I'm thinking pretty hard about it...

Seems to me that the 991 is a large step forward performance wise, the looks debate is subjective between the brands so I'm not going there... but I do like the changes made between the looks of the 991 to the 997. The interior of the 991 is a vast improvement over the 997. I have been Porsche before and think that this just might be time to jump back in...

Anyone here driven the new 991?

 

I have driven two 991s. Very nice cars. Much nicer interiors etc. The Burmeister was also nice. I didn't like the way the PDK wanted to think for me but thats just me. Overall it is much nicer car than the last gen. If you are a Porsche guy and the larger size doesn't bother you I think you will like it. Big price increase though. I'm not a Porsche guy and the car left me a little cold. Kind of sterile feeling. More performance than a Vantage but just doesn't excite me.

 

I drove one after I test drove the AMV S. The interior is a big improvement over the 997 (I also looked at the 997turbo), especially that coool dash.
The AM just felt more solid and more exclusive. If I was a more performance oriented I probably would of went for the 991s or waited on the new turbo.
But the AM had me at hello....

 

991 is pretty bad ***. A buddy of mine and fellow pca instructor bought his brand new 991 CS to VIR and that car got around the track real well, felt planted and solid and really has a great power delivery and balance. It's a phenomenal car, think about the performance they are able to get out of a little flat six NA
Motor!! And the thing revs so well, gearshifts are flawless, breaking is so neutral and fade free, it does feel larger then a 993 or 6 ... But I think porsche hit a homerun w this car, the styling is okay, I like some things bit not others, it is unmistakably 911 heritage and iconic shape but some style ques are not to my preference (like the aweful huge sunroof for example).... I can't wait until the turbo, GT, and cup/RS/RSR versions come out!!!

 

The 991S is a great car. It's amazing in terms of the advancements over the 997. I feel like they are finally addressing the style shortcomings. If you get one you will be one of nearly 200,000 unique individuals to buy this 911 version. In other words, roughly 8 times the number of AM's ever produced. Congratulations in giving up the individuality that AM's have to offer in return for yet another sterile 911 incantation. If you really feel the need for the .3 seconds in 0-60, keep an eye on used V12Vs. From one who knows, the 510HP is plenty for the average person and will maintain the spirit of what drew you to Aston in the first place. If that's still not enough then good luck in becoming a member of an ever less exclusive population. Say hello to all of the housewives driving Cayennes at the PCA meetings.

 

Thanks for chiming in guys, plenty of great observations here.

Lots to chew on about making this decision....

 

Harsh, but accurate.

 

I have the first allocation slot for the 991 turbo secured at my local dealer. That being said, I am seriously considering giving it up and sticking with the Vantage S. Yes, the 991tt will be ludicrously fast, have awd, PDK, etc. but, after owning a few p-cars in the past, won't have the special feel the Vantage S has.

 

Gee. Just nail him Jaymoney.

 

My $0.02 (for the record, I am not blindly in love with my AM . . . there are quite a few minor things I'd love to change)

First: I would never buy a high-end (or maybe any) car the first year it is released. There is zero possibility that they will have worked out all of the bugs.

Second: Jaymoney's post is harsh but accurate. Porsche has not been a boutique manufacturer for quite some time, if special/unique are important to you then you will not gain that with the 911. I expected the buying and ownership experience for my $110k Porsche to be a wonderful and somewhat exotic one. It certainly was not, I felt like I was just another car buyer. Totally, totally different with the AM. It and the car feels special . . . even if it doesn't always feel as nimble or have as many features as my old p-car.

Will the 991 be a 'better' machine than the AM? Perhaps (assuming the quality is where it needs to be).

Anyway, this is all so subjective that you should feel free to disregard everything everyone has written here. I doubt you can really go wrong at this price point with any marque.

 

Ya, gotta say I feel similarly. I've always liked the 911, repsected the 911 but have never loved the 911. When I was looking around for a 'special' car to buy, I certainly considered it but also dismissed pretty quickly as (among other reasons) it was too 'easy'. It's a great sports car but it's a 'safe' sports car (maybe 'conservative' is a better word). In Toronto, it's the first thing that any Bay Street young gunner goes out and buys with his first year end bonus check.

OTOH, I've got a neighbour who owns a GT3 RS and he's an avid track guy and has owned tons of sports cars over the years. I have a lot of respect for him but not much for the typical 911 owner (perhaps not the typical 6speed 911 owner), he has that car for a purpose and not bc it's a 'safe' choice. Strictly in terms of styling and the oft mentioned 'event' of driving the Aston, there's no comparison in my mind, but it really depends on what you want out of the car. It's the right car for me ... wouldn't be the right car for my neighbour (by a long shot).

Please note though E, this is not meant to reflect any opinion about you personally or your choice. You're a good guy and know your cars. I'm just giving you my opinion on the generalities of the 911 vs the Vantage as that's how others might view it. But if raw performance/drivability is the key for you, it's a perfectly logical vehicle to look at.

 

I think some porsches are exclusive such as C-GT, GT2 & RS, GT3 & RS, and the older variants RUF CTR-2 comes to mind, then the venerable 959, 917 etc...etc...

I love driving my GT2, it's an incredible machine...and it's very rare, especially being that it's Euro spec which are the ones which were imported here on special order. However I do understand what Jaymoney was saying and since Porsche now has so many vairents with so many options and trim lines within, it is hard for most to differentiate. Most people clump all of them into one catagory "It's a Porsche" ... those that know the difference will appreciate certain ones, and those that don't just wont' know any better... so overall exclusivity of the marque has declined. However this said in the enthusiast community the various limited build examples and special models are quite well known and revered indeed

 

I read it again and I'm sorry it came out that way. I had 6 Porsches before the first AM. My last 911 was a 997 C2S and I traded it in the day they announced the 100,000 997. At the same time, I know they are great cars and like TV's or computers, they are selling you the current model knowing that they are 6 months away from announcing a slightly better version. There are V12V's used for around 165K. A well equipped C2S with CCBrakes will be about 135. The V12V will out perform that car and kill it in style. At the same time it will still be the only V12V in history. So may be I should have come from the perspective of looking at all options as opposed to the "have too many Porsches out there already" mentality. Sorry again for the tone.

 

^^^ Jay I saw a V12V at my dealer on monday...it was a lightning silver...blue interior with deviated stitching I think it was a 2012. The car looked Phenomenal!!! I really liked it's styling and interior. It would be a hard choice to make between it and a DBS...

 

When I was looking for a new car I spent a LOT of time looking at the GT3RS, Vantage, and Gallardo. I was to the point where I put in an offer on a GT3RS. I have a huge appreciation for the history of Porsche but I ultimately didn't buy it because of the comment my wife made when she saw it. She was expecting a different Porsche because to me the GT3RS is different but when she saw it she asked why we were spending 140k on just another Porsche. My heart sank a little that day but I can see her perspective. We didn't go with the Gallardo because it was too flashy and the V8V was the perfect balance of everything. I recently tracked the V8V and was quite impressed with the performance. It's not the Noble or the GT3RS but it's still plenty capable and a lot of fun(sounds the best too ).