992 base to 992 GTS

[TurboSandGT4]

Hi All

Has anyone gone from a 992 Base model to a GTS

I currently have a 992 base model and use it as a weekend car for 3 people, was looking for a replacement and the Turbo/S is out of my budget.

What are the key spec items to look for (mrs wants pdk) and what are the real life differences in performance?

 

[Harryblue]

Funnily enough I was wondering the same and asked a couple of people their experiences, they weren't long conversations but the general consensus was that they thought the GTS was a harsher ride and the rest (including power) wasn't noticeable enough to make a difference.

The GTS is probably going to feel like a more special car, but it would be an expensive trade for probably not much real world difference?

I think the base models are generally brilliant and it's largely 'want' that drives us to buy the more exotic models, I don't know if I'm god enough to feel or properly exploit the differences.

 

[TurboSandGT4]

thanks Harry

 

[s2000db]

Try one before you buy imo…
The ride of the base model over lumpy uk roads is far superior to the GTS/Turbo models, I’ve heard of people going the other way because they’ve found them too hard.
Which if that’s what you find, means the base model is probably quicker on rough roads and easier to make progress. However on smooth open roads the GTS will be quicker..

 

[howardb66]

If you can, try a car with PDCC(with PASM). My 991.2 GTS has it & it makes as huge improvement to the ride. That was my impression against a 991.2 S just with PASM.

 

[Longp2]

Can’t totally answer your question but I’ve had my GTS since March last year, I owned a 991.1S before that and have driven 992 and 992 S cars a fair bit, and while the ride can be harsh over the worse roads we do not find it too harsh and good progress can still be made!
I run mine with the tyres at comfort setting and this did make a massive difference from the full load pressures it was delivered with and I also have the 18 way seats which may, or may not help.
I love the car and it does feel special (to me) every time I drive it.

 

[DRZ911]

Here's my viewpoint after 3 months of GTS ownership,,,,

• Suspension - pretty firm/harsh compared to a base car. This may be a deal breaker for some people. As Longp2 has said, run tyres on COMFORT setting to give a reasonable compromise.
• Front axle lift - use my car daily - would have wrecked the front end by now if it didn't have FAL, so I consider this feature very useful.
• Brakes - off the Turbo - get the feeling they use less servo than the base car, and need a good prod to get the best out of them.
• 18-way adaptive sports seats - feel that they add very little extra to the car, other than the ability to automatically move the seat backwards for entry/egress.
• RWS - compared to the base car, definitely feel benefits at both low and higher speeds.
• LCA - have lane change assist (the 3 lights in each mirror) - have come to really appreciate this feature.
• Bose - first time in several 911's where I feel that the Bose makes a genuine difference.
• Carbon Interior - has the matt finish - looks like a cheap plastic, so am not really fussed.
• Crayon Seatbelts - only colour feature in a very black interior and help break up things nicely.
• Glass sunroof - if it wasn't there, would not really miss it.
• LED headlights with matrix beam - brings day-light driving to the darkest nights - a must-have if the car is to be a daily.
• Park Assist with Surround View - value the Park Assist, but feel the Surround View is a bit of a confusing gimmick.

The GTS is a very special car with 480bhp, and on paper, very close to the 500bhp performance of my GT3, The GTS is arguably as quick, if not quicker, than the GT3 in real-world driving. Both have very different characters. Only you can decide if the GTS is worth the delta in price compared to the base model.

Hope that the above helps, and good luck in your search.

 

[TurboSandGT4]

Thanks for all the feedback
In terms of straight line performance would you say it was similar to a 997 Turbo?

 

[RichT001]

I’ve not owned a base 911, but am on my second 992 GTS. As someone that suffers from chronic back issues, I never thought for a minute that I’d be able to own a 911, let alone a GTS, but can honestly say that I don’t find the ride harsh at all. As someone that rides motorbikes, I’ve learnt to scan the road regularly, so tend to avoid potholes, so haven’t experienced any crashing through them. As a side note, I have the 18 way seats, and this car is one of the most comfortable cars to drive that I’ve had.

If the budget will get you into a GTS, go for it, it really is a special car.

 

[DRZ911]

Thanks for all the feedback
In terms of straight line performance would you say it was similar to a 997 Turbo?

Have driven a 997.2 Turbo some time ago - got to say, it was the first time a car had really left me open-mouthed.
Absolutely stunning mid-range pick-up.

The 992.1 has moved things along considerably. Think in reality, there would be very little difference in terms of straight line performance between a 997.1 Turbo and a 992.1 GTS.
The figures appear to back this up.

997.2 Turbo



992.1 GTS

 

[roddy]

Having driven most modern 911s I would say that the 992 GTS is the best pound for pound 911 especially if you buy used. It’s a Turbo Lite rather than an upgrade on the Carrera. I regretted selling my 992 GTS and after a short period in a 992 GT3 & Spyder RS I have gone back to a GTS in Targa Spec.

 

[Apex911]

Have you considered a 992 s. I would argue it’s the best of both worlds, more performance yet relatively comfortable .

 

[TurboSandGT4]

I am not sure an S would be worth the amount I would have to put in to exchange my Base. I do actually want a 992.1 TTS but they are 130K plus whereas I can get a GTS for around the 100K mark so my thinking was to save.
TBH the base carrera is enough for road driving but its been a whole year and the itch has returned.
Have also contemplated a 991.2 TTS at 90-100K but I love the interior of the 992 and the steering
I think I might need to test drive a GTS and Turbo once I have enough funds

 

[KarlosFandangoo]

I picked up a new 992.1 C4 GTS in March this year and have also had an new early 992.1 C4S and have had use of a 992.1 T for a week or so.

I looked at a 992.1 TTS but ruled it out mainly on cost and the fact that I'd never need that level of performance (any 911 has more than enough power for my usage).

The GTS suspension is a lot firmer IMHO and it's noticeable on poor surfaced roads (you do get bounced around) but once on decent A and B roads it's brilliant.
Performance is more than adequate! - the PDK GTS is noticeably quicker than the manual T but I'm not sure how much I can tell above the C4S i had (i am only 2000miles in to the 4GTS and the C4S 992.1 was in 2019 - picked it up new on Xmas eve hence ,y boxing day join date of the forum!).

The one thing that has distinguished the cars for me is the spec. The C4S had a good spec but my current 4GTS is very highly spec'd (it was a dealer spec'd exclusive manufaktur car). Items on my C4GTS that If i move to a 992.2, I would go for a C4GTS again and Items I would spec again are:

- tinted Matrix Headlights
- Front axle lift
- 18 way sport seats
- PASM (if not a GTS)
- sports exhaust (if non GTS)
- Bose
- GTS pack (i like the fake Alcantara interior)
- rear tint
- heated seats
- matt carbon steering wheel
- roof bar fixings!
- in trim trim pack with contrast stitch
- dashboard and door trim
- heated steering wheel
- surround view with active parking

Nice to haves (these are on my C4GTS at the moment and do add to the interior feel of the car - when i got back into mine after the 911 T, it was noticeably nicer)
- Alcantara roof lining & pillars & sun visors
- Matt carbon pack
- rear wheel steer
- Full sunroof
- illuminated carbon foot plates
- adaptive cruise control
- tinted rear lights
- design clock

Things I wouldn't have again
- aluminium pedals
- aluminium gear knob
- sports side skirts
- some of the other exclusive manufakter stuff (coloured keys, etc)
- exclusive fuel cap


Sure these is more!

Edit to add:
The fully opening sunroof does lower the head room some what - especially in the rear. I do love having the ability to see the sky (i had considered a Targa). The C4S had a carbon roof which i also loved (it looked great) but if i recall you could.t have the roof bars at the time - I think that has been resolved now.

 

[Meeko]

I was concerned about the ride quality given how poor UK roads are. Having owned my 2023 GTS for 15 months, I can say it really doesn't bother me. Obviously I never put PASM into sport. The ride is firm, but you can tell the damping is sophisticated over poor roads - it also looks a lot better with 10mm lowered over standard suspension. Mine is very high spec, with almost every option, and I agree with the others on must-have items. But most of all I've come to love the Burmerster stereo which is simply amazing and also the glass roof, which when tilting allows you to hear the exhuast better. Mine also has the exterior package painted in black (high gloss) which contrasts so well with lighter paint colours making the cars look more special over regular painted or matt black items. The interior with contrast sitiching in yellow is also a nice touch, making it feel a more special place to sit. Sadly mine's up for sale or return now, but I can say it's been 15 months of amazing ownership.