I'm looking to order a 991 base cabrio in the near future. My desire is to build a car that has all the comforts/luxuries needed to be my daily for a long commute I have, while having a second personality of a fast, fun, family friendly sports car in which I can enjoy some spirited driving around the suburbs. Never gonna track the car or race in any fashion.

So far I have come up with:

Base model 991 Cabrio

Comfort/Luxury:

Full two tone leather interior.
14 - way seats
Premium package plus
Folding mirrors
Bose
Base 19" wheels (smoother ride in the base?)
Voice control (?)

Sporty:

PDK
PASM (?)
PSE
power steering plus
sport design steering wheel w paddles

Appreciate any thoughts/opinions - hoping to keep it around or below 120k MSRP.

Thanks!

 

I'd either go Burmester or base stereo. Depends on how much you like recorded music vs live boxer music.

I skipped power steering plus. I tried the car with and without in the dealer lot and decided I would use parking as an occasional boost to my gym workouts. (Seriously, I didn't deem it necessary. One of my buddies got it, but his wife drives his car somewhat often and in tight spaces....)

I hemmed and hawed about steering wheel, but the convenience of (particularly) the phone controls on the multi-function wheel won me over. I also wanted steering wheel heating because of where I live. That might not apply to you. I do like that sport design wheel though.

I presume you want the folding mirrors for parking at work. I skipped them.

I've had voice control on my last three cars. Other than figuring out how to use it I never actually used it. I'd skip.

I think you are likely to hear a firm chorus of yes for PSE.

So, with your budget number, I'd skip the Bose, power steering plus and voice control but add PTV Plus (fully electronic LSD) for $1490.

I built one in white with two tone, specced as above for $117,610. Now quit hemming and hawing and get thee to thine dealer!!!

 

If you want a slit personality which is really what the 911 is all about then for the sporty side SPASM or PDCC with PSE is a must. I like the PTV plus but wonder if most people including me can really tell it is there. PDK is a personal choice but sport chrono is a must with it.

For luxury I think that depends on the person. The only way I would get the base stereo is if you never plan on turning it on. The only way I would get the Bermester is if you are an audiophile and don't care how much the car costs.

Power steering plus is not a sporty option. It is a convenience option that I have and would not order.

 

SPASM and PDCC are not available on the base Carrera. I personally would spec the PASM and indeed the PTV plus. That definitely makes a huge difference, since the car feels absolutely more nimble and agile because if it. With the PASM you would be able to equip the car with 20". It's definitely not uncomfortable on 20" and the PASM. That said... if you want those, you could think of upgrading to the Carrera S, since that car has these options all as standard, but I'm not sure if you can keep below $120k with a C2S cab.

The Sport Chrono is nice, but not necessary with PDK. A manual has more benefit IMO, because of the rev matching feature. With PDK you get launch control, but that's only fun for the first month after brake in. Dynamic engine mounts are not very noticeable IMO. PSE however is one of the best options on the 991. Definitely a must have if you like good boxer sound.

Regarding the audio options, I would definitely go for Burmester, but if music is not that important to you, I would go with base. The Bose is rubbish IMHO. I recently did a testdrive in the Turbo S and C4S back to back. The Turbo S was equipped with Burmester and the C4S with Bose. It's like night and day. That's also where I could expierence the difference between power steering plus and standard again. PSP is a useless option IMO. I definitely don't need it (and I'm a small female).

Voice control is a gimmick hardly used IMO. I did have it in my S5 convertible and I never used it. A matter of personal preference I guess.


In the end it is important to choose options that make YOU happy and not us. You probably get a lot of different opinions here. Everyone has different requirements and therefore different opinions on the various options.
In a daily driver I think the most important part is the interior and the "luxury" options. It's the place where you spend all the time driving the car and that better be as nice as you want it.
The "sport" options are nice, but as a base car, every 991 is already a true sportscar. Even without PSE the car sounds good (especially the base carrera), but it is a lot of fun to have the PSE.
All the sporty options add to the driving experience, but are not necessary. The interior however is a place where you have to feel comfortable to enjoy the car as a daily driver. That's where the otions really count IMO.

Good luck and keep us informed... We are all curious people

Suzy991

 

As Suzy says you will get a lot of different opinions and you need to decide what is best for you. IMO the sport plus button is my favorite feature on my car. It is my understanding that you only get sport plus with the sport Chrono?? The car performs at the very highest level when you push it. The shifts are amazing both at the track and on very sporty mountain roads. It is like you just got 20% more performance out of your 100,000 plus dollar car. The car gives you a solid jolt in the back at every shift and the sound you get when the car hits the red line is amazing. The car stays in a lower gear at a higher rev so when you exit a corner you have much more power. All in all it is just a thrill to drive that way when you want the sporty side of the 9111 split personality to emerge.

I drive an S and maybe the difference is not that great on a base but I would not give up the sport plus button.

 

That is indeed the case. Without Sport Chrono you don't get the Sport plus button. In a C2S I would highly reccomend it, but I think in a C2 the Sport Chrono is nice but not a must have. PDK in the base is already programmed to keep the revs high in Sport mode, because of the different character of the engine.
But again... like JamesKen said, it is a matter of personal preference.
Go testdrive various cars if you can. That is the best way to experience the various options.

 

I was looking for the dual personality, too. I ended up ordering this configuration...

http://www.porsche-code.com/PEWX9ZL4

 

I agree with jnscolo in his rationale except for PTV and for sure you want sport plus for your PDK.

ChuckJ

 

I have a C2 and the difference between sport and sport+ is significant. Most people probably would not drive around in sport+ on the street without manually shifting it. I usually use that approach because during standard acceleration I don't want it shifting below 4500 and then for cruise I want the lowest RPM possible for noise and gas mileage. My mileage so far is 23.6 MPG overall for the first 8700 miles with 30% highway driving.

ChuckJ.

 

So I take it Sport Chrono would be a better choice than PASM give that I'm staying with the 19" wheels?

 

To be honest to give the best advice would require the best input. How do you plan to drive the car? Will you track it and will you drive very aggressively on twisty roads? I would take the sport plus setting over PASM on an S model (que the person who disagrees) but I would prefer not to choose. They are different. One gives you the dynamic engine mounts and the sport plus button which effects shifting and throttle response. I can instantly tell when I hit the sport plus button but can't really see a big difference in the two different suspension settings. I have 20 inch wheels but don't really know how well a non PASM car would drive. PASM effects the suspension and how active it is and how you can have two different settings. Your comment refers to how comfortable the car is and not about how it will handle in the stiffer suspension setting.

I have driven both a base and an S and I have also driven cars with sport plus and PASM and cars with out. But A few lap test drive can't compare with the car I own and have driven a lot more. So like all material things we buy my opinion is biased by what I own.

Bottom line I agree with the above comments about testing these things and deciding what is best for you. I have heard this several times that even a base car with no options is an excellent car and I agree. I think the best we can offer is to make sure you understand the complexity of Porsche options. I have had my car for two months and I am still learning things here that I did not know.

 

That's a good question so early in the morning, haha (at least... For me it's morning now )

Personally I would go for the PASM if I had to choose between those two, even with 19", although I preferably would like them both. Note that the PTV plus isn't available without PASM if I'm correct.
It all depends on what kind of driver you are and what you expect from the vehicle. IMO the PASM is an absolute must have. It adds more comfort and at the same time more sportiness. It also lowers the vehicle 10mm, which makes it look just that little bit better.

Though choice... Best is getting them both if that is possible.

Suzy991

 

I went for dual personality but went crazy and a bit overboard...no regrets though. I've gotta suggest 2 things: get PSE and burmester- perfect compliments to each personality!

Good luck!

 

SPASM is available on the C2 !

 

Nope... Not on the cab. And that's what we're talking about here

It is available for the coupe though.

Suzy991