ORIGINAL: blueSL
I'm afraid I find my 997.2 turbo provides a rather bland, uninvolving driving experience which I put down to the PDK. What I really should have bought is a GT3 and it's a pity that the best 997 - the 4.0 - came out so late in the day as limited run, all sold examples. We've now got to work our way through the worthy but ever-so-slightly dull versions of the new car before there's anything I would now consider. I'm not sold on the new car design, especially not the interior.
I've had 911s since 1984, including a 997GT3 for three years and a 997 Turbo 'S' for the last year - all used as regular transport.
I would agree that the GT3 can be more involving and rewarding. It's probably one of the best ever '911' concepts. The steering, the power delivery, the noise... are all nicer than the Turbo. But, interestingly, for day-to-day use I prefer the Turbo.
The 'S' spec does include quite a lot of options that do improve the chassis response and driver involvement a bit more, but overall I just find it a more settled place to be. The performance and handling are far more predictable whatever the weather. Once learnt, the PDK is very clever and it covers long distances in comfort and safety. And you do still have a sense of being in a 911.
I'm sure the 991, and eventually the Turbo variant, will move the game on a bit further.
However, I'd recommend that anyone who has a Turbo or 997/991, also has an 'old school' 911 in the garage for fun. The traditional air-cooled, normally aspirated, rwd, 5-spd, 911s are still so rewarding on great roads and will put a smile on your face that the more serious Turbo/GT3/458s etc just can't match.