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NLSP · 07-19-2015, 06:24 AM

Just got back from vacation with my friend. We rented a 991 Carrera base with PDK for a few days, and here are my impressions. Please note that the comparison I'm making is to my FRS; I don't remember what stock feels like. Refer to my sig below for mods. Also not going to mention much about refinement or fit and finish. Think it goes without saying the Porsche wins by default in that regard.

First thing I noticed was the light steering. I've driven a 997.1 Carrera S before, and I agree with other reviewers that the 997 wins over the 991 in the steering department. Not saying the 991's is bad; it's precise, but lacking some feel and initial response compared to the 997.1 and FRS. However, the suspension is better than the FRS overall. Corners just about as flat as the FRS, but absorbs bumps much better. When cornering at the limit, you do feel the additional weight of the Porsche though.

The power. Obviously better than the FRS. Hello torque! Acceleration is very exhilarating, even with PDK. Easily the best automatic transmission I've used. Shifts are lightning fast, and the auto-blip downshifts sound amazing. And of course, revving this thing to redline sounds fantastic as well. For the street, the power in the base is more than enough IMO (about the same power as a 997.1 Carrera S). I could barely exploit all of it on a twisty road. It really shines when pulling on the highway; leaves the FRS behind in no time.

With all that being said, my friend and I both agree that during hard/spirited driving on a twisty road, the FRS wins in the fun-to-drive department. I think it comes down to that saying, "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow", as well as the DAMD steering wheel and steering feedback. However, I'm sure we'll prefer the Porsche more in a track environment. At this level of power, I think you need an open track to truly enjoy it. Might also have something to do with the PDK (it's great, but we'd much rather have a manual transmission).

So, for $85,000, would I buy a 911 Carrera base if I had the money? I'm gonna say no; I'd rather search for a 997.2.

Last but not least, here are some videos. I'm driving the Porsche in the first one and my FRS in the second one. Apologies for the crappy audio in the second video:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1XJUYHJj9c"]FRS & 911 Carrera - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpiBTEEQRZk"]FRS & 911 Carrera (part 2) - YouTube[/ame]

07-19-2015, 06:24 AM	#26
NLSP Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Drives: 2014 Ultramarine FR-S Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 520 Thanks: 427 Thanked 558 Times in 246 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s)	Just got back from vacation with my friend. We rented a 991 Carrera base with PDK for a few days, and here are my impressions. Please note that the comparison I'm making is to my FRS; I don't remember what stock feels like. Refer to my sig below for mods. Also not going to mention much about refinement or fit and finish. Think it goes without saying the Porsche wins by default in that regard. First thing I noticed was the light steering. I've driven a 997.1 Carrera S before, and I agree with other reviewers that the 997 wins over the 991 in the steering department. Not saying the 991's is bad; it's precise, but lacking some feel and initial response compared to the 997.1 and FRS. However, the suspension is better than the FRS overall. Corners just about as flat as the FRS, but absorbs bumps much better. When cornering at the limit, you do feel the additional weight of the Porsche though. The power. Obviously better than the FRS. Hello torque! Acceleration is very exhilarating, even with PDK. Easily the best automatic transmission I've used. Shifts are lightning fast, and the auto-blip downshifts sound amazing. And of course, revving this thing to redline sounds fantastic as well. For the street, the power in the base is more than enough IMO (about the same power as a 997.1 Carrera S). I could barely exploit all of it on a twisty road. It really shines when pulling on the highway; leaves the FRS behind in no time. With all that being said, my friend and I both agree that during hard/spirited driving on a twisty road, the FRS wins in the fun-to-drive department. I think it comes down to that saying, "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow", as well as the DAMD steering wheel and steering feedback. However, I'm sure we'll prefer the Porsche more in a track environment. At this level of power, I think you need an open track to truly enjoy it. Might also have something to do with the PDK (it's great, but we'd much rather have a manual transmission). So, for $85,000, would I buy a 911 Carrera base if I had the money? I'm gonna say no; I'd rather search for a 997.2. Last but not least, here are some videos. I'm driving the Porsche in the first one and my FRS in the second one. Apologies for the crappy audio in the second video: [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1XJUYHJj9c"]FRS & 911 Carrera - YouTube[/ame] [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpiBTEEQRZk"]FRS & 911 Carrera (part 2) - YouTube[/ame]