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Re: 981s tested and ordered
dreamcar:
reginos:
I was near there today. It wasn't too hot but a bit humid, sticky.
To me anything much above 25deg C is too hot......
For me, anything below 30°C is too...cold. 
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S (Sept. 2013), Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2013)
Jul 11, 2013 12:00:55 PM
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RC
- Rennteam Administrator
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- Loc: Rennteam HQ , Germany
- Posts: 59580, Gallery
- Registered on: Mar 26, 2002
- Reply to: DaveGordon
Re: 981s tested and ordered
I had an interesting day yesterday when I had a loan well specified PDK C2S for the day whilst my S was in for the minor work and creaky seat. I drove it on my normal circuit and did the same again in the Boxster in the evening. Driving a 911 was like putting on a pair of comfy shoes. Instantly familiar drive and feel but more refined and more GT. The extra power wasn't chalk and cheese surprisingly with the PDK somehow diluting and refining the experience.
The steering was comparable with the Boxster a touch heavier and more feelsome but not by much. Turn in and handling differences are well documented so I will just say that the rear of the 911 was more planted and the Boxster more playful.
Overall I still think that both cars are hard to beat in their respective classes. The Boxster on a back road is more fun more of the time but if I have to go somewhere in a hurry the 911 would be the choice.
I may well go back to a 911 next time so I can carry the family occasionally but I would miss the Boxster greatly.
Re: 981s tested and ordered
This depends on someone's driving preferences. Personally, I think the 911 is a very unique car and a special driving experience that the Boxster cannot match, even allowing for the power difference.
After the air-cooled 911 and the early 996, the 986 S I owned seemed like a supreme sportscar. But after the 997 came out (even the 3.6 996) the 911 is the better car IMO. More mature, more comfortable, more spacious and with a unique driving/handling feel. The fact that not everyone can drive a 911 fast without getting through a learning curve, is an endorsement for the 911 IMO. The Boxster is a very easy car to drive fast for a novice (until he spins it suddenly 
).
I currently own a 987.1 in parallel with a 997.2 and I never feel the urge or see the merit in driving the Boxster. having said that I wouldn't blame anyone who buys the Boxster instead of the 911 cabrio. But a 911 coupe has no substitute.
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"Form follows function"
Re: 981s tested and ordered
I owned a 997.1 S and replaced it with a 981 S Boxster. For me the 981 is better in every respect apart from power and sound. I miss sometimes the feeling owning a 911, but when I think back about the driving experience, which was disappointing for me, I am happy to have the 981 now.
A 991 would be a other option because most of the things of the 997.1 I was not happy with are improved, but in my family/friend/city environment a big problem.
But nevertheless a second hand 991 GTS will be my next P car (in 10 years).
Re: 981s tested and ordered
Most of the drawbacks of the 997.1 were corrected on the 997.2. The engine became more free-reving (and more powerful), the PASM was improved, LSD became available without the -20mm and the flactuating front end was tamed to an evident degree. Plus the availability of PDK which brought Porsche into the modern era.
I wonder if you would feel exactly the same if you moved from the 997.2 to the 981? I like the 981(like most Porsches) but not as much as to abandon my car.
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"Form follows function"
Re: 981s tested and ordered
I think that on the way into corners both 981 and 991 are transformed compared to predecessors due to the grip and bite on turn in. You can provoke the front but the speed is unnerving in the dry on a road and probably best left to a track. Mid corner I think that apart from the higher levels of mechanical grip the cars are similar to their predecessors in balance with some of the feedback and feel missing but on exit the 991 really makes the most of the rear weight and bigger tyres and is superior. The Boxster seems to revel in high mid corner speed from turn in through the mid corner. I must say that it is very playful on the exit if its a low or medium speed corner to help the tyres unstick as you apply power. The LSD is important on this car if you are to use it quickly. This trait is exaggerated in the wet when the rear steps out surprisingly quickly it seems compared to a 911. At least that's how it feels. Maybe the simple struts have a price after all in wheel control.
Both 981s and 991 are rewarding in different ways IMHO it depends on what you want. Both cars are more efficient than their predecessors and feel of higher quality but I'm not sure that either is a more enjoyable drive except on an autobahn where they are clearly superior. They are more usable every day and more reliable too. But I think that having spoken with guys at the IAA I probably will wait for a change until the facelift when they may upgrade the steering software in the series cars to restore some of the feel and involvement based on experience with the GT3. I hope you can still buy a manual too at that time as everywhere people prefer PDK. And the 918 at the show looked very very special :)
Re: 981s tested and ordered
acky:
I agree when I had 997.2 instead of the 997.1 I may had kept the 997.2 and not bought a 981.
But when I would have nothing and had to think about a second hand 997.2 or a new 981 I think I would still choose the 981.
Before ordering the 981 Cayman, I looked at 2 997.2 Carrera. Both of them are poorly optioned, one was dark blue and the other one was black. 997 interior start looking outdated if you don't get full natur leather. Also middle consul look too plastic if you don't get painted or carbon mid consul.
On the other hand 981 is a fresh car with whole new interior design. We also did prefer 981 instead of 997.2.
--
ONUR 
THE BEST CAR EVER 
11 E92 M3 CP - 09 Audi TTS Coupe - 07 997 Carrera S - 05 M3 Coupe - 03 M3 Coupe - 96 M3 Coupe EVO (PASS TIME HISTORY)
Re: 981s tested and ordered
reginos:
Most of the drawbacks of the 997.1 were corrected on the 997.2. The engine became more free-reving (and more powerful), the PASM was improved, LSD became available without the -20mm and the flactuating front end was tamed to an evident degree. Plus the availability of PDK which brought Porsche into the modern era.
I wonder if you would feel exactly the same if you moved from the 997.2 to the 981? I like the 981(like most Porsches) but not as much as to abandon my car.
My ex 07 MY 997.1 Carrera S manual w/-20 mm sports chassie + LSD was my first Porsche and I never liked the car. Actually I only liked to drive the car 25% of the time. The rest was torture. The ride was too stiff, the clutch was too heavy, the dinamics on the car was wrong etc. This car makes me hate 911.
On the other hand, if I waited 2 more years and bought a 997.2 Carrera S with PDK and LSD w/PASM, I would probably love the car and wouldn't want to sell it from Day 1. PDK and LSD w/PASM would adress 90% of the issues I had with my car.
Then I drove 991 Carrera S cabrio last year, also on race track, and convinced that Porsche finally sorted out rear engine issue. The car feel and ride like a mid-engine car and much superior than 997 chassie. So from 2007 to 2012, Porsche adressed every issue that I don't like a on a 911. Well done 
--
ONUR
THE BEST CAR EVER
11 E92 M3 CP - 09 Audi TTS Coupe - 07 997 Carrera S - 05 M3 Coupe - 03 M3 Coupe - 96 M3 Coupe EVO (PASS TIME HISTORY)
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