Drove a 981 'S' tonight...

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Blue, thanks for your insights.

As I age, I want a Porsche that is easy to drive yet has gobs of power when I want to use it.

The direction the designs are going are in my direction, although they are obviously engineering the visceral feel and look out of their vehicles.

This may be strategic though and not a mistake. The cars are no longer great for the track, but they will have stripped down versions for more money for sale for that purpose (Cayman type R for example)

Thoughts?

They are better track cars than ever. They are also bigger, more numb, more comfortable, and overstyled. They are GTs. Awesome GTs. I like GTs, but I LOVE sports cars.

[kls]

Blue; Somehow you seem to have answered most of the questions I've had about the new models. I have a 986 base with a stick and within a couple of years I'd like to get either a 981S or a 991 base coupe. I've never really wanted a 911 before, but the 991 coupe is, IMHO, stunning. What were your thoughts about the differences in between the 981 and 991?

Your comment about the PDK pretty much resolves my belief that I'm going to have to stay with a stick to get the sports car feel. Maybe if I was 30 years younger I'd get the same sensation from the PDK, but too old to change.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by kls

Blue; Somehow you seem to have answered most of the questions I've had about the new models. I have a 986 base with a stick and within a couple of years I'd like to get either a 981S or a 991 base coupe. I've never really wanted a 911 before, but the 991 coupe is, IMHO, stunning. What were your thoughts about the differences in between the 981 and 991?

Your comment about the PDK pretty much resolves my belief that I'm going to have to stay with a stick to get the sports car feel. Maybe if I was 30 years younger I'd get the same sensation from the PDK, but too old to change.

My advice is to keep the base 986 and ignore everything you see about any newer model. They never got better.

But to answer your question, I prefer the balance of the Boxster. Every 911 I've driven, from 1977 to 2013, has a quirky extra push on the rear wheels through significant corners. I feel it in every 911. It's clearly discernable that the engine is in the wrong place.

On the street, 400hp is totally useless. Even 315hp is overkill. I didn't get to drive any non-S 981s, but they're probably 99% of what you get in the S. Unless you need to prove that you are significant to everyone else, don't bother with the Carrera.

[kls]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

My advice is to keep the base 986 and ignore everything you see about any newer model. They never got better.

But to answer your question, I prefer the balance of the Boxster. Every 911 I've driven, from 1977 to 2013, has a quirky extra push on the rear wheels through significant corners. I feel it in every 911. It's clearly discernable that the engine is in the wrong place.

On the street, 400hp is totally useless. Even 315hp is overkill. I didn't get to drive any non-S 981s, but they're probably 99% of what you get in the S. Unless you need to prove that you are significant to everyone else, don't bother with the Carrera.

Good advice - thanks. (But I still crave 315 HP!)

[jacabean]

Some odd posts here, Guys , this car is way better than your 986 . the 987 was better and the DI motor car even more (the newest porsche is the best porsche) . The 981 is a serious car and I am 100% certain it will smoke a 986 around any track. It will feel good , look good and be luxurious doing it !

[ekam]

Originally Posted by jacabean

the newest porsche is the best porsche

Troll material right there. :troll::dance:

[MikenOH]

Originally Posted by jacabean

Some odd posts here, Guys , this car is way better than your 986 . the 987 was better and the DI motor car even more (the newest porsche is the best porsche) . The 981 is a serious car and I am 100% certain it will smoke a 986 around any track. It will feel good , look good and be luxurious doing it !

Having owned a 986 and a 987 and driven both a base and 981S, the new car is better than either car (wouldn't you expect it ?) I respectfully suggest that those that think the 986 is the Holy Grail read this months Grassroots Motorsports mag--a complete comparison of all three models and driven by a Barber school instructor and 3 986 owners. A couple of the 986 owners might have grudgingly kept their praise down, but the instructor was very high on the car. If anything, the article points out much better the 987 was vs. the 986 and on the track, the 987.2 vs. 981 are close.

I understand what the OP was saying about steering feel--the 986 was as responsive as things get. Having said that, I really liked how the new car handles on a auto-x course--turns in quick, lots of traction, minimal role; my 986 wishes it could have handled this well. Additionally,it's more comfortable, quieter and gets better gas mileage than the cars it replaced.

Are their styling miscues?--sure; the silver background on the tach on the S is stupid as are the top vents. But the overall interior and body are great. Hate to say it folks, but raw looking cars aren't going to get it done--typical customers want something that looks higher end.

I expect the market to vote with their wallets on this car and it will sell well.

[Ghostrider 310]

Originally Posted by kls

Good advice - thanks. (But I still crave 315 HP!)

Go ahead and crave it, it's sweet to have a car that comes from the factory with so much ability you don't even think about , throttle bodies, headers, air filters and all the other measures to squeak more go out of it. After owning both I completely disagree with blue even though I understand his point.