New Porsche 911… which flavour?
Discussion
Any car is a one trick pony - only as good as the roads or track it can be used on.
In the UK, the roads put a huge limitation on the extent to which any car can be properly exploited.
In that respect, I would argue that lesser cars than those on the list above can provide more accessible enjoyment.
In the UK, the roads put a huge limitation on the extent to which any car can be properly exploited.
In that respect, I would argue that lesser cars than those on the list above can provide more accessible enjoyment.
I suspect that the GT3 RS would be the best ‘track’ car, but it looks ridiculous on the road.
So, my choice would be the new 992.2 Touring as the best all-rounder, which may even be the least expensive on the list.
Couldn’t really speak for the others, without full acquaintance, but they are all ‘modifieds’ so probably suit more personal tastes.
However, I would say that the smaller size is an asset, which is why something like a manual Boxster can often provide 90% of the fun 90% of the time.
So, my choice would be the new 992.2 Touring as the best all-rounder, which may even be the least expensive on the list.
Couldn’t really speak for the others, without full acquaintance, but they are all ‘modifieds’ so probably suit more personal tastes.
However, I would say that the smaller size is an asset, which is why something like a manual Boxster can often provide 90% of the fun 90% of the time.
My betting is whilst it’s a law of diminishing returns it’d be nice given money no object.
On real roads in the UK I do wonder if the older restomods/recreations with a bit more side wall would work best or if something with shorter gearing would be more involved.
If I could tailor one I’d take the Tuthill engine and find a way to fit it to the RUF carbon tub!
On real roads in the UK I do wonder if the older restomods/recreations with a bit more side wall would work best or if something with shorter gearing would be more involved.
If I could tailor one I’d take the Tuthill engine and find a way to fit it to the RUF carbon tub!
I am biased because I have one I will admit, however I think I have driven all of the 992s now except for the Dakar and the S/C.
Depends whether you want a toy or a car.
I think the best one for owning and driving on UK roads is the basic C2.
For a start it is the cheapest. That means you will have more money left over after you have paid for it.
Depreciation seems the same as the other lower end models- in other words very good indeed for an expensive car.
It also has the highest suspension setting for clearance and the highest side wall on 19/20 inch tyres.
So I think it has the best ride of our bad roads in a 911.
Make no mistake though it is still a very low car with a firm ride and huge wheels.
The smaller turbos in the 992.1 C2 spool up instantly with no discernible turbo lag. It is very much like my old Tesla Model S in its throttle response below 90mph. I think all the other models will feel quicker beyond these speeds but as I dont take this car on the track I am not too bothered.
This makes it very quick in the real world with instant acceleration when you want it without having to change down.
In fact in my car 0-60 is measured at 3.6 seconds with no sports chrono. Porsche tell you it is 4.2. It is not. So you wonder what the Sports Chrono does? I have asked directly and not received an answer as to what ECU/gearbox parameters are altered. I think they dont want to tell me.
I think it just affects the characteristics of the engine/exhaust valves and pdk at light/ partial throttle openings, not make the car any faster, just makes it a bit more exciting for your passenger.
With no S/C, if you mash the pedal it instantly gives you max beans no matter what.
That works for me.
The C2 also has rear seats, unlike some other sports models. They are surprisingly useful to use from time to time and fold for useful storage space behind the seats with the tops folded down.
Rear wheel drive gives loads of grip. Traction is superb with the weight over the rear wheels. You would have to be driving it like a complete cretin to get it out of shape at the back end.
4 wheel drive does nothing for the steering feel, adds to the complexity, reduces the frunk size, adds to the the cost and the weight of the car.
4 way seats are the lightest, and the cheapest. Mine have been great.
My pov. spec 992 has been weighed at 1490kg, which makes it one of the lighter 992s, This is about 200 kg lighter than an electric Mini Cooper and about 20kg heavier than my old 996 C4S. The general rumor in the pub section is that the 992 is a bit bloated. I dont think it is, things have just moved on. One of my old E types with no safely aids whatsoever weighs 1,200kg. I think Porsche have done well to keep the weight down.
With no options a C2 still has loads of gadgets as found on most new cars these days such as satellite maps with instant traffic updates, music streaming, cruise etc. So I dont feel I am missing out on anything, even after getting into it after 140,000 miles in a Model S.
My 3 criticisms are that the huge rear tires produce noise in the cabin. You can improve the insulation in the rear wheel wells to combat this.
Also in extreme cornering, understeer varies depending on the tire temperature. You really should be on the track for that shenanigans though. A tight roundabout on the inside lane could catch you out.
Finally I asked for a manual gearbox in 2020 and was told I couldn't have one unless I spent another £15k on an S. Another way of Mr Porsche increasing his profit IMHO. The PDK is superb I must say.
So 65,000 miles in, 34 mpg, a few service items and it has been a great choice for me, much more interesting than a Golf GTi, which is the only other new car I considered at the time 5 years ago.
Depends whether you want a toy or a car.
I think the best one for owning and driving on UK roads is the basic C2.
For a start it is the cheapest. That means you will have more money left over after you have paid for it.
Depreciation seems the same as the other lower end models- in other words very good indeed for an expensive car.
It also has the highest suspension setting for clearance and the highest side wall on 19/20 inch tyres.
So I think it has the best ride of our bad roads in a 911.
Make no mistake though it is still a very low car with a firm ride and huge wheels.
The smaller turbos in the 992.1 C2 spool up instantly with no discernible turbo lag. It is very much like my old Tesla Model S in its throttle response below 90mph. I think all the other models will feel quicker beyond these speeds but as I dont take this car on the track I am not too bothered.
This makes it very quick in the real world with instant acceleration when you want it without having to change down.
In fact in my car 0-60 is measured at 3.6 seconds with no sports chrono. Porsche tell you it is 4.2. It is not. So you wonder what the Sports Chrono does? I have asked directly and not received an answer as to what ECU/gearbox parameters are altered. I think they dont want to tell me.
I think it just affects the characteristics of the engine/exhaust valves and pdk at light/ partial throttle openings, not make the car any faster, just makes it a bit more exciting for your passenger.
With no S/C, if you mash the pedal it instantly gives you max beans no matter what.
That works for me.
The C2 also has rear seats, unlike some other sports models. They are surprisingly useful to use from time to time and fold for useful storage space behind the seats with the tops folded down.
Rear wheel drive gives loads of grip. Traction is superb with the weight over the rear wheels. You would have to be driving it like a complete cretin to get it out of shape at the back end.
4 wheel drive does nothing for the steering feel, adds to the complexity, reduces the frunk size, adds to the the cost and the weight of the car.
4 way seats are the lightest, and the cheapest. Mine have been great.
My pov. spec 992 has been weighed at 1490kg, which makes it one of the lighter 992s, This is about 200 kg lighter than an electric Mini Cooper and about 20kg heavier than my old 996 C4S. The general rumor in the pub section is that the 992 is a bit bloated. I dont think it is, things have just moved on. One of my old E types with no safely aids whatsoever weighs 1,200kg. I think Porsche have done well to keep the weight down.
With no options a C2 still has loads of gadgets as found on most new cars these days such as satellite maps with instant traffic updates, music streaming, cruise etc. So I dont feel I am missing out on anything, even after getting into it after 140,000 miles in a Model S.
My 3 criticisms are that the huge rear tires produce noise in the cabin. You can improve the insulation in the rear wheel wells to combat this.
Also in extreme cornering, understeer varies depending on the tire temperature. You really should be on the track for that shenanigans though. A tight roundabout on the inside lane could catch you out.
Finally I asked for a manual gearbox in 2020 and was told I couldn't have one unless I spent another £15k on an S. Another way of Mr Porsche increasing his profit IMHO. The PDK is superb I must say.
So 65,000 miles in, 34 mpg, a few service items and it has been a great choice for me, much more interesting than a Golf GTi, which is the only other new car I considered at the time 5 years ago.
Edited by politeperson on Tuesday 22 October 19:05
politeperson said:
I am biased because I have one I will admit, however I think I have driven all of the 992s now except for the Dakar and the S/C.
Depends whether you want a toy or a car.
I think the best one for owning and driving on UK roads is the basic C2.
For a start it is the cheapest. That means you will have more money left over after you have paid for it.
Depreciation seems the same as the other lower end models- in other words very good indeed for an expensive car.
It also has the highest suspension setting for clearance and the highest side wall on 19/20 inch tyres.
So I think it has the best ride of our bad roads in a 911.
Make no mistake though it is still a very low car with a firm ride and huge wheels.
The smaller turbos in the 992.1 C2 spool up instantly with no discernible turbo lag. It is very much like my old Tesla Model S in its throttle response below 90mph. I think all the other models will feel quicker beyond these speeds but as I dont take this car on the track I am not too bothered.
This makes it very quick in the real world with instant acceleration when you want it without having to change down.
In fact in my car 0-60 is measured at 3.6 seconds with no sports chrono. Porsche tell you it is 4.2. It is not. So you wonder what the Sports Chrono does? I have asked directly and not received an answer as to what ECU/gearbox parameters are altered. I think they dont want to tell me.
I think it just affects the characteristics of the engine/exhaust valves and pdk at light/ partial throttle openings, not make the car any faster, just makes it a bit more exciting for your passenger.
With no S/C, if you mash the pedal it instantly gives you max beans no matter what.
That works for me.
The C2 also has rear seats, unlike some other sports models. They are surprisingly useful to use from time to time and fold for useful storage space behind the seats with the tops folded down.
Rear wheel drive gives loads of grip. Traction is superb with the weight over the rear wheels. You would have to be driving it like a complete cretin to get it out of shape at the back end.
4 wheel drive does nothing for the steering feel, adds to the complexity, reduces the frunk size, adds to the the cost and the weight of the car.
4 way seats are the lightest, and the cheapest. Mine have been great.
My pov. spec 992 has been weighed at 1490kg, which makes it one of the lighter 992s, This is about 200 kg lighter than an electric Mini Cooper and about 20kg heavier than my old 996 C4S. The general rumor in the pub section is that the 992 is a bit bloated. I dont think it is, things have just moved on. One of my old E types with no safely aids whatsoever weighs 1,200kg. I think Porsche have done well to keep the weight down.
With no options a C2 still has loads of gadgets as found on most new cars these days such as satellite maps with instant traffic updates, music streaming, cruise etc. So I dont feel I am missing out on anything, even after getting into it after 140,000 miles in a Model S.
My 3 criticisms are that the huge rear tires produce noise in the cabin. You can improve the insulation in the rear wheel wells to combat this.
Also in extreme cornering, understeer varies depending on the tire temperature. You really should be on the track for that shenanigans though. A tight roundabout on the inside lane could catch you out.
Finally I asked for a manual gearbox in 2020 and was told I couldn't have one unless I spent another £15k on an S. Another way of Mr Porsche increasing his profit IMHO. The PDK is superb I must say.
So 65,000 miles in, 34 mpg, a few service items and it has been a great choice for me, much more interesting than a Golf GTi, which is the only other new car I considered at the time 5 years ago.
A good read, thanks !Depends whether you want a toy or a car.
I think the best one for owning and driving on UK roads is the basic C2.
For a start it is the cheapest. That means you will have more money left over after you have paid for it.
Depreciation seems the same as the other lower end models- in other words very good indeed for an expensive car.
It also has the highest suspension setting for clearance and the highest side wall on 19/20 inch tyres.
So I think it has the best ride of our bad roads in a 911.
Make no mistake though it is still a very low car with a firm ride and huge wheels.
The smaller turbos in the 992.1 C2 spool up instantly with no discernible turbo lag. It is very much like my old Tesla Model S in its throttle response below 90mph. I think all the other models will feel quicker beyond these speeds but as I dont take this car on the track I am not too bothered.
This makes it very quick in the real world with instant acceleration when you want it without having to change down.
In fact in my car 0-60 is measured at 3.6 seconds with no sports chrono. Porsche tell you it is 4.2. It is not. So you wonder what the Sports Chrono does? I have asked directly and not received an answer as to what ECU/gearbox parameters are altered. I think they dont want to tell me.
I think it just affects the characteristics of the engine/exhaust valves and pdk at light/ partial throttle openings, not make the car any faster, just makes it a bit more exciting for your passenger.
With no S/C, if you mash the pedal it instantly gives you max beans no matter what.
That works for me.
The C2 also has rear seats, unlike some other sports models. They are surprisingly useful to use from time to time and fold for useful storage space behind the seats with the tops folded down.
Rear wheel drive gives loads of grip. Traction is superb with the weight over the rear wheels. You would have to be driving it like a complete cretin to get it out of shape at the back end.
4 wheel drive does nothing for the steering feel, adds to the complexity, reduces the frunk size, adds to the the cost and the weight of the car.
4 way seats are the lightest, and the cheapest. Mine have been great.
My pov. spec 992 has been weighed at 1490kg, which makes it one of the lighter 992s, This is about 200 kg lighter than an electric Mini Cooper and about 20kg heavier than my old 996 C4S. The general rumor in the pub section is that the 992 is a bit bloated. I dont think it is, things have just moved on. One of my old E types with no safely aids whatsoever weighs 1,200kg. I think Porsche have done well to keep the weight down.
With no options a C2 still has loads of gadgets as found on most new cars these days such as satellite maps with instant traffic updates, music streaming, cruise etc. So I dont feel I am missing out on anything, even after getting into it after 140,000 miles in a Model S.
My 3 criticisms are that the huge rear tires produce noise in the cabin. You can improve the insulation in the rear wheel wells to combat this.
Also in extreme cornering, understeer varies depending on the tire temperature. You really should be on the track for that shenanigans though. A tight roundabout on the inside lane could catch you out.
Finally I asked for a manual gearbox in 2020 and was told I couldn't have one unless I spent another £15k on an S. Another way of Mr Porsche increasing his profit IMHO. The PDK is superb I must say.
So 65,000 miles in, 34 mpg, a few service items and it has been a great choice for me, much more interesting than a Golf GTi, which is the only other new car I considered at the time 5 years ago.
Edited by politeperson on Tuesday 22 October 19:05
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