not the word I’d use to describe them. Like Ferrari I’ve pined for Porsches as a kid and have owned 7 in 4 years but the dealers are either scummy or off putting or both. Their antics have easily turned me off the brand even though they make great cars
well guys after I started this post originally I’ve given a lot of thought to this to the point that I’m already exhausted and I’m leaning towards going back to the dealer and picking up my beautiful, nero Daytona 296 and bring it home and keep it for many many many years…. I think that the model that will replace this one whatever it’s gonna be called, will be very expensive and add to the MSRP the tariff and it out of control…. therefore consequently bringing the value up in these….
Right on. It’s a beautiful spec, to say the least. Enjoy the hell out of it now and double those miles up the first weekend you get it back!
Imagine this scenario and I am being very serious here. I will say the same thing to you if I meet you in a bar. You meet two girls. One super hot and not too crazy. One is cute enough that you don't worry about your mom runs into both of you on the street. The kicker is you have no plan to settle with any of them. The only thing is the super hot loves to eat at nicer restaurants and the cute one can cook well. The super hot is so good in bed but the cute one is just okay. Who do you pick for the next year? If you pick the cute, boring in bed one, then you must be gay. Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong being gay in 2025. But if that is the case, you can just get a Tesla.
Depreciation guesses: I think the 296 may well become a $250k car, maybe even $200k (in 3-5 years). Many disagree. I hope I'm wrong. New Turbo S seems less risk in magnitude and % decline. Re: 992s, projecting onto 992.2 Turbo S: I have been bored by 992.1 Turbo/Turbo S (never owned, have driven a number of times). Modified exhaust could help some I think but I also have other stuff and if I need FAST can drive the 296. Vs. other 992s - I love the Dakar and think the 992.2 GTS T-Hybrid (own both) is a more interesting sounding car than 992.1 Turbo/Turbo S/GTS. I think the GTS sounds a lot better than 992 turbo'd cars other than Dakar. The extra sharpness of the hybrid assist is nice but if you don't mind a rough ride or slower straight line, a 4RS or GT3/3RS PDK gets going almost fast enough that it's just about the same. Right now 4RS Manthey (or even non-MR) is my single favorite car if I had to go down to 1, over 296 as well. But most people think I'm crazy and my need for speed is probably a little less than average here. But... The Dakar, 4RS, and 991.2 3RS all feel more special and not all as "events", just more wow this is awesome, so I am selling the GTS T-Hybrid. Would a 30% faster T-Hybrid change the equation? For me, I have thought not, so I haven't been chasing the new Turbo S. For 296 vs. 992 Turbo S: Even the most plain 992 feels not more nimble but more confidence coming through the steering wheel to me. Which would I rather daily just 296 vs a faster 992.2 GTS? For sure 992.2 GTS/Turbo S. But it also blows cold air up my crack. Which would I rather go on a high speed drive in the wet? 992.2 GTS/Turbo S. Which is more supercar-y? 296 of course and I suspect that'll continue to be true vs. 992.2 Turbo S.
The 992-generation 911 is a great sports car but the 296 is better. One data point is brake temperature after hard cornering. Under the same conditions, the 911's brakes will be much hotter than the 296's because the Porsche's stability control will be working overtime. The 296 has a better chassis and needs fewer Band-Aids when cornering at the limit.
Horses for courses? I see it differently. Outside of the normally aspired 911’s, the turbos are appliances (great handling). I just sold my 2023 Targa4 GTS. Boring and awful sound with some turbo lag. I cannot compare the experience to a 296- different ball park entirely. Yes the Porsche steering communicates better and the Ferrari’s is fine and its suspension is superior and the overall car is sharper. There is no comparison in sound and specialness. The interior of the 296 is next generation and higher quality everything. And the 296 puts down its power in an almost unimaginable way. What I think you get wrong- The market hasn’t yet accepted the hybrid. If that doesn’t change I would expect the Porsche hybrids will face the same cold resale market that Ferrari is now contending with. Therefore, depreciation may be similar. Note: I presume the hybrid Porsche’s are superior to the non hybrids. I also own a manual 991.2 GT3 and a 991.2 Speedster. Great cars. In most cases, I prefer the 296.
I had a 992.1 TTS for 18 months and I never felt confident in it. The turbo whack came on in one lump, sometimes mid corner. The balance of the car is inherently poor.
It’s honestly insulting to the 296 to compare it to a 911. 911’s are the most overrated cars on the planet now that the MSRP has shot through the roof. I cannot see the appeal.
A 296 is a nice thick ribeye (maybe not A5 Wagyu, but certainly Prime grade). A 911 Turbo S is a really really juicy cheeseburger. Maybe even a bacon cheeseburger, if you get the TTS Cab, but it's still a burger. A steak is always better, esp. a nice ribeye, but it's not something you eat everyday. A burger? Sure.
