Driving Impressions: New 911 S vs. Z

2011 Nismo#91

Someone should compare a Mercedes G class to the Z next time.

Porsche's are great cars I just hate the massive list of options. The 911S is 90K base but there are about 60k in options available. Same goes for the more expensive models you'd be hard pressed to find one with little to no options.

Compdoc777

If I am going to drop 100k it's going to be on the GTR.

I smoked a 911 Carrara 4s.

If you want to compare a Z to the 911 then compare the Nismo which has performance in mind and not the base or sport.

Of course the price difference even in the Cayman you can have upgrades that will not only put the Z on the same performance level, but surpass it.

To me if I am going to spent a ton on performance ill just get the best they have and go with the GTR and call it a day.

Tazicon

If you own a Z you understand that you don't always buy a car to be the fastest on the road. GTRs are fast cars but they are not a Porsche.

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nicknick

Oh for goodness sake, get over it, Porsches are good just not worth the money you pay for them. you are paying so much more just for brand cache. The GTR is an awesome car for reasonable money, although it could look better. Having said that the 911 is not exactly a beauty queen either.

RoshDawg

Just wondering, have you driven a GTR? have you driven a 991? Normally people who pass judgment as much as you have normally never driven such a car before.

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| EVO X MR | '11 WRX STI | 370Z SPRT | 911 (991) C2S |

bigdog1250

You're missing the point of why the 911 is so good. Yes the GTR is faster, but it's much less of a drivers car and less engaging = not as much fun.

Also, what did you smoke a 4S in? Surely not the Z. I'm telling you this new 991 model is ridiculous.

I'm assuming you're new to the Z scene otherwise you'd know the Nismo is basically a Sport package with a bodykit and exhaust... Albeit a sexy body kit

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350z / 40th 370z / C6 Z06 / BMW M4 / V10 R8 / C7 Grand Spot / 997.1 GT3 / S2K / Camaro ZL1 / 718 GTS / 991.2 GT3

cossie1600

That's pretty much how it works in the "luxury" brand. I recently bought a Lexus and the MSRP was $9K over the base price due to all the options

Cmike2780

I think it's hard to quantify something as subjective as "feel". I personally like the way the Z drives. I also liked how my old RX-8 drove...and having the chance to drive a Ferrari F430 was a blast for a whole host of different reasons. The 911 is far from perfect. It's an engineering marvel for taming a car with an engine positioned behind the back wheels, but I still think the best formula for a road going sports car is front engine & rwd/awd. The new F12 comes to mind.

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cossie1600

The new Carrera S has 400HP

cossie1600

another time I raced the car I had to throw my air Jordan on the passenger floor as the pedals were too close for my shoes

UNKNOWN_370

My father in law just bought a boxster. He got a little sports car envy from my Z and had to buy what he thought would be better than my car. A used boxster. lol. Thats how he is. He does it to his own kids. His other son in law bought an F-250. He sold his truck and bought an F-350 king ranch 6 months later. Just throwing that in there...
That said, porsche's are awesome... These new introductions are way too advanced for the Z to be compared. One thing about the Z though. They are going for this hybrid, sports car/muscle car mix. The porsche is more like sports car/semi exotic mix. The Z tries to match performance and capabilities on track. I think they kinda neglect the refinements in order to give you a functional package at low cost.
Right now, I'd be happier if they can at minimum match this motors power on a turbo 4 and give us the on paper stats of the newer porsche. If we lose some refined feel? so be it. My expectations from a sub $40k car aren't that high...

But this is one of the best reviews I've read thus far. some are right in saying driving the cayman is a closer comparo. But it's nice knowing that the Z can still be exciting to someone who drove the end all be all to road sports cars sub 100k.

RoshDawg

I actually have a 991C2S custom order coming in November. I'll be posting lots of pics and driving impressions (already test drove 3 times ) but I do agree with everything you said. Truly is a unbelievable car. I don't recommend for anyone to test drive one though, because they will never consider any car brand again besides Porsche. Even worth the 20k more than the GTR in my humble opinion. Cannot WAIT to get mine.

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| EVO X MR | '11 WRX STI | 370Z SPRT | 911 (991) C2S |

UNKNOWN_370

Congrats on the upcoming new ride. Can't wait for pics and review. I wish i could afford a porsche. Maybe one day, i'll get a used one?

gymtime

I've owned a 370Z (all options) for 4 years and just test drove a 2013 Carrera S. You can't even compare the cars, the Porsche is on a whole different level, but of course it's also more expensive.

911: Felt light and nimble, when put in Sport Plus mode the sound was amazing, felt noticeably quicker than the Z, visibility much better, interior quality makes the Z look like Fisher Price, and I felt really at one with the car. Basically it's a supercar and feels like one.

Z: Still a quick car for it's class but the driving experience feels like I'm in a heavy submarine compared to the 911

The options pricing are high on the Carrera S though. Base is $97k but with all of the upgrades you'll be up to $150k+. I'm ordering mine with PDK, Chrono, sport steering wheel, suspension, PDLS, sat radio, and platinum wheels and should be around $109k MSRP. I really don't care about all that fancy extra stuff - I'm buying the car for one reason, to drive it.

Conclusion: The Z is an excellent, fun, fast sports car for its price range. It was the best sports coupe I've driven since the 911 but once you drive the 911 you'll quickly realize all of the imperfections of the Z.

lemon-fresh

damn that's expensive. You could buy a new viper for that price.