Disappointment after Carrera test drive

[Darth Federer]

I had a similar experience but it was in a brand new(2014 w/ 2000 miles) carrera 4S. It was shockingly uncomfortable to ride around in and the transmission felt like a buzz saw. I'm a huge Porsche fan so this won't completely sour me but it was very disappointing based on my expectations. The guy who is selling it preferred the carrera 4S to his previous GT3 though. He just got a 458 Italia so I guess he lost interest in his new Porsche.

[Darth Federer]

Originally Posted by W///

There are plenty of 50 year old something soccer moms driving around base 911's. There's actually one down the street from me with a red one

Frankly, I feel like there are more women driving 911's in my area than men. Based on the number of Porsches driving around my area I'd say I'm in one of their better markets and I'm continually shocked how many women I see in Porsches. I think they view it as a tool of liberation and independence. My m3 is a much more rare sight around my hood. On the other hand, I've only seen one woman driving an m3 since I got mine and started noticing other m3's.

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

I would tend to think that most people who buy a Porsche sports car are enthusiasts to a degree at least. No, the Cayman doesn't have the legacy, but it has everything else over a base 911. And come on....can you really call those back seats? I don't think anyone who buys a 911 even considers the seating in the decision process.

It was the deciding factor for me actually. I take my 3.5 year old to school most mornings, kids can fit perfectly back there till they transition to the front seat. If I had another car as my daily, I would have considered the incoming Cayman Gt4(I do track), overall Cayman is a great car and I would have zero hesitation to buy one. But now having owned a 911, it would be hard to give it up for a Cayman…for now anyways.

I DD my 991 C4S, all year round here in Toronto, plus its my track car.

OP, both the S and non S version in normal mode are geared to efficiency with the PDK, so you need to press the Sport button to get it to play. Sport Plus can be a bit too aggressive for street, but ideal for track use.

There a few diff seat options in the 991, Sport Seats Plus is the way to go. I personally have the full 18 way adaptive seats, but its a bit overkill. They are very comfortable. I'm also 235lbs and 6'2.

[STALKER]

Originally Posted by Darth Federer

Frankly, I feel like there are more women driving 911's in my area than men. Based on the number of Porsches driving around my area I'd say I'm in one of their better markets and I'm continually shocked how many women I see in Porsches. I think they view it as a tool of liberation and independence. My m3 is a much more rare sight around my hood. On the other hand, I've only seen one woman driving an m3 since I got mine and started noticing other m3's.

In Toronto, there is a huge diversity of 911 and Cayman drivers. I agree, I am also noticing a lot more women in 911s, and they are DDing them.

I use to live in Buckhead, I miss the south and no winters.

[ONEOF40 FS M3]

Originally Posted by 6underpressure

Made an appointment at my local Porsche dealership. The sales rep pull up a Carrera with PDK at first glance the car looks beautiful. In side is where I noticed some drawbacks. The seats weren't that supportive an could not get use to the paddles on the wheel. Driving the car was ... Ok. It drove nice at slow speeds, couldn't really push the car since there was a LOT of traffic. I took it to redline once, felt ok I think my m3 pulls harder. I would definitely need more time the car to make a decision. It almost felt like a 335 vs m3 be it that it was a base model 911. Would I need to step up to a CS, GT3 Ect. To get aggressive feel that I thought the car was lacking. Has anyone else felt this way?

Try a 991C2S Manual!

[6underpressure]

Thanks for all the replays it was multiple things missing. I really went on looking for a CarreraS with PDK, an the test drive was terrible I sold Toyotas at the dealer down the street an took the same route. I would be back when my lease it up. After seeing the dyno numbers on the m4 makes it had to buy a 130k Carrara S with less power for more money

[s85e90]

I see more P cars and especially chicks in P cars than M3.... And I never see M3 sedan ever.

[V8FunNaturally]

I testdrove a 997 S and it felt very underwhelming. It seems the 997/991 GT3 is the only porsche that would clear all doubts coming from an M3.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by Petros

many people who buy 911 are rich douchebags in a midlife crisis who want a status symbol/pussy magnet and are not necessarily seeking driving thrills. Its the same to some extent with other expensive european sports cars from luxurious marques.

The best way to avoid that is to buy the GTR that you hate so much. Since it doesn't bring prestige and it doesn't work at all as a status symbol or pussy magnet, then you're guaranteed that almost everyone who buys it is an enthusiast

Even with the random-pod styling of the interior, if it looked like a 370Z and had a manual transmission, I would. And that's the thing....I generally like the styling of Nissans. In fact, I love the exterior styling of the 370Z more than the M3.

[F1Venom]

I agree OP. The driving experience isn't that much better than an M3, but the price is twice as much. I'd look into AMG, used Audi R8, GTR to get a more exhilarating experience.

[ChrisF]

Good to know there's lots of objective opinions here

Yes, most automotive journalists must have it wrong rating the 991 C2S and C4S as two of the best sports cars on the planet. Even though a base Carrera may feel feel lackluster against an M3, it's still faster than an M3 around the Ring. Slow POS

Signed,
another middle age, douchebag, chick car driving Porsche owner
(did I get all the derisive stereotypes in?)

[adc]

Originally Posted by Petros

many people who buy 911 are rich douchebags in a midlife crisis who want a status symbol/pussy magnet and are not necessarily seeking driving thrills. Its the same to some extent with other expensive european sports cars from luxurious marques.

And precisely what makes them douchebags? Their bigger bank accounts?

[Petros]

Originally Posted by adc

And precisely what makes them douchebags? Their bigger bank accounts?

No, their arrogant better-than-you snobbish attitude. Ever heard the joke about a porsche and a porcupine?

[adc]

Originally Posted by Petros

No, their arrogant better-than-you snobbish attitude. Ever heard the joke about a porsche and a porcupine?

I actually heard the one with the BMW and the prick. I hope you realize how your comments are coming across...

[Petros]

Originally Posted by adc

I actually heard the one with the BMW and the prick. I hope you realize how your comments are coming across...

http://m.spike.com/video.rbml?id=vye...s%2Findex.rbml

Your average 911 driver

[adc]

QED.

[Rupes]

Lot of comments about how much better the S models are. But what about the Cayman? I was thinking a base Cayman could be a lot of fun. Like an upscale BRZ type vehicle.

I know I'm in the minority here, but sometimes I think I'd rather a lighter less powerful car that I can drive hard all the time vs. a more powerful car that gets me above the speed limit in 4 seconds.

[ChrisF]

For me at least, underpowered gets boring real fast.

[6underpressure]

Originally Posted by Petros

http://m.spike.com/video.rbml?id=vye...s%2Findex.rbml

Your average 911 driver

That's was hilarious

[6underpressure]

Originally Posted by ChrisF

For me at least, underpowered gets boring real fast.

Yes.. Most of my friends are 400+ whp cars I was looking to go up not down

[6underpressure]

Originally Posted by Rupes

Lot of comments about how much better the S models are. But what about the Cayman? I was thinking a base Cayman could be a lot of fun. Like an upscale BRZ type vehicle.

I know I'm in the minority here, but sometimes I think I'd rather a lighter less powerful car that I can drive hard all the time vs. a more powerful car that gets me above the speed limit in 4 seconds.

I will definitely Be going back to look at the Cayman S / Carrera S

[6underpressure]

Originally Posted by ChrisF

Good to know there's lots of objective opinions here

Yes, most automotive journalists must have it wrong rating the 991 C2S and C4S as two of the best sports cars on the planet. Even though a base Carrera may feel feel lackluster against an M3, it's still faster than an M3 around the Ring. Slow POS

Signed,
another middle age, douchebag, chick car driving Porsche owner
(did I get all the derisive stereotypes in?)

Looking more into it... I think I would need to have some more options in the car to give me a better feeling I could not get use to those paddles on the standard wheel...