Went for a ride in a 996 turbo today...

[The Radium King]

different - yes. one better than the other (different 'league' or whatever) - no. interiors are the same. front ends mostly the same. difference really only in price and power. I can afford both, so it depends on how i use it. I personally couldn't use a turbo. I have no need to race between stoplights. I have no need to break the speed limit on the road, and this is reinforced by the few tentative points I have remaining on my licence. the fastest road around here is 110 kph and the box will do this just fine. the only thrills I get are keeping speed through the corners and going to the track. for this the 986 is better.

for me the 986 has purpose, the turbo doesn't. if there is a different 'league' for impracticality then the turbo is in it.

note that, if the car was my daily driver, if I lived in a city, if there were a different set of circumstances, what I define as impractical would be different. given that, I am hard pressed to say that one is 'better' than the other.