718 GTS --> 991.1 GTS?

[nwc123]

Currently own a 718 Cayman GTS and pondering the switch to a 991.1 GTS (both PDK). I've booked in for a test drive, but prior to that does anyone have any thoughts on how the two cars might compare? I'm concerned that once I drive it I'll buy it straight away, so would like to consider carefully beforehand. For reference, I had a 981 before the 718 so I have somewhat of a yardstick to measure the 991.1 by.

Initial thoughts are:

• Engine of course will be a cracker (main reason I'm considering the switch), albeit with far less usable torque
• PDK might be a tad slower
• Steering could be the decider, 991.1 cars aren't meant to have the best and the 991.2/718 gen has really improved in this regard. 991.1 GTS might be a bit better than an S though
• Ride (neither has the lowered sports suspension) - will this be a match for the 718 GTS? I'm very impressed with the stiff yet compliant way the 718 rides/handles.

Thanks in advance for any advice anyone can offer!

 

[Wollemi]

I'm sorry to say but ultimately you will have to decide for yourself. clearly the cars are different and will feel different, but only you can decide which of those differences are important to you. as an example steering feel, steering feel matters hugely to some people and yet others are much less concerned as long as the steering is precise and accurate.
The same with the engine noise, some would never countenance a 718 in the first place because of the sound of the engine, but many other learn to live with and other still say they like the sound; only you can know your preference.
A 911 of any sort feels quite different when driven briskly than a mid engined car, most people have a preference, again it has to be your choice.

I think it will be hard to make a decision on the basis of a typical test drive, try to arrange a extended drive if possible. Have fun exploring the differences.

 

[PJ63]

I can't give you a comparison between them but I had 991.1 GTS for 18 months before my current GT3 & can't praise the GTS enough. The sound is a triumph, the pick up (although not as quick as the new 991.2, but how fast how can you go!) is glorious as is the steering & makes it a much more enjoyable experience than the 991.2 (in my opinion). So I wouldn't hesitate & as much as I love the GT3 I really miss the GTS & if I could afford a garage full of Porsches I would but another one tomorrow. Good luck.

 

[Lancerlot]

911 every time, mate and the GTS version is a humdinger! []
Usable torque? - loads
PDK? - immense
Steering? - it's fine
Chassis? - big improvement
Go for it - you know you want to! []
Happy Easter.
Regards,

Clive

 

[nwc123]

Many thanks for the replies chaps.

I'm sorry to say but ultimately you will have to decide for yourself. clearly the cars are different and will feel different, but only you can decide which of those differences are important to you. as an example steering feel, steering feel matters hugely to some people and yet others are much less concerned as long as the steering is precise and accurate.
The same with the engine noise, some would never countenance a 718 in the first place because of the sound of the engine, but many other learn to live with and other still say they like the sound; only you can know your preference.
A 911 of any sort feels quite different when driven briskly than a mid engined car, most people have a preference, again it has to be your choice.

I think it will be hard to make a decision on the basis of a typical test drive, try to arrange a extended drive if possible. Have fun exploring the differences.

Points taken, I certainly will arrange an extended drive if a short go is inconclusive. I do like the sound of the 718 in isolation, but it doesn't hold a candle to the 981 powerplant.

I can't give you a comparison between them but I had 991.1 GTS for 18 months before my current GT3 & can't praise the GTS enough. The sound is a triumph, the pick up (although not as quick as the new 991.2, but how fast how can you go!) is glorious as is the steering & makes it a much more enjoyable experience than the 991.2 (in my opinion). So I wouldn't hesitate & as much as I love the GT3 I really miss the GTS & if I could afford a garage full of Porsches I would but another one tomorrow. Good luck.

Cheers for the insight - as mentioned, the steering is the big potential issue. Reassuring to hear that you still hold it in high regard, given that you moved on to the GT3. On speed: the 718 is already too fast for the road in my opinion, anything faster would be wasted on me so not looking for that.

911 every time, mate and the GTS version is a humdinger! []
Usable torque? - loads
PDK? - immense
Steering? - it's fine
Chassis? - big improvement
Go for it - you know you want to! []
Happy Easter.
Regards,

Clive

Thanks for the comments Clive, fingers crossed that my experience is as you describe. I certainly do want to - I'm yearning for a return to the 6 cyl! []

 

[Dylan1]

I’ve just got my 991.1 2S and have to say I think it’s brilliant
of course different from the great 981 GTS I had before and the 718GTS I had for a weekend
steering really not a problem and i suspect with extra grunt from GTS you won’t be disappointed
have fun deciding !

 

[nwc123]

I had a good go in the 991.1 GTS today. Decision was no in the end. Mainly due to the steering not really living up to my expectations. The first generation EPAS really is lacking in feel, and it seems that for the GTS Porsche attempted to compensate by making the steering a fair bit heavier. Unfortunately the weight didn't disguise the lack of feel, especially compared to my 718 GTS' rack which, to me, is perfectly weighted (a touch lighter than the 911's) and offers bags of feedback.

911 also felt a good deal heavier when driven back to back, which for the roads I drive would detract from the experience. Cayman is a lot lighter and more agile on its feet. Grip was pretty formidable in the 911 though.

The sound was decent, but didn't quite build to the incredible howl I was hoping for at the redline. I think, actually, that a 981 sounds better (certainly inside the cabin) - no doubt due to the mid-engined layout.

Speed-wise, I was expecting the 911 to feel glacially slow in the mid-range, but that it would more than make up for it towards the redline. I found the opposite to be true, with sufficient torque in the mid-range, but no real crescendo of pace higher up. This is probably at odds with the power curves, might be due to the way I drove it. Overall, pace was probably even with the 718 on a country road. Throttle response was nice though, night and day compared to the laggy 718.

My impressions were disappointing, especially since I think it would make good financial sense to swap for the 911. The 991.1 GTS is also a real looker, much nicer than the slightly awkward design of the 718 in my opinion. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those who can chuck a bucket of cash at a car I don't actually want.

I hope the above is useful for anyone contemplating this fairly strange/uncommon switch.

 

[Dylan1]

Interesting comments
the steering feels perfectly ok to me and no different from my 981GTS
as for the noise- I agree it’s less raucous in the 991 - due in part at least as you say because of midengine layout and in mine of course the open top??
and because my top end hearing is going that’s one of the reasons I got out of my 981 !, - one mans meat etc ??

 

[nwc123]

I should think the steering on the 981 GTS will feel similar to the 991.1, given they're from the same generation.

I did have a 981 Boxster, there's nothing quite as nice as hooning around with the roof down ??

 

[mphillips]

One day I’d like to try a drive in a gen1 991, just to see what all the grumbling is about with EPAS on them. I have a 991.2, pretty much the last iteration of them as a 2017 built car, and the steering is excellent. They must’ve really worked on it after the 991.1!

Took a 718 Boxster S out as a courtesy car today though – and I can understand why you’d stick with it if you have one. I find the 718 a stunning car for road driving, a totally sublime handling experience. It’s a delight to chuck around on B roads – the size and weight noticeably smaller in both departments compared to a 911. But, there‘s no way I’d swap mine for a 718. That engine – oh dear, that engine. If you can gloss over its sound then driving it must be peachy. It would grate on me like fingernails down a blackboard []

 

[nwc123]

One day I’d like to try a drive in a gen1 991, just to see what all the grumbling is about with EPAS on them. I have a 991.2, pretty much the last iteration of them as a 2017 built car, and the steering is excellent. They must’ve really worked on it after the 991.1!

Believe me, they did. 981's steering was quite dire if I'm honest. A friend's MINI had comparable steering!

991.1 GTS wasn't as bad as the 981 but had almost as little feel.

The rack on the 718 is pretty incredible, presumably similar to your 991.2.

Took a 718 Boxster S out as a courtesy car today though – and I can understand why you’d stick with it if you have one. I find the 718 a stunning car for road driving, a totally sublime handling experience. It’s a delight to chuck around on B roads – the size and weight noticeably smaller in both departments compared to a 911. But, there‘s no way I’d swap mine for a 718. That engine – oh dear, that engine. If you can gloss over its sound then driving it must be peachy. It would grate on me like fingernails down a blackboard []

Absolutely. On UK roads it's fantastic. I can see how it would be hard to swap the 6cyl for the 718, especially when other areas of the car are comparable. I only made the jump myself because the 718 was such a leap forward over the 981 in every other way. In isolation I think the 718 has quite a nice sound - the problem comes when you compare it what could have been and what went before as far as Porsche flat 6s go.

 

[Dylan1]

To say the 981/991 steering is dire is not everyone’s opinion
ok it’s not the best part of the package,but does it really make the experience bad- I don’t think so or porsche wouldn’t have had such great reviews or sold so many

 

[nwc123]

Yup, it's just my opinion. It's all relative. I thought it was a let down for a car that should be the last word in involvement.

Subjective I know!

 

[mphillips]

To say the 981/991 steering is dire is not everyone’s opinion
ok it’s not the best part of the package,but does it really make the experience bad- I don’t think so or porsche wouldn’t have had such great reviews or sold so many

Well that was kinda the point, wasn't it – the 991.1 *did* get terrible reviews for the steering.

They sell a lot on brand cachet – that's irrelevant of people knowing what is, and is not, 'good' steering Look at GT3 sales as a fine example. People buy them and do about 1,000 miles a year. If they had any idea just how fine a motor car it is, and appreciation of that fact, there'd be far higher mileage examples around.

I am being a little contentious, of course. All in good spirit mind

 

[Adam_B]

I had a 991.1 CS2 and then a 991.2 Targa 4S before selling the Targa and buying a 718S Boxster. The main reason for the switch was a very big cheque from OPC Teeside for the difference, but having said that my first drive of a 718S pretty much convinced me. Driving wise I dont do track days and apart from being able to keep up with other folk on the Region 3 days out (no mean feat in itself!) I'm not that interested in flying around the place. Its dificult to compare the two 911's because they are so different, the Targa felt a heavy beast, more a GT car and getting into the 718 was like chalk and cheese mainly because I guess they are like chalk and cheese. The difference though is that the 718 feels so quick and agile, it goes the way you want it go and the back end doesn't slide out with my heavy right foot. It feels like a small fast sports car (funny that eh?). I'm just about coming to terms with NOT owning a 911, the 'hairdresser' comments, and the 'cant you afford a 911' comments. The derision about the cylinder count and the exhust sound gets to me a little but I wonder how many of them have actually driven one - and anyway it wont be that long before none of them have any cylinders at all so it really matters little. The exhaust sound is different to the 6 but out on a run with the pops and crackles on people still look round and it sounds pretty decent so perhaps its just a state of mind. Happy driving.

 

[mphillips]

Ha, a mate just sent me this. I honestly can’t think of a more perfect drivers car…

https://twitter.com/Porsche911UK/status/1121756309190213633