I didn't want to like it, I really didn't...
 

This weekend I had the pleasure of borrowing a 991S coupe loaner while my 997.2S cab gets new turbo II wheels put on (somehow this turned into a 3 day test drive).

I'd driven the 991 before buying a 997 and at the time thought it was a great car. Great enough to convince one of my closest friends to get one. Personally, I still preferred the raw feel, smaller body, cheaper cost and less potential depreciation of the 997. Only after owning the 997 for some time do I now realize how great the 991 is.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the 997 and think its a fantastic weekend car. But I do have some issues with it.

Personal pet peeves:
- MASSIVELY jerky PDK (had I known it was this rough I probably would have gone for a stick). The down shift to 1st gear when AC is on drives me CRAZY. I also feel like its rarely in the right gear. 6th at 40mph???? Really?
- Jittery/light front end, especially in sport mode. I find myself avoiding the sport suspension. But overall the car feels bouncy and less planted. (I know this is the raw feedback everyone wants)
- Lack of engine note as I don't have sport exhaust.

The 991 PDK is down right outstanding. To me, it does everything right. I feel like its always in the right gear, holds on the a gear long enough and shifts amazingly smooth.

The front end feels PLANTED! Never once took it out of sport mode. The steering feel was fine. Maybe its coming from my electronic 5 series that makes me somewhat prefer this.

Engine note - I HEAR THE ENGINE! And every once in a while it gives you a little burp for kicks.

Overall, I think the car is just extraordinary.

Don't bite my head off as I am aware this is a 997 Forum. The 997 is a great machine and I'm not looking to replace it anytime soon, but at least I don't dread that day nearly as much as I thought I would.

Dude your killing me ! I just bought my 997.2 5 days ago =\

Seriously though, mines a stick so it's all good.

I would like to hear the exhaust more though. I have the sport mode button but I don't have the sport exhaust button. I'm not sure what the deal is with my car not having the sport exhaust button.

Haha - congrats on your new car! You will love it. I am looking forward to getting mine back tomorrow! There are so many aspects of it that I still prefer over the newer/more refined (read - less interesting) 991.

Maybe I should have been a little more clear that I was mostly impressed how much the 991 exceeded my low expectations.

Oh, I get it now.You probably should delete your original post then hilarious

If you don't have the sport exhaust button, you don't have sport exhaust, unless it was added after the car was manufactured and the installer didn't install the switch.

991 vs 997 on a 997 thread….will never end….by the way steve, your issues with your 997..pdk - upgrade cures it all, its like a miracle drug for the transmission…quiet exhaust, gundo hack cures it like a miracle drug, you'll even get those popping sound you like. but no matter what you do to a 991 you wont get a 997, hahahaha

i'm going to see if they can update the PDK before I pick it up. Hopefully that solves it!!!

What you're hearing is the symposer.

I thought it was determined there is no PDK upgrade, unless you have the PDK completely replaced. Can't speak for your island chain though.

I'll tell you tomorrow. It's stiill at the dealer hooked to a laptop. They said it's really tricky.

Btw - on the wait list for Fister cans!

Are you doing the fister exhaust? I'm trying to decide what exhaust to get

I have the gundo hack. LOVE it!

Got my car back today and the PDK is driving FAR FAR better and smoother than before. I am very impressed!

On a sad note, someone backed into the 991 loaner I had parallel parked before I gave it back this afternoon. Nothing too big but scratched the front end up pretty good. Guess this one is going to cost me...

great honest review steve-o. now i will have to avoid driving the 991 for as long as possible!

What size on the gundo hack?