The original plan had been to move from my 2010 997 turbo S to the 991 equivalent when it was 3 years old which would have been March 2013. However, as it turned out the new car was not available at that time.
However, the old one was still going fine
Now it would undoubtedly have been cheaper to buy a 4th year warranty but instead I took the opportunity to try a 991 C2S which were being made available at attractive prices earlier this year. To some extent my decision was also influenced by the 981 Boxster S we had picked up on a factory collection in October 2012. While lacking the outright punch of the turbo S, the Boxster seemed in a number of ways a more modern and refined car.
Bearing in mind my first 997 had been a C2S back in 2005 the game had clearly moved on in those intervening 7 or 8 years and hopefully the 991 would reflect this. However, as reported earlier the C2S has now gone and so this would seem an appropriate time to reflect.
Verdict?
Well I'm trying to think of a car I have liked more. In a Porsche lineage stretching back to 1975 and including 2.4 911E, through 930, 964RS, 993, 996 GT3, 996turbo, and most flavours of 997 that is some accolade. Of course not all of the above are strictly comparable (and are not in strictly chronological order) but even so in terms of overall motoring pleasure, the 991 delivers a great experience in almost every respect.
For a start a 400hp N/A motor coupled with the latest generation of PDK gives a finely balanced combination of performance and economy and ease of use. Whatever your mood the car has a mode to suit. Be it tackling Alpine passes or knocking off 700+ miles in an easy day it just delivers exactly what you ask.
As far as handling is concerned, I think the wider front track provides entirely neutral cornering on the open road. I didn't track the car so cannot comment if it moves to more traditional understeer/snap oversteer closer to the limits but for my sort of driving it is entirely predictable and reassuring.
One improvement over 997 is that selecting sport mode retains the standard PASM setting and for British roads that offers just the right balance between performance and comfort. It is slightly annoying that selecting sport also defaults to sports exhaust which then needed switching off as it offers no aural benefit over and above the excellent growl of the normal exhaust. PSE is a waste of money in my view and only good for resale.
The interior is a further step on from the 997 and achieves a nice balance between quality, comfort and practicality. I still lament the passing of the five round dials but the latest iteration is not too bad and the multi function screen provides a pretty decent way of presenting a wide range of information. I deplore the lack of a proper hand brake and the Porsche one seems counter intuitive in its mode of operation but that is hardly a major criticism.
PDSL is excellent and I would now spec on any car immediately after selecting Heated Seats.
So all in all the C2S is a brilliant car.
And I was definitely in two minds about taking a 991 turbo. I don't need really more performance and will get worse economy, ceramic brakes, centre locks and PDCC none of which appeal particularly.
Whether or not is will have been a mistake I will only know in March 2014.
However, the old one was still going fine
Now it would undoubtedly have been cheaper to buy a 4th year warranty but instead I took the opportunity to try a 991 C2S which were being made available at attractive prices earlier this year. To some extent my decision was also influenced by the 981 Boxster S we had picked up on a factory collection in October 2012. While lacking the outright punch of the turbo S, the Boxster seemed in a number of ways a more modern and refined car.
Bearing in mind my first 997 had been a C2S back in 2005 the game had clearly moved on in those intervening 7 or 8 years and hopefully the 991 would reflect this. However, as reported earlier the C2S has now gone and so this would seem an appropriate time to reflect.
Verdict?
Well I'm trying to think of a car I have liked more. In a Porsche lineage stretching back to 1975 and including 2.4 911E, through 930, 964RS, 993, 996 GT3, 996turbo, and most flavours of 997 that is some accolade. Of course not all of the above are strictly comparable (and are not in strictly chronological order) but even so in terms of overall motoring pleasure, the 991 delivers a great experience in almost every respect.
For a start a 400hp N/A motor coupled with the latest generation of PDK gives a finely balanced combination of performance and economy and ease of use. Whatever your mood the car has a mode to suit. Be it tackling Alpine passes or knocking off 700+ miles in an easy day it just delivers exactly what you ask.
As far as handling is concerned, I think the wider front track provides entirely neutral cornering on the open road. I didn't track the car so cannot comment if it moves to more traditional understeer/snap oversteer closer to the limits but for my sort of driving it is entirely predictable and reassuring.
One improvement over 997 is that selecting sport mode retains the standard PASM setting and for British roads that offers just the right balance between performance and comfort. It is slightly annoying that selecting sport also defaults to sports exhaust which then needed switching off as it offers no aural benefit over and above the excellent growl of the normal exhaust. PSE is a waste of money in my view and only good for resale.
The interior is a further step on from the 997 and achieves a nice balance between quality, comfort and practicality. I still lament the passing of the five round dials but the latest iteration is not too bad and the multi function screen provides a pretty decent way of presenting a wide range of information. I deplore the lack of a proper hand brake and the Porsche one seems counter intuitive in its mode of operation but that is hardly a major criticism.
PDSL is excellent and I would now spec on any car immediately after selecting Heated Seats.
So all in all the C2S is a brilliant car.
And I was definitely in two minds about taking a 991 turbo. I don't need really more performance and will get worse economy, ceramic brakes, centre locks and PDCC none of which appeal particularly.
Whether or not is will have been a mistake I will only know in March 2014.
