I have not posted for a long time here. Now I have something to say.

Well, C991.2 is kinda upon us. My motor plan is running out and I was seriously looking forward to placing my order for the C991.2 in pretty much the same spec that I have now.

But I think I will not.

Let me explain:

Ever since I was a little boy the name "Carrera" meant something special to me. And so it continued through my life. I could never a afford a 930 SC widebody (still my all time favorite), I could even like a 993, not really a 996, perhaps a 997 - but finally I managed a 991. It was a Carrera. Nothing else mattered. High revving, spine tingling sound and a good shove in the backside. Hey, you can even use this at street legal speeds (sort of). All Carreras just begged to be revved.

Porsche's marketing is in full swing. So what is the problem ?

OK, this is my opinion, let me be clear on that.

The 991.2 is NOT a Carrera. It is a watered down Turbo. Call it a turbo "light" if you will. You can even call it a GT2 of sorts and I'll agree. But it's not a Carrera. Yes - you will remind me that if Porsche calls it a "Carrera" is IS a "Carrera". Not for me it isn't.
Yes, it remains a great car, it's better than a C991.1 But it's not a Carrera.

I am fully sympathetic towards Porsche. I know they have no choice. I don't think many at Porsche like this. It's not Porsche's fault and they are trying hard to make this work. Perhaps they should get some tips from VW on how to pass emissions tests (just joking - I know, serious matter that).

I think the Carrera is now dead. Gone. If you have one, keep it ! It's a classic.
And no - this is not the same as the transition from air to water cooled...

As an aside, that rear end. Don't get me started on that...

Rainier

 

I believe you can no longer order 991.1s any more as of last week. I was told the that all the allocations were locked by PCNA.

 

The OP is not in NA, so that's moot.

The Carrera will be whatever Porsche says it will be. It was dead after the 993 as far as most are concerned, although most said it died with the 964 and power steering. It's all perspective.

In ten years no one will care about any of this, it will all be about kilowatts.

 

You nailed it pretty well, Rainier. Things are definitely going to be different from here on in; hell, this very forum has changed pretty drastically over the last couple of years.

I'll also be holding on to my manual Carrera S, as I do prefer a N/A car.

Enjoy that machine of yours!

 

I canceled my 991.1 C4S build a couple of years ago because the spec I had made was just below the Turbo price point and I realized I was being a bit silly. I may one day own a Turbo/Turbo S but that being said I, like many, do prefer a N/A engine and I am very glad I will be driving a 991.1 before the 991.2s are released.

And because I would definitely consider a 991.1 Turbo I do not for a second doubt I could be drawn into the new 991.2. I like updated technology, I like faster cars (though I by no means need to have the fastest car on the block) and I like Porsche.

I think it is too early to lament the end of the Carrera and to do so would be to not give enough credit to Porsche. I bought a 997.2 because I preferred the hydrolic steering over Porsche's electronically assisted steering (in my 981) but after driving a BMW with their iteration of EPS I realized just how well Porsche had done it.

If any car brand was going to make the transition to new technology, while maintaining the integrity of their products, I would bet on it to be Porsche.

Yes, things are changing and will continue to do so. But I will always have a car in the garage that has an engine note (even if I end up having an all electric DD). For now I will sit back and let the 991.2 play out and trust in Porsche to keep my passion for the brand.

 

This post really resonates with me. I will pick up my first 911 later this week - a new 2015 991 GTS.

I've been driving a panamera turbo the past few years. The PTT is of course no substitute for a 911 (it's really big, and don't get me started on the feeling of air suspension), but the car did what I needed to meet the needs of my growing family, while putting a grin on my face as every red light turned green. The torque on that car is amazing!

But there are a few fundamental aspects of a turbo charged engine that drove me to the 991 GTS instead of a turbo.

#1: you're going >80mph in a blink when you open her up. The threat of jail time is ever present in the back of my mind. For street use this is frustrating.

#2: turbo lag. Its not that bad in Sport +. But there is an ever so subtle but clearly noticeable delay between your input to the pedal and the engine's response. Every time. The GTS response is immediate.

#3: sound. I put an aftermarket exhaust on my PTT. At low rpms it sounds amazing. Deep. Angry. But see point #1 above. I can't rev it up without going to jail.

So, for me, I've decided to spend at least the next 5yrs with an NA GTS. I couldn't be more delighted.

 

Exactly! The 991.2 is a 100% a Carrera. I will never understand why people think they get to arbitrarily decide what is and what is not a certain model. The model has changed yes, but this is far from the end.

 

Rainier, great to have you back on the forum and agree 100%. You nailed it.

 

I don't like the change anymore than most but the world isn't coming to an end.. The change is nothing more than another tick on the evolutionary timeline..

In someways it opens the lower end models up to potentially to more horsepower in the future.. Something that also became possible with the advent of water cooled engines which was more or less thought to be the demise of Porsche at the time.

Do I like the sound of a turbo over NA? No... Do I like turbo lag? No. Will it matter 10 years from now? No

I don't however agree that in 10 years everything will all be electric... As the world adopts electric more and more and it is less of a novelty the reality will start to be understood by the masses that electric comes with a different set of environmental concerns..

 

I know. Change. Yes.
If you have been eyeing a turbo you'll not understand what the fuss is about.
Carrera has never been about kilowatts or top level performance.
The Carrera has been Porsche's sports car. That's what it is: A sports car. A very good one. It's how it makes you feel driving it. The TT just does not do it. Yes, it's an amazing performer - but it is NOT a sports car.
A sports car is about thrill. It's about handling, sound, a bit of performance and everything in balance. In harmony. The Carrera is (was ?) very close to that nirvana. Did I mention "sound" ? That flat six at full scream ? It's delicious. The TT does not do that.

I know my comments are harsh and they certainly don't matter. It's just how I feel about it.

Yes, M3, M5 they are all turbo now. Some old timers like me moaned just as bad (and worse) - and most have forgotten and just get on with it.

Still, something has been lost here.

I'll keep mine. Perhaps it was a good thing I could afford one just before it disappeared into the sunset.
So, in my mind I now own a classic Porsche. That ain't so bad either...

Rainier

 

But I haven't been eyeing a turbo. And you're casting a lot of judgment on a car you haven't driven yet. You are no better than the anti-water cooled guys. I highly doubt Porsche is going to let their most iconic model wither in the face of forced induction.

The M3 and M5 are different. They aren't true sports cars. And you know what? The 911 Turbo will continue to be a different animal as well. I have utmost confidence the spirit of the normal Carrera will remain.

 

So interesting. This past August I traded my `11 P4S for a `15 991 GTS. While I really enjoyed the Panamera, there is no comparison to the GTS' athleticism. I think the PTT is an amazing vehicle, but I wasn't interested at the time for many of the reasons you stated. You'll really enjoy the GTS!

 

I hope you're right. I've driven the Turbo - I tried to convince myself that that is what I wanted - but failed. Once the sensation of popping your eyeballs out of your ears vanes, there is little left. That is where the NA just keeps on giving. The ultimate speed or acceleration just becomes of secondary importance. May I use the word "fun" ?
Perhaps it's why there are so many variants on the 911 - each to his own.

No I have not driven a 991.2 myself but will the moment I get a chance. I have however some contact with guys that did. So far the comments are somewhere between mixed and, well, negative.
It's likely to blow over. Don't get too much comments on electric steering anymore do we ?

Time will tell.

Rainier

 

First, let me say that I agree with most of your views, so much so that I traded my 2014 C2 for a custom built 2016 C2 Black Edition. It was ordered in August and delivery is expected late November. I agonized over being unable to replace my 2014 in a year or two with another new NA.

I don't think that the last 911 NA year (2016) will ever appreciate the way the 930 or the 993 have. There is simply not enough model differentiation to create a culture demand for the 991. I didn't order a new car with a eye toward obtaining a rate of return in 25 years, simply I wanted to drive a new NA for a long as possible.

Much of what will occur in the future with high performance cars will be associated with electric engines. They simply are better for obtaining torque and power. Like it or not, this is the future. Change is a *****!

 

Just like M cars, P car owners will soon adapt turbo engines and start loving low end torque (at least most of mainstream owners).