I disagree that we must allow journalists (who I doubt agree on what 'soul' is) to define such a term.
I'm going to copy/paste/print and frame this. You've hit it on the head, speed. [/quote]

 

I find more and more recent reviews talk about lack of steering feedback in the 991. Pro reviews and normal feedback of test drivers. There are interesting comments on this in many forums.

 

But I think one fuels the other...

For example: New release 'A' states the steering is electric (trying to be cutting-edge and releasing new information to the public)

Reviewer 'X' reads news, then gets the car to review, and must comment on this new piece of information, or his review gets thrown out, because the internet is expecting it.

Then driver 'Y' gets his car, and is already predispositioned to 'notice' the reviewer's opinion about the information he read...

997 owner 'Z' states, keep your numb soulless 991.

 

I've found that the best way to counter these biases is to compare cars back to back, preferably multiple times. Otherwise, you're right that our perceptions can be quite biased, and our memories can play tricks on us too. There's also the conditioning effect that the longer you drive a car, the more you get used to it, so you eventually might notice some things less.

My first test drive of the 991 involved a back to back comparison with the Cayman R, and the second test drive involved a comparison with the 997.

 

for what it's worth...

in anticipation of retiring my 996 c4cab I spent the winter testing tt's, gt3's while waiting for the 991 to arrive. I was at both p-car dealers w/in 100 miles of home for two extended driving sessions in the 991 followed immediately by tt and gt3 drives

the 991 is lovely car, but as Dan Neil pointed out (WSJ) there is soooo much left to squeeze from the 991

I bought a '11 gt3rs and love that f*%king car! I use it as a dd and have 4 de's planned. Hopefully, in couple of years I can sell the rs and replace it with a 991 gt3 version!

oh yeah, one other thing - my wife loved driving the 991 - she wouldn't even think of left-handing an RS-car! ...man's got to be thinkin' longer-term strategy

 

Agree! People always used to tell me that the shaking in the steering was the bumps in the road. It was clear that wasn't correct so I had the tires trued and balanced. Bingo no shaking- but half the tire life was gone. When I switched to Michelin tires in later 911s it got a lot better, but it wasn't until I got my current 997S with ABS wheels and Michelin tires that it was smooth as silk and approached the 991. When you remove that shaking you can concentrate on the real inputs during the turn.

ChuckJ

 

The changing 911. The more things change the more they remain the same. Driving a 911, any 911 is a priviledge. Sorry for those out there who are so critical of this or that.

 

The discussion is a little bit amusing to me. I think the 991 is awesome. I plan to buy one as soon as I'm finished paying for my boys' college educations... I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I also think the 997 is awesome. It wasn't different enough to make me sell my 996 C4S, but I still think it's awesome. It's funny how the 996 supposedly lost some of it's soul compared to a 993 when it first launched. Then the 997 lost some of that raw feeling and soul compared to the 996. Now the 991 has lost some of it's soul compared to the 997. This cycle will continue. The 911 will evolve. You can't stay competitive without making changes. The evolution of the 911 makes perfect sense.

It's all good!

 

Ok lets ignore the fact that i'm a 993 fan/owner for a moment. My only bias against the 991 is the fact that it seems with lengthening the car, and the rear seating room that Porsche is getting away from pure sports into something along the line of competing with larger luxo sports. I wont say the car isn't good, bad, or anything of that because I will hold those opinions until I actually drive one. All cars need to evolve or they lose their relevance. That said I wonder if this will prove to be a good evolution or turn into an alienation of its base. This car has definitely gotten on the bad side of many "Purists". The same reaction came of previous generations of the car namely the 996. All of those generations in time proved their worth even if to some begrudgingly. I guess everyone should be happy that with this ever changing atmosphere in the auto world that Porsche continues to produce the car we have all come to love throughout the years. I mean its not like they added the saturn 3rd doors like some other auto manufacturers did *cough* mazda *cough*. I say at the least we all should give Porsche the chance that they deserve as in all honesty have they let us down before? If it turns out to be a dud then we can call it such but until that time I will be waiting to take one for a drive just to see what the fuss is all about.

As for soul though for me the end of air cooled engines was the death of the 911 soul for me. The 996 ushered in a totally new car. I guess one could argue 'Did the 991 or any other water cooled car have a soul to begin with?' However does it need a soul to begin with or should it remain where it has since the water cooled turning point (in my opinion) 'A soulless evil machine that leaves nothing but pure adrenaline in its wake'?

I guess it all falls down to personal preference just like it has since the beginning. That is my take anyway and I don't expect anyone to agree with my thinking. Just speaking my mind the way I see it :P

 

I have to agree with that. For me I fell in love with the air cooled machines from driving it myself. I was too young to remember any of the reviews. That said I have driven many of the 996+ variants and have found myself agreeing or disagreeing with reviews. With the 991 I have decided not to read the full reviews and keep it to the specs. Who knows this time after I drive one I may just find myself bringing one home. I do expect it to be a totally new experience, and yes we all grow accustomed to one we are used to, but that shouldn't make us take away anything from the new experience. Besides who says you can't have more than one 911?

 

Couldn't agree more....rpm and engine voice over raw horsepower any day, but like all this, to each his own. The great thing about Porsche is you can choose from so many motoring experiences..turbo, carrera, S, Gt2/3, GTS....all are unique experiences that appeal to each buyers unique sense of desire. Why bash any, as opposed to embrace each for it's unique purpose.

 

Good Post!

Welcome to 6speed!

 

I think the search and interpretation of soul or passion in our vehicles are what defines us as enthusiats.

I have been passionate about Porsche since my drives in 944/928S/Turbo back in 80's. The mechanical sound and turbo lag was something to behold!

Although I do own other brands, Porsche is the only brand that draws me back consistently.

996 was a major shift with water-cooled engines and I think it's one of the most important improvement they can make to move the lineage forward. It allowed consistent performance across the ranges.

With 997's, they took a huge leap with interior design and materials. Again, I believe it was the right decision and resulting in record sales.

We've all seen the comparos with 458 vs GT3RS, at first, the 458 was everyone and their grandma's favorite, because of its evocative design and performance. And the most common comment with GT3RS in the comparos were its dated manual shifter and old fashion design? Not in my book...

In 991, Porsche moved the bar up further with interior and chasis in preparation for the rumored hybrids to come. I for one, can't wait. There's definitely one or two more Porsches left in me... Hydrogen power anyone?

Here's a link to one of my favorite Porsche commercial that speaks to the child in me...and definitely afflicted...


And its good for the soul to not forget...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...zCdi0W4ZA&NR=1

 

I am a bit disappointed in Porsche for building the 991 to a level of refinement similar to a Caddy or Lexus. Part of the reason sports cars are supposed to stay true to form is for the level of enjoyment they bring to the driver. If you take away the senses of excitement and rawness in a car true to their heritage then you leave with a vehicle that is nothing more than a little soft round the edges and just the feeling fitted to sport tourer rather than something special and pure.

 

go drive a new Cadillac against an old one; a new honda against an old one;a new Ferrari against an old one; a new volvo against an old one:

should i run the list through every manufacturor on PLANET EARTH - no car drives like one of old so i really, really would like to know why Porsche's should be the exception?????????