beltar:
I read the above statements concerning the 991 being "not so special" in comparison to a ferrari.
I was actually only talking about the interior...and maybe the exhaust sound (well...the new California T isn't a winner in the exhaust department either though).
All this made me think: I'm 53 and in love with porsche since i "heard" my first 911 when i was only 4-5 years old (1965-66).
The 911 intrigued me more and more and at the age of 16 i had my first co-drive in a 930. from then on it was a fact i 'd once own such a car.
at 35 i bought 965 3.3 , followed the 993 targa, 996 cab and 99t S cab. when a new 911 arrived i dreamed owning one and than i sold my 997 just before 991 was available. Ibought a 3 year old R8 V8 with the intention 3 years later buying a 991 S cab....
The R8 is actually a Lamborghini Gallardo for those who don't want to show off too much. I actually would always get the "original". Yes, I know the differences but the R8 isn't really that good I'm afraid, the next generation has a lot of ground to win to keep up with the competition. No, I never really fancied the R8 but please don't get me wrong, it is a very nice car.
And than a strange thing happened: i had a testdrive in the 991 cab and found it a really great car, but... driving home in the R8 i didn'tt miss tthe 991 for one moment...
The interior of the 991 is not exactly up to date with the competition I'm afraid and the R8 interior is very close to the Lamborghini interior, even if it has many typical Audi features/elements. Also, comparing an 8 cyl. with a 6 cyl. engine is kind of impossible.
WHYYYYYY? was the R8 too good? am i too old? is there something missing in the 991? until recently i still didn't get an answer to this...
Now it's getting more and more clear:
1. 991 is a SUPER drive, but maybe too good , and lacking a bit of hidden monstruousity (sorry don't find the exact expression... )
Perfection can be a problem too. Porsche still needs to learn that.
2. R8 looks more special (car is 7 years and still photomodel on the streets) and drives as great as a 991.
Yes, the R8 looks like a super sports car, the 991 more like your typical 911 which you can see at almost every street corner. I get it. However, I'm not sure it drives as great as the 991, especially at the limit.
3. the pricetag is too high in comparison to the designevolution with the 997.
The 991 is not only a design evolution but I agree, the 911 became too expensive overall. No 991 Carrera S or Carrera S leaves my dealership without a 135/145k EUR price tag, this is insane.
4. i recently buyed and sold a 996 GT3 (what a special drive for a 14 year old)
Not a fan of the 996 GT3. The GT3 started to be "good" with the 997 model range, especially the MkII version.
5. decided to keep the R8 and buy a 993 cab alongside
Not sure this makes sense. Why not get a R8 Spyder and upgrade to a more powerful R8 version?
6. the 993 gave me back the butterflies in my belly for the porschebrand. being an "old" car it roaars like a youngster, is always eager to fight and has the really "old" interior where the 991 is too much a modern copy/paste thing.
Yes, I owned a 993 Targa and I get it but soon, you will feel annoyed by the lack of performance. Get a more powerful R8 Spyder, this makes most sense in my opinion.
Conclusion i still love porsche , but to make me empty my account (wich is not that filled...) porsche has to take a bigger step with the design than they did with the 991. I think they really have to bring a really "new" 911 with a 918-like dash and more expressive outside design.
The more expressive outside design will never really happen since many actually buy the 911 as a business car and they do not want a more expressive outside design. I wonder however if Porsche could not offer more "special" models with a more expressive outside design and I'm not talking about spoilers and wings. There are possibilities but without changing the base car too much.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S, Porsche Boxster S (981), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014), BMW X3 35d (2013)