997 Turbo vs 991 Turbo

[andyb28]

Good Morning,

Firstly, I have searched about on here and haven't really been able to find an answer.

I haven't owned a 911, since my 964. Which I hated, I had to drive it every day into a busy town and rush hour would kill my left leg due to the heavy clutch. However, I really do fancy one again and have been looking at whats about within the £50k-£60k budget.

So it would seem that this can get me a gen1 or gen2 997 and also just about a 991. I am not really interested in the n/a cars.
I like the look of both of them in their own ways.

I would really appreciate some guidance about the direction to go in as I haven't driven any of them yet.

Interestingly, there are some posts on here that say the gen2 997 is a lot better than the gen 1. However, would that matter if I have never driven any of them?

Many thanks
Andy

[andyb28]

Not managed any replies, perhaps I asked the question wrong. (Or maybe people are fed up of which 911 posts).

Let me re-phrase it.

For the same money, you can have a 997 Turbo or a 991 Turbo. Which one would you have?

[David W.]

Had a 997.2, suspension needed a DSC box to take the edge off it, lovely car but now in a 991 n/a C4S and appreciate more modern looks and interior. Try both. HTHs.

Edited by David W. on Friday 22 March 13:01

Edited by David W. on Friday 22 March 13:02

[arcamalpha]

Personally I'd go 991. The 991 interior is a big step up I'd say. Arguably the best Porsche interior of all (inc 992, Cayenne etc).

997 only if want the increasingly classic look. And get DSC as above.

[Jefferson Steelflex]

I am assuming you're only looking for Auto/PDK as 991 not available with a manual.

991 is a nicer place to sit as it's more comfy, quieter and feels more solid I guess (in an Audi/VW type of way), but 997 is a more raw and involving experience. Auto on the Gen 1 997 lets it down a little versus PDK, but is not a bad option really and can take huge power increases if tuning is your thing. PDK on the Gen 2 997 was a step up, but different engine.

If you're open to a manual, a 997.1 Turbo is where the smart money goes (.2 is very rare in manual and very expensive as a result). Overall these guys are all decent ownership propositions, values won't fall much if at all now.

If it is an Auto/PDK only debate, I'd be looking at 997.2 Turbo S.

[brisel]

I appreciate that this does not really answer your question, but the clutch on a 997.1 TT is not heavy at all. The 997 is more “analogue” than a 991, but the best way to decide is to drive both on twisties back to back.

[maz8062]

I pop into Porsche East London often to have a gander at the various cars in stock and often spot a 991T and 997T in amongst the mundane. 991’s are big cars, the TT bigger still with its wider stance and flared arches. The 997’s are smaller - my favourites of all the cars that I saw the last time I was there was a base 997.1 Carrera and a 992 T - The 997 looked better than a couple of 993’s were there. I think the 997 shape is up there and in turbo form only lagging behind the 964 Turbo and 993T

To answer the question, the 991 will be better than the 997T and if you’re going for PDK, the 991 iteration is significantly better than the 997 PDK.

Good luck.

[andyb28]

Many thanks for the replies, it has helped me a lot.

As I mentioned, there are things I like about both. The logical choice is clearly the newer one and it's also good to hear that the automatic gearbox is better.
Interestingly, whilst looking at 991's, I came across a Targa. I used to love the old Targas, but they became a sliding glass roof in more recent cars and not really a proper targa. But the 991 does look more like the originals. Obviously not a turbo engine, but looking at the stats its also not a slouch.

[ATM]

There turbos are seriously rapid. Some might say too rapid to enjoy on roads without being a bit silly. PDK is good in 991. Yes the Targa roof on the 991 is awesome. A 3.8 na 991 is 400 bhp. If you get an x51 car it's 430 bhp I think. So plenty of power even without turbos. The 997 gen 2 figures are only a bit less.

But

No one has mentioned the steering. Elec steering rack on the 991 will have nowhere near as much feel as the 997. If you want the more feelsome car and more character it has to he the 997. If you want mod cons and newer gizmos it has be the 991. I think that is the best way to make this choice simple.

[tur8o]

Hi, I am currently looking at similar options. I test drove a 997 turbo s and 991 turbo s back to back before Christmas. the difference is huge. I really thought the 997 was the one I wanted (in a manual actually) but once I had driven the 991 I changed my mind. If I was buying purely a toy car then maybe the 997 but for a more usable car the 991 was faster, comfier and lot more of a relaxed, nicer, easier place to be. As mentioned already though the 997 is smaller and more nibble, more of a classic and a lot sharper feeling to drive.