4thPcar
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Ian
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2021
- Threads
- 56
- Messages
- 806
- Reaction score
- 747
- Location
- Del Mar CA
- Vehicles
- Previously: 914, 944 and 997 911S. Now Taycan
- Thread starter
- #1
The Porsche magazine Christophorus (#400), shows a red 356 and neptune blue Taycan on the cover (like mine!), as if the Taycan is destined for iconic status just like its predecessors. The fact its so hard to obtain a Taycan today doesn't hurt that potential.
I've seen many 911 owners struggle with the decision to make the leap to the Taycan and seeking opinions from this forum. I decided to share my thoughts here for the benefit of those seeking such feedback. Inevitably, there will be people that will vehemently disagree with me on some points. That is the nature of these forums. Bring it on.
I drove a 996 911S Cabriolet for 12 years and have had my Taycan RWD for a few months. That 911 was like my child, although at night when I was sleeping I was convinced it was plotting to kill me. There will be several owners of more powerful models of both cars reading this post. Go ahead and remind me how much more powerful your car is compared to mine. At the end of the day, you can definitely catch up to traffic faster than me, and I am sure I would have loved your car as much as you do. Otherwise I believe my comparisons will be valid irrespective of the model.
1. Starting with the obvious, the only thing these cars have in common is the Porsche DNA and heritage. From there on, they are completely different vehicles offering a vastly different driving experience.
2. Most different for me is the feel of the road. I felt my 911S was an extension of my right arm. I felt connected to the road. With the engine in back I felt I was the tip of a spear. In my Taycan, I feel I am navigating a sailboat (which I do often, so the analogy fits for me). I have the air suspension in my Taycan which contributes to that "floating" feeling.
3. The growl of the 911 engine is replaced by the serenity of no sound at all. To me, this is a mixed bag. The visceral feeling of the 911 is replaced by something that is not visceral, but still virtuous.
4. My 911 was not practical for bumper to bumper driving or long distances. It would grow tiresome to deal with the manual transmission in those situations, and my back would start to ache. Driving to LA from my home in San Diego would be a nightmare in that car, vs quite comfortable in the Taycan.
5. Both cars offer an immersive experience, but for different reasons. In the 911, its you against the world. You are given the controls to a high performance machine that can escape any threat, outrun most competitors, and make you feel totally in control. The Taycan is immersive but for all the wrong reasons, IMHO. I find myself constantly tinkering with the infinite displays of real time data. I am lifting the suspension, changing the views on the tubes, clicking here and there, none of which impacts the driving experience and is frankly a bit dangerous. I am a kid with a new toy. I need to stop tinkering and hopefully will find the willpower to do so.
6. In my 911, I could never engage in a phone call with my upgraded stereo and phone integration because the ambient noise was too distracting. I was always jealous of other car owners that could talk on their car phones. Now, I am in that group.
7. I was never completely satisfied with how my 911S performed from a full stop. This is one area where the more powerful 911's may have had an advantage. But as more and more EVs dominated our area, I found my 911 lacking. No such concerns at speed, where both the 911S and Taycan pass traffic as if they are standing still.
8. Somewhat redundant but worth pointing out that there have been head-to-head comparisons of these cars on a track where the Taycan beat the 911. I personally took my 911S out on a winding road and taped it for a live auction, then took the Taycan on the exact same road once I took delivery. Consistent with everything above, the Taycan performed better but, ironically, the 911 was more fun. Nothing replaces the heart-pounding feeling of downshifting through a hairpin turn.
9. My 911 was a convertible. I've always had a convertible. I miss my convertible.
10. What I don't miss is having to pay for gas. Or fluids. Or belts. Or tune ups and oil changes. Game changer!
One thing that has NOT changed is that every BMW 3-series that comes along on the freeway is determined to race me.
I could probably go on but this is a good place to take pause and to see if this gets any traction with others that may wish to add their own thoughts (or vehement denials).
I considered adding points for each of the above and seeing which wins out. But that simply implies the decision of 911 vs Taycan is mutually exclusive and in reality, you need to experience BOTH in your lifetime. The Taycan came along at the right time in my life, where at 62 yo I am more interested in comfort and convenience than the thrill of cars I drove before this sexy femme fatale came along. While I clearly miss my 911, I do LOVE my Taycan - almost as much. Give us a bit more time to get to know each other, and we will be inseparable. I put her to bed a short while ago - critically, I don't think she is planning to kill me.
BTW I am a professional writer and if you enjoy my writing please check out my first novel at www.tinyurl.com/the-consequence
I've seen many 911 owners struggle with the decision to make the leap to the Taycan and seeking opinions from this forum. I decided to share my thoughts here for the benefit of those seeking such feedback. Inevitably, there will be people that will vehemently disagree with me on some points. That is the nature of these forums. Bring it on.
I drove a 996 911S Cabriolet for 12 years and have had my Taycan RWD for a few months. That 911 was like my child, although at night when I was sleeping I was convinced it was plotting to kill me. There will be several owners of more powerful models of both cars reading this post. Go ahead and remind me how much more powerful your car is compared to mine. At the end of the day, you can definitely catch up to traffic faster than me, and I am sure I would have loved your car as much as you do. Otherwise I believe my comparisons will be valid irrespective of the model.
1. Starting with the obvious, the only thing these cars have in common is the Porsche DNA and heritage. From there on, they are completely different vehicles offering a vastly different driving experience.
2. Most different for me is the feel of the road. I felt my 911S was an extension of my right arm. I felt connected to the road. With the engine in back I felt I was the tip of a spear. In my Taycan, I feel I am navigating a sailboat (which I do often, so the analogy fits for me). I have the air suspension in my Taycan which contributes to that "floating" feeling.
3. The growl of the 911 engine is replaced by the serenity of no sound at all. To me, this is a mixed bag. The visceral feeling of the 911 is replaced by something that is not visceral, but still virtuous.
4. My 911 was not practical for bumper to bumper driving or long distances. It would grow tiresome to deal with the manual transmission in those situations, and my back would start to ache. Driving to LA from my home in San Diego would be a nightmare in that car, vs quite comfortable in the Taycan.
5. Both cars offer an immersive experience, but for different reasons. In the 911, its you against the world. You are given the controls to a high performance machine that can escape any threat, outrun most competitors, and make you feel totally in control. The Taycan is immersive but for all the wrong reasons, IMHO. I find myself constantly tinkering with the infinite displays of real time data. I am lifting the suspension, changing the views on the tubes, clicking here and there, none of which impacts the driving experience and is frankly a bit dangerous. I am a kid with a new toy. I need to stop tinkering and hopefully will find the willpower to do so.
6. In my 911, I could never engage in a phone call with my upgraded stereo and phone integration because the ambient noise was too distracting. I was always jealous of other car owners that could talk on their car phones. Now, I am in that group.
7. I was never completely satisfied with how my 911S performed from a full stop. This is one area where the more powerful 911's may have had an advantage. But as more and more EVs dominated our area, I found my 911 lacking. No such concerns at speed, where both the 911S and Taycan pass traffic as if they are standing still.
8. Somewhat redundant but worth pointing out that there have been head-to-head comparisons of these cars on a track where the Taycan beat the 911. I personally took my 911S out on a winding road and taped it for a live auction, then took the Taycan on the exact same road once I took delivery. Consistent with everything above, the Taycan performed better but, ironically, the 911 was more fun. Nothing replaces the heart-pounding feeling of downshifting through a hairpin turn.
9. My 911 was a convertible. I've always had a convertible. I miss my convertible.
10. What I don't miss is having to pay for gas. Or fluids. Or belts. Or tune ups and oil changes. Game changer!
One thing that has NOT changed is that every BMW 3-series that comes along on the freeway is determined to race me.
I could probably go on but this is a good place to take pause and to see if this gets any traction with others that may wish to add their own thoughts (or vehement denials).
I considered adding points for each of the above and seeing which wins out. But that simply implies the decision of 911 vs Taycan is mutually exclusive and in reality, you need to experience BOTH in your lifetime. The Taycan came along at the right time in my life, where at 62 yo I am more interested in comfort and convenience than the thrill of cars I drove before this sexy femme fatale came along. While I clearly miss my 911, I do LOVE my Taycan - almost as much. Give us a bit more time to get to know each other, and we will be inseparable. I put her to bed a short while ago - critically, I don't think she is planning to kill me.
BTW I am a professional writer and if you enjoy my writing please check out my first novel at www.tinyurl.com/the-consequence
Sponsored
Last edited:
