Initial impressions of Porsche 991? (2012 911 model)?
Those owners of the new 991 cars what are your impressions? If you owned a Porsche 911 previously, please tell the year and model. Thanks!
Those owners of the new 991 cars what are your impressions? If you owned a Porsche 911 previously, please tell the year and model. Thanks!
designergenes
Favorite Answer
I don't know any owners yet, but I did attend a Dealer's introduction and had a chance to both look at and sit in (both front and rear seats) a 2012 (991) 911 S coupe. Here is what I saw, and what three difference reviewers who did get to drive the car have to say.
The car is two (2) inches longer than the last 911, the 997. Parked alongside one another, you will have a hard time spotting the difference unless you carefully measure it. The car is about half an inch shorter in height than the older 911, yet has more headroom in both front and rear seats. The car has a 3.9 inch longer wheelbase, which translates into shorter overhangs front and rear. It also translates into three inches more rear seat leg room and one inch more in front. The front track is wider, which translates into better handling (check the reviews), but can't really be seen. Overall, if anything, the car appears slightly smaller compared to the 997s which were parked in the showroom next to it.
I sat in the rear with the front seat set for me (I'm 6' - 0" tall). It's still tight getting into, but the rear seats are much more useful than in older 911s. The front seat rails have been extended so that people with longer legs can utilize nearly all of the extra four inches inside if they need to - considerably taller people can sit in front, if you don't use the rear seats.
The one thing you will find in reading the reviews I'm listed below is that virtually everyone is impressed by the new electrical steering. "Porsche got it right!"
The interior is gorgeous - opulent even. Jaguar and Aston Martin are going to have to do better. The seats remain about the best available in any sports car, regardless of cost. The car is highly reminiscent of the Carrera GT inside. The new Caymans and Boxsters also take cues from the GT.
The list of technological improvements is too long to list here, where we're talking about overall impressions. They include the new aluminum and steel body shell that saves weight, 400 HP in a normally aspirated car ! (Imagine what the new GT2, GT3, and Turbos will turn out.) The seven speed manual transmission, regenerative brakes, etc., etc., etc.
Read the reviews: "The best 911 ever."
C7S
I don't think their are any 991 owners here.
But I own a Boxster and have driven a few versions of the 996 and 964 Porsche 911's.
From all road tests, there are the same complaints.
-Too big
-New Electric Steering has no steering feel. Not nearly as sporty feeling as the older 911's, but much quicker.
-Interior design looks Audi or VW designed. No sense of Porsche design. Interior does not resemble anything from older 911's except the gauges and seats.
I hope that the next generation Porsche Cayman S or R will not go in the same direction because that is my dream car which I am saving up for.
mark m
Don't listen to the naysayers.
I took delivery on a 2012 Carrera S (991) last week. My previous car was a 2009 Carrera S (997).
The new electric power steering is every bit as communicative and "sporty feeling" as it's ever been. The interior, particularly the center console, has taken styling cues from the Panamera. It's a paradigm shift, but I like it very much. The interior displays the same level of care and attention to detail that typifies high end German products. Power is about the same, but gas mileage is definitely improved. It brakes, steers, and handles great. There is less road noise in the cabin and it rides smoother and less "choppy" than the predecessor model. The PDK seems quicker and more intuitive. The jury is still out on whether the Burmeister sound system was worth the steep cost.
Porsche has scored another resounding coup, IMO.
Gray Area
Visit www.rennlist.com to talk to owners of the Porsche 991. Rennlist is the premier website forum for Porsche owners.
Aleister Crowley
It's a watercooled 911 loaded with luxury features and electronic nannies. And it weighs about 1000 lbs more than a Porsche should. I could not care less. Just another bland status symbol for yuppies.