ISUK:
Porsche should come up with a new marketing strapline - "Warning - This car is so understatedly good that you may end up mistakenly thinking all cars are made this way"
Thank you. Excellent comparison
As a dramatic toy Ferrari gets the cup..
On the other hand in the daily business the Porsche is almost unbeatable.
To fulfill my demands I like to have "a cold executor" ..
Aug 28, 2011 12:19:32 PM
Terrific and interesting summary/comparison of the 458 and the Porsche Turbo S. My compliments on your writing style and perceptions.
I have driven a 997.2 Turbo (not an S) and a 458 (only an hour's worth), and would add only a few comments to supplement yours. While the Porsche's interior seemed a bit dated (surely improved in the 991), I found the newer 458 interior visually and functionally unappealing. The Formula One type switchgear came across as too complex, with buttons seemingly protruding everywhere. There was a irritating atmosphere in the cabin, as opposed to the calm feel of the Porsche. Perhaps the lower seating position contributed to this experience.
I have posted this before, and maybe I did not understand how to adjust the system, but I did not like that the sport exhaust automatically kicked in at a certain RPM. Seemed a bit artificial. I would prefer a button that engaged the exhaust sound at all RPMs.
I found myself wanting to drive the 458 because the Porsche seemed dated and less exciting, then wanting to drive the Porsche because the 458 was too exhausting. Wonderful position to be in, surely!
Thanks for an excellent write-up!
ISUK:
Porsche should come up with a new marketing strapline - "Warning - This car is so understatedly good that you may end up mistakenly thinking all cars are made this way"
Haha, spot on!
997.2 Carrera S in Carrara White. PASM-Sport Suspension (-20 mm), PSE.
987.1 Boxster S in Arctic Silver. OZ Racing Ultraleggera HLT Wheels, H&R Monotube Coil-Over Suspension, H&R Anti-Roll Bars, Sachs Racing Clutch, Single-Mass Flywheel, Recaro Pole Position Seats, PSE.
Iain, thanks for the fabulous comparisons. You captured precisely, at least to me, the difference in the two cars.
Though I could never hope to articulate the differences as well as you, my view after longtime ownership of Ferrari's and now Porsche turbo is as you alluded to driving a Ferrari is an event and sense of occasion and therefore a great weekend car. The turbo is far less dramatic but yet unequalled in performance and quality. Driving it everyday is what it asked for. No such thing as a Porsche garage queen.
Aug 28, 2011 4:30:43 PM
we can dissect the , to me, modest styling updates to the 911 silhouette all we want, but they are fairly subtle as these videos show , in real world running, but that's OK and to be expected as a 911 must forever look like a ...911 . The DRIVING experience is what we are all looking forward to !
ISUK:
nberry:
Iain, you're not getting off that easy. You own a 458, Cali and spent two days driving a Turbo S. How about a little comparisons? Don't be concerned about offending anyone. You have considerable credibility with forum members.
I'd owned a 997.1 turbo before Nick so wasn't a complete novice to the car but the .2 turbo S has even more savage acceleration and mechanical grip than you will ever really need on the open road. I found myself driving it faster than the 458 for a couple of reasons. Firstly the Porsche is a lot more subtle in traffic (the demo car was Basalt whilst my 458 is Rosso Corsa) so it is easier to make up ground without drawing attention to the fact you are doing so. People don't do silly manoeuvres around you just to see your car like they sometimes do with a Ferrari. Porsches are a common sight here so no-one, other than car enthusiasts, take much notice..... until you absolutely fly by them on an overtake that is The second reason is that the car feels a lot smaller on the road and that inspires the confidence to clip apexes and corner faster as a result.
There is no doubt that the Porsche lacks any sort of aural drama. The S is better than the standard turbo in this respect and has a bit of a growl but compared to the 458 it's almost mute. You really do get a savage kick though when the turbo spools up and launches you down the road. Unlike the linear power of the Ferrari engine this is more akin to flicking an on/off switch so is far more noticeable.
As a devastatingly capable everday fast road car the turbo is king IMHO. It is inconspicuous enough (certainly here) to be left parked without worrying about it, has good levels of comfort (with the exception of the teeth jarring PASM sport mode - though this is better than it was on my Gen 1 turbo), is equally fast in the wet or dry and has more than enough power to dispatch traffic with absolute disdain given even a small window of overtaking opportunity.
As a weekend/funcar it just isn't special enough IMHO and that's why I sold my Gen 1 car. It comes alive at speed but once you get used to that it then becomes a superbly competent, high end example of automotive white goods by which I mean it can be relied upon to do everything you ask of it but fades into the background of your consciousness. That just doesn't happen with Ferraris. You always know you are driving something special and more bespoke in the Italian car and it gives you a more tactile and involving experience. I'm sure you can relate to that Nick. The aural drama is there in both the 458 and Cali whenever you open the exhaust valves but falls away when cruising to leave you in relative calm. The acceleration is also immense but delivered in a more linear fashion. There is an almost indescribable feeling when you drive a Ferrari that just isn't there in a Porsche for me and many others I've spoken to. In the pursuit of perfection some of the emotion is dialled out in them and replaced by Teutonic efficiency which is a very different experience for the driver. Some people prefer that in a car and I can understand why but I'll take a bit of heart and soul every time when it comes to a weekend toy
Having said all of that I'm really looking foward to the 991as a daily as I'm sure it will be a fantastic car. You never really appreciate the true qualities of a Porsche until you sell it and realise just how much you miss it IMHO. It's 4 years since I last owned a 911 and my brief stint in the turbo S rekindled that affection for the model.
Porsche should come up with a new marketing strapline - "Warning - This car is so understatedly good that you may end up mistakenly thinking all cars are made this way"
Thank you Iain. This is a very good comparison writing of the 2 cars By far the best.
ONUR
11 M3 Coupe AW
09 Audi TTS Coupe - 07 997 Carrera S - 05 M3 Coupe - 03 M3 Coupe - 96 M3 Coupe EVO (PASS TIME HISTORY)
pjd:
Thanks for the videos. As I said so many times before the new 911 looks simply amazing , but on this video and seeing the car from behind there´s some Audi lines in this Porsche new toy. Rear lights shape and rear bumper proportions remind me some how Audi new products. Not saying 911 is looking like an Audi, far from it, for me it´s the best looking 911 ever (at least from the pics) and when 996 and 997 came out, they weren´t as desirable as this 991 is, but when I saw those rear lights light up, rear of Audi A5/6/7 came to my mind.
J.Seven
Aug 29, 2011 7:08:00 AM
Aug 29, 2011 2:07:54 PM
Aug 29, 2011 6:04:37 PM
mstams:
Those videos do give the impression of an illuminated ring around the headlights.
I still can't tell if it's just the reflection. What are your thoughts?
They look like a distorted oval from the front. The 997 headlights look circular from the front.
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"Dream as impractical, irrational and unnecessary as that may be... Here's to the Dreamers!" -- Porsche AG.
Aug 29, 2011 7:46:58 PM