Gransport vs 997 Carrera S

[Tufan]

Just came accross this article which maybe was already noticed/discussed already.

Carrera is for sure more agile but quite different worlds to compare. Not fair comment on suspension as it's quite comfortable at normal mode. Can't comment on clutch speed. Different approach to interior is also not understood by the author. And just the exhaust notes of V8 should make the Carrera put it's tail in between it's legs and run away.

Now I really wonder what the Gransport owner really thought!

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-re...-carrera-used-997-long-term-test-review-2015/

Check Month 6 in the article.

 

[mjheathcote]

Not happy reading!
But having a couple of mates who have both had a few 997's....god they are boring (and quiet) in comparison and have both moved on...

 

[Contigo]

They are comparing a 2005 car with a much later one so IMO it's not a valid comparison. The GS, when setup correctly handles really well for a RWD car which carries a lot of weight. The Porsche is dull in comparison

 

[Tufan]

They are comparing a 2005 car with a much later one so IMO it's not a valid comparison.

997 came out at 2004 and what the write up is abt 2006 or 2007 model. Not so different years.

The part it's praising the f'runk for having good space if you have soft bags gave me a big smile.

 

[BennyD]

From 30- 160+ there is NO difference at all between a 997 Carrera4 GTS and my 4200 Spyder. Round the twisties the 911 had the edge but not enough to justify the extra £75k+. Btw, I've still got my Spyder but his 911 is long gone. Says it all really.

 

[MrPea]

I tried a 911 Carrera just before I bought my GS. I was blown away by how good the thing was to drive, but that was the only thing it had going for it over the Maserati. On the other hand, the GS captivates me just by looking at it from pretty much any angle, if pootling around then it captivates me with sound and the feel and looks inside, if cruising it still shouts out a sense of occasion and if nailing it it has me in hysterics at the fun I'm having.
I do get why you'd have a 911, because of the drive, but it doesn't make me love and laugh.

 

[BennyD]

A 911 is the easy way out as it doesn't require any imagination.

 

[Steve GS]

Not to mention how many 911 are there on the roads. Give me my gs any day With all the Italian gremlins.

 

[Fair2]

I tried a 911 Carrera just before I bought my GS. I was blown away by how good the thing was to drive, but that was the only thing it had going for it over the Maserati. On the other hand, the GS captivates me just by looking at it from pretty much any angle, if pootling around then it captivates me with sound and the feel and looks inside, if cruising it still shouts out a sense of occasion and if nailing it it has me in hysterics at the fun I'm having.
I do get why you'd have a 911, because of the drive, but it doesn't make me love and laugh.

I agree. I have both! A 996 mark2 for 14 years and the GS for 4 years. It is " horses for courses" IMO .Love the GS as a GT car and the 911 for Alpine tours with tight hilly roads.
Robert

 

[Andyk]

Sorry but don't agree...The 911 is a great performance car and it shows what Porsche do well an everyday super car........I have driven a few 997 and have never felt it to be dull or boring and found them to be an engaging drive. They certainly don't sound as good as the GS and the interior os very German compared to the flare of the Maserati but. Lookd wise I like them and if wanted an everyday car of this type it would be pn the shopping list. There is a reason that a 911 has won most group tests over the years but if you don't like the way it looks then I suppose you will never like it....lazy styling or not over the years it is a great car.

 

[GeoffCapes]

The 911 has always been the 'best' all rounder sports car on the road.
40 years of development has shown that.

However, being the best all rounder means in some areas it's not going to be the best.
It could be in all areas that it's not the best. But packaged together it is.

There are a number of things about a 997 I don't like but a lot I do.
Would I have one over a GS? I don't think so.

The thing about Maserati's is that they are for people who don't want to follow the crowd, who like something different.
Who can appreciate that to get perfection in one area you have to have something a little less than perfect in another.

Off the top of my head I can think of loads of reasons why I wouldn't have a 997 over a GS. But it doesn't necessarily make the GS a better car.

 

[highlander]

Apples and pears guys. Andy has the right of it here. If you were buying a car simply on figures then the 911 wins hands down every time against the GS, or any other of the marque, it has not been the best in class for years for nothing. Full stop. So the question here is not which is best, that IMO is clear, the question is why did we choose cars that on paper cannot match the leader? I know my reasons are based loosely on something to do with a marque and a car that has soul and being special, things which cannot be accurately defined or measured, and suspect most on here are the same.

 

[m1980k]

Having made the decision to buy a GS over a 997, I'd say the key thing is that the 997 may be objectively better when it comes to navigating a twisty road at speed but the GS is simply more special (better looking, better sound, rarer, nicer interior, etc). It's not like the GS is a dog to drive either. I really enjoy the classic big engine up front/rwd format. And when I flick a paddle over 7000rpm with the throttle pinned to the floor, I never feel I'm in a car that's second best!

And since we're now talking about 10 year old cars, in modern classics territory, I think the exotic nature of the GS and the fact that it was never directly replaced (GT is a different type of car), whereas there are 997.2s, 991s etc on the road (and lots of them) counts against the Porsche.

 

[StuartW]

It's so hard to compare these 2, both great cars that people like for very different reasons. They both have excellent pedigree and racing heritage and there's no reason why you can't like both but members of this forum are clearly going to favour one over t'other.

But yes, the GS is better ;-)

 

[Jkulin]

I fall in between different camps as I have the QP and I have a 911 (996 Carrera 4)

As I have owned and driven a load of different cars as I get the opportunity regularly because of my business then my take is, if I want to grow horns and drive like I stole it then the 911 beats anything I have ever driven, especially the Carrera 4/4s as the handling is beyond reproach for my abilities, however if I wanted an understatement with style and panache then the Maser wins hands down.

Its chalk and cheese and they have to be viewed for their individual merits, I would hazard a guess that a standard 911 will beat a standard maser round the track but loses out to style and all the other reasons why we buy the Masers.

I'm fortunate in that I own both and can pick and choose as to my mood.

Sadly I know which car will sell quicker when they have 100K on the clock and it will very much not be the Maser, which is stupid really as they are both big engined cars that are very capable if looked after of going round the clock.

 

[EnzoMC]

I've driven a few 911's and must admit very good drivers cars but such an outdated look - I'm with Clarkson, 911 designers are lazy

not sure the 911's (other than the GT3's) are classed as supercars but the GS is ?

if I see a porsche go by, its just another one (so common) and hardly give it a look, see a Mas go by and follow it in the mirrors till its gone


bottom line this is a Mas site, would be interesting to see the responses on a porsche forum ?

 

[outrun]

As owner of 9 varied 911s (from 964 to 933 to 996) in my past, I wouldn't buy a 997 Carrera S unless the engine has been sorted, they have a series of complex issues. Great cars to drive, easy to drive quickly and well made however to really look after one is not cheap and easily on a par with a Maserati for servicing and repairs. Somehow, Porsche has created a mystique about their reliability and ability to be used everyday that's only true if you are prepared to spend to look after one well. Maserati could learn a thing or two from their PR agency, that's for sure.

I love most 911s and they make a compelling purchase argument but as Enzo mentioned, this is a Maserati forum so the responses will be obviously weighted. I know that I spent several years taking brave pills before buying a Maser, in the end this was silly as I've not had the kind of issues that the perception had suggested I would.

Personally, I don't think a GS and 997CS are particularly comparable but you can't stop a journalist from trying. The GS is a great car and an event to drive every time. The 997 is also great to drive but not a brave or enthusiasts choice really. Great to drive but not great for giving you goosebumps.

I know which I'd rather have.

The GT2 and GT3 however, are far better than the standard cars and amazing things.

 

[BRR]

I've driven a few 996 and 997 and previously owned a 986 S. I'm sure the Porsche is better technically and is also very competent at driving quickly, I'm sure I'd be quicker cross country or on track in a 911 but I'd have much more fun doing it in the GS. also at normal speeds and on normal journeys the Porsche feels like any other car, especially those from the *** range, the GS always feels special. Though if I were choosing between them as a daily it would definitely be the Porsche, probably a 997 C4s with PDK, but the only Porsches that do it for me as weekend cars are the GT varients

 

[CatmanV2]

I didn't get on with the 911 I had a loan car, which is a matter of public record. We went for dinner last Sunday. Three 911's in the car park (or maybe 2 and a Cayenne) Didn't see another GT all day

C

 

[urquattrogus]

911's are like arseholes.