I can see the appeal of the GTS. I particularly love the Alcantara interior and cry every time I see a GTS that was kitted with the Alcantara delete. I know the sport exhaust sounds nice, better than a stock S. While they are very nice, it really doesn't compare to a turbo. For those that suggest you can't use the power on the street, I can see the appeal of a GTS. For those that have used the launch control and have seen the overboost arrow on the dash, you know that power IS usable and it's INCREDIBLE. I join someone else that commented on the notion that 0.9 sec in 0-60 is "not that much difference" - it is a HUGE difference. If you can drive a turbo and a GTS back to back, there is one simple test. 3k RPM in both cars, put your foot to the floor. Let me know which car you take home.

 

I own a 991 TT and drove the GTS before deciding.

As many others have stated, the sound on the GTS is more engaging and energizing. The Turbo on the other hand is ridiculously quick off the line, video game quick. On the hand, it does have a low pitched moaning sound, which is ok for me.

For me, the external appearance of the Turbo was just more appealing to me than the GTS (the spoiler, fat hips and fins), and in the end that was the deciding factor.

The GTS is a very nice car. If I would have gone down that road, I would of most certainly chosen Carmine Red with the GTS Carmine Red Interior package.

 

Very good review. I have very similar thoughts as to how they drive. GTS of any model feels more raw which is the point. Turbos are faster and more subdued from factory. Which is possibly why many owners add aftermarket parts to make the Turbos more raw, I think. Exhaust and sport springs are fairly common, in addition to wheel/tire combo and possibly intake replacement. Then a chip tune, and you have a different vehicle. Nice to see the variations all over the board, which I believe keeps this forum very interesting.

 

I happen to agree that the 991 GTS is fun to drive on the track, but it is nowhere near as fast as my 991 TTS. The TTS is noticeably heavier and a very different feel with the AWD, which pulls out of corners. FWIW, drove the 991 GTS back to back with a GT4 at Barber and found the GTS much more satisfying and I think a bit faster than the GT4, although laps were not timed.

 

Not intentionally trying to revive this thread but it's an interesting one for me, since I came from a NA GTS into a 991.2 TT. With my 991.1 S back in the day, there were times when I wanted more power, and the chassis with PDCC could easily accommodate it.
It was rare in the GTS where I really wanted more power, maybe on the highway on some hot days...maybe. 430 hp was pretty close to what it needs.
But when I test drove a new GTS with AWD, then I felt a whole new league of torque and stability...which prompted a test drive in a TT and the rest is history.
The only lag I really notice is just off-idle, beyond that the throttle response is excellent and the speed of the TT is just fantastic, along with the stability.
Couple that with the intakes, the hips, the active aero, and the car is just amazing to me.
The GTS in any form is a great car, no doubt...but the acceleration numbers for the TT are really an order of magnitude better.

 

As one that traded his NA GTS for one, it's a very entertaining experience in a TT. I wouldn't say it's too much car, but getting on the throttle and being simply...gone is a fantastic feeling.

 

The OP's review is pretty much spot on except the power above 4k. I was considering a GT3 or a Turbo S. Ultimately went with a non-local Turbo S because the deal with a local seller just didn't work. I wasn't too bummed the GT3 deal fell thru because it's easy to make a Turbo S handle as well as a GT3, but it's much more difficult to get a GT3 to have the same power at a Turbo S. Regarding the comparison to the GTS, i'm sure some minor suspension work, tires, and an exhaust would satisfy your craving for a more raw drive

 

In my opinion, the GTS would be my pick based on raw planted feeling and pricing point.

 

Better comparison would be a .2 gts and a .1 turbo. I think the .2 chassis separates them here and the speed is very close imo. The .1 gts sounds like a hooligan though.

 

 

Driving back from downtown Chicago yesterday, I found that the power increase (430 vs. 540) and the torque increase (325 peak vs. 486 in Sport) are VERY usable if you just want to blast thru traffic and create some distance. I love it.

 

To me there are substantial differences in feel in the 17s and 18s compared to the 16s - in both the TT and GTS. Not just what comes from the extra torque- the suspensions are improved. That said, the GTS provides a good bit more than expected.