Finally got some seat time in a 997 turbo today. Nice ride. A bit tighter than the C4S ('04) I've been driving for 3 years, and it was a coupe vs my cab, so some differences there. I liked the adaptive sport seats, nice improvement there. Overall fit/finish up to expectation.

Unfortunately, even though we had a few open stretches, I really did not feel like I had time to let it out to full potential. It was very responsive in sport mode. And yes it was noticeably more powerful than the '04, but not overwhelmingly powerful.

It was well planted on the road, gave the right amout of feedback to me in the wheel, but the clutch took a few minutes to adapt. Def a change from the 996 clutch. Also, there was an easily detectable drone noise from the rear. Not sure if it was exhaust related or something else, but I've read from turbo owners that this exists.

I guess it was close to what I expected, but since we did not get much of an open road to really let it loose, I did not get the full potential of the car.

Ironically, I took it down most of the same roads I drove the F430 spider last week, so there was some ability to compare the two in street driving, even some twisties.

The visceral feeling of the F430 was light years beyond the turbo. Not that the turbo was 'lacking' anything. Just that the 430 pulls from the get-go in a way no other car I've driven would do. And the sound from the tail of the 430 is pure sex. The sound from the tail of the turbo was mundane in comparison.

The 'plantedness' of the two was easy to compare. The 430 felt more planted on the twisties. Again, not that the turbo lacked a thing here, it was just that feeling. And yes, it could be the Porsche is so 'familiar' to me now, that the F-car was something new, and different, and impacted my thoughts.

The interior leather appointments and carbon work on the 430 were a notch above as well.

Of course, all this comes at a price.

F-car: overpriced, only available way over sticker, trophy car can't be driven lots of miles, not a daily driver, not a run-to-the-store hauler if needed, etc.

P-car: bulletproof engine (mostly), well planted with plenty of power, easily a daily driver if need be, can drive it without worrying about miles, easy to take nearly anywhere you want. Expensive, but available at or below list price in most cases.

I guess I've poisoned myself driving the 430's over the past few weeks. Please forgive me. But it sure as hell was fun.

Anyway, great car. Not sure I'd be chomping at the bit to have the turbo right away, but it was damn nice. I still love the C4S Cab, so I guess I need more time on the open road where I can really let that turbo breathe a bit, eh?

 

Eric,

the ECU and exhaust add a great deal of flavor to the TT. Like A1 for a bland steak

 

You need a turbo cab!