Was I Wrong? I Revisit Porsche's 991.1 Generation 911 

991.1 is the best non-gt3 911 of the last 20 years.

Driving 991.1 since 8 years I cannot even understand that you did not like it in the first place. It drives magnificent. The interior is by far the best looking 911 up until now and you can even see the reference to the Carrera GT. All in all it is awesome and I find it hard to imagine any new one will ever merge looks and emotion of the 911 in a better way! Cheers!

I think the 991.1 is underrated, sounds phenomenal, normally aspirated, lighter than the 997, my c2s is listed T 1415 kg, I have paddles and find the gearbox intuitive in auto and quick in manual, had a 997 but haven’t driven one for years so steering feel is fine (my is a late 991.1 so perhaps improved), agree about price mine is at Alexander’s Prestige SOR for £77k!!

I own a 991.1 2S and love it. A common upgrade which my car has is the GTSteering wheel with the metal paddle shifters. Cost to upgrade is only £1k including fitting. Values have softened this summer (thanks to the 2022 cost of living crisis and people now having spent all of their covid savings) so low £50s will get you a nice, well equipped 2012/13 Carrera S with 55-70k miles. If you want a garage queen with 30-40k miles you will pay for it, but it won’t be any more reliable or cheap to run than a more used example. The 991.1 is a very reliable car by 911 standards and I cannot recommend them enough.

One of the best generations 911🤩

You can change the « ugly » multifunction steering wheel by the Sport Design Steering wheel with paddles, it was an option on 991.1 (same steering wheel as the 997.2 Turbo you drove).

I've got a 2014 C2S 991.1, purchased in 2018. I think it is a great car. It is firstly the most reliable car I have ever owned. In four years only one sensor has failed. I have it serviced at Porsche and have maintained a warranty. I've done 45K kms in it (28K miles). I have PDK, sports exhaust, sports PASM and a few other bits. Basically it was specified to GTS without the engine power upgrade. I bought it after trying 991 GTS, GT3 and GT3 RS's and the Turbo S (both generations). It was clear to me that the 991 911 was a better than or equal to drivers car than a 458 and the AMG GTs (both of which I tried on track). I use it all the time for all sorts of things, as my main car. In our house we have a CLS63S and a Yaris GR (with track pack). With the 911, I don't use the Yaris. The 911 is much, much more fun. And the Merc is great for a more comfortable longer trip if required. I've got a 992 GTS on order, but I will be very sad about giving the 991.1 up. BTW - I run it on Pzeros, which I like, and I have the other steering wheel (it is much better).

The 991.1 is the best 911 of all time, dude!

It’s the last naturally aspirated generation. Hence the price tag. Only one way to go for a good one of those.

I have one of these..... 991.1 4S. It's a really special thing. Great just pootling around and fantastic when you are on it. Still the best sports car, very practical, reasonable running costs a great looking wide body and a fantastic interior.

Love my 991 S. I affectionately call it the poor man's gt3. Sport exhaust is riveting, and it has the same torque as a gt3. Fantastic naturally aspirated car, one of the best!

I had a 991.1 C2S with pedal shifters. I really liked my car and the NA exhaust notes were really nice.

My dad has this exact spec of car only as a convertible with the sport design steering wheel. A set of PS4S and a proper alignment all around transformed the dynamics, and everything that the heavy folding roof takes away is gained back ten fold in the enjoyment gained from listening to that engine. Absolutely love it.

I have to give you a compliment Jay because I always watch your videos when I see them. Doesnt matter my mood or what I'm doing I can listen in the background if I'm working or enjoy the excellent video editing when I'm free.

I recently moved from a 997.2 to a 991.1 C2S. The PDK is significantly better in the 991 and the interior feels a lot nicer. I also have the steering wheel with the buttons and not the paddles. It is probably one of the ugliest steering wheels out there, but I have got used to the buttons and actually appreciate how little you need to move your hands to change up and down. Looks awful, but works ok when you get used to it

Have to say I really appreciate the honesty and balance in your reviews. With some reviewers I seem to come away either feeling car X is the best thing since sliced bread, or car Y is fundamentally flawed. With you I feel I'm getting an honest appraisal of the pros and cons. Thanks!

Great Spirit and clear content again. Thanks.

Love the sense of humour in the colour scheme😁👍

Great review as always, great car !

Was watching this with bated breath James. Bought my 991.1 c4s 2 years ago. In the 3 years previous had an e63s, XKR and then an M6 comp. Only car I have ever really connected with before was my mx5 about about 20 yrs ago but just love "Otto". Had a few niggles, all covered mainly by warranty and it's the only car I've had which I won't take a bath on when I eventually sell. Have 67k miles, bought at 54k miles and I still regularly just head out for a drive on my tod. Have the Michelins P4s on having replaced p zeros and night and day, just an all round excellent car. Agree with the steering wheel, test drove one witb the buttons and just weird so swerved that one and mine has the sports wheel with the paddles. Appreciate the quality review as always

I have a 2014 C4S with the X51 Power kit 430bhp, I absolutley love it, the noise is so adictive.

Beautiful 911 that was NA. It was overlooked. Cant agree with those stripes, however.

Love the way this car looks that orange is fantastic, the black interior is a little claustrophobic I’d need a lighter colour and a sun roof. Nice video. Keep up the good work.

Nice review and agree with what you say. I drive a 991.1 C4S, my third Porsche and second 991.1, took some time finding one with the right spec. Paddles really are better and a £1k retrofit. I got an X51 car, which meant it came with everything else too. And as options add relatively little to value it seemed a good plan. The glass roof on the 991 is pretty special too if you have a car with a dark interior, or like looking up without having the wind mess up your hair. The last NA Porsche, apart from the GTs, is a thing and probably keep values strong. But these are getting old and bits break, nothing big but it all adds up. But people who can afford £60k can probably pay a couple of grand a year for mending too.

Loved my time in the 991.1 carrera manual ended up putting 138k on the clock never missed a beat and felt tight as a drum . Those tyres need to replaced with pilot 4s 👌🏻👌🏻 such a difference it would make and a slight geo tweak! I only sold mine as I couldn’t find anyone to shorten the ratios in the box

That orange is FANTASTIC. Love it.

Martini stripes on ginger orange body. Who’d thought this be a winning combo. I obviously love it.

The reason these cars are holding value is due to them being the very last of the naturally aspirated cars. From the 2010 997.2 to the 2015 991.1, both have the 3.8 direct fuel injection engine. A mere 5 or 6 years for a production run spanning these two models. As far as I'm concerned they're the sweet spot for 911's. I've owned my 2015 4S Targa for almost 5 years now, and doubt I'll ever part with it.

An R8 manual V10 for only 60k. That sounds like a bargain. Such a great car. I drove the 1st of them when they were just released in Oz. Loved it.

JAMES! All of this Porsche content is treat overload! Will we see any on your partners 986?

Glad to see you corrected yourself. I finally bought the 991.1 C2 S convertible with all 7 buttons which to me means it has all the cool options and it was all of $80k. I love it every day, it took about 8 months to find a yes it’s my 40 year dream to get a silver c2s with black 20s and it just happen to pretty fresh set of pilot sports and new breaks all a bonus. It is getting harder to find a nice 911s with all 7 buttons, just to sports exhaust is close to 5k unless you put it in yourself. Oh yeah probably two months ago I drove my buddies 993 convertible and it’s a stick and I think in my opinion I am tired of shit because I’ve done it my whole life that PK is an awesome thing and electric power steering I don’t feel the difference I don’t really drive high-speed I just drive lots of tight technical roads and it’s perfect in that car stiff I’ll tell you that much enjoy your videos I like that you Dissect a car from different angles pros and cons and then even make a correction when you revisit them.

Great review. My 2012.5 991.1S came with a the sport design steering wheel which has the paddles but I honestly almost never use them. The pdk is pretty excellent even at the track.

Jay, you need to review a 991.2 - tuned (with over 500 bhp). Turbo feel - yes; but better in every other way. The turbo torque is addictive too.

That orange paint is very pretty

Colour with those graphics is completely unacceptable. Makes an expensive car look cheap and that’s not easy well done…….

I have a 991.1 S 2012. It has paddles 🤷🏼‍♂️ I adore it 😊

J you’re making happy that I ended up w a 997.1 2S man box w X51 pak. Same power as this, less weight w three pedals makes for a lively car 👍

Definitely possible to retrofit a better wheel - the one from the 9x2 gen works just fine. No idea of the cost but a previous owner fitted a 718 wheel to my 981CS and it's a game changer. Talking of the 981CS, can't think why I'd pay twice as much for the 991 over that. On the price though, always worth considering that even though the list price is technically the same as that R8 so you'd still need the cash up front to get one. However, by the time you sell it you've probably actually spent half as much on everything including depreciation, that's a better way to measure car cost- hence a £15k E60 M5 is not the same price as a £15k Hyundai i30, it's about 14x the price really (if it was as cheap to own as an i30, then it wouldn't have depreciated at all!).

That orange is gorgeous and those Martini stripes are rather fitting on the orange.

I own a 991.1 C2 and I’ve been considering replacing the steering wheel for something with paddles but I also want the multifunction stuff on the wheel to continue working.

KEEP THE PORSCHE MATERIAL COMIN’, BRO.. 👏👏👏

Interesting review, would love to see you review a 997.1 C2S.. I currently have one of those at this moment in time, however I have been contemplating moving on to the 991.1 C2S for the newer feel of the cabin and power, however I love the shape of my 997.1 C2S and the soul the car has especially the exhaust note. Keep the videos coming, a joy to watch as always👏🏼👍🏼

I moved from 997.2 c4s to 991.1 c4s and 991 is head and shoulders better car in every aspect. From front end stability through interior quality and finish, much smoother and faster PDK to eshaust noise (with PSE). Unless you are a car journalist or drive 997 and 991 back to back, otherwise you will not notice steering wheel feel difference in my opinion.

The last of the NA Carreras, What’s not to like ?

Love the metallic paint on this 👌

Those stripes on that orange 🤮

The only 911 i would ever consider purchasing, if i was ever in the market for such a vehicle, would be a 930 aircooled Turbo, from the 1970s. One of the last ones, with the 5 speed box, in either Guards Red or dark Grey.

you could spec multifunction steering wheel as per whats in the test car, or you could spec sports wheel which had normal paddles, left down right up etc, just an option

Still love the eighties intro 😀👍

Love the wrap. Where was it done?

Good review

excellent 👍 every Porsche is a hero 🙌 the stripes ? Martini?

My 997.2 C2S with Sharkwerks center bypass and Fister exhaust is roughly the same HP as the stock 991.1 C2S. I have the Sport Design wheel with paddles. Driving in Sport mode, shifting manually, I did not notice anything better with the PDK in the 991.1. I did notice the 991.1 felt larger and not as nimble.

I had a 2012 991 2S. Beautiful in dark blue. Bloody loved it! Just ordered a 992 2S in Aventurine Green. Interesting differences, but from my test drives the undeniable truth is … The latest 911 is the best 911.

I've had 2 Porsches including my current 2020 718 Spyder. I've never driven a 911 as I prefer a mid engined car. I may take one out some day. Thanks for your great review Jay.

Thanks J 🙏

New interior camera? I’m liking it

❤️jay Emm on cars

The orange is nice and the car is awesome! If I was friends with the owner, I would plead with them to remove the Martini livery.

That's why when I bought mine I had to get the sport design steering wheel, it has normal paddles and if you pull them both it goes into neutral

I dont get the whole paddle thing the PDK is sublime as it gets the right gear each time. If you want to shift get a manual. I like my multi function wheel it is fer useful in daily use

Its possible to change the steering wheel to a GT3 / GT4 PDK wheel. I've done the swap, and its the best upgrade.

I'm on the used market for a 991, 4s with pccb and sport chrono, manual possibly. Even though budget says 991.1, I would be happy to spend a little more and flirting with bankrupcty and getting a 991.2 4s. The turbo versions are just better in performances, fuel economy and reliability. Weight increase was also modest between 991.1 and 991.2

Love the Orange but the stripes make it look like it came from a council estate !

I own a 2104C2S. The steering feel is awesome, so it's pure bullshit and journalistic jabber to say that it is bad. The 7 speed is also excellent particularly because it retains the PDK gear indicator. The wheel in the video is awful. Fortunately my sales guy convinced me to order the Speed Line wheel which feels fantastic. Shy of 70k kilometres and have loved every second.

Drove a 991.1 S with PSE and proper paddles - sounded great and you would only miss the older generation steering if you drive a 997 just before - they are pricey though A few years ago I rented a stage 1 991.2 GTS and went on a road trip with a friend and his 997 GTS, both pdk - two fantastic cars, the later generation car was very fast, but the 997 had the subliminal feel and made the bigger impression on everybody

Jeff (home built) would approve of the exterior colours 😁

🔥🔥🔥 outro

Great review!! On a side comment, I am not a fan of those stripes on that particular car..makes an otherwise beautiful /classy car look tacky and tastless

The steering is better with rear wheel drive on a 991.1. The multifunction steering wheel is an option. It could have been ordered with a wheel that had regular paddle shifters.

Clearly a subjective perspective, but I think my 991.1 GTS 7MT is the best looking and sounding modern Porsche available. Never really ever liked the backend of my past 997S and I although 992’s look great from 20’ away, my god are they massive up close

It takes driving the 997 then 992 then the 991 to appreciate the 991 fully.

991.1 sport design steering wheel has beautiful levers with fantastic feel Jay!!

That Martini Guy 😎

Love those stripes 😍

My 991.1 C2s as the Porsche sport design wheel with paddles. Wasn't an expensive option.

I had this color on my porsche in nfs... when I was 5yo

Come drive my car man. 2013 991.1 RWD C2S, Sports Steering wheel with steel paddles, where you'd expect them to be, dark blue with beige interior (extended leather option) I found that the C4S does exactly what you described in the video, the front washes out way earlier than you'd expect in the turn.

Man...only snobs mistreat these cars. 👀 this is a perfect way for someone to get into 911's especially for a daily.

All the beefed beetles seem to be the exactly the same for a non-connoisseur

It's the childseat! It's the same in my 992. Also in the Panamera the only noise is the bloody childseat :P ;)

I think potentially you were a bit harsh on the 997.2 Turbo. It likes needs a service on the pdk box which is very much neglected by most dealerships and independents. It smooths the gear change when the service is done. Obviously there was a geometry problem too on the car also. Ultimately the 997 is one of the heaviest 911s there is. Heavier than the 996 and the 991.

That is a great car with a horrendous color (wrap?) /stripe/etc. Just ruins it. Great video.

If you want to test the best modern non GT 911- it’s the 991.2 GTS. The noise is still spine tingling, gearbox brilliant, power (and delivery) fantastic. The interior feels special too. I’ve owned 997s and driven most other variants- including 992s- and I wouldn’t trade my car in for any of them. Let me know!

I own a 991.1 but I wouldn't choose it over an R8 V10 manual. In the us you can get a 991.1 c2s for around 65-70k pdk or manual while even a first gen e-gear v10 will cost 80-85k. A manual v10 R8 will cost well over 100k.

I heard that it was Porsche's CEO Wendelin Wiedeking from 1993 through July 23, 2009, who overruled the engineers and insisted on buttons over paddles.

Who are these people who claimed it failed? Not the reviews and certainly not from the people who bought it.

Jay, I wonder if you ever were to dismiss the 991R wich technically is also a 991.1???

1:09 look at the pearl in that paint, good lord!

yoiu are legend mate

OK, NOW THAT I KNOW HIS YOUNG SON PICKED THE COLOR I CAN AGREE WITH THE ORANGE WRAP AND ITS STILL BLACK UNDERNEATH. CARS ARE ALL ABOUT UNIQUENESS AND DIVERSITY FOR SOME. I WOULD NEVER DO FREE ADVERTISING FOR A LIQUOR CO. WITH THOSE STRIPES UNLESS MASSIVELY COMPENSATED.

A year later these cars are selling for $80k the states - if lower miles and well equipped. That’s because imo cars peaked ten years ago. This car has a lot of features without as much of the nanny aids which annoy me so. From my perspective this car is quite fast- 0-60 - easily sub 4 sec, and 1/4 mi 12.0 or better on the right day. That’s not slow by any stretch and 440hp is a full exhaust and tune away if you desire. Not mentioned but in passing, is that this car is much more refined than its 997 predecessor as well as lighter and quieter inside. It’s a glorious grand tourer and weekend blast up the mountain type car.

A 4s is a stupid buy. The traction in a 2s is amazing and you bugger up the front end feel and add weight with the 4x drive.

Get the sport steering wheel instead of the multi-function and you get proper paddles

Why does he have a tennis ball in his door compartment lol

Is 991 911 great for first Porsche to buy?im considering quatroporte 2009-2012 ZF or this model…

the 991.1 is awesome because its not a turbo fart can engine

Any 997 manual (with a couple of mods) > early 991 991 perhaps the more rounded option, however

Having seen quite a lot of 911 in recent weeks, the 991 generation is the 911 where the cars started to look "off" to me. The 997 strikes me as a classic car at the very fast glance, the 991 just looks bland to me.

Couldn't have picked a worse colour to put Martini stripes over. I mean ffs, are you blind?