Porsche 911 992 Carrera vs Cayman GTS 4.0L Review - Is The 911 Still King? (Part One) 

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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 !

Probably the most relevant car comparison video I’ve ever seen on RU-vid.

I love the pointing out of the interior niggles. 'moat of rubbish' was gold

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?

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 ?

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.

Lol basically everything everyone else likes about the car you hate. I love the honesty. Thanks for the vids.

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.

So now not only Lotus and McLaren hate him Porsche does too. Great hat trick.

I love the 992 interior its cool and functional almost military

Haha Porsche welcome to the grilling. However your integrity James is priceless.

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.

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.

The sound just doesn’t beat the 996 engine for me

I’d recommend watching Jay Leno review of the targa 4S - he appreciates what Porsche bring to the table.

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.

Nice video. Good honest review. Far too many RU-vidrs 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 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.

You are climbing the leaderboards quietly. Very good work, sir.

I love the license plate on the base model Carrera: 'A 911". 😄

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.

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!

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Welp, there goes your relationship with porsche 😂. Great review james

James, this was both hilarious and insightful. Insightful because I was indeed wondering, ‘this or the 1983 928 GTS manual? The 2005 Cayman S?’ ...and you went right at that question. Hilarious because I’m wondering if Porsche marketing UK have Stockholm syndrome where you’re concerned. Are you their “ah kan’t quit yew” boyfriend who trashed their best and they keep coming back for more? As an owner, you are my absolute favourite on Porsche and huge respect to them for understanding what your channel and approach are about. We have a Tesla 3 and aspire to one day have the Taycan or some other high performance pure Porsche in the daily driveway next to the classic. Cheers for yet another can’t-miss review.

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.

997 Cup holders = art

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 have never heard of this channel, but as soon as you showed up and started speaking, I immediately trusted you and this review. Lol.

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 RU-vid 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/-

I cannot afford both of them but now I feel reassured, I know which one I would get in my hypothetical world

Thanks as always for your honesty.

Excellent review. Thorough and fair. Looking forward to the GTS review, which I'm sure will completely run rings around the 911.

Just get a 993. Job done. New 911s: too wide/too expensive/too much tech to go (very) expensively wrong. Love the vids though! Cheers from Neil in locked-down Kent! Can't wait for the pub to open.

The louvers on the rear are super cool... there are 9 each side and No 11 in red... Get it?

Python Green is amazing.

Another item for the comparison list: mid-engined vs rear-engined. The Cayman looks to be a good buy.

You might want to check with the dealer. The "better" sport mode is likely achievable with a chrono pack or something. They should have not given you a base 911, it's a bad idea in general to do that as people are going to complain about everything. They probably thought you'd make a "which one would rather I buy" type of video, or "this one is practical and that one is pure driving". Not shitting on the 911 individually :D thanks for the honesty!

I went Boxster- Cayman S -Boxster -Macan and then a 992 S I’m more than happy.

The S models with rear wheel steering are head and shoulders above the Cayman but also head and shoulders more expensive.....the biggest complaint I have with the 992 is the awful whistle it creates between 40 and 60 mph.... the Cayman does feel more like a “sports car”, though.

I hope Porsche puts this engine in a 992 variant at some point. A 992 “T” with the 4.0 engine from the cayman and a manual wouid be pretty cool

I'd take a base Cayman. It's more Porsche than any other car in their lineup.

The title should have been rag on 992 with occasional references to the GTS 718s superiority

I actually really like the 992 styling, but I feel like they've made it a little bit too...sensible. Also I'm ok with the crappy little shifter, if they use the space for other stuff, but they haven't so it seems a really odd choice- there's enough space for a full size one there. As a 981CS owner there's nothing here that would make me "upgrade" so I'll be very interested to see the next video with the GTS- the 981 looks nicer for me, sounds epic and doesn't need more performance. Road noise is by far its biggest weakness so if that's bad in the 911 we know the 718 won't be better.

At the end James is discussing a wish list for the ideal 992 which could become the next Carrera T. Keep your fingers crossed. I wouldn't bet on a mechanical limited slip as even the GT cars use electronic LSD these days.

When you start the video with ... "I don't want this to be a 992 bashing exercise ....."

Can't knock the review, the only thing to bear in mind with the modern 911 is there are about 2 million model variations, so you will find one that you like.

U git the Rab C Nesbitt look down to a T whaaaaaaaa 😆😆😆✌😎😎🍀☘🍀☘🍀

"Moat of rubbish" I love your turn of phrase

Love the honesty in your reviews, something that has been missing for years from them. To me this is the best looking 911 for ages. Love the look now and I'm not a Porsche fan at all. From the inside though the continuation of shit dashboards and centre consoles is unforgivable, they are always devoid of any aesthetic appeal. I'm with you James on the silver wheels. Electrification of steering has ruined most modern day cars. I jump back in my 2009 vantage and it feels alive.

Have to disagree Jay - I have a base 992 as my daily (confess I've never driven the older Porsches) but its excellent, and a different animal in sport mode. Granted - i have alot of extras - With sport chrono pack .. wheels & exhaust system. The gear lever grows on you long term - its genius !!! (I hated at first) you don't even have to look at it for slow manoeuvring flicking it back and forth when parking etc ..

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.

You know its a good car when most of the nitpicks are absolutely ridiculous points

I like the new exterior design of the 911, but the engine sounds like a wet fart when you cane it. The cup holder is simply unforgiven, looks like a after marked Halfords thingy. Look forward to the Cayman review. Cheers

Im very glad you like our cars👌

Things I don't understand: No manual for base 911 Carrera. Why? Just... why? It could have been a cheaper entry point to 911.

You're killing at man. Quick question, where does your £50k go? No need for rear seats. I'm thinking 718 Cayman S.... what do you think? Would a £50k R8 V8/10 be better? It'll get fairly light use - maybe 500 miles per month.

It is surprising how your reviews done seem to chime with other reviews of the same cars. Please don’t take that as a criticism, it’s just an observation. Up to the consumer to read between the lines.

Jay, have you been hanging out with Jeremy?

Some great roads around there, always enjoy using them to get to Silverstone or Northampton from further south 👍

Is there a part 2?

JayEmm saving the real sports car for the last drive, the poor man’s Porsche will be my choice without contemplations.

I think we reached 'peak 911' with the 991.1 3.8

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?

The interior of this basic 911 is not so basic: leather/fabric interior, with contrast stitching and leather on top of the dash and doors, is also a very expensive option

I’m with you. The rear is ugly. Small lights make the rear bodywork look way to bulbous.

Isn't this the same 911 as in Harry's Garage?

Yeah the and the exhaust note .. what the heck is that vacuum cleaners are more dramatic

Personally, I am also not sold on the 992 and agree with the perspectives in this video. Engine and exhaust sound, on video at least, also appears non-existent. I was hoping the GT3 may enable me to see the 992 in a different light, but I still don't like how it looks and would take the 991. Maybe it will grow on me over time.

Aaahh... :D Jay talking about styling...looking like a old british woman out of a church on a Sunday :P

When is the Cayman test?

People need honest, real world reviews like this, great job

You look like Hagrid from Harry Potter in that 911.

We all know Porsche are renowned for quality and usability, but really, if I was spending the chunky part of 100k on a car, I'd expect an interior that was a cut above a Golf or new A3. Not impressed at all, it looks no more exciting than a 3 grand Passat!!

Walked through those gates many a time. Great video!

What is this silly stuff about it is too large? Does anyone complain about the Aventador is too large? Or the Bugatti? If they put the 400 plus hp motors in those 911’s from the 1970’s and 1980’s the cars would take flight and would never stick to the ground around corners. Have you seen the tires and rims on a 1970’s 911 compared to the tires and rims on a 992? Compare the top speed and the speed around a skid pad - no comparison. This 992 he dislikes so much would destroy any other base 911 of the last 50 years. It would ruin most of the so- called Turbos of the last fifty years. Porsche builds an amazing base car that is clearly a quantum leap in performance over their past models and this fool says the steering doesn’t wiggle enough in his hands? The 1970 911 T had - 125 hp for God’s sake. Clearly the vast majority of the commentators enjoying his childish review of likely one the best sports car on the planet under $100,000 have never driven a 992 - why? Because every dealer in the United States is sold out completely and every allocation is spoken for through 2022. And he even dares compare any BMW product to this Porsche? The car feels like a scalpel on the road and sounds elegant and serious and it is sincere- no frills inside or out just for cosmetics. The build quality is perfect as well. Then he takes perhaps a single 992’s mechanical issue to vilify the entire brand’s quality. Legendary quality. A brand with one of the highest resell values of any brand despite this rotund fellows attempt to besmirch 50 plus years of unparalleled reputation for quality. This fellow is just mad that he will never own one -

Should I buy a 997 Carrera S? Any owners here who would either recommend or not recommend one?

Roy Lanchester 👍🏻

Bloody hell it sounds like any angry bee.

No matter what Porsche do with the 911 people always find fault with it! When the 991 came out everyone complained because of the electric steering however, here he’s saying the steering was actually better in the 991. Also, that 8 speed pdk has been praised by EVERYONE including Chris Harris (who definitely wont suck up to Porsche) so I really don’t understand why this guy really dislikes the 992

He's right about the fake piffy exhausts.

Jay... where’s the comparison to the Cayman? All you did was talk about the shortcomings of the new 911. I wanted to see the cars compared this is really just a stand alone review of the 911. I think you titled it wrong.

Do you drive the caymen?

Cayman GTS 4.0 best driver car in recent years

Much rather have a decent spec 991.2 Carrara. Looks better and probably drives just as well.

Here in 'Sralya Maate... 992 Carrera £163K vs Cayman GTS 4 £114K... so it's a no brainer really. Joe Average wouldn't tell the difference from the footpath anyways

They’re saving stick for CarreraT ..

And i thought savagegeese can be a harsh critic

"Moat of Rubbish"...someone draw that area and submit it to Blipshift.... ....or just the phrase "Moat of Rubbish"🤣

I'm looking forward to watch the Cayman vid 🙄👍

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.

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

New cars are really, really unappealing.

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.

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.