Hi there
Guys a little more time now.
For me what makes the 911 in particular stand out from any other car I've driven / owned is by far communication and feedback the car gives.
A perfect example is this was a recent trackday I did with an aquaintence in an EVO 8 FQ-400, we'd previously done a track day together in the dry and to be frank the 911 was faster everywhere bar acceleration between 50-90mph. Under braking, corner entry, mid corner and corner exit the 911 was carrying more speed. It was only at full acceleration at speeds between 50-90mph where the EVO would pull 1-2 car lengths, but beyond 100mph the 911 quickly re-gained those 1-2 car lengths and passed, into three digits the 911 was simply much quicker. Overall the 911 was a good few seconds per lap faster, enough that in the dry once I was past, it did not take long for me to disappear.
We then went to Donnington again, I took a gamble of going on my semi slicks hoping the weather would remain dry, it did not, the heavens opened and my 2-3mm Michelin cups were not the right choice maybe. So I expected him to destroy me, but to our surprise it was not the case. Of course this time there was not much in it, the only real place I was quite a bit quicker was under braking again, anyone who has owned a 911 will know that there is no car better under-braking, as you can brake so late and hard with no stability issues (in a straight line) due to the rear engine layout. But even corner speeds I had a marginal edge, corner exit the EVO had an advantage being AWD. But again once I was past I was pulling away slowly and by 2-3 laps I had pulled the pit straight full length.
The difference was, I was tired, sweating and concentrating like crazy, but the 911 communicated the grip levels to me beautifully, to a point where I could drive the car right upto the grip limit, if I'd have gone marginally quicker, I'd have run wide, maybe spun etc. The 911 just gives you the communication and confidence to drive to that limit, keep it smooth and it just comes together but it takes a lot of concentration and effort on the drivers part, the engagement is truly superb. Whereas in the EVO it was just well so much easier, to do and the grip levels could not be felt, simply drive too them and beyond as it won't bite you so bad anyway.
For me this is what makes the 911 so much win, because the steering, feedback and communication from the chassis is second to none, plus the car is very rewarding and even scary at times when just driving at 7/8 tenths, its a lot of fun. Whereas many other cars have to be driven much harder/faster to get close to the same level of enjoyment. I am not good enough to push the 911 past 9 tenths, but of course they are superb right on the limit too but take a huge amount of skill to keep on the black stuff at that point.
This is why I love the 911, I am always coming back for more and it is why I am still keeping held on to it, because it is so damn good at everything, road, track, dry, wet it can do it all to an exceptional level whilst being completely awe-inspiring. No other car has kept me so hooked.
The downsides are running cost, potential problems from the engine, throttle response could be better, but this is why I rate a 911 over a Cayman/Boxster, because the 911 is the faster car, even when power is similar, the difference is most can drive a Cayman at 9/10 tenths because its an easier better balanced car. The 911 is a lot more challenging, but those who have the skill can pedal them quicker than a Cayman etc. as the chassis setup from the 911 can simply provide more grip, resulting in more corner speed.
Having a stripped M3 and it does make me wonder how amazing a stripped Carrera would be, I can only imagine my Carrera S 150kg lighter with a bit more power, it would be absolutely mind boggling good, but at the same time would also ruin and de-value a very expensive car, trust me I nearly did it and then I came to my senses and stopped having stupid thoughts.
Everyone should aim to own a 911 at somepoint, it is just a shame Porsche reliability record on the older 996/997's is not great, which is a shame because most will tell you that the 997.2's and onwards lost a little something, especially on the Carreras. Of course the bonus is the 997.2's have much better engines finally.
The M3 is an awesome track weapon, well once it is finished, but dry use only, it won't be bad in the wet when its done, but it will never have the 911's ability or an EVO's in wet conditions, that's just an M3 for you. Neither will an M3 ever be as communitive or engaging, especially on the road. The M3 I have to drive much quicker on the road to get the same enjoyment, unless of course its wet, then I can simply go round roundabouts at 20mph sideways.
One other thing the 911 has as do most Porsches, is the soundtrack, it is so mechanical and awesome inside the cabin, it really is, to those on the outside its not the best, but inside, simply awesome. For a truly involving driving experience which is utterly fantastic I am yet to find a car which comes close, yes there are faster cars, better sounding cars but as a driving experience and a car which can handle all weathers and be used daily, I don't know a better sports car.
