DEBATE! 997 vs 991: Which Porsche 911 is truly better?
Eleven After Nine | A Porsche Culture Podcast
DEBATE! 997 vs 991: Which Porsche 911 is truly better?
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inspections vary by participating dealer. Welcome to Renthousiast Radio, the podcast
where Will and Derek navigate the winding roads of Porsche Obsession, exploring the good
and the bad of Porsche ownership. Grab your favorite beverage, pull up a chair and join us
Renthousiast Radio because life's too short not to talk about Porsches.
Welcome to Renthousiast Radio. I'm Will. And I'm Derek. And in today's episode, we are going to
be comparing and contrasting and debating the differences, the pros and cons and frankly,
which one is better when we look at the 997.2 Porsche 911 versus the 991.2 Porsche 911. So,
Derek and I have maybe some differing opinions on this thing. And so, Derek, what say ye?
Battle of the heavyweights, Will. I mean, if you are in that $60,000, $70,000, $80,000 range
and you are looking to purchase a 911, these are both in your wheelhouse. And so,
which one do you pick? Do you go old school, water-cooled, but non-turbo? Or do you go
turbocharged, wave of the future with Porsche? So, there's definitely some pros and some
cons. Just for fun, Will and I are going to be debating this a little bit. We both have our
Horses in this race, though I'm going to end this podcast with a third horse that's going to come in
and win it and he just doesn't know it yet. I know for a fact that Will is going to be talking
about this on his Renthousiast YouTube channel. His videos lately have been absolutely fantastic.
And coming at you furiously, on my end, 11 after 9, all spelled out. I have a new video
up on a Turbo S from 2005. Will, one of the rarest Turbo 911s made with only 500 examples
worldwide. And I get into the pros and cons of that. That's here in New England and the gentleman
actually just put it up for sale. So, I'll be sharing that as well. I think I saw that car.
It's on PCA. Oh, is it? I didn't even look on PCA. Yeah, yeah. Oh man, I'm all over it
because I got the itch to buy, but that's a different story. So, I'm once again coming
in the class fights and I remember seeing that car. When do you ever not have the itch to buy?
Well, that's what I love about you. You're for about two weeks after I buy something. So, two weeks.
You are, you're experiencing all the cars, so I don't have to. You know what, Derek? I need,
I need somebody out there who's listening or watching to make me feel better about myself
because sometimes I feel like I'm such an outlier and God, I have a problem.
Who out there is an obsessive purchaser and seller of these cars? An obsessive
experiencer? If you were somebody who was in and out, in and out, in and out,
please encourage me in the comments and tell me I'm not alone in this thing.
Will, you're that for me because I'm that to all my friends. Everyone points to me and go,
Derek, you go through cars like water. You've had, I don't even know at this point,
12, 15, 17, Porsche, I've had 70, 80 different cars over my time and,
and like, you know, I was the serial experiencer and then I met my friend Will
and he is making me feel good. So, out there, someone make Will feel good, please.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So anyway, we digress.
Like and subscribe on the audio side to our podcast. We continue to enjoy great growth on that,
having a lot of fun getting feedback of people listening to us in the cars
and also mowing the lawn, which apparently we are really high on Will, which is great. And we're
also, I forget, we are, there's a country in Europe where actually the number one car podcast,
I'll figure out that on the next one. I saw that the other day and I had a good laugh.
So we're reaching hearts and minds in Europe right now, Will.
Maybe they're laughing at us. So, so these two models, I just want to say,
let's like build our own personal credibility. I actually currently own a 2009 997.2 Carrera S
with the manual transmission. The car has 83,000 miles. The garage red, it's sitting in my garage
currently right next to a 2017 Carrera S manual. That's a 991.2. And, you know,
I try not to toot my own horn too much. But at this stage, I mean, I absolutely feel that
I can pretty credibly compare and contrast these cars because literally, if I wanted to,
I could go drive them back to back. And so you, on the other side of that, you have owned both,
right? But I'm not sure, did you own the 991.2 or the 991.1?
I owned a .1, Will. So I can talk as a bit more of an allegory. You apples to apples, no doubt,
for sure. The 997.2 I owned was a base Carrera, and the 991.1 that I owned was a Carrera S. And so
a little bit of a mismatch there, but certainly I can kind of talk about the feel of the car,
aesthetically, the interior, shifting, all that good stuff. So I thought maybe what I do
first, if you're okay with it, is just give the audience an idea of the specs. We're going to
be comparing for today the Carrera S, a 997.2 Carrera S and a 991.2 Carrera S. Let me give
the specs real quick on the two just so the audience knows kind of what we're talking about
because, Will. And comes the nerdery. He's going to bring you the technical facts that you're all
dying for, and then I just suck at remembering. So lay it on us. Let me just, no, I'm just
kidding. So, yes. He's got his glasses. If you're listening, he just put his nerd glasses
nerd alert. 997.2 Carrera S, that came out in 2009 to 2012. Huge departure from the 997.1,
which was a kind of leftover from the 996 version with a brand new motor, a direct injected motor.
And it was really a huge leap forward in many respects. It was a 3.8-liter motor. It put
out at the time an 09-Wil 385 horsepower. And that was from a six-speed manual transmission,
zero to 60 in four and a half seconds. And it weighed in at a very svelte, 3,100 pounds. And so
for a more modern Porsche, it's still light. So that's 3.75 on the base, correct?
3.85 on the Carrera S. Okay. I did some research this morning because I'm developing
or the timeline on this episode is a little bit odd. But anyway, I'm doing some research on
that very topic. And I came up with North of 400 on the S, but I'll have to go back and check my
work. I trust your thoroughness more so than mine. Hang on. Let me... I want to...
I use Czech GPT and it's been known to be wrong. So...
We got a 385 on a 3.8-liter flat six. Let me check Carrin Driver.
Carrin Driver, which if you're a motor trend guy or a Carrin Driver guy,
they say that we're at 385, 325 for the base. Got it. Okay, man. Well, just don't, you know,
don't take my word as gospel. Believe Derrick out there. He's right.
Well, listen, I'm most times wrong, but maybe this time I am.
Anyway, so let's compare that to the 991.2 Carrera S. So that came out in 016 to 019.
So that was the second iteration of the 991, just like the 997.2 was the second iteration
of the 997. They had a huge architecture change when it came to the motor will.
They moved from a 3.8-liter to a 3-liter. Oh, they went backwards. Like, how does that make sense?
Well, they threw on a twin-turbo setup on this motor and it jumped from 385 horsepower to 420
horsepower, 360 pound-feet of torque. So nice jump up in horsepower. They moved from a six-speed
manual to a seven-speed manual, which was also a bit of a sea change. Well, a lot of people
have opinions on the seven-speed versus the six-speed, but then a lot of people
celebrate the fact that Porsche decided not to do away with a manual. And they found a way
to keep a manual and went to seven-speed. The 0-to-60 time dropped from four and a
half seconds to 3.9. And here is the most amazing thing in my mind. That car grew
significantly in terms of physical size, interior room, all this. It only gained about 100 pounds
versus the 997.2. And that was through the use of lightweight materials in the body and stiffening
and it's impressive. It's interesting, man. Like, when you get in and out of the cars,
even like the door weight, the 997.2 just feels heavier and clunkier and the 991 is
just feels lighter. So that's interesting that it shows up like that because it is a
bigger car. Yeah, it is. You can look at it the other way, and I'm already defending the 997,
is that closing the door gives you a little bit more reminiscent of that air-cooled thunk
versus the newer, lighter doors where you close it and you have to check to make sure it's closed.
Well, I should actually maybe get some footage of that to challenge you.
There is no better sound than a 993 door closing. And I can close the 99... I have a 993
sitting there next to the 997. So we could actually test that. But I'll let you believe that hype.
Oh, it's definitely not the same. I know that for a fact.
I don't know that it's reminiscent. I might challenge a little bit, but just keep going.
All right. Well, come on. Do you kiss your holes in my case already, dude? I haven't even
presented to the judge yet. Come on, counselor. Let's figure this out.
So that's where we stand. So two very different cars separated by 10 years of the exact same
brand and model showing Porsche's growth towards the future and drivability and kind of keeping up
the times. Also, a nod towards emissions, which is one of the reasons they went turbo
in the 991.2 because they just couldn't continue to develop the power from a normally aspirated
motor and stay compliant with emissions, much like why Porsche moved away from air-cooled
into water-cooled for the very same reason. So many thoughts are swirling. So where should
we start, man? I mean, what do you want to talk about here? That was a nice overview,
but let's talk about from an experiential standpoint, like what is your
opinion about the key differences here between them? So I'm going to hit you with a pro
on the 997 that I think most people out there that 0997s or want 0997s will talk about,
and that has everything to do with the fact that this is considered to be the last
classically-sized 911. It has a much more compact, mechanical feel compared to the pretty big jump
up in body size when it comes to the 991. Having both, what do you think about that?
I would agree with that. I would agree with that. So there's a lot of content out there now about
the 997.2 and how it's very reminiscent of the 993 in the sense of the size. They also celebrate
the hydraulic steering and that kind of thing, but I will say that from a very practical standpoint,
I have taken my 991 up into the mountains as I'm apt to do with friends, and we don't risk it all,
but we definitely drive spiritedly, and I have had no problem working that car
adeptly on narrow mountain roads without the sense of, oh my god, my back corner is going to
fall off the side of the road because the car is so big, or, oh man, I'm not going to make this
switch back without going into the oncoming lane because the car is just too big. I have to cut
it tight. So I mean, yes, it's nice to have a smaller car, but I mean, I think if you're
a decent driver, you can certainly work the hell out of that 991 in a place where you're having
a lot of fun and you're not feeling that it's unwieldy. Parking in a garage is where you notice
the difference in my mind. When you're on the road and you're driving, I do have to say with a 991
having owned one, the car gets smaller the faster you go, and it's no less precise
given the steering difference, but it gets smaller as you drive. Do you feel that too?
Yeah. I mean, for sure. When you're driving, you can tell you're in a smaller car.
I'll challenge you on the garage thing. Now, my 997 does not have parking sensors or a camera in
the rear. My 991 does. So I'm back in the garage. I actually have a better sense and feel for the
dimensions of the car in the 991 than I do in the 997. Now, that's a little cheaters game
because I have some nannies, some sensors and stuff, and I'm kind of saying that jokingly,
but that is an advantage of that 991 is that I've got a very nice rear view camera,
and I've got a very sensitive parking sensor setup too.
Gotcha. Well, I mean just physically, like if you have a smaller garage,
like from a physical size parking it, worried that the rake is going to fall off the wall
and scratch your car. The size difference matters there, but on the road, I actually
think that the 991 gets smaller as you drive it. Are you parking in a closet?
Yeah, listen, man, I'm just thinking about, you know, the everyman out there, you know,
they got a one car, they're just trying to park there brand new to them. 9-11 in there,
what's going to fit? I don't know, man, I'm telling you. The 991 with the cameras,
all this other shit, like regardless of the dimensions of where you're trying to park,
you got a much better sense of what's going on behind you. Like I could see myself,
if I had a tight garage, I got the 997, I'm backing it in, I'm having to jump
out of the door to check, oh my God, how close to the wall I am, jump back in,
ease back another six inches. So anyway, this is a little bit silly, but I know what you mean.
I know what you mean. It is a bigger car, but that said, once you really kind of start exercising it,
learn the dimensions, it does shrink. So let's talk about steering then, because you
are a perfect person to talk about when it comes to comparing the two, because like you said,
you can drive them back to back. It's been a couple of years between ownership for me on the
two cars. The 997.2 has hydraulic steering, the classic Porsche feel, where the steering wheel kind
of jumps around in your fingers and you can feel the road because of the mechanical feedback of the
steering, where in the 991 generation, they went to E-Pass, the electric power-assisted steering,
and like all electric steering has been criticized for numbing the feel, though I think it's
widely recognized that Porsche does it the best of any brand. And I think that has some, and this
is going to be true geekery. I had read somewhere a long time ago, it has to do with where they put
the motor, like at the top of the steering column or at the bottom, because it gives more feel,
even though it's electric power-assisted steering. I could be wrong on that, but what do you think
well, is it a huge step back going to electric power steering between the two?
I won't say it's a step back, but it is absolutely apparent when you drive them back
to back. If I'm honest, when I'm out ripping on a therapy drive locally, I have not had a chance
to take the 997 into the mountains, which the mountains are about two and a half, three hours
away from me. I have not had a chance to do that yet. But even on my local therapy drives,
which you're not getting into switchbacks and elevation changes, but you certainly are getting
into some twisties, it shows up. And in this sense, when you're driving that 997,
it is way more reminiscent of the 993. The front end on the 991 can be a little bit
once you get used to it though, you're not sitting here saying, oh my God, this is not.
I mean, the car goes where you think it should go. Are you losing some of that vibration road feel
sense of what the road surface is like? Yes. But in my view, I don't think it's, at least for me,
I know some purists are really, really high on this idea. It's not a deal killer, but I would
say that from a feel standpoint, it is the 997.2 is better.
Yep. I don't think that there's any difference in the level of preciseness. I mean, if anything,
maybe the 991 is a little bit more precise because you can point the front end where it's
supposed to go and it always does. It doesn't scrub at all where the 997 still has that light
kind of feel at the front end and maybe not as exact, but I'd say precision, both of them
are very good. From a feel standpoint, I'd agree with you. Go ahead.
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You know, when I say that it goes where you point it, I guess what I'm saying is it's easy to very
quickly become one with the dimensions and the steering of the car on the 991 in spite of that
reported numbness that you refer to. So for sure, I do think that the steering is sharper
on the 991, but I guess when I say that, it becomes very hand and glove in spite of the fact
that it's not that hydraulic steering that people revere so much. It's still fun to drive. I remember
in my 991, I really enjoyed driving it and I remember thinking to myself, well, if this is
their first pass at electric power steering, man, then it's only getting better from there.
And here is a little secret that a lot of people don't know out there. You can reprogram
that steering wheel. So you can go to an aftermarket shop or you can actually get
a PWA system yourself and that's the software that Porsche uses. And you can program in the steering
feel of not only a base Carrera or an S, but you can also put in a GTS or GT3. And you can
take the feel of your 991.2 and give it GT3 feel because essentially it's just programming. And a
lot of people, believe it or not, a lot of people have said that that has saved them and they fell
back in love with their 991s because it drives like a more analog car. Isn't that interesting?
I mean, I had no idea that that was something that you could do. So that's very cool.
It's something I'm considering doing with my Boxster, my 981 just to kind of mess around
with it and feel like I'd love to know, can it drive like a spider? Well, no, I mean,
not with that horsepower, but can it feel like a spider? Who knows? We're going to give you a try.
Okay, so do we want to talk about how the motors deliver power and what that experience is like?
Let's talk about why the 997 is better because it has normally aspirated sound
and throttle response. Predictable, it's what you always know and it is more visceral and it is more
analog than playing with the turbos and trying to second guess when that turbo thrust is coming.
There's the gauntlet, go Will. Have you driven a 991.2? No. Okay, I can tell.
This ain't no 930, brother. Like the turbo comes on predictably, you can master where
and what it's going to do. So I think I might respectfully push back a little bit on, hey,
I got to deal with the unpredictability because I think that's what I was reading between the
lines there and what you just said. I think that for me, I don't know that the 991 would
be the only 911 that I would like to own because I do like a normally aspirated experience.
That 997.2, the S that I have, that thing just freaking rolls like a freight train once it really
starts revving out. It is a fun experience to hammer on that car. The 991.2 is fun because of that
as the turbo spools, it's pushing you back in your seat gradually, gradually, gradually,
and then you're pinned. And I really, really enjoy how it makes power and how I can have fun.
And I like hearing the turbo whistle too, by the way, which you're not getting on that 997, obviously.
So I think too, I've alluded to this, I have rallied the 991, which sounds like very
kind of counterintuitive because it feels like a highway car. It feels like a road trip car.
But once you, I will say this, where that car can get you into trouble, and I imagine that the
nannies would save you, right? Like the traction control would save you. If you aren't super tight
on the turbo, understanding where and how it's going to come on, you're in a mid-curve, which
if you straighten up or you, if the back comes around on you, you're going to maybe go down
the side of a cliff, like you better know what you're doing when you're coming out of a
curve with that 991, when you're at like 3,500, 4500 RPM. Like you better, you need to learn how
to feather that throttle versus hammer it like you might in the 997.
Yeah, yeah, because it's not quite as linear. I mean, it gets progressively stronger as the
turbo kicks in. And it's torquey as hell. Yeah, I can absolutely see that. Two very different
drives. And I wish I could make the point when it comes to the mechanical sound. When you add
turbos to any motor, especially Porsche, it does quiet things down a little bit. It's not the same
sound as a normally aspirated motor. But I think you and I agree both having own 997s that when
997 went direct injected in 2009, it's just not the same sounding motor as it was previous to
that. It's quieter anyways. So I don't know if I can necessarily say that without exhaust or major
preparations that a 997 sounds better than a 991. It's a different exhaust note. And I have modified
mine. I put the Fister modified mufflers in a Sharkworx X pipe on my 997. And it has woken it up. I
mean, it's a badass system. But you still can't get around like the nature of the motor compared
to like the earlier flat sixes. I mean, it just is not exactly the same. But it is still fun to be
clear. It is by no means a deal killer, no means a deal killer on owning one of those 997.2s.
So, you know, there's just, there's a lot of kind of hollow blue out there criticizing the car for
the exhaust note. And I mean, it's just different. You got to like deal with it. That said,
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to assist with your banking needs. Yep, even on weekends, it's pretty much all he talks about.
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Here you go. In spite of it being turbo, in spite of it sounding different,
I prefer the sound of a 991.2. There's two reasons. Like first of all, like there's some sort of a
howl at the higher revs that it's the sound the motor makes. There was a video that was
done on the 992 Carrera T comparing it to a couple of different models. They were talking about how
that motor at high revs sounds sort of GT3-esque. I'm not driven a 991 GT3, but I can certainly
say to you like there's this wonderful howl 3000, 4000, 5000 RPM on the 991.2, but here's what
I really like. I think about you often because you made fun of this. I guess it's programmed in.
The crack and burble when you come off throttle, dude, I love it. In fact, I'm going to have exhaust
footage or I do have exhaust footage on my comparison videos, the visual comparison videos I'm doing
on the 997 versus the 991. I will just let off the gas for no particular reason when I'm driving
that 991 just to hear that pop. I guess it's programmed in to do it, but I got to say I really
like it. If I were doing apples to apples exhaust note comparison, I like the 991.2,
but I also think that I might be in the minority there.
My opinion on that has changed a little bit. The snap, crackle, pop, having owned my
Boxster now and driving with the Sport exhaust on all the time. I don't really,
with the poor Sport exhaust on and the Sport button off, it's a nice halfway where you get
the louder noise, but you don't get the pre-programmed burbles. When I first got it,
for those of you listening, I was like, this is boy racer. It's the same program popping
bang when you let off the throttle and I thought it was annoying. I've actually also,
it's touched my inner like Hoonigan and I do kind of like it now though when I go in Sport mode
and I'm on full attack, it's still like a little much, but every once in a while,
there's like a backfire too, which is pretty badass. I love it.
And so I'm coming around on that will. I am, but I think we both agree the 997,
the sound of those isn't super fantastic. So one more point between the two and then I'm
going to tell you why we're both wrong. So let's talk interiors. The 997 has an interior that's
reminiscent of 991s of years gone. Simple, maybe austere, the gauges do what they're supposed to do
and not much else. Even though it does have a small screen, you can update that for carplay,
but it's not obtrusive in the cab. You have a shifter that's on the floor,
not up high. The seats are good. Space is adequate inside. Some might even say spacious for a car
that size, but it is a reminiscent of the 911 where when you have a 991.1, it is a showcase in
technology of where Porsche was in the mid teens. More screens, multifunction dials,
bigger screen on the dash, bigger cab or bigger cabin. What say you?
I mean, look, dude, I've been racking my brain over this because I really did want to take on this
whole like, hey, this is the one that's better. It has a better interior and here's why. I like
them both for what they are. I just, I can't necessarily say, and this is going to kind of
be my wrap up and I want to hear your freaking spoiler or your explosion at the end of this,
explosion at the end of this, but I like the interior on the 99, excuse me, the 997.2. I
hated it on the 997.1. It's so cheap looking. They really did a good job of upgrading the
center stack on the 997.2. Shifter placement, I can't argue with you. It's in the right spot.
Yeah. So, and then obviously, when you're in it, you get a sense and feel it as a smaller
car. So I have no complaints. I will say that I can't stream to my head. I believe there are
things you can do. So I have this cheap plug-in wire that I just have to plug my phone into
every time I get in there, but at least I have streaming capabilities. The 991.2, man, I love
the interior. So I think the shifter is raised up higher. You get the sense that you're in
this kind of mission control position or you're flying a little space shuttle or
something when it's a little bit higher like that, the shifter. The head unit streams instantaneously.
It looks a little bit more modern, but by no means. I mean, you start looking at 992. I mean,
that's cutting edge versus what this is. So I think that they are both equally good.
You just have to ask yourself, what am I looking for? The 997.2 feels like more of a driver's car.
It feels like more of a back roads car. Like, yes, you could take it on road trips comfortably.
There's no doubt. AC is very strong. Although mine kind of spits foam every now and then.
That's a different foam. Oh, the degradation. Yeah. Yeah. It's like the 996. I had no idea
that this happened in that generation, but whatever. But outside of that, I mean, that's good.
If I'm wanting to go rip or I want to feel a little bit more hot roddy, if that makes sense,
the 997 is a choice. That said, I have put thousands and thousands and thousands of miles
on that 991 because it is my go-to tool for when I'm going to take a road trip.
What that car does, it brings elements of what I love about a 911, the performance,
the just the overall kind of ethos of driving rear engine, Porsche 911, but it brings it in a
package that is very comfortable and livable. I have driven that car the past two days.
We're doing college tours for my older daughter. We went up to the mountains to a college in
the Black 991 day before yesterday. And then yesterday, we went to Raleigh to take a look
at NC State in that car and really the only complaint I would have. I mean, I love the power
on the interstate. Man, I'm smoking people. You're listening to the turbo,
turbo spin up, all that good stuff, but it is loud inside of it. And when I put new tires on the
rear, it was quiet for a little bit, but it's gotten loud again. And I run Pilot Sport 4Ss,
so I mean, I run good tires. It's just loud inside. So to put a bow on it, I think it's
about what are you looking to achieve with your driving experience? How often do you want to use
it? And that will lead you to the right answer for you. I hate when I watch YouTube videos and
someone saying, we're going to pick one, what's the best? And then they end it with, well, they're
both great. You know, you can, it depends on what you want. This is wonderful. But Will, as far as
it's true, brother, it's true. But listen, dude, I gotta say, you said it far more eloquently
than I could have in terms of setting those up. I look at the 997 now as more of a classic 911 that
you drive on the weekends. That's an experiential car. That's a therapy drive car. You go out in
your rip and is for short, you can take a day or two trips in it, but it's for an afternoon.
The 991 is a GT car. It's a 911 that you can drive long distances and be very comfortable,
but it still gets down in boogies when you wanted to. It's a great car for daily driving.
If I was going to daily drive a car to your point, it would be a 991. And so I think that's where I
separate the two. They're both great, but they're both different. But the thing that we're
overlooking Will is the 991.1. And that is a car I have owned, and I've owned an S. And
this is where I'm going to come in and say, you have a 3.8 liter. This puts out 400 horsepower
in the 991.1. And so that outguns the 991.2 in that you can rev it a lot higher,
so because it's normally aspirated. And so you have more of that mechanical
motor feel that I love in my current Boxster. But it also benefits from a longer, wider,
more refined chassis than the 997. So it wins there in my mind. It's a great bridge car
between the two because I feel like it takes some aspects of the analogness of the 997
and some aspects of where Porsche really learned a lot in terms of on-road driving capabilities
for daily driving from your car and kind of put them together. And it's a nice in between.
And this is my honest opinion. I think that the 991.1 is going to be a modern classic
because it is a different car than the turbocharged car. Fundamentally,
I think that it is a great step and it's a hidden gem for enthusiasts.
And so if I had to pick between the two cars we talked about today,
I'd still pick the third car in the middle. Again, I don't have a lot of experience with
the turbocharged cars. So this is an ignorant statement. But like the 997.2, it tugs at your
heart, right? And then the 991.2 that you have, it dazzles your brain because it is very engaging
from day to day. But I think the 991, it definitely speaks to both. And it's a blend of the Porsche
Soul and Porsche Progress. And I think that the 991.1 is absolutely the pick. And I would buy
another one today because I think it's a great car and that's only going to go up in value.
Two points. I do feel like the price points on the 991.1 are more attractive than the 991.2.
I think that the 997.2 is depending on like spec and mileage and all that. I mean,
I've seen some immaculate examples in interesting colors. Like the ask was 90K.
So I just, you know, if you're looking to get in and you want something,
I mean, I think the 991.1 absolutely makes sense. Second thing I'll say to you,
my friend, is I am not going to debate you or really even engage you on that because I don't
speak about things that I have not experienced. And so I drove a 991.1 that belonged to a friend.
I drove it about a quarter mile up the street to put gas in it for him as a favor.
I cannot speak beyond that. And so let's leave it at that, man. I can't argue with you.
I'm excited to get some experience in a car like yours, the .2, so I can speak more
eloquently on that. I can tell you this. For those of you out there that are choosing between the 997.2
and a 991.1, so the immediate predecessor, there's no choice in my mind. I go 991.1 all day.
And it's a far more engaging car for me than the 997 was. So that's my pick.
Yeah. I don't know. I think if you're going nostalgia play, I think if you're going future
collectability, I think if you're going, if you're one of these guys that's like,
I'm looking for the last of, last of, last of, I think the 997.2 is going to be the better choice.
Value proposition wise, again, I have not in fairness driven one of those 991.1s,
but I understand the 991 platform. I think value proposition for the money, the 991.1,
makes sense. And if there will be, you and I both know this. I mean, give it five more
years, whatever it is, this is the one to have. Last of, last of, last of.
Yeah. Well, so yeah, there you go. I'm very curious down in the comments what people
are going to say because we gave a lot of fodder for opinions. And so I'm looking forward to
hearing the feedback from that. But Will, this was a great conversation. Thank you for having
it with me. Yeah, man. And you know, I was so engaged with it that now I'm late for my
next appointment. So I got to run. So always, always fun catching up with you, my friend.
See you next week, buddy. All right, later.
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About this episode
A lively debate unfolds as Will and Derek compare the Porsche 997.2 and 991.2 911 models, discussing their pros and cons. With differing opinions, they explore aspects like performance, steering feel, and interior design. Will champions the classic feel of the 997.2, while Derek argues for the modern conveniences and power of the 991.2. They also touch on the hidden gem that is the 991.1, suggesting it might be the best value for enthusiasts. Their engaging banter and personal anecdotes make for an entertaining and informative discussion.
Original notes
997.2 vs 991.2 — which Porsche 911 is truly better?
In this episode of Rennthusiast Radio, Derek and Will put two modern Porsche icons head-to-head: the 2009–2012 997.2 Carrera S and the 2016–2019 991.2 Carrera S. We dig into the specs, the ownership realities, and most importantly, what it feels like behind the wheel.
From size and weight to steering feel, NA vs turbo power delivery, interior design, and daily livability, this is the deep-dive debate enthusiasts have been waiting for. And just when you think it’s settled, Derek introduces a curveball!
What we cover:
- Why the 997.2 is seen as the “last classic-sized” 911
- Hydraulic steering feel vs Porsche’s class-leading EPAS
- Naturally aspirated vs turbocharged: which delivers more fun?
- Exhaust notes, pops & burbles, and sound character
- Interior differences: simple and driver-focused vs tech-forward
- Daily-driver comfort vs weekend “therapy drive” engagement
- The 991.1 as a potential modern classic sleeper
Which one would you choose: 997.2, 991.2, or 991.1? Let us know in the comments!
Porsche 911, Porsche 997.2, Porsche 991.2, Porsche 991.1, Carrera S, 997 vs 991, Porsche buyers guide, Porsche comparison, hydraulic steering, NA vs turbo, Rennthusiast Radio, Porsche ownership
#Porsche #Porsche911 #997 #991 #RennthusiastRadio #PorscheLife #PorscheComparison
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