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Really admire your integrity James. It would be so easy to give nothing but praise in order to secure favour with manufacturers. Thank you for your honesty
I thought the same. The astute and curious Porsche employee will take note to the fact you clearly identified what needs to be done to address the enthusiast-minded criticisms you shared. Well done, @Jayemm.
I like how truthful you are and shows your integrity and honesty. I replaced my 991.1 C2 with a 997. 2 C2 and it was the best decision i made with regards to sport cars. The 997.2 has better steering feel, better proportions and felt more 911- ey than my old 991.1 This 992 is bigger and I’m certain has better ride and better performance but I’m not sure if its the better sports car. Can’t wait for Part 2 . Thank you for the video !
Yes but he is been honest. Many manufacturers use their prestigious name to sell cars they are not great. Lazy that is what it is, McLaren cars are unreliable.
@@BeKindpls nope read a lot of reviews and watch them as well. This channel did a feature on them. Oh I know someone who know someone who had one..had issues galore and in the end had enough and took it back and now has a Porsche 911 and much happier
Do you really think sound is huge difference between the 2? Also does sacrificing NA engine for new interior and systems worth it for C2S? I bought once 981 GTS over Carrera and I never regret it, but wondering if new generation i will, since Cayman had mild upgrades while C2S is all new
@@TRX25EX honestly you will enjoy more a 718 GT4 then a 992 carrera S. However I still mention both great cars. The engine sound is more exciting on GT4 and the manual transmission is a must! Btw the carrera s is ridiculously quick and it has 2+2 which is great to drive the kids at school. Depending on what your are looking for, my advise is: Ask to testdrive both and make your own decision ;-)
Along with Harry Metcalfe the only reviewer to give an honest no holds barred report on the 992. Very reminiscent of early doors Clarkson - love the honesty of your reviews Jay and I’m a 911 fan.
Unless I'm going up to the territory of the GT3 or Turbo S, I would have a seriously difficult time justifying a 911 over a Cayman/Boxster. The mid-engine cars are so damn good nowadays that it makes the 911 almost obsolete for people that love to drive.
I did the same exercise few months ago before ordering my GTS4.0. My key reasons were; 1. Manual gearbox 2. Price 3. Aspirated engine. I think Porsche did a good job differentiating both cars. The majority of customers are not die hard enthusiasts! The 992 C is a great GT car.
The base 911 now seems akin to the 928, which was underrated in its day. Not a bad strategy since you can go with the Cayman, GT3 or Turbo S if you're into more of a driving experience, but kind of sad. I do miss the old days where the 911 had manual only, unassisted steering, bottom hinged pedals, bad air con and stereo and threat of oversteer. I am not stuck on the air cooled cars, but they were unique.
Fabulous content James, while I still watch most HM videos and some Carfection content, I watch EVERY one of your videos. It’s the down to earth, everyday feel - just right. Thank you
@@th3b0untyhunter The 996 is already is bigger than the 993 and in comparison with the original, it is sensible to say that the 911 range has become huge. For me 993 is perfect size for this type of car, 997 is still good but I would not like it any bigger than that...
Spot on; and here I thought it was just me being resistant to change. From my own experience, the latest base Carrera is the "sport casual" version of the new 911. It's a shame that new level entry buyers of the brand and model, are simply being thrown a bone by Porsche. Nice objective essay Jay!
@@th3b0untyhunter "Hardly huge"? Well, for a lot of people the de facto classic Porsche proportion is the 964, and that is a full 20 centimetres/5 inches narrower that the 992.
I feel like all cars, not just sports cars, constantly have to have more of everything on each update. Every new model has to have more leg room, a bigger boot, more power and whatever else. When they go far enough they just add a new model underneath. I love that Mazda have pushed so hard not to do that with the MX-5.
I didn't really understand the back-end styling criticism for instance. The fact that it doesn't help the Carrera 4S feel more up market is a very positive point in my book, too often you have to option thousands and thousands in styling packages to have a good looking car. Styling-wise, even the base car looks great which is really nice.
I’d take a manual Cayman over a 911 any day of the week. They look better, they feel better to drive, and the smallness of them just gives a better sporty vibe. The interior is also so much nicer, simple and nice.
The fact that it goes back into auto mode after you’ve clicked the paddle shifter is deliberate and correct. The idea is that you may want to do a quick manual gear change while otherwise driving in auto mode. Using the paddle once doesn’t mean you want to switch into manual mode going forward and then you would have to take your eye off the road to get OUT of manual mode.
It’s all very well having comparisons such as this and I am and will continue, I’m sure, to enjoy them. However for me, the biggest selling point by quite a long shot, much more than performance and feel is those two tiny rear seats. I have two boys 4 and 6 that I’d want to be able to properly share the experience with on as much of a daily basis as possible. So those two seats put this base 911 above the cayman, older R8, F-Type and even anything more expensive because I just wouldn’t get the use and enjoyment. Cayman could be 4 times the car and I wouldn’t even consider it. Very personal opinion but surely relevant to quite a few?
Well put. The 911 cabin feels that little bit more airy while still enabling you to see its extremities and place it delicately on the road. The thing about a 911 is when you put a passenger in the car and head to Europe for some skiing, you can fold the back seats down and fit a nice amount of luggage in the cabin and in the boot, without losing vision. It will comfortably cruise along the highways without shaking you to bits and still respond with aggression when you want to link some corners together. It enables you to share the enjoyment with your partner and not have to pack everything in tiny bags or worse take your SUV instead.
Agreed- I would have bought the cayman 4.0 gts but it was immediately ruled out (by my wife 👀) due to our two little ones. I ended up buying a manual 991.2 Gts and it fits the bill perfectly for me (your previous review was actually really helpful in me picking the 3.0 turbo vs 3.8 n/a). It’s amazing how linear and smooth the power delivery is compared to say my previous f10 M5 which felt like a kick in the back/warp mode when the turbos came on boost.
Kids always force you to compromise- sadly I think the 911 is definitely now a compromise so for me the Cayman wins without kids in the equation (981 S all day, every day ☺). I'm sure you'd rather have your kids and a slightly compromised car though! Being able to share that experience seems like a great consideration, there are obviously other options besides a 911, like an M2, but a porker gets attention that few alternatives could match- which is especially exciting for kids.
@@MrCarrera28 I actually had the opposite experience. I went from a 911 996 to a cayman 987, and the 987 feels like it has more room inside, because you don't have the back seats - so the front area is much larger. Front and rear luggage PLUS the parcel shelf behind the seats.
Nailed it. Well done. I agree the 911 is now a GT car. All the 992 failings start with that horid Braun shaver. And it’s all downhill to GT car from there.
I'm not sure they'll give you anything else from now on but a nice honest review in you opinion that is. I got a feeling you'll enjoy the gts somewhat more though, will see.
My list of new cars that excite me: Alpine A110 Toyota GR Yaris That's it. The Cayman is great if you're going to take it on track but the gearing is to long to enjoy on the road.
@@TheBestWanted112 I'm 46, and new cars were always better than what they replaced - from an Astra to the latest Ferrari V8. Then they added electric power steering, turbos, etc. and so on, and while the new Astra might still be better than the old one, who would pick an F8 Tributo over a 458? - Only someone who was only interested in numbers, I suspect. At my much more mundane level, I moved from a 2002 Astra to a 2012 Focus, and even there you can see the difference: the Astra was a bit of an old heap but it was a better car to drive than the Focus because the Focus has zero steering feel. (The Focus also craaaaaawls away at junctions because it's a 1.0l 3 cylinder turbo - to the point that it's a safety issue, at times.)
@@julianevans9548 thats what i thought. For my generation, eps isnt such a big deal, but turbos, and especially dpf just killed almost all cars for me. Rummors about the new mazda 6 being rwd straight six are nice tho.
Jay Emm. I’m an American and love your reviews, very thorough and knowledge based. I don’t have th experience and depth of knowledge that you certainly have. However, I own a 2020 Gentian Blue Base 911 Carrera and absolutely love everything about it. Those niggling little things you mentioned are of no concern to me as the average bloke.
Another great video. Love your channel. But.....there was one coming, I think you’ve over rotated a bit on your criticism of the car. 99% of folks watching would likely be blown away by all aspects of the 992 or any 911. Owned mine for over 6 months, and to give different opinion based on 4K miles in one: Cup holders - differ from 991 but work better. Used to find 991 driver side frequently spilled drinks onto centre console. One in 992 does not. Screen - attracts finger prints. They all do in any car. One plus point I find Porsche screens seem easier to clean than in other cars I own. Odd but whatever glass they are using seems very durable. Dinging car for prints on screen...hmm Rear compartment - works ok in real world. Got two normal isofix seats in mine. Kids fine. Love going out in it. As a practical sports car the 911 is hard to beat and the rear seat option will be big draw for many over the Cayman. I couldn’t do school run in a Cayman. PDK - not driven base model. S is rapid. Gearbox seems superb to me in all modes and gets sharper in sport and sport+. No complaints at all vs 991. Instrument binnacle screens - GT wheel does obscure outer edges of L/H and R/H screen but the wheel moves whilst driving as does your head and the outer screens only contain data you need to see now and again. Map option on R/H screen. Barely use. Think most owners use CarPlay or the full Porsche NAV map on central screen. Personally use car play and have central screen customised how I want it. Size of Car - some folks in comments say Panamera like. Not in real life. Go to your local opc. I’ve had a new generation Panamera for 3 years. 992 feels a lot smaller no surprise. For a modern car with modern crash protection requirements does not feel large for a sports-car. Interior - personally love it. Excellent materials and layout I like. Some quirks. But overall superb place to be daily. Looks better imho with the two tone leather option. All my opinions as owner of 6 months. All I would say is if you are considering one don’t take James word for it. I’m sure he wouldn’t want you to either. So do what he does. Go drive one. Form your own opinion. We are all different. by any measure the 992 is a fantastic bit of kit. Not perfect but as a piece of engineering. Brilliant. Keep videos coming James. Great channel.
No I certainly wouldn't want anybody taking just one person's word to make up their mind about buying a car. Thanks for some decent and real world alternative opinions on the car
A current comparison with the newly released M4 would be very interesting. (Regarding weight, for some reason the M4 is considerably heavier than before - 1,800kg.)
Porsche's too, as they keep giving him models to try: he does positive-appreciate some of them! :)). He really got the transaxle era cars, for example, which won me over for ever. Porsche coming back to him after criticism, makes me a very happy customer and likely to have another.
So what if you can't see the fuel gauge 100%... how often do you need to look at it ( just with moving your head a bit) and then a "ping" tone to tell you your getting low....
Jay’s reviews stand out as he has a well developed time honored context. He’s driven and owned everything with high, unwavering standards applied accordingly. He never forgets the best achievements of prior, used, no longer produced cars, but insists the new ones compete against their predecessors, and they don’t.
@@JayEmmOnCars true.. but I would never. Hydraulic steering manual trans naturally aspirated 6’s and 8’s as well as screen free dashboards are what keep me up at night.
Nice video. Good honest review. Far too many RUclipsrs seem afraid to give an honest review for fear of being snubbed by a manufacturer. Enjoyed that, and shall look forward to the Cayman Vid! 👍
Great review James. The last 911 I owned, a 997.2 C4S, still had classic 911 traits, but ultimately was a bit of a bore. And Porsche completely lost me with the horrid steering feel of the 991 and now the turbo charged 992. My god it sounds like you’re driving a lawn mower. Yes, even a base 911 will run circles around it, but I will stick with the symphony of Ferrari V8 goodness that erupts from my Maserati Gran Turismo. (Great recent review of the GT by the way, you nailed the joy of that car).
I think the 911 is just getting too large, it's amazing how large they have grown if you put an 80's era 911 alongside one of these they look minuscule by comparison, but I would much rather have the old car on a windy UK B road.
Great to see you working with Porsche again Jay, I’ve been binging a lot of your videos lately and I have to say you do a fantastic job. I really value your honest and critical style and the high quality footage without any gimmicks or silly graphics. May more success come your way!
I am glad to see your honest review. I hope the T can dial in some of that old school 911 goodness. My 992 test drive left me feeling the same way the same way. The 992 drove me straight to a 981 Spyder
You wonder if Porsche will give up the ghost on trying to separate the gap between cayman and 911 in terms of driving experience, handling and power and just have a overlapping but then I’m sure they would just increase the price of the cayman and make the boxster the entry level. Got a cayman 987 and would like a 911 997.2 but just cannot justify the price difference when compared with the fun factor difference. Anyway can’t wait for part 2 on the cayman
Totally agreed about the visibility (or lack thereof) of the instrumentation. It’s downright stupid that they let so much being obscured by the steering wheel. Same in the Taycan. Cayman GTS is my pick without hesitation.
I have a manual 997 turbo and a 2.7 Cayman 981 (PDK). Dare I say it, I prefer the Cayman. So nimble, light, great engine sound, and with the PDK, it’s such a fast car.
I have seen a couple of them in India, and in a country like India, even golf looks like a big car in terms of size and the s 992 I saw felt like a Panamera in our Indian environment and its a shame because it doesn't ooze sports car with that humungous shape
I used to race motorcycles and go-karts. The 992 911 is one of the best 911 ever built. It is the fastest 911 on the racetrack (of any previous 911 base models) Yes it has more room inside as the dimensions of the car got bigger, but has the car is the same weight as the 991 and less weight as the 997!!!?????... so why the size and more comfort is bad while the car is much safer!!!??? The 2021 8speed pdk is more responsive than the old 7 speed. And when Jay acts as the shifts are delayed it is all a lie as I could not duplicate any delayed sifting on any 992 and shifted them 1000s of times. NOT A SINGLE delay at all ever. The interior is a 100% 911 Porsche, as the 911 NEVER BEEN luxurious ever... as a matter of fact this is the most luxurious 911 ever in my opinion. So it seems Mr. big mouth Jay Emm never been a 911 guy. All good as he makes money on trashing the 911.... but trust me... the 911 still one of the best sports car out there in the curves or in the city.... or on the race track. Just watch out for mistaking honesty with a wanna-be car expert... what he is not.
The csyman and boxster are now the sports cars in porsche range. Personally i love the 981 generation of boxster /caymans. The 911 is still great but has just grown a tad too much.
I had a 2021 carrera s for a month on the Porsche Drive program, and I agree with everything he says. Absolutely spot on. My small quibbles are the seats are hellishly uncomfortable for a "smaller, lighter" person like myself, and the pleasure of driving it on a twisty mountain road outweighs all the negatives.
Totally concur with your opinion on dash and interior. 997 cup holders are little works of art. Surprised that the PDK is slower than the 7 speed. Increasingly coming to the conclusion that the 997 may be the definitive modern 911 - cup holders, size and hydraulic power steering.
This is car exactly represents the way European car manufacturers are now positioning their vehicles. If you want the brand image and a safe 8/10ths drive, buy this kind of vehicle. If you want genuine excitement, special driver feedback, then in today's world you have to spend a whole lot more. This makes their high spec models a whole lot more desirable, to justify their pricing.
Thank you for the great video James. I completely agree RE: dark wheels. All subjective, of course, but on most cars I don't get it and think they ruin the car.
Agree, I really don't like black wheels. Especially on a dark car as they just get lost. Unfortunately one of my cars came with some aftermarket black alloys fitted. Wondering if I should have them painted.
Harsh but fair critique I'm sure. Interiors seem to be the thing letting a few premium brands down right now. Such a shame this Porsche didn't live up to expectations. Hopefully, they'll take the feedback on board and implement it in future revisions 🤞
I owned and drove a 997.2 C2S daily for over 5 years and now I own a manual 992 C2S. Some of your complaints I agree with, the cup holder and outer instruments especially. Owning a manual I can’t really comment on the PDK other than to observe it’s my understanding that pulling a paddle puts it in manual anyway. But the interior, it’s light years ahead of the 997/991 generations including the tech. Finger marks are simply not an issue on the screen, the way it integrates systems is generally good. If you do want to clean the screen a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth fixes that in 10 seconds. Quite how you got that exhaust noise is beyond me, my non-PSE car sounds nothing like that. It’s fine although I must say we don’t have the GPF in the US which does help. The styling, yes a 997 still looks great but the 992 rear end to me is fantastic in the flesh. The way the rear window runs down into the rear vents is really well done, it manages to be 911 and modern at the same time, and that ‘911’ badge is an option. You can delete it if you want too. Steering, not quite as much feel as a 997 but you always know what’s happening up front and it’s got heaps more grip than earlier cars. After saying all that it’s all just opinions. I would suggest though that you live with a manual C2S for a week, do the shopping in it, go to the footie, do all the normal everyday things as well as a couple of weekend cross country blasts. That may change your mind on a few things.
I really like the new 911. I think it's one step ahead of the previous generations. That's my opinion about this car. Had the opportunity to see it in person, and i will admit, i loved it.
Fair enough on a lot of this but complaining that the gearbox defaults back to auto after using the paddles? This is like every modern car. If you want pure manual put it in manual mode otherwise typically you're just wanting a situational gear shift then back to normal. My 2008 Range Rover doesn't have paddles and will stay in manual mode if you shift it on the lever and I kind of hate it because I have to flip it over to D and back to S really fast to get it to go back to automatic sport.
I like how you assessed the 992. There's one thing that if it meets the criteria of if it being a great sportscar, but there's also another criteria of if it embraces its identity of being a great 911 or not. Curious to see you drive the 992 GT3 - would the steering feel be much improved over the 'regular' 992 and would the double wishbone suspension setup dramatically improve the front-end...
I saw a 992 today and it had the GT aero package on it. I like the rear of the base car, but the aero kit definitely improves it (largely cos of the wing)
I was on the list for a cayman 4.0 having been driving a 981s for a couple of years and wanting to stay with the flat 6 engine, Then I drove one. It just has too much power and is too unforgiving for normal U.K. driving and I didn’t feel comfortable in it for being able to drive it every day. So you’d need to get a run around car too, I then drove a 911 base with almost no options on it, 4200 miles on the clock, no PSE no chrono, nothing and fell completely in love with it, and promptly bought it on the spot; 1000 miles in and my love just grows. You can pootle around in it, go the garden centre, shops, etc but also have a hoon around if you want. Plus yes 2 small humans can just about fit in the back. I dreamt since I was 7 years old to own a 911, now my dream has arrived and I’m thrilled to bits. These motoring you tubers don’t live in the real world like most people. Most people would absolutely love any 911/992 even a chance to drive one let alone own one. Just like me.
Problem is that the 992 has become too much of a GT car - it almost wants to be a Bentley Continental GT. 991 was a lot more sports car like - especially in the 2 and 2S versions and 996/7 much more nimble and pointy. Be interesting to see what you make of the Cayman with that engine!
Jay - excellent review, thank you. I think the 911 (whether it be by design or by accident), is as you say - evolving into a GT. Forget for a moment the poor execution of the interior. Doesn’t it make sense though? The cayman/boxster’s problem has always been the lack of legacy and thus the lack of connection to the diciples-unto-sycophants who have revered the 911 for decades (sometimes for very good reason, but sometimes devoid of objectivity). As the years go by (and the boxster enters its 26th model year), the opportunity for a meritocracy emerges. And the older set - who are more prone to be captured by nostalgia- will undoubtedly prefer the 911. But as the core buyer demographic ages, let the 911 move aside and be the comfort option for a 70 year old guy. Let the Cayman/Boxster assume the center stage as the flagship sports car, with all the best power plants. This - hopefully- has started w the 4.0 liter.
………” let the 911 move aside and be the comfort option for a 70 year old guy….?” How about 74 and HELL YES !! Not sure what the paddle shift delay was all about….but in my 2023 C2, it’s absolutely immediate…..touch and go…..and it’s simply glorious. When you get old, grouchy and tired of “rowing”, this 911 with some logical options ( sport Chrono, extended range tank, adaptive cruise, 14 way seats, sport exhaust…..slap some Agate Grey paint on it and beige interior ) is a marvelous way to get to Bingo night at the mortuary…..!! Enjoy the hell out of your GT4 Cayman……and keep “wondering” when you see that poor old “bare bones” 911 CARRERA every time you pull up next to one !
Amazed they let you back for a second visit ! Has this approach secured your 991 GT3 slot ? A good review of the base car - although who buys a base car ?
I am an Aston person, just to set the scene. I also enjoy your reviews. However I have watched a few of your reviews of the 992, and I think you are being dogmatic. You know it is a brilliant advancement, you realise it has a fabulous engine, you love the speed; you even love the ride, you repeat the same criticisms, re the centre console without admitting that the manual button will of course soon be learnt by muscle memory so can be done without looking. The gear selector is so rarely used on the console it is not an issue that the cup holder is in the way, if you have a cup in it. I agree the cup holder is poor. I have ultimately come to the conclusion you really like the 992 you just don't want to admit it. You also forget to mention it is blisteringly quick, in most of its forms. we all appreciate older versions of cars; just consider a 60's or 70's English sports car of most makes, they are much more fun to drive, but if you want the state of the art you progress you don't replicate, ultimately progress has shown you loose feel for performance, because these modern engines are so powerful that without a lot of assistance most people couldn't drive them well. If you want pure feel buy a Morgan or a Caterham and save a lot of money! Just saying! I still enjoy your videos so keep going and I will keep watching. PS I bought the DB11 volante, not sure what your ultimate conclusion was on that car, something wrong with the look of the rear I think, I love the look of the rear by the way..🙂 as mine is one of the last ones so higher HP.
In summary then - run out and buy an older 911 before everyone realizes the new one isn’t worth it. 997’s are still a bargain, and imho the best 911 to get.
I obsessed and shopped for a 997 for 2 years. Sadly through the process I found that they are actually not that great and certainly not a bargain. 997.1 has ims bearings and an interior thats absolutely disintegrates for no reason. 997.2 is far better but easily twice the price and still slower than a lightly modded WRX sti unless you're buying a turbo or gt3 or something which still sell for 80k or more on a 10 year old car that even a 5 year old corvette destroys. I bought a kia stinger. Its faster than my dads 991 carrera 4s and his door panels are falling off at 26k miles. Fun.
@@BrandoDrum 997.1’s don’t really have IMS issues (dual row bearing in all but the first couple of thousand engine builds). They can suffer from bore-scoring, but it’s not common. Disintegrating interior? Never heard that said about a 911 before, ever. The 997.2 is the same interior in fact, just has an updated centre console. A WRX is faster? Oh boy...
@@I999-g2s umm, I guess you've never sat in a 997.1. There's a soft touch coating on the hvac buttons, the dash and center console that gums up and flakes off something disgusting. People spend hundreds of dollars getting the hvac buttons replaced and wrapping the center console. Also, the IMS issue is far worse than you stated. Plenty of info on this its far more than 1000 cars, its actually somewhat random after 2005 what ims bearing the engine had and the dual row still failed regardless and couldn't be proactively replaced without disassembling the entire engine. And yes, oh yes a modded sti is absurdly faster. 997 gearing is too tall and they only make 350 hp and less than 300 ft lbs of torque and they actually weigh the same. My 2005 wrx non- sti literally pulls past my dads 2015 C4S in nearly every situation except high speed high g turns.
Oh boy, here we go. Soft touch buttons that become sticky with age - that’s what you were calling a disintegrating interior? Yes, the buttons are replaceable, not a significant job. No centre console wrapping is required. As for IMS failures on the dual row bearing engines, I’ve been following the Rennlist 997 forum for many years now (ever since I got a 997.1), and I have only seen posts about bore scoring issues. The IMS issue is well understood to be limited to earlier single row bearing engines. Tall gearing? Iirc sixth is about 25 mph/1000rpm, that’s not long at all. Lacking in torque? Sure, compared to a turbo car, maybe. But the whole point of an NA engine is the wonderful build-up of power all the way to the redline. I’m always impressed by how tractable my 997 is, and even if I change up at 3500rpm, I’m easily well ahead of all the traffic. I bought a 2008 STI new, and was so underwhelmed, that I spent a small fortune modifying it. I was trying to get to the spectacular performance of my 1998 v5 STI (that I had before I left the UK), but I soon realized that the third generation platform was essentially devoid of all the rally inspired magic of the gen 1 and gen 2 cars. In those earlier versions STI meant a blueprinted engine and various chassis upgrades that really separated them from the regular models. By gen 3, it was clear that STI was more of a marketing exercise. I live outside the city, surrounded by some very twisty roads, some with long sweeping turns connected with modest straights. The STI was good, but it wasn’t until I drove a standard 996 on these roads that I realized what a real sports car feels like. Back in the UK, I could see-off any 911 (except a turbo), in my STI, and I really didn’t understand what all the 911 fuss was about. But when I finally drove a friend’s car, I was suddenly aware, acutely so. My 997 has some options (x51, pccb), but the balance, the NA engine, the insane traction out of turns, the steering feedback and the brakes - all set it apart from just about anything else I have driven (except for my 991.2 GT3), it’s just amazing for the money. Yes, my wife could probably keep up with me on the straights, modern turbo charged cars have amazing performance, but that just misses the point of these cars. Few 911’s have had anything like the horsepower of their contemporaries, but in-period, they have all outshone them. Countless EVO magazine articles have favoured the 911 over and above other competitors, not because they had more power or were faster in a straight line, but because of the overall performance of the 911 architecture. My 997 is 15 years old, but the quality is outstanding - not a squeak or rattle from the interior, the leather is way higher quality than in my Audi and has lasted very well, the plastics aren’t spectacular, but certainly very good. Almost every part of the car feels like a high quality product. Despite the age, my HVAC buttons have not become sticky, and everything works great. The gear change is a let-down, with fifth gear feeling like it’s located somewhere in the passenger footwell, this is probably due to age/wear, but I will be installing a short shift. I have a few other interesting cars, but even compared to the GT3, the 997 is by far the biggest “bang for the buck” and an amazing overall package. Take your dad’s 997, find some interesting, twisty, undulating roads and get a feel for what a thoroughly engineered bespoke sports car chassis feels like. Hopefully, your fingers won’t stick to the heater controls.
@@I999-g2s my dad has a 991 preceded by a 2015 cayman S. His 2015 carrera has door panels that are warping and have a massive gap between the glass, you can see the wires and such walking up to the car. And thats a very common problem on that generation and the car is 6 years old....Great sports cars sure but I guess I prefer torque and shorter gearing and more durable build quality. I live in NC and have extremely twisty roads to visit in the mtns which is my main motivation for having a sports car and found the cayman and 911s gearing is just so tall it was not fun and quite slow through the twisty sections. I'd heed the point that 911s are well developed for track driving with longer high speed turning and straights. 911 owners love 911s thats why they own them. But having driven them and seeing the interior issues I just have a different opinion that plenty of folks share. It also comes a lot down to value for money too. Sure, P cars are great but even used they are just waaay too expensive for what they are. Carrera and cayman owners gotta have a miata-like mentality of "its the feel not the speed" which is true for many but the low sales volumes tell the story more clearly. A slow overpriced sports car thats outpaced by cheaper competitors doesn't sway as many buyers as you might think. Glad you're happy though for sure.
Thank you for this honest review. I have a 991.1 and got really excited about the 992 from all the pre-release reviews. When my dealership brought it around for the launch and I saw it in person and heard the engine I was completely disappointed. The car seems to have lost any remaining soul it had going into this update. My request for a 911 T would be remove all active suspension take the turbos off and sell it for 85K US. Do something in the spirit of the original 911 T. If the engine only has 300 or so horsepower in that configuration I would absolutely love it. My base model Carrera is already way too fast.
That dashboard, especially around the glove box area, looks like something out the 80's. That's fair enough in an 80's Toyota or Audi, and I realise taste is subjective, but I think it looks terrible in here. And you're right about the mess that is the back end, in fact, I don't like any of them with the light bar across the back. Might just have to stick with my Fiesta Style 1.25.
Is that suspension on the Cayman, the PASM "option" to raise it 10mm from the GTS default, or the default Sport PASM that's 20mm lower than a standard Cayman?
I traded in an older 911 for a 997.2 and then a 997.2 GTS - all to try and get the same feeling I had from the older 911. Both failed and just couldn't excite me at all. I so want to like the 992 but fear I will just be bored again but what else is there in a similar category? Aston = awful interior. BMW M8 perhaps?
The new 992 is a thrill to drive. Even the base is everything anyone would need in a sports car. the upgraded engine versions are just taking it up a notch. Drive one and you'll see for yourself.
I like the new beefier look of the 911, BUT I HATE that turbo squeeeeeeeel, so I think if they made a narrow ultra lightweight version & got rid of the turbo charging, even with much less horsepower, it could be a very sought after item & be collectible.
What a goofball. The car is simply magic on every level. Cup holder works just fine and in fact has spring loaded levers inside to keep his chocolate extra large milkshake from McDonald’s from ending up in his lap. The car steers amazingly - and it feels attached to the road - like a slot car. The interior build quality is perfect- leather everywhere, seams perfect, simple design - but just enough knobs and buttons to make it simple to teach the car why you want it to do. Brakes - perfect. Paint perfect. The overall exterior upgrade is genius. Clearly it is still a 911 that carries that nostalgic facial characteristics of the great great great grandfather but also looks modern and elegant at the same time. I owned a 1970 911 T targa 50 years ago and I just bought and took delivery of the same model effectively last week- the 2021 992 Targa 4 and I also own a Panamera with the seven speed pdk. This new 911 still feels like that 911 from 50 years ago but stronger snd better built and insanely faster. The thrill of smashing down the pedal is nothing but awe inspiring and in a car with a stated 385 hp? It shows 414 on a dyno and is faster than turbos of just a few years ago. I think he is upset that the car weighs less than he does - and is likely very different than his Toyota Prius. His negative opinion is just one out of literally hundreds of reviews of the 992 on RUclips that proclaim the 992 as marvelous car with wonderful design and top notch build quality. Drive one yourself to nderstsnd what a goofball this fellow is and how wrong he is in regards to this spectacular car. No doubt being a rather large dinosaur 🦕 he really laments the demise of manual transmissions like some cowboys were against pulling a wagon with a horse 100 years ago. And this new 8 speed PDK is fantastic - the first thing every friend that drives my 992 Targa says is how fast snd perfect the transmission feels - a quality they had never felt in any other car. He is trying to make a name by being negative/-
Any 911 after 997 are simply too big, especially for British roads, I love my 996.1 and 987.1 Boxster S, small and compact with so much driver involvement on the road and on track 👍
Great video, I ended up buying a 991.2 pre GPF GTS for many of the reasons you state. I like the styling in the flesh to be honest but only with the sport design package, that rear is a mess otherwise. I love the seats and it feels bigger in there to me but that’s where it stops, I hate the dash.
The only negative about my 992 2s is the creaking noise that the plastics make. It was not very well put together. I disagree about the manual gearbox and the paddles work very well and love how they revert to auto after inactivity. I would NEVER go for manual gearbox as this is my daily drive.
James, love your down to earth honesty on your car reviewing. It must be difficult being objective in these days. Look I love 911, particularly what it stood for. Porsche, heres two tips: Reduce the size and mass off the base models. Otherwise James, well done and thank you.
Thanks James for this comparison. Excellent review as always! This has come at the right time for me (spooky) as i am looking at just these two models and it has shone a new light on some of the issues I have been wondering about. Not being able to test drive at the this time, This review has given me enough to put my purchase on hold until I can get a drive. Thoroughly enjoy your reviews. Cheers.
Loving the complaints as it matches mine's, those cup holders, what are they thinking? Although the sad thing about the 992 is Porsche seem to making it as a GT car for the lesser models, maybe they should make a 928 for the GT role and keep the 911 as is
that's simply because you can't afford a 4.0gts until you're at least in your 40s and that's if you're extremely lucky. Porsche has become like Rolex, it's nice but it doesn't keep time better than cheaper models and is basically a pure fashion statement. Your money is best spent elsewhere if you want a faster better car.
@@BrandoDrum there are a few people in their 30s who can buy a gts a 34 YO I know just dropped 100k on a 718gt4... lots of hidden money around... Older generations are 911 snobs younger accept the cayman is a better layout and porsche consistently holds it back, be interesting to see when the GT4 RS comes out how off the leash they allow it to go
Sadly, my only takeaway from this was that he ultimately disliked both cars and is hoping the Jaguar Type F will pleasantly surprise him. In my experience, my 2017 911 Carrera S Cabriolet is a superbly handling vehicle (especially with the Michelin tires) that performs like it's on rails, especially on curvy roads. Additionally, I don't think you actually need to shift the car into "M"anual mode via the button. At least on my 2017 simply hitting the shifters automatically takes the car into manual mode. The Sport Chrono also has a tremendous impact on driving performance. You can be doing 50+MPH and depending on if you are in Ordinary, Sport, or Sport Plus mode, find yourself in 2nd, 3rd, or 6th gear, with the paddle shifters doing the work. As I'm considering purchasing a new 911 4S coupe or a 911 GTS or potentially getting another Cayman (my previous 718 Cayman base was fantastic and the mid-engine experience made the car even easier to drive on challenging roads than the 911, but I really wanted a convertible and back seats for the grandsons or our bulldogs), I really can't take any helpful advice from this video, which is a shame. If that's all I had to go by, I'd eschew buying a Porsche altogether and miss out on one of the best driving series of sports cars available.
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Cannot believe how quickly I have become addicted to your channel. Superlative review today.
Really admire your integrity James. It would be so easy to give nothing but praise in order to secure favour with manufacturers. Thank you for your honesty
100 percent well said
The exact opposite of EVO magazine.
This...my estimation of the man just went up, markedly. In fact, he was bordering on savage with some of the design aspects! 😁
I thought the same. The astute and curious Porsche employee will take note to the fact you clearly identified what needs to be done to address the enthusiast-minded criticisms you shared. Well done, @Jayemm.
@@EvoraGT430 To me, evo is and always has been one of the most objective publications. What’s your beef with them?
I like how truthful you are and shows your integrity and honesty. I replaced my 991.1 C2 with a 997. 2 C2 and it was the best decision i made with regards to sport cars. The 997.2 has better steering feel, better proportions and felt more 911- ey than my old 991.1
This 992 is bigger and I’m certain has better ride and better performance but I’m not sure if its the better sports car.
Can’t wait for Part 2 . Thank you for the video !
So now not only Lotus and McLaren hate him Porsche does too. Great hat trick.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
To their eternal credit, Porsche get him, take the critique admirably and come back to give us more.
Yes but he is been honest. Many manufacturers use their prestigious name to sell cars they are not great. Lazy that is what it is, McLaren cars are unreliable.
@@gmain1977 why have you had one?
@@BeKindpls nope read a lot of reviews and watch them as well. This channel did a feature on them. Oh I know someone who know someone who had one..had issues galore and in the end had enough and took it back and now has a Porsche 911 and much happier
Probably the most relevant car comparison video I’ve ever seen on RUclips.
The title was misleading- he barely mentioned the Cayman
I own a 992 carrera S and a 718 GT4 (which is close to GTS 4.0) Trust me, both are great cars!
Do you really think sound is huge difference between the 2? Also does sacrificing NA engine for new interior and systems worth it for C2S? I bought once 981 GTS over Carrera and I never regret it, but wondering if new generation i will, since Cayman had mild upgrades while C2S is all new
@@TRX25EX honestly you will enjoy more a 718 GT4 then a 992 carrera S. However I still mention both great cars. The engine sound is more exciting on GT4 and the manual transmission is a must! Btw the carrera s is ridiculously quick and it has 2+2 which is great to drive the kids at school. Depending on what your are looking for, my advise is: Ask to testdrive both and make your own decision ;-)
Along with Harry Metcalfe the only reviewer to give an honest no holds barred report on the 992. Very reminiscent of early doors Clarkson - love the honesty of your reviews Jay and I’m a 911 fan.
Thankyou Steve. I'm a 911 fan too, which is probably why I'm so hard on the car. We know what it CAN be
Unless I'm going up to the territory of the GT3 or Turbo S, I would have a seriously difficult time justifying a 911 over a Cayman/Boxster. The mid-engine cars are so damn good nowadays that it makes the 911 almost obsolete for people that love to drive.
I did the same exercise few months ago before ordering my GTS4.0. My key reasons were; 1. Manual gearbox 2. Price 3. Aspirated engine. I think Porsche did a good job differentiating both cars. The majority of customers are not die hard enthusiasts! The 992 C is a great GT car.
Lucky bugger - that spec sounds like a real keeper, enjoy!
I had a 4.0 cayman on order, but then drove a 992c2 and cancelled , bought the 911 instead.
How do you like your GTS 4.0?
K hicks I love it! The driving experience is wow 🤩
The base 911 now seems akin to the 928, which was underrated in its day. Not a bad strategy since you can go with the Cayman, GT3 or Turbo S if you're into more of a driving experience, but kind of sad.
I do miss the old days where the 911 had manual only, unassisted steering, bottom hinged pedals, bad air con and stereo and threat of oversteer. I am not stuck on the air cooled cars, but they were unique.
When I see the 2022 Carrera, I see a car that looks like it's evolving into a Panamera.
Getting heavier and bigger
GTS 4.0 all day every day!
I loved the systematic tearing apart of the interior, in that vagabond coat.
We love you James...
I'm glad you do
Fabulous content James, while I still watch most HM videos and some Carfection content, I watch EVERY one of your videos.
It’s the down to earth, everyday feel - just right.
Thank you
That's very kind
It’s incredible how HUGE 911s have become. They are now basically Panameras with 2 doors instead of 4.
Hardly huge
992 is only 7cm wider than a 996 Turbo
@@th3b0untyhunter The 996 is already is bigger than the 993 and in comparison with the original, it is sensible to say that the 911 range has become huge. For me 993 is perfect size for this type of car, 997 is still good but I would not like it any bigger than that...
Spot on; and here I thought it was just me being resistant to change. From my own experience, the latest base Carrera is the "sport casual" version of the new 911. It's a shame that new level entry buyers of the brand and model, are simply being thrown a bone by Porsche. Nice objective essay Jay!
th3b0untyhunter the 992 drives and feels bigger and much more GT like than the 996.
@@th3b0untyhunter "Hardly huge"? Well, for a lot of people the de facto classic Porsche proportion is the 964, and that is a full 20 centimetres/5 inches narrower that the 992.
Man it’s a enjoyable symphony of sounds in your exhaust clip but the drive by has zero sound....do you hear it at all while driving ?
Spot on. What's the point in 'progress' 'in sports car design (let alone 911s in particular) if feel, engagement, and tacitility are left behind.
I feel like all cars, not just sports cars, constantly have to have more of everything on each update. Every new model has to have more leg room, a bigger boot, more power and whatever else. When they go far enough they just add a new model underneath. I love that Mazda have pushed so hard not to do that with the MX-5.
Lol basically everything everyone else likes about the car you hate. I love the honesty. Thanks for the vids.
Different opinions make the discussion more interesting. Also one of the reasons I love this channel. It has so much variety.
@@Corvolet5 absolutely
I didn't really understand the back-end styling criticism for instance. The fact that it doesn't help the Carrera 4S feel more up market is a very positive point in my book, too often you have to option thousands and thousands in styling packages to have a good looking car. Styling-wise, even the base car looks great which is really nice.
He's right about the letters though. They write PORSCHE, Carrera and 911 each in an entirely different font. It's messy.
Typical James. That's what we all respect. He has his own opinions rather than following the crowd.
I love the pointing out of the interior niggles. 'moat of rubbish' was gold
This was great!
I’d take a manual Cayman over a 911 any day of the week. They look better, they feel better to drive, and the smallness of them just gives a better sporty vibe. The interior is also so much nicer, simple and nice.
The fact that it goes back into auto mode after you’ve clicked the paddle shifter is deliberate and correct. The idea is that you may want to do a quick manual gear change while otherwise driving in auto mode. Using the paddle once doesn’t mean you want to switch into manual mode going forward and then you would have to take your eye off the road to get OUT of manual mode.
I love the 992 interior its cool and functional almost military
It’s all very well having comparisons such as this and I am and will continue, I’m sure, to enjoy them. However for me, the biggest selling point by quite a long shot, much more than performance and feel is those two tiny rear seats. I have two boys 4 and 6 that I’d want to be able to properly share the experience with on as much of a daily basis as possible. So those two seats put this base 911 above the cayman, older R8, F-Type and even anything more expensive because I just wouldn’t get the use and enjoyment. Cayman could be 4 times the car and I wouldn’t even consider it. Very personal opinion but surely relevant to quite a few?
Very much so - and a key reason the 911 has always been very popular. However I think it's still worth doing these comparisons for everyone else
Well put. The 911 cabin feels that little bit more airy while still enabling you to see its extremities and place it delicately on the road.
The thing about a 911 is when you put a passenger in the car and head to Europe for some skiing, you can fold the back seats down and fit a nice amount of luggage in the cabin and in the boot, without losing vision. It will comfortably cruise along the highways without shaking you to bits and still respond with aggression when you want to link some corners together. It enables you to share the enjoyment with your partner and not have to pack everything in tiny bags or worse take your SUV instead.
Agreed- I would have bought the cayman 4.0 gts but it was immediately ruled out (by my wife 👀) due to our two little ones. I ended up buying a manual 991.2 Gts and it fits the bill perfectly for me (your previous review was actually really helpful in me picking the 3.0 turbo vs 3.8 n/a). It’s amazing how linear and smooth the power delivery is compared to say my previous f10 M5 which felt like a kick in the back/warp mode when the turbos came on boost.
Kids always force you to compromise- sadly I think the 911 is definitely now a compromise so for me the Cayman wins without kids in the equation (981 S all day, every day ☺). I'm sure you'd rather have your kids and a slightly compromised car though! Being able to share that experience seems like a great consideration, there are obviously other options besides a 911, like an M2, but a porker gets attention that few alternatives could match- which is especially exciting for kids.
@@MrCarrera28 I actually had the opposite experience. I went from a 911 996 to a cayman 987, and the 987 feels like it has more room inside, because you don't have the back seats - so the front area is much larger. Front and rear luggage PLUS the parcel shelf behind the seats.
Nailed it. Well done. I agree the 911 is now a GT car. All the 992 failings start with that horid Braun shaver. And it’s all downhill to GT car from there.
It’s feels fantastic when you move if - pure quality and a crisp snap - if you owned one you would know better. Jealous.
I'm not sure they'll give you anything else from now on but a nice honest review in you opinion that is. I got a feeling you'll enjoy the gts somewhat more though, will see.
New cars are really, really unappealing.
My list of new cars that excite me:
Alpine A110
Toyota GR Yaris
That's it. The Cayman is great if you're going to take it on track but the gearing is to long to enjoy on the road.
@@Rhowhat new cars just make older cars look better and better..
@@Rhowhat I agree 100%. my question is, has it always been like this? Did people think this way in 2010? Im only 21 so i cant say.
@@TheBestWanted112 I'm 46, and new cars were always better than what they replaced - from an Astra to the latest Ferrari V8. Then they added electric power steering, turbos, etc. and so on, and while the new Astra might still be better than the old one, who would pick an F8 Tributo over a 458? - Only someone who was only interested in numbers, I suspect. At my much more mundane level, I moved from a 2002 Astra to a 2012 Focus, and even there you can see the difference: the Astra was a bit of an old heap but it was a better car to drive than the Focus because the Focus has zero steering feel. (The Focus also craaaaaawls away at junctions because it's a 1.0l 3 cylinder turbo - to the point that it's a safety issue, at times.)
@@julianevans9548 thats what i thought. For my generation, eps isnt such a big deal, but turbos, and especially dpf just killed almost all cars for me. Rummors about the new mazda 6 being rwd straight six are nice tho.
Jay Emm. I’m an American and love your reviews, very thorough and knowledge based. I don’t have th experience and depth of knowledge that you certainly have. However, I own a 2020 Gentian Blue Base 911 Carrera and absolutely love everything about it. Those niggling little things you mentioned are of no concern to me as the average bloke.
Afraid this is British snobbery - unwilling to credit the Germans!
Your input is worth millions - Porsche should embrace criticism- it’s the only method for improvement..
Another great video. Love your channel. But.....there was one coming, I think you’ve over rotated a bit on your criticism of the car. 99% of folks watching would likely be blown away by all aspects of the 992 or any 911. Owned mine for over 6 months, and to give different opinion based on 4K miles in one:
Cup holders - differ from 991 but work better. Used to find 991 driver side frequently spilled drinks onto centre console. One in 992 does not.
Screen - attracts finger prints. They all do in any car. One plus point I find Porsche screens seem easier to clean than in other cars I own. Odd but whatever glass they are using seems very durable. Dinging car for prints on screen...hmm
Rear compartment - works ok in real world. Got two normal isofix seats in mine. Kids fine. Love going out in it. As a practical sports car the 911 is hard to beat and the rear seat option will be big draw for many over the Cayman. I couldn’t do school run in a Cayman.
PDK - not driven base model. S is rapid. Gearbox seems superb to me in all modes and gets sharper in sport and sport+. No complaints at all vs 991.
Instrument binnacle screens - GT wheel does obscure outer edges of L/H and R/H screen but the wheel moves whilst driving as does your head and the outer screens only contain data you need to see now and again. Map option on R/H screen. Barely use. Think most owners use CarPlay or the full Porsche NAV map on central screen. Personally use car play and have central screen customised how I want it.
Size of Car - some folks in comments say Panamera like. Not in real life. Go to your local opc. I’ve had a new generation Panamera for 3 years. 992 feels a lot smaller no surprise. For a modern car with modern crash protection requirements does not feel large for a sports-car.
Interior - personally love it. Excellent materials and layout I like. Some quirks. But overall superb place to be daily. Looks better imho with the two tone leather option.
All my opinions as owner of 6 months. All I would say is if you are considering one don’t take James word for it. I’m sure he wouldn’t want you to either. So do what he does. Go drive one. Form your own opinion. We are all different. by any measure the 992 is a fantastic bit of kit. Not perfect but as a piece of engineering. Brilliant.
Keep videos coming James. Great channel.
No I certainly wouldn't want anybody taking just one person's word to make up their mind about buying a car.
Thanks for some decent and real world alternative opinions on the car
One of your best reviews! I do love your channel. Super effort
I appreciate that!
JayEmm on Cars, you have earned my respect for Lexus LC500 video. You were one of the reasons that I bought one instead of a 911
Excellent choice
I enjoy your reviews. I carried 260 lbs my whole life. I'm 76 and down to 185. Give it a shot you will feel much better.
I’d recommend watching Jay Leno review of the targa 4S - he appreciates what Porsche bring to the table.
Decades ago I read a comparison test of a Carrera and an M3. The latter won in every measurable way. I think it was even lighter.
A current comparison with the newly released M4 would be very interesting. (Regarding weight, for some reason the M4 is considerably heavier than before - 1,800kg.)
You are climbing the leaderboards quietly. Very good work, sir.
I try! Thanks :)
Haha Porsche welcome to the grilling. However your integrity James is priceless.
Porsche's too, as they keep giving him models to try: he does positive-appreciate some of them! :)). He really got the transaxle era cars, for example, which won me over for ever. Porsche coming back to him after criticism, makes me a very happy customer and likely to have another.
I'm looking forward to watch the Cayman vid 🙄👍
He ever post it?
So what if you can't see the fuel gauge 100%... how often do you need to look at it ( just with moving your head a bit) and then a "ping" tone to tell you your getting low....
Jay’s reviews stand out as he has a well developed time honored context. He’s driven and owned everything with high, unwavering standards applied accordingly. He never forgets the best achievements of prior, used, no longer produced cars, but insists the new ones compete against their predecessors, and they don’t.
They do if you're considering an upgrade from old to new
@@JayEmmOnCars true.. but I would never. Hydraulic steering manual trans naturally aspirated 6’s and 8’s as well as screen free dashboards are what keep me up at night.
Nice video. Good honest review.
Far too many RUclipsrs seem afraid to give an honest review for fear of being snubbed by a manufacturer.
Enjoyed that, and shall look forward to the Cayman Vid! 👍
The sound just doesn’t beat the 996 engine for me
Totally agree as a 996 Carrera owner
@@2702simmo one of the best sounding modern porsches IMO mate great choice 👌
I can't wait to hear your 992 GT3 review!
Great review James. The last 911 I owned, a 997.2 C4S, still had classic 911 traits, but ultimately was a bit of a bore. And Porsche completely lost me with the horrid steering feel of the 991 and now the turbo charged 992. My god it sounds like you’re driving a lawn mower. Yes, even a base 911 will run circles around it, but I will stick with the symphony of Ferrari V8 goodness that erupts from my Maserati Gran Turismo. (Great recent review of the GT by the way, you nailed the joy of that car).
I think the 911 is just getting too large, it's amazing how large they have grown if you put an 80's era 911 alongside one of these they look minuscule by comparison, but I would much rather have the old car on a windy UK B road.
like every other car
Your head is getting too large as well
Dude the steering on that car is thought by many to be the best EPS in the market today. Are you sure you are driving a 992?
Great to see you working with Porsche again Jay, I’ve been binging a lot of your videos lately and I have to say you do a fantastic job. I really value your honest and critical style and the high quality footage without any gimmicks or silly graphics. May more success come your way!
I am glad to see your honest review. I hope the T can dial in some of that old school 911 goodness. My 992 test drive left me feeling the same way the same way. The 992 drove me straight to a 981 Spyder
Damn misread the 981 at first and thought you meant 918 spyder, would have been quite a jump
You wonder if Porsche will give up the ghost on trying to separate the gap between cayman and 911 in terms of driving experience, handling and power and just have a overlapping but then I’m sure they would just increase the price of the cayman and make the boxster the entry level. Got a cayman 987 and would like a 911 997.2 but just cannot justify the price difference when compared with the fun factor difference. Anyway can’t wait for part 2 on the cayman
Totally agreed about the visibility (or lack thereof) of the instrumentation. It’s downright stupid that they let so much being obscured by the steering wheel. Same in the Taycan. Cayman GTS is my pick without hesitation.
That registration is just perfect for a base 911.
Although I'd prefer it on a 997.1 manual Carrera 2S, the quintessential modern 911 for me.
I have a manual 997 turbo and a 2.7 Cayman 981 (PDK). Dare I say it, I prefer the Cayman. So nimble, light, great engine sound, and with the PDK, it’s such a fast car.
992s are absolutely huge. More mini-Panamera than sports car, which is why the Cayman wins by a huge margin for me.
So true
I have seen a couple of them in India, and in a country like India, even golf looks like a big car in terms of size and the s 992 I saw felt like a Panamera in our Indian environment and its a shame because it doesn't ooze sports car with that humungous shape
I used to race motorcycles and go-karts. The 992 911 is one of the best 911 ever built. It is the fastest 911 on the racetrack (of any previous 911 base models) Yes it has more room inside as the dimensions of the car got bigger, but has the car is the same weight as the 991 and less weight as the 997!!!?????... so why the size and more comfort is bad while the car is much safer!!!??? The 2021 8speed pdk is more responsive than the old 7 speed. And when Jay acts as the shifts are delayed it is all a lie as I could not duplicate any delayed sifting on any 992 and shifted them 1000s of times. NOT A SINGLE delay at all ever. The interior is a 100% 911 Porsche, as the 911 NEVER BEEN luxurious ever... as a matter of fact this is the most luxurious 911 ever in my opinion. So it seems Mr. big mouth Jay Emm never been a 911 guy. All good as he makes money on trashing the 911.... but trust me... the 911 still one of the best sports car out there in the curves or in the city.... or on the race track. Just watch out for mistaking honesty with a wanna-be car expert... what he is not.
The csyman and boxster are now the sports cars in porsche range. Personally i love the 981 generation of boxster /caymans. The 911 is still great but has just grown a tad too much.
I had a 2021 carrera s for a month on the Porsche Drive program, and I agree with everything he says. Absolutely spot on. My small quibbles are the seats are hellishly uncomfortable for a "smaller, lighter" person like myself, and the pleasure of driving it on a twisty mountain road outweighs all the negatives.
Totally concur with your opinion on dash and interior. 997 cup holders are little works of art. Surprised that the PDK is slower than the 7 speed. Increasingly coming to the conclusion that the 997 may be the definitive modern 911 - cup holders, size and hydraulic power steering.
This is car exactly represents the way European car manufacturers are now positioning their vehicles. If you want the brand image and a safe 8/10ths drive, buy this kind of vehicle. If you want genuine excitement, special driver feedback, then in today's world you have to spend a whole lot more. This makes their high spec models a whole lot more desirable, to justify their pricing.
Thank you for the great video James. I completely agree RE: dark wheels. All subjective, of course, but on most cars I don't get it and think they ruin the car.
Kinda kills the design of the wheel. Especially on wheels with good design like Aventador's Dione wheels.
Agree, I really don't like black wheels. Especially on a dark car as they just get lost. Unfortunately one of my cars came with some aftermarket black alloys fitted. Wondering if I should have them painted.
@@AntoniusTyas agreed and good point. Aside from the impact on the car, many alloys are beautiful in their own right and that gets lost in black etc.
Harsh but fair critique I'm sure. Interiors seem to be the thing letting a few premium brands down right now. Such a shame this Porsche didn't live up to expectations. Hopefully, they'll take the feedback on board and implement it in future revisions 🤞
I owned and drove a 997.2 C2S daily for over 5 years and now I own a manual 992 C2S. Some of your complaints I agree with, the cup holder and outer instruments especially. Owning a manual I can’t really comment on the PDK other than to observe it’s my understanding that pulling a paddle puts it in manual anyway. But the interior, it’s light years ahead of the 997/991 generations including the tech. Finger marks are simply not an issue on the screen, the way it integrates systems is generally good. If you do want to clean the screen a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth fixes that in 10 seconds.
Quite how you got that exhaust noise is beyond me, my non-PSE car sounds nothing like that. It’s fine although I must say we don’t have the GPF in the US which does help. The styling, yes a 997 still looks great but the 992 rear end to me is fantastic in the flesh. The way the rear window runs down into the rear vents is really well done, it manages to be 911 and modern at the same time, and that ‘911’ badge is an option. You can delete it if you want too. Steering, not quite as much feel as a 997 but you always know what’s happening up front and it’s got heaps more grip than earlier cars.
After saying all that it’s all just opinions. I would suggest though that you live with a manual C2S for a week, do the shopping in it, go to the footie, do all the normal everyday things as well as a couple of weekend cross country blasts. That may change your mind on a few things.
I love the license plate on the base model Carrera: 'A 911". 😄
I really like the new 911. I think it's one step ahead of the previous generations. That's my opinion about this car. Had the opportunity to see it in person, and i will admit, i loved it.
Fair enough on a lot of this but complaining that the gearbox defaults back to auto after using the paddles? This is like every modern car. If you want pure manual put it in manual mode otherwise typically you're just wanting a situational gear shift then back to normal. My 2008 Range Rover doesn't have paddles and will stay in manual mode if you shift it on the lever and I kind of hate it because I have to flip it over to D and back to S really fast to get it to go back to automatic sport.
7:13
Surrounded by a moat of rubbish. Had me dyinggg
I like how you assessed the 992. There's one thing that if it meets the criteria of if it being a great sportscar, but there's also another criteria of if it embraces its identity of being a great 911 or not. Curious to see you drive the 992 GT3 - would the steering feel be much improved over the 'regular' 992 and would the double wishbone suspension setup dramatically improve the front-end...
Jayemm been binge watching SavageGeese. Thats SavageGeese levels of honesty which i love but manufacturers don't.
Completely agree with your opinions on interior & (rear) exterior styling. After decades of Porsche ownership, it's time for me to move on. Cheers!
I saw a 992 today and it had the GT aero package on it. I like the rear of the base car, but the aero kit definitely improves it (largely cos of the wing)
I was on the list for a cayman 4.0 having been driving a 981s for a couple of years and wanting to stay with the flat 6 engine, Then I drove one. It just has too much power and is too unforgiving for normal U.K. driving and I didn’t feel comfortable in it for being able to drive it every day. So you’d need to get a run around car too, I then drove a 911 base with almost no options on it, 4200 miles on the clock, no PSE no chrono, nothing and fell completely in love with it, and promptly bought it on the spot; 1000 miles in and my love just grows. You can pootle around in it, go the garden centre, shops, etc but also have a hoon around if you want. Plus yes 2 small humans can just about fit in the back. I dreamt since I was 7 years old to own a 911, now my dream has arrived and I’m thrilled to bits. These motoring you tubers don’t live in the real world like most people. Most people would absolutely love any 911/992 even a chance to drive one let alone own one. Just like me.
Couldn't agree more. It highlights how out of touch this guy is with reality that he doesn't rate the 992...
Problem is that the 992 has become too much of a GT car - it almost wants to be a Bentley Continental GT. 991 was a lot more sports car like - especially in the 2 and 2S versions and 996/7 much more nimble and pointy. Be interesting to see what you make of the Cayman with that engine!
Fine by me, I want it to be a GT car
Jay - excellent review, thank you. I think the 911 (whether it be by design or by accident), is as you say - evolving into a GT. Forget for a moment the poor execution of the interior. Doesn’t it make sense though? The cayman/boxster’s problem has always been the lack of legacy and thus the lack of connection to the diciples-unto-sycophants who have revered the 911 for decades (sometimes for very good reason, but sometimes devoid of objectivity). As the years go by (and the boxster enters its 26th model year), the opportunity for a meritocracy emerges. And the older set - who are more prone to be captured by nostalgia- will undoubtedly prefer the 911. But as the core buyer demographic ages, let the 911 move aside and be the comfort option for a 70 year old guy. Let the Cayman/Boxster assume the center stage as the flagship sports car, with all the best power plants. This - hopefully- has started w the 4.0 liter.
Silly- the 992 is simple design perfection and drives like a dream.
@@atlasrex - when I think of a sports car I never associate that with driving like a dream....that would be the way I’d describe a luxury car
………” let the 911 move aside and be the comfort option for a 70 year old guy….?”
How about 74 and HELL YES !!
Not sure what the paddle shift delay was all about….but in my 2023 C2, it’s absolutely immediate…..touch and go…..and it’s simply glorious.
When you get old, grouchy and tired of “rowing”, this 911 with some logical options ( sport Chrono, extended range tank, adaptive cruise, 14 way seats, sport exhaust…..slap some Agate Grey paint on it and beige interior ) is a marvelous way to get to Bingo night at the mortuary…..!!
Enjoy the hell out of your GT4 Cayman……and keep “wondering” when you see that poor old “bare bones” 911 CARRERA every time you pull up next to one !
Amazed they let you back for a second visit ! Has this approach secured your 991 GT3 slot ? A good review of the base car - although who buys a base car ?
I did!
I am an Aston person, just to set the scene. I also enjoy your reviews. However I have watched a few of your reviews of the 992, and I think you are being dogmatic. You know it is a brilliant advancement, you realise it has a fabulous engine, you love the speed; you even love the ride, you repeat the same criticisms, re the centre console without admitting that the manual button will of course soon be learnt by muscle memory so can be done without looking. The gear selector is so rarely used on the console it is not an issue that the cup holder is in the way, if you have a cup in it. I agree the cup holder is poor. I have ultimately come to the conclusion you really like the 992 you just don't want to admit it. You also forget to mention it is blisteringly quick, in most of its forms. we all appreciate older versions of cars; just consider a 60's or 70's English sports car of most makes, they are much more fun to drive, but if you want the state of the art you progress you don't replicate, ultimately progress has shown you loose feel for performance, because these modern engines are so powerful that without a lot of assistance most people couldn't drive them well. If you want pure feel buy a Morgan or a Caterham and save a lot of money! Just saying! I still enjoy your videos so keep going and I will keep watching. PS I bought the DB11 volante, not sure what your ultimate conclusion was on that car, something wrong with the look of the rear I think, I love the look of the rear by the way..🙂 as mine is one of the last ones so higher HP.
Nicely done. Look forward to the Cayman GTS video.
In summary then - run out and buy an older 911 before everyone realizes the new one isn’t worth it.
997’s are still a bargain, and imho the best 911 to get.
I obsessed and shopped for a 997 for 2 years. Sadly through the process I found that they are actually not that great and certainly not a bargain. 997.1 has ims bearings and an interior thats absolutely disintegrates for no reason. 997.2 is far better but easily twice the price and still slower than a lightly modded WRX sti unless you're buying a turbo or gt3 or something which still sell for 80k or more on a 10 year old car that even a 5 year old corvette destroys. I bought a kia stinger. Its faster than my dads 991 carrera 4s and his door panels are falling off at 26k miles. Fun.
@@BrandoDrum 997.1’s don’t really have IMS issues (dual row bearing in all but the first couple of thousand engine builds). They can suffer from bore-scoring, but it’s not common.
Disintegrating interior? Never heard that said about a 911 before, ever. The 997.2 is the same interior in fact, just has an updated centre console.
A WRX is faster? Oh boy...
@@I999-g2s umm, I guess you've never sat in a 997.1. There's a soft touch coating on the hvac buttons, the dash and center console that gums up and flakes off something disgusting. People spend hundreds of dollars getting the hvac buttons replaced and wrapping the center console. Also, the IMS issue is far worse than you stated. Plenty of info on this its far more than 1000 cars, its actually somewhat random after 2005 what ims bearing the engine had and the dual row still failed regardless and couldn't be proactively replaced without disassembling the entire engine. And yes, oh yes a modded sti is absurdly faster. 997 gearing is too tall and they only make 350 hp and less than 300 ft lbs of torque and they actually weigh the same. My 2005 wrx non- sti literally pulls past my dads 2015 C4S in nearly every situation except high speed high g turns.
Oh boy, here we go.
Soft touch buttons that become sticky with age - that’s what you were calling a disintegrating interior? Yes, the buttons are replaceable, not a significant job. No centre console wrapping is required.
As for IMS failures on the dual row bearing engines, I’ve been following the Rennlist 997 forum for many years now (ever since I got a 997.1), and I have only seen posts about bore scoring issues. The IMS issue is well understood to be limited to earlier single row bearing engines.
Tall gearing? Iirc sixth is about 25 mph/1000rpm, that’s not long at all.
Lacking in torque? Sure, compared to a turbo car, maybe. But the whole point of an NA engine is the wonderful build-up of power all the way to the redline. I’m always impressed by how tractable my 997 is, and even if I change up at 3500rpm, I’m easily well ahead of all the traffic.
I bought a 2008 STI new, and was so underwhelmed, that I spent a small fortune modifying it. I was trying to get to the spectacular performance of my 1998 v5 STI (that I had before I left the UK), but I soon realized that the third generation platform was essentially devoid of all the rally inspired magic of the gen 1 and gen 2 cars. In those earlier versions STI meant a blueprinted engine and various chassis upgrades that really separated them from the regular models. By gen 3, it was clear that STI was more of a marketing exercise.
I live outside the city, surrounded by some very twisty roads, some with long sweeping turns connected with modest straights. The STI was good, but it wasn’t until I drove a standard 996 on these roads that I realized what a real sports car feels like. Back in the UK, I could see-off any 911 (except a turbo), in my STI, and I really didn’t understand what all the 911 fuss was about. But when I finally drove a friend’s car, I was suddenly aware, acutely so.
My 997 has some options (x51, pccb), but the balance, the NA engine, the insane traction out of turns, the steering feedback and the brakes - all set it apart from just about anything else I have driven (except for my 991.2 GT3), it’s just amazing for the money.
Yes, my wife could probably keep up with me on the straights, modern turbo charged cars have amazing performance, but that just misses the point of these cars.
Few 911’s have had anything like the horsepower of their contemporaries, but in-period, they have all outshone them. Countless EVO magazine articles have favoured the 911 over and above other competitors, not because they had more power or were faster in a straight line, but because of the overall performance of the 911 architecture.
My 997 is 15 years old, but the quality is outstanding - not a squeak or rattle from the interior, the leather is way higher quality than in my Audi and has lasted very well, the plastics aren’t spectacular, but certainly very good. Almost every part of the car feels like a high quality product. Despite the age, my HVAC buttons have not become sticky, and everything works great.
The gear change is a let-down, with fifth gear feeling like it’s located somewhere in the passenger footwell, this is probably due to age/wear, but I will be installing a short shift.
I have a few other interesting cars, but even compared to the GT3, the 997 is by far the biggest “bang for the buck” and an amazing overall package.
Take your dad’s 997, find some interesting, twisty, undulating roads and get a feel for what a thoroughly engineered bespoke sports car chassis feels like. Hopefully, your fingers won’t stick to the heater controls.
@@I999-g2s my dad has a 991 preceded by a 2015 cayman S. His 2015 carrera has door panels that are warping and have a massive gap between the glass, you can see the wires and such walking up to the car. And thats a very common problem on that generation and the car is 6 years old....Great sports cars sure but I guess I prefer torque and shorter gearing and more durable build quality. I live in NC and have extremely twisty roads to visit in the mtns which is my main motivation for having a sports car and found the cayman and 911s gearing is just so tall it was not fun and quite slow through the twisty sections. I'd heed the point that 911s are well developed for track driving with longer high speed turning and straights. 911 owners love 911s thats why they own them. But having driven them and seeing the interior issues I just have a different opinion that plenty of folks share. It also comes a lot down to value for money too. Sure, P cars are great but even used they are just waaay too expensive for what they are. Carrera and cayman owners gotta have a miata-like mentality of "its the feel not the speed" which is true for many but the low sales volumes tell the story more clearly. A slow overpriced sports car thats outpaced by cheaper competitors doesn't sway as many buyers as you might think. Glad you're happy though for sure.
Thank you for this honest review. I have a 991.1 and got really excited about the 992 from all the pre-release reviews. When my dealership brought it around for the launch and I saw it in person and heard the engine I was completely disappointed. The car seems to have lost any remaining soul it had going into this update. My request for a 911 T would be remove all active suspension take the turbos off and sell it for 85K US. Do something in the spirit of the original 911 T. If the engine only has 300 or so horsepower in that configuration I would absolutely love it. My base model Carrera is already way too fast.
Can I also request removal of power steering in a 911 T model. A girl can dream
That actually sounds brilliant! I’d add that to my 996tt cab.
I love the 992 interior , but if I could have any “non gt” modern 911 I would have a 997 c2s manual
This is the first time I've ever heard anyone say a Porsche interior is bad
That dashboard, especially around the glove box area, looks like something out the 80's. That's fair enough in an 80's Toyota or Audi, and I realise taste is subjective, but I think it looks terrible in here. And you're right about the mess that is the back end, in fact, I don't like any of them with the light bar across the back. Might just have to stick with my Fiesta Style 1.25.
Honest review! I really wished more journalists were like you!!
Is that suspension on the Cayman, the PASM "option" to raise it 10mm from the GTS default, or the default Sport PASM that's 20mm lower than a standard Cayman?
It's the option +10mm
@@JayEmmOnCars Thanks, looking forward to watching Part 2!
I traded in an older 911 for a 997.2 and then a 997.2 GTS - all to try and get the same feeling I had from the older 911. Both failed and just couldn't excite me at all. I so want to like the 992 but fear I will just be bored again but what else is there in a similar category? Aston = awful interior. BMW M8 perhaps?
The new 992 is a thrill to drive. Even the base is everything anyone would need in a sports car. the upgraded engine versions are just taking it up a notch. Drive one and you'll see for yourself.
This guy is just used to crazy performance cars. The 992 base is a dream car for most
Thanks as always for your honesty.
I like the new beefier look of the 911, BUT I HATE that turbo squeeeeeeeel, so I think if they made a narrow ultra lightweight version & got rid of the turbo charging, even with much less horsepower, it could be a very sought after item & be collectible.
What a goofball. The car is simply magic on every level. Cup holder works just fine and in fact has spring loaded levers inside to keep his chocolate extra large milkshake from McDonald’s from ending up in his lap.
The car steers amazingly - and it feels attached to the road - like a slot car. The interior build quality is perfect- leather everywhere, seams perfect, simple design - but just enough knobs and buttons to make it simple to teach the car why you want it to do.
Brakes - perfect. Paint perfect. The overall exterior upgrade is genius. Clearly it is still a 911 that carries that nostalgic facial characteristics of the great great great grandfather but also looks modern and elegant at the same time.
I owned a 1970 911 T targa 50 years ago and I just bought and took delivery of the same model effectively last week- the 2021 992 Targa 4 and I also own a Panamera with the seven speed pdk. This new 911 still feels like that 911 from 50 years ago but stronger snd better built and insanely faster. The thrill of smashing down the pedal is nothing but awe inspiring and in a car with a stated 385 hp? It shows 414 on a dyno and is faster than turbos of just a few years ago.
I think he is upset that the car weighs less than he does - and is likely very different than his Toyota Prius.
His negative opinion is just one out of literally hundreds of reviews of the 992 on RUclips that proclaim the 992 as marvelous car with wonderful design and top notch build quality.
Drive one yourself to nderstsnd what a goofball this fellow is and how wrong he is in regards to this spectacular car. No doubt being a rather large dinosaur 🦕 he really laments the demise of manual transmissions like some cowboys were against pulling a wagon with a horse 100 years ago.
And this new 8 speed PDK is fantastic - the first thing every friend that drives my 992 Targa says is how fast snd perfect the transmission feels - a quality they had never felt in any other car.
He is trying to make a name by being negative/-
Any 911 after 997 are simply too big, especially for British roads, I love my 996.1 and 987.1 Boxster S, small and compact with so much driver involvement on the road and on track 👍
Maybe they’re saving the manual for a 911T ? I literally typed this seconds before you said it in the vid at the end ~21 mins in
I have never heard of this channel, but as soon as you showed up and started speaking, I immediately trusted you and this review. Lol.
Great video, I ended up buying a 991.2 pre GPF GTS for many of the reasons you state. I like the styling in the flesh to be honest but only with the sport design package, that rear is a mess otherwise. I love the seats and it feels bigger in there to me but that’s where it stops, I hate the dash.
The only negative about my 992 2s is the creaking noise that the plastics make. It was not very well put together. I disagree about the manual gearbox and the paddles work very well and love how they revert to auto after inactivity. I would NEVER go for manual gearbox as this is my daily drive.
James, love your down to earth honesty on your car reviewing. It must be difficult being objective in these days.
Look I love 911, particularly what it stood for.
Porsche, heres two tips:
Reduce the size and mass off the base models.
Otherwise James, well done and thank you.
Thanks James for this comparison. Excellent review as always!
This has come at the right time for me (spooky) as i am looking at just these two models and it has shone a new light on some of the issues I have been wondering about. Not being able to test drive at the this time, This review has given me enough to put my purchase on hold until I can get a drive.
Thoroughly enjoy your reviews. Cheers.
Glad to help!
Good review! JAY any chance of a review of the 992 Carrera 4s ..? against the 992 base carrera,
Loving the complaints as it matches mine's, those cup holders, what are they thinking?
Although the sad thing about the 992 is Porsche seem to making it as a GT car for the lesser models, maybe they should make a 928 for the GT role and keep the 911 as is
Great honest review. The 4.0 GTS will be the better car but the 40+ year olds will still buy the 911 those in their 30s go for Caymans
that's simply because you can't afford a 4.0gts until you're at least in your 40s and that's if you're extremely lucky. Porsche has become like Rolex, it's nice but it doesn't keep time better than cheaper models and is basically a pure fashion statement. Your money is best spent elsewhere if you want a faster better car.
@@BrandoDrum there are a few people in their 30s who can buy a gts a 34 YO I know just dropped 100k on a 718gt4...
lots of hidden money around...
Older generations are 911 snobs younger accept the cayman is a better layout and porsche consistently holds it back, be interesting to see when the GT4 RS comes out how off the leash they allow it to go
@@stu4181 Er, I'm in my 40's and have a GTS 4.0. Take your stereotypes and shove them.
@@DivideBYZero69 Great point eloquently made 🙏
Proper keyboard warrior here 🤣
Fucking pathetic mate. Catch yourself on.
@@stu4181 Can't hear you over the sound of my 4.0. :P
Sadly, my only takeaway from this was that he ultimately disliked both cars and is hoping the Jaguar Type F will pleasantly surprise him. In my experience, my 2017 911 Carrera S Cabriolet is a superbly handling vehicle (especially with the Michelin tires) that performs like it's on rails, especially on curvy roads. Additionally, I don't think you actually need to shift the car into "M"anual mode via the button. At least on my 2017 simply hitting the shifters automatically takes the car into manual mode. The Sport Chrono also has a tremendous impact on driving performance. You can be doing 50+MPH and depending on if you are in Ordinary, Sport, or Sport Plus mode, find yourself in 2nd, 3rd, or 6th gear, with the paddle shifters doing the work. As I'm considering purchasing a new 911 4S coupe or a 911 GTS or potentially getting another Cayman (my previous 718 Cayman base was fantastic and the mid-engine experience made the car even easier to drive on challenging roads than the 911, but I really wanted a convertible and back seats for the grandsons or our bulldogs), I really can't take any helpful advice from this video, which is a shame. If that's all I had to go by, I'd eschew buying a Porsche altogether and miss out on one of the best driving series of sports cars available.
I'd happily take one in that spec plus possibly the sports chrono.
Every RUclips reviewer has used this white 911,Still Going Strong 💪
Ahh, this is part one only. I only realised when the video ended without a Cayman review. Damn you JayEmm for keeping me in suspense! 😄
Welp, there goes your relationship with porsche 😂. Great review james
I'd take a base Cayman. It's more Porsche than any other car in their lineup.