing ratios. However, I have a 997.2 turbo now, and it feels so much faster than my old 4s.
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Hello.
From what I can read in many many posts the major/only issue with 991 TT seems to be the poor exhaust sound. But is it really that important when you know you are driving one of the fastest and competent cars on the street today?
Best regards.
From what I can read in many many posts the major/only issue with 991 TT seems to be the poor exhaust sound. But is it really that important when you know you are driving one of the fastest and competent cars on the street today?
Best regards.
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Great review and thread! I think any time you discuss what is "better," you have to define it. It's different for different people. If acceleration and speed are your only measurements than the numbers alone tell the story, and there is nothing to discuss. The GTR is a great example to me of a car that is great on paper, but I have known a few people that were disappointed driving it and quickly sold it. It wasn't fun enough, engaging enough, was too big, hated the traction control etc.
In my case, and many others,"better" has slightly less to do with the numbers than the over-all experience and enjoyment. I find the high-reving, NA race sound (someone described as a symphony!) extremely appealing. This is coming from a guy with a GT2, with a catless X-pipe exhaust. It sounds great, but will never sound like a NA engine with the right exhaust. The symphonic sound and rpm range of a NA Porsche are of greater value to me and worth considering giving up a few 1/10's of a second in acceleration at certain speeds. Just like some people love manual shift and despise PDK, even though PDK is unequivocally faster-shifting and subsequently a faster car. People prefer the engaging experience of the 6 speed manual, and would consider it "better."
My "best" sports car would not necessarily be a turbo, but the car I would enjoy the most for my own reasons. The best (most appealing) car for me is a daily driver, with the intoxicating sound of high-reving normal aspiration through a great exhaust, and great Porsche handling. The fun-factor is of greater value to me than just the numbers. Pure opinion.
In my case, and many others,"better" has slightly less to do with the numbers than the over-all experience and enjoyment. I find the high-reving, NA race sound (someone described as a symphony!) extremely appealing. This is coming from a guy with a GT2, with a catless X-pipe exhaust. It sounds great, but will never sound like a NA engine with the right exhaust. The symphonic sound and rpm range of a NA Porsche are of greater value to me and worth considering giving up a few 1/10's of a second in acceleration at certain speeds. Just like some people love manual shift and despise PDK, even though PDK is unequivocally faster-shifting and subsequently a faster car. People prefer the engaging experience of the 6 speed manual, and would consider it "better."
My "best" sports car would not necessarily be a turbo, but the car I would enjoy the most for my own reasons. The best (most appealing) car for me is a daily driver, with the intoxicating sound of high-reving normal aspiration through a great exhaust, and great Porsche handling. The fun-factor is of greater value to me than just the numbers. Pure opinion.
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[QUOTE=fanporsche;4481177]Hello.
From what I can read in many many posts the major/only issue with 991 TT seems to be the poor exhaust sound. But is it really that important when you know you are driving one of the fastest and competent cars on the street today?
I think this same thing. You know what you are getting with a Turbo/TurboS.
They are NOT quiet cars. They just do not sound like an F-Type, or R8, or C7 Vette, etc., because they aren't supposed to!
I love my TTS. I never qualify that with "except it doesn't sound good"
It certainly isn't a deal breaker for all those who bought one, whether they complain or not.
Talk about a first world problem!!
Now that I am off my soapbox, I am enjoying the comparisons and impressions, so keep them coming!!
From what I can read in many many posts the major/only issue with 991 TT seems to be the poor exhaust sound. But is it really that important when you know you are driving one of the fastest and competent cars on the street today?
I think this same thing. You know what you are getting with a Turbo/TurboS.
They are NOT quiet cars. They just do not sound like an F-Type, or R8, or C7 Vette, etc., because they aren't supposed to!
I love my TTS. I never qualify that with "except it doesn't sound good"
It certainly isn't a deal breaker for all those who bought one, whether they complain or not.
Talk about a first world problem!!
Now that I am off my soapbox, I am enjoying the comparisons and impressions, so keep them coming!!
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Interesting as I have heard of people who have had turbos who turned around and traded them in for NA cars. Obviously a personal choice. Reasons include sound and a more visceral feel of the NA cars. Have also heard that the turbo is just too much car, that the potential of the car cannot be reached in regular everyday driving and that the car is a bit dangerous in that the car gets up to speed so fast and effortlessly that one really has to be careful. Just relaying what I have heard - I have never had the opportunity to drive a TT.
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I've owned a 991 TT and now daily drive a 991 GTS. Personally, I prefer the GTS because it feels more raw and visceral and it sounds awesome. Also, because I am a manual guy at heart and I found that the TT was not engaging enough for me. That said, you can't quibble with the TT's speed. That thing was like a fighter jet. Ridiculously fast. Way too much performance to ever use on a public roadway. But, it could also be driven like a docile GT cruiser. That's what makes it such a special car; it can really be whatever you want it to be. For me, I came back to the NA/ MT setup, but that's totally personal preference. In terms of raw speed, the GTS isn't even close to the TT.
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I actually thought the GTS was a far more unsettled suspension then the Turbo. For the GTS suspension to really shine, I felt the roads had to be near perfect. Any miscalculation, bump or dip in the road going at speed, I felt much more planted and confident in the Turbo.
