GT3 up next on the channel. This damn video went live hours after it should have, damn UA-cam app bug. 🙈 Anyway, enjoy what could be the hidden jewel in the Porsche line up! 😈
3:33 - FFS sake. "Engine placed further down, the centre of the car" ..... LOL. Do you SERIOUSLY believe all the BS Porshe feed you ?. It's further down than the last 911, but it's still a massive engine hanging out THE BACK of a car.
Any Porsche is special in my view... If you are realistically having the debate of which Porsche to get, you're already fortunate. Great video, mate, thank you!
I heard from a Porsche salesman there is always several customers he gets every year that gets a base model 911 with maybe only 1 or 2 options at most. He also admitted that no one who got that bare minimum 911 was ever disappointed with their purchase.
I have a 991.1 basic Carrera with no performance options. No pasm -20 mm , no sport Chrono, no PTV plus, small steel brakes, and standard exhaust. It's a car that a few years ago I would have immeditley written off. My m3 and Camaro 1LE had all kinds of similar equipment so they must be better. All the tech from those cars cannot overcome the fundemental better architecture of the 911. Even with no options it's so much more fun and rewarding to drive than basically any car I've ever driven. Even with an passive dampers and an open diff it gets better traction out of uneven tight hairpins than the m3 and Camaro 1le with their electronically locking diffs and magnetic ride control suspension.
@@Spartan69117 GT500 - High horsepower monster that handles well, heavy! Good Price. C8 Corvette - Balanced, Good handling and second best acceleration also reasonably priced, not a looker. 911S - Perfectly balanced handling, good acceleration, best looking, MANUAL available! Expensive. GTR - Capable all round performer, best acceleration, outdated, expensive. I'd buy the Porsche if that much money was available...
I’ve been saving my nickels and dimes for my retirement car, the basic rear wheel drive 911. I thought i was alone in appreciating the simplicity of it. Very glad to find your vid, well done.
The simple beauty of the basic shape is striking. As distinctive as ever. No pointless frills to distract from it. Nothing jars. Just a near-perfect design.
Superlative review: Major detail others missed (engine placement improvement), the in-place graphics, the breadth and depth of your delivery, and your pronunciation. 911 and Boxster owner here, much appreciate your work and I really doubted this would hold a candle to the established UA-cam reviewers.
0:42 -- I said out loud, "Wow, that's clean... it's pretty, I like it." All the faster models look more impressive, but this base spec looks great to me.
I got a base 2022 Carrera in aventurine green just a couple of weeks ago. I shopped around for quite a while, and I've been updating my configuration on the Porsche site for years now, so I knew what I was looking for. There simply weren't that many 2022 Carreras in the color and with the options I wanted anywhere in the entire U.S. - which is to say, none. I had wanted an S, but after watching multiple reviews of the S I decided to allow for a base 911. As it turned out I found one which matched very closely the specs I had in mind, so rather than wait upwards of two years for an allotment I pulled the trigger, and I'm very happy I did. This car is sublime! I think the biggest issue for anyone trying to decide between a base model and an S should be the transmission choice. Fortunately I wanted a PDK, so it worked out great for me.
I'm looking for a similar setup. In this video, he mentions 88k, but on the website, it looks like they start at 106k. Have they really jumped that much in 1 year?
@@seekuncertainty Yes, and you'd be lucky to pay just $106K right now. Even in the best of times Porsche is known for their many options, some quite expensive. If you aren't willing to wait for a zero-option Porsche on order, you'd be very hard pressed to find one on a dealer lot with no options. I think the closest one I ran across in my search was Hennessy in Georgia which had a base 911 with only two options: the smoking package which is around $120, and the PDLS (dynamic lighting) which is about $2K.
I really can't wait to cash in my AMC shares and get the Targa. It's the one frivolous purchase I intend to make. I've driven classic VW beetles for 20 years, and I wanna treat myself to being able to drive faster than 60mph
15:40 yeah the base 911 without the sports exhaust sounds very good IMO. I would probably not get the sports exhaust and save my money for some after-market options if I really felt the need
I love my 992 carrera base and cant wait to track it/autocross it . Wish it got more attention, such an amazing,composed car that often gets overlooked by the upper trims.
I remember when the 930 Turbo was around 4.2 sec.......that base Carrera with hounds tooth is incredible. I would love one even over the S or 4S......with a manual.
Certainly the best daily driver. Love mine. My buddy with his “S” felt like he couldn’t leave his driveway without a ticket. Had plenty of options inside, PDK, GPS etc.
I bought the base 2022 911 versus the S and don’t regret it at all. A truly awesome car that I enjoy as much or more than my Macan Turbo or Cayenne Turbo. I invested my savings versus the S and made 200K trading Options. Thanks RBR !!!
Raz - Thank you so much for posting such genuine content. I hate when car reviewers on UA-cam - such as carwow and Throttle House - show a bias towards one brand and illogical prejudice over others. Video like this one debunks the ever-present dilemma that people have when they are about to buy a sports car, and more often than not, get talked into buying expensive variants by dealerships. You have clearly put it out that one can really stick with a base 911 Carrera without going the route of unintentionally shelling out extra 36k pounds and getting the Carrera 4S. Thank you for the community service through this video. This actually seems like a great theme for future videos as well wherein you pick a good sports car and share your thoughts on exactly which variant(s) and options are good value. Because, really, there is no other way for many people (including myself) to know it otherwise. Let me give you an example, I live in America and was in the market for my first ever sports car about 3 year ago. I shortlisted Mustang, after eliminating Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro. I ended up buying the eco-boost variant (4 cyl turbo) and not the V8. This is because it felt like a clever way of owning a popular sports car without having to pay premium price that the V8 variant demanded. Furthermore, the horsepower eco-boost motor delivers seemed enough already that even thinking about the need for a V8 seemed like going over the board. I was extremely joyful for about 1-1.5 years until I realized the eco-boost motor has no emotion, character, or soul; and that's when I realized I made a big mistake. Although I was happy with the power and the ride quality, the lack of sound, emotion, rev-matching, etc. made me regret my decision almost every day. Knowing the V8 variant had all the goods I was actually looking for made me just want to go back in time and alter my decision, and hence, I started looking for time machine rentals :D. This kind of video prevents the need to look for a time machine by providing much-needed reliable information about variants and options upfront to potential buyers.
Nice review.👍In most cases, the Base 911 model is more than one can chew unless you are going on the race track. Most people who generally criticize everything about the Base 911 Carrera can't even afford one.
They won't be paying that amount for a car tho anyway. Most of these are on lease options and they probably have a good relationship with the lender so it isn't too much out of pocket for them
So I just got a 981 Boxster S for the difference in price between the base 992 and 4S! And it’s as fast as the base 992 as it weighs considerably less. I’ve owned a Miata, MR2 and learned to drive in a base 911 looong ago. I’ll take a mid-engined car any day, all day, especially when it’s a Porsche!
this kind of reminds me of a conversation I had with a guy one time and he said by the best bass model car you can afford because the inherent goodness of the car it’s not necessarily when it’s completely optioned out but in the platform itself.
In a world of numbers and 0-60 times, there’s something nice about something that’s just right. You can easily have a lot of fun in a base 911 without worrying about losing your license and that’s great. I can easily see myself using 100% of this car and it feel like just the right amount of car. I consider myself a great driver so I don’t need all these safety systems so something like this is perfect for someone like myself.
Thank you for doing up the video of the 992 Base model. A lot of videos are done on the higher variants and only a handful talks about the base model. IMO, your is the best I have seen so far explaining why the 992 Base is so worth looking at.
About 12 minutes in before you get to the base model......I guess the setup is valuable but @ $40k price diff, I really wasn't gonna get an S, so I wanted to hear about the base. Having been mildly critical in that regard, I love your perspective, opinions and review. I am now a new subscriber.
Really nice videos Raz! I usually tend to spec my cars with all options available because I fear to miss out on anything. But a Carrera with all boxes ticked would exceed my budget. You now planted this idea in my head that a base Carrera with no options could be puristic alternative. I’m actually considering it. 😊
I agree while talking the 911 range in isolation, BUT... My question is when comparing the base 911 (now 87k) with the 718 Cayman/Boxster GTS 4.0 (67/69-74K), especially if you want a Cabrio (97k). I wonder in that comparison, if the 911 only starts to make sense if you want 4WD (an additional 6K), but then you're paying 103K for a 911 Carrera 4 Cabrio vs 69K for a Boxster GTS 4.0. That's a massive 34k difference. On paper, performance is almost the same, and of course, the Cayman/Boxster GTS 4.0 has a n-a engine. In the real world, I suspect the actual 0-60 time for the 911 is less by a greater margin, but still. For me, I'd definitely choose a 911 over the Cayman, for no better reason than I don't like the look of the Cayman. A 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 vs 911 Cabrio, I'm not so sure. I like the look of both. I prefer the 911. But the Boxster is designed as a Cabrio from the ground up, whereas the 911 Cabrio isn't, and I think I prefer the n-a engine vs the 911 engine, at least until you step up to the 911 Turbo/Turbo S. And then there's the huge price difference. What am I missing? Why would one pay the extra for the base 911 over the Cayman/Boxster GTS 4.0? The 911 is 21K more than the Cayman 4.0, and the 911 Cabrio is 29K more than the Boxster 4.0. Performance is similar. Practicality is similar, unless you are really going to use the occasional seats in the 911. And I think residuals would be similar, but maybe a base 911 will actually fair significantly worse, especially a minimally spec'd one. The 911 looks more impressive, and I suspect most people can't tell the difference between a base 911 and a Turbo S. And similarly can't tell the difference between a base Cayman/Boxster and a GTS 4.0. But are impressions and perceptions enough to justify the significant extra expenditure? And I almost forgot that the Cayman/Boxster 4.0 can be had with a manual, whereas you have to step up to a 911 S to get that option in the 911 range.
I believe any porsche straight 6 will give you that Porsche experience. A lot of people look at this base model like Porsche didn’t do anything to it. In fact it’s the opposite, it’s perfectly engineered for a daily driver.
The similarity of titles from all my favourite UA-camrs about this vehicle (“best value in the lineup”, “jewel in the crown” etc) makes me wonder if the Porsche press briefings have come with some very clear themes and instructions for those getting first access.
Fantastic review! I love the purity of the base, but wouldn’t trade my C4S for anything. Ridiculously quick, doesn’t feel lacking in any department and the red brake calipers are the icing on the cake. Plus in 5 years I won’t have FOMO because Porsche “redesigned” the front grille or some other styling gimmick (looking at you BMW). The 992 looked elegant and timeless the moment it was introduced.
I found the biggest challenge in buying the base 911 is getting the dealership to place your order! Had to go to several places before success. Added only 3 options (e.g. chronopak, seat color). They really try to upsale you to add many options in order to get an "allocation".
The base carrera is like the old 16G iPhone. If you pay a bit more, you get the 64G iPhone. The whole purpose of the 16G iPhone is to make people pay more for the 64G model. Porsche uses the same strategy here. I really like the base model, it’s more fun to drive if the car is a bit slower, because you have to make the car work harder. However, I would still choose S or C4, because the base model cannot get the LSD and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus. For a such expensive sports car, there is no LSD, it’s a bit difficult to accept.
Great review! And yeah, since it is the base model, you bet every square cm of the car was absolutely agonized over, and likely much more so than the variants. And I added the 992nd like! :)
Great review Raz. Been watching your videos for a while now. Now I understand how cool the basic 911is. You have a unique style. I also appreciated the 2021 Mercedes 53 amg review. Jeff
Porsche just like any brand have milked their cars to an unrivalled variant catalogue. The standard Carrera is all you need with room for some really nice options. The S is maybe nicer for the bigger brakes and the manual stick but I don't get the GTS at all when its mostly a typical sporty cosmetic setup for people to feel as though it's a GT3 lite lol.
Having in mine all the restriction on the road we have, as daily I'll save my 40 k for the S and take the Base one. Don't even need the chrono - I'll tick only the sport exhaust (more a matter of look then the sound) and upgrade the sound to Bose... S worth only because the manual...
I have a well optioned base car about to start production. Keep in mind that Car and Driver measured the 0-60 time of the base Carrera @ 3.2 seconds w/11.5sec quarter mile.
@@reginaldjackson6204 Sport Chrono, 18 way, RS Spyder, Sport Exhaust, Bose, Slick Roof w/rear wiper...due in early Sept. I loved all of the 992's I drove. Was mostly driven by availability of the local allocations
@@lexman8678 Rollout times are worth about 0.2 sec, so w/o rollout ~3.4 instead of 3.2. As for the rest of your post, you are gonna have to provide examples.
I'm German/American. I owned several 911s when I lived in Germany, they were everywhere, and a dime a dozen. Until you needed repairs or parts! I now own a Lexus LC 500 touring, naturally aspirated V8 coupe. Better design, better built, better materials, and cheaper to maintain and repair!
Just specced a base carrera to how I would want it. Only ticked sports exhaust, sport plus seats, sport chrono, aero kit and different wheels. The aerokit makes it a mini gt3 or GT0.3. Looks just as cool, is plenty fast. Dream car. If only I had the money haha
It's a NO brainier why would spend another 40k unless you have money to burn !!! As a daily driver it has everything that you need ; comfort,it's quick, enjoyable, & puts a smile on your face. What's not to like !!!!!!
Actualy if you count twin lines there are also 9 pairs, i observed this after you pointed out the grill lol,thanks for the great reviews keep up the good work mate!
Great Review Raz, very educational & helpful, for people who might be new to the brand & are considering the 911 as first time buyers - perhaps you could do a review for these folks & cover stuff like options that would enhance the 911 experience? Such as the lift kit, sport chrono & sports exhaust, also since this is the most popular model & very unlikely to depreciate after a year depending where you (South Africa) I would assume that after 2 years these cars would be a lot more affordable & in greater demand? Just some of the things i guess prospective & future 911 owners who like to know? Thanks 👍🏼
Prek…..Maybe I can help. I spent almost 3 years waiting for an allocation for a 911. When it finally came through, I had my choice between a C4S or a C2. I chose to get a C2 and option it with a few thousand difference…..mainly for about 60 more hp and a few tenth’s of a second to 60…..not exactly a live or death situation. And if it’s an ego thing to have an “s” behind Carrera, I already feel sorry for you. I had plenty of time to go over the configurator……many, many time. I probably fine tuned the build a minimum of 30 times…..but the 911 I took delivery of last month was more than worth it ! Here are a few options for a base 911 that I believe you should consider. ( first of all, there is no lift option…and it’s not needed ) Color and interior are very personal…..so I won’t spend time here…only to say I got an Agate Grey with Beige interior….and it’s stunning. Ok….options : Sports Chrono…..from your steering wheel you can choose 5 different drive settings, including an “Individual” mode that you can customize different settings just for you. Before I forget….it may sound insignificant, but there are many owners that missed a relatively inexpensive option they really regret……the extended range fuel tank ! You go from about 16 gallons to 23…..really nice on any road trip.
Prek continued : Sport Exhaust…..the option to give it a bit more glorious sound….even if you don’t have “580 hp”. Adaptive Cruise Control. If you get in traffic, you’ll be thankful you got it. The seats are another area you’ll get a lot of different opinions. If you can go to the dealer and check out the multitude of options. I have 18 way in my Macan…..very nice…..but really wrap around you with the bolsters. Probably not for a generous size……Butt ! I got the 14 way in the 911. They’re VERY comfortable….and so are some of the less expensive options….but here’s the deal….only the 14 and 18 ways have an extended thigh support….and THAT is really a nice comfort option. I did get the GT Sport steering wheel in leather….it’s nice, but not as critical as some of the above. I also got the light-weight, noise insulated glass. Not sure this is necessary. I’d driven an older 2016 or so “S” model that was absolutely obnoxiously loud….road noise. I was concerned. But as it turned out, I think it was a freak and this option was probably not necessary. I did do custom yellow seat belts and a yellow tach ring….looks great ! I did a partial clear wrap that was a dealer condition upon delivery. It’s a very wise choice even without it being a condition…..and a bit expensive. But it’s protecting a very valuable investment. There may be a few more….but these are some you should really consider. And make the car “yours” with a few options you just might like “just because.” You’re going to pay for it…..but you won’t regret it for a moment. This BASE 911 absolutely blew me away……there is nothing else like it in the world. Period !
Appreciate you making this video. I am having a tough time making a decision on a Porsche (although not a 911). Fundamentally, most of the lower end vehicles have enough sports car DNA to make the upper HP options unnecessary. I certainly value the higher HPs and capabilities of the top tier cars but its clear that they are not required for an awesome driving experience.
I don’t know if a Stage I tune will add a lot to a less powerful version? I bought an S3 and Stage I’d it plus Sachs organic clutch. Got first gen RS3 power at a big discount. Just a thought.
Love the review! The lack of a limited slip diff is noticeable on the base? I have been debating between a 4S, S in pdk for ages now. One note is that pdk programming on the base seem quite different than on the S or 4S...
Great vid. Most of those extras not needed are they. Everything that makes the car fun to drive is in the basic car. Your voice hard to hear in car. Do you have a lapel mic?
GT3 up next on the channel. This damn video went live hours after it should have, damn UA-cam app bug. 🙈 Anyway, enjoy what could be the hidden jewel in the Porsche line up! 😈
carerra s is the best sports car for the money period
Waiting for the gt3 😊
They are ALL turboed so why even bother with the Turbo vesrion.
3:33 - FFS sake. "Engine placed further down, the centre of the car" ..... LOL. Do you SERIOUSLY believe all the BS Porshe feed you ?. It's further down than the last 911, but it's still a massive engine hanging out THE BACK of a car.
Any Porsche is special in my view... If you are realistically having the debate of which Porsche to get, you're already fortunate. Great video, mate, thank you!
Lotus Emira over base 911 anyday
Except today because you can’t buy one.
Porsche Macan S. Last car. A 2019 .Porsche 356 first car 67. Was used 5 yrs old. Would still luv to have 356.
@@drdoomgoat38 Except it doesn’t exist just yet.
These are all junk compared to true works of ITALIAN art. The name is FERRARI and Porsche shits in its pants when it hears that name.
Porsche really knocked it out of the park with this design. The base 911 looks the best it’s ever looked
I heard from a Porsche salesman there is always several customers he gets every year that gets a base model 911 with maybe only 1 or 2 options at most. He also admitted that no one who got that bare minimum 911 was ever disappointed with their purchase.
We purchased a bare bones Cayenne in 2011....total price $55k. Still have it today...148k miles.
I heard the same from a salesman and a service tech. The base is all you need.
Car salesman tell lies,ha
I have a 991.1 basic Carrera with no performance options. No pasm -20 mm , no sport Chrono, no PTV plus, small steel brakes, and standard exhaust. It's a car that a few years ago I would have immeditley written off. My m3 and Camaro 1LE had all kinds of similar equipment so they must be better. All the tech from those cars cannot overcome the fundemental better architecture of the 911. Even with no options it's so much more fun and rewarding to drive than basically any car I've ever driven. Even with an passive dampers and an open diff it gets better traction out of uneven tight hairpins than the m3 and Camaro 1le with their electronically locking diffs and magnetic ride control suspension.
Make a fundamentally good chassis and you don't need a lot of electronic wizardry. However, the wizardry is even better on such a chassis.
GT500, C8 Corvette, 911 S or Nissan GTR?
I'm thinking of getting a base model. Does it have heated seats & steering heating as standard?
@@Spartan69117 GT500 - High horsepower monster that handles well, heavy! Good Price.
C8 Corvette - Balanced, Good handling and second best acceleration also reasonably priced, not a looker.
911S - Perfectly balanced handling, good acceleration, best looking, MANUAL available! Expensive.
GTR - Capable all round performer, best acceleration, outdated, expensive.
I'd buy the Porsche if that much money was available...
@@drnamomar None of that stuff is standard. Nothing is standard on a 991.1. A new Hyundai has 3x the equipment of a base 991.1.
Guess that easter egg on the back also equals to 992 if you count the 9 on both sides.
929
I’ve been saving my nickels and dimes for my retirement car, the basic rear wheel drive 911. I thought i was alone in appreciating the simplicity of it. Very glad to find your vid, well done.
Billy...me too. I can't decide on the 991.1 (NA) or the 991.2 or 992.
The simple beauty of the basic shape is striking. As distinctive as ever. No pointless frills to distract from it. Nothing jars. Just a near-perfect design.
I’m just here to say the production quality of this video is amazing
Why did I click on this video before bed, now I am all pumped up and can't sleep.
Patrick please go to bed you have reservations at Dorsia tomorrow
Superlative review: Major detail others missed (engine placement improvement), the in-place graphics, the breadth and depth of your delivery, and your pronunciation. 911 and Boxster owner here, much appreciate your work and I really doubted this would hold a candle to the established UA-cam reviewers.
I love the clean understatement of this base model
0:42 -- I said out loud, "Wow, that's clean... it's pretty, I like it." All the faster models look more impressive, but this base spec looks great to me.
I'm really happy with my base 992 C2. I never felt the need to buy to a higher model after test driving the 4S before I ordered mine.
@J1420 0545 don’t be a hater, it’s a Porsche at the end of the day dummy
@@realtalk7571 exactly. A base 992 is better than 95% of the similar price garbage out there,
I would get the 20 inch wheel and glass roof, that is. None of these other fancy options.
I got a base 2022 Carrera in aventurine green just a couple of weeks ago. I shopped around for quite a while, and I've been updating my configuration on the Porsche site for years now, so I knew what I was looking for. There simply weren't that many 2022 Carreras in the color and with the options I wanted anywhere in the entire U.S. - which is to say, none. I had wanted an S, but after watching multiple reviews of the S I decided to allow for a base 911. As it turned out I found one which matched very closely the specs I had in mind, so rather than wait upwards of two years for an allotment I pulled the trigger, and I'm very happy I did. This car is sublime! I think the biggest issue for anyone trying to decide between a base model and an S should be the transmission choice. Fortunately I wanted a PDK, so it worked out great for me.
I'm looking for a similar setup. In this video, he mentions 88k, but on the website, it looks like they start at 106k. Have they really jumped that much in 1 year?
@@seekuncertainty He said 80 pounds. The car price did go up from about 102k to 106k for the "standard" Carerra.
@@seekuncertainty Yes, and you'd be lucky to pay just $106K right now. Even in the best of times Porsche is known for their many options, some quite expensive. If you aren't willing to wait for a zero-option Porsche on order, you'd be very hard pressed to find one on a dealer lot with no options.
I think the closest one I ran across in my search was Hennessy in Georgia which had a base 911 with only two options: the smoking package which is around $120, and the PDLS (dynamic lighting) which is about $2K.
@@seekuncertainty Im in the market for one soon and now they're 114k :(
I love the plate, "A 911" and not much else.
They're pretty bland for a sports car.
@@splint3048 how lol
@@splint3048 Bland. One of the great sports cars of all time … bland?
I have a base Carrera 991.1 and absolutely love it .. the sensation of that naturally aspirated roar, it just never gets old!
I'm not usually a fan of white but it looks so tidy and shows off the classic 911 lines so well.
I like its timeless looks, simplicity of style and function
Your editing skills mate
You must've done a PHD in that stuff
Looks like Hollywood CGI level stuff
it's utterly annoying
@@slaykay47 how lol
I really can't wait to cash in my AMC shares and get the Targa. It's the one frivolous purchase I intend to make. I've driven classic VW beetles for 20 years, and I wanna treat myself to being able to drive faster than 60mph
@M0 BlackH2O movie theaters
AMC to the moon!
I mean if you just wanna go above 60 mph you could get a 15 year old Corolla for 4 grand.
@@CockatooDude ah yes, the Corolla.. also known as every middle-aged man's way of telling the world he gave up on life.
@@shawnm3839 But... it does go faster than 60.
I always wondered how a base 911 w/o any performance option performs Interesting content
15:40 yeah the base 911 without the sports exhaust sounds very good IMO. I would probably not get the sports exhaust and save my money for some after-market options if I really felt the need
I love my 992 carrera base and cant wait to track it/autocross it . Wish it got more attention, such an amazing,composed car that often gets overlooked by the upper trims.
I remember when the 930 Turbo was around 4.2 sec.......that base Carrera with hounds tooth is incredible.
I would love one even over the S or 4S......with a manual.
Certainly the best daily driver. Love mine. My buddy with his “S” felt like he couldn’t leave his driveway without a ticket. Had plenty of options inside, PDK, GPS etc.
I've always wondered if a base spec 992 gives that full Porsche experience. You've answered my question Raz - thank you for another awesome video. 👍
I bought the base 2022 911 versus the S and don’t regret it at all. A truly awesome car that I enjoy as much or more than my Macan Turbo or Cayenne Turbo. I invested my savings versus the S and made 200K trading Options. Thanks RBR !!!
Raz - Thank you so much for posting such genuine content. I hate when car reviewers on UA-cam - such as carwow and Throttle House - show a bias towards one brand and illogical prejudice over others. Video like this one debunks the ever-present dilemma that people have when they are about to buy a sports car, and more often than not, get talked into buying expensive variants by dealerships. You have clearly put it out that one can really stick with a base 911 Carrera without going the route of unintentionally shelling out extra 36k pounds and getting the Carrera 4S. Thank you for the community service through this video.
This actually seems like a great theme for future videos as well wherein you pick a good sports car and share your thoughts on exactly which variant(s) and options are good value. Because, really, there is no other way for many people (including myself) to know it otherwise. Let me give you an example, I live in America and was in the market for my first ever sports car about 3 year ago. I shortlisted Mustang, after eliminating Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro. I ended up buying the eco-boost variant (4 cyl turbo) and not the V8. This is because it felt like a clever way of owning a popular sports car without having to pay premium price that the V8 variant demanded. Furthermore, the horsepower eco-boost motor delivers seemed enough already that even thinking about the need for a V8 seemed like going over the board. I was extremely joyful for about 1-1.5 years until I realized the eco-boost motor has no emotion, character, or soul; and that's when I realized I made a big mistake. Although I was happy with the power and the ride quality, the lack of sound, emotion, rev-matching, etc. made me regret my decision almost every day. Knowing the V8 variant had all the goods I was actually looking for made me just want to go back in time and alter my decision, and hence, I started looking for time machine rentals :D. This kind of video prevents the need to look for a time machine by providing much-needed reliable information about variants and options upfront to potential buyers.
Nice review.👍In most cases, the Base 911 model is more than one can chew unless you are going on the race track. Most people who generally criticize everything about the Base 911 Carrera can't even afford one.
When someone says "Surprisingly affordable starting at about 120k". I almost spit my coffee up.
They won't be paying that amount for a car tho anyway. Most of these are on lease options and they probably have a good relationship with the lender so it isn't too much out of pocket for them
So I just got a 981 Boxster S for the difference in price between the base 992 and 4S! And it’s as fast as the base 992 as it weighs considerably less. I’ve owned a Miata, MR2 and learned to drive in a base 911 looong ago. I’ll take a mid-engined car any day, all day, especially when it’s a Porsche!
@@williammorris3334 those are nice looking
Absolutely perfect video. No reason for most people who want a 911 to buy more than the base model, spec'd the way they want it!
Front axle lift is not necessary in the base version right? Ground clearance is more on a base version right?
In my opinion it is necessary… it‘s still quite low
I'm a huge fan of these more "pure" trimmed cars. Not everything about a car should be measured by HP or 0-60!
Nice review, possible to do a 992 TURBO non s vs TURBO s?
Yeah they are like 30k base difference, I wonder why
this kind of reminds me of a conversation I had with a guy one time and he said by the best bass model car you can afford because the inherent goodness of the car it’s not necessarily when it’s completely optioned out but in the platform itself.
In a world of numbers and 0-60 times, there’s something nice about something that’s just right. You can easily have a lot of fun in a base 911 without worrying about losing your license and that’s great. I can easily see myself using 100% of this car and it feel like just the right amount of car. I consider myself a great driver so I don’t need all these safety systems so something like this is perfect for someone like myself.
Seems like a Goldilocks car honestly - just a driver’s car.
Thank you for doing up the video of the 992 Base model. A lot of videos are done on the higher variants and only a handful talks about the base model. IMO, your is the best I have seen so far explaining why the 992 Base is so worth looking at.
About 12 minutes in before you get to the base model......I guess the setup is valuable but @ $40k price diff, I really wasn't gonna get an S, so I wanted to hear about the base. Having been mildly critical in that regard, I love your perspective, opinions and review. I am now a new subscriber.
That contrasting stitching in the base model is classy.
Really nice videos Raz! I usually tend to spec my cars with all options available because I fear to miss out on anything. But a Carrera with all boxes ticked would exceed my budget. You now planted this idea in my head that a base Carrera with no options could be puristic alternative. I’m actually considering it. 😊
There's no such thing as "basic" in a Porsche 911 but, to your point, this is a fantastic solid sports car man !
Right 100% bse no porsche costs is cheap
I have a black ‘24 Carrera base and it’s totally amazing everyday
all tests of the Carrera base version show 3.5 seconds to 100km/h, not the announced 4.2
Always love reviews for base level models, thanks!
I think the base Carrera looks awesome. Probably fun to drive because you can let it all hang out. I've had a black on black turbo s new since 2018.
I bought a 991.2 base Carrera with PDK, sports exhaust, Bose and other basic options. Sticker was $110k and bought at discount. Very happy with car.
I agree while talking the 911 range in isolation, BUT... My question is when comparing the base 911 (now 87k) with the 718 Cayman/Boxster GTS 4.0 (67/69-74K), especially if you want a Cabrio (97k). I wonder in that comparison, if the 911 only starts to make sense if you want 4WD (an additional 6K), but then you're paying 103K for a 911 Carrera 4 Cabrio vs 69K for a Boxster GTS 4.0. That's a massive 34k difference.
On paper, performance is almost the same, and of course, the Cayman/Boxster GTS 4.0 has a n-a engine. In the real world, I suspect the actual 0-60 time for the 911 is less by a greater margin, but still. For me, I'd definitely choose a 911 over the Cayman, for no better reason than I don't like the look of the Cayman. A 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 vs 911 Cabrio, I'm not so sure. I like the look of both. I prefer the 911. But the Boxster is designed as a Cabrio from the ground up, whereas the 911 Cabrio isn't, and I think I prefer the n-a engine vs the 911 engine, at least until you step up to the 911 Turbo/Turbo S. And then there's the huge price difference.
What am I missing? Why would one pay the extra for the base 911 over the Cayman/Boxster GTS 4.0? The 911 is 21K more than the Cayman 4.0, and the 911 Cabrio is 29K more than the Boxster 4.0. Performance is similar. Practicality is similar, unless you are really going to use the occasional seats in the 911. And I think residuals would be similar, but maybe a base 911 will actually fair significantly worse, especially a minimally spec'd one. The 911 looks more impressive, and I suspect most people can't tell the difference between a base 911 and a Turbo S. And similarly can't tell the difference between a base Cayman/Boxster and a GTS 4.0. But are impressions and perceptions enough to justify the significant extra expenditure? And I almost forgot that the Cayman/Boxster 4.0 can be had with a manual, whereas you have to step up to a 911 S to get that option in the 911 range.
I believe any porsche straight 6 will give you that Porsche experience. A lot of people look at this base model like Porsche didn’t do anything to it. In fact it’s the opposite, it’s perfectly engineered for a daily driver.
porsche doesn't make a straight 6 - never has
The similarity of titles from all my favourite UA-camrs about this vehicle (“best value in the lineup”, “jewel in the crown” etc) makes me wonder if the Porsche press briefings have come with some very clear themes and instructions for those getting first access.
Fantastic review! I love the purity of the base, but wouldn’t trade my C4S for anything. Ridiculously quick, doesn’t feel lacking in any department and the red brake calipers are the icing on the cake. Plus in 5 years I won’t have FOMO because Porsche “redesigned” the front grille or some other styling gimmick (looking at you BMW). The 992 looked elegant and timeless the moment it was introduced.
I found the biggest challenge in buying the base 911 is getting the dealership to place your order! Had to go to several places before success. Added only 3 options (e.g. chronopak, seat color). They really try to upsale you to add many options in order to get an "allocation".
Outstanding comparison review. Truly epic, thankyou for all the effort you put in making it.
The fact is that you are doing pretty damn good if you can afford any Porsche 911. Great video!!
Would call this the Simple version rather than a base version
Looks stunning, head turning and neck cracking
Standard version sounds better.
The base carrera is like the old 16G iPhone. If you pay a bit more, you get the 64G iPhone. The whole purpose of the 16G iPhone is to make people pay more for the 64G model. Porsche uses the same strategy here. I really like the base model, it’s more fun to drive if the car is a bit slower, because you have to make the car work harder. However, I would still choose S or C4, because the base model cannot get the LSD and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus. For a such expensive sports car, there is no LSD, it’s a bit difficult to accept.
You need to drive it to believe.
Great analogy
Great review! And yeah, since it is the base model, you bet every square cm of the car was absolutely agonized over, and likely much more so than the variants. And I added the 992nd like! :)
Having one of those porsche, is already very satisfying 😎
Great review Raz. Been watching your videos for a while now. Now I understand how cool the basic 911is. You have a unique style. I also appreciated the 2021 Mercedes 53 amg review.
Jeff
Base 911 after Litchfield visit is the hidden gem of the 911 line up. The daily GT3 for the street.
Porsche just like any brand have milked their cars to an unrivalled variant catalogue. The standard Carrera is all you need with room for some really nice options. The S is maybe nicer for the bigger brakes and the manual stick but I don't get the GTS at all when its mostly a typical sporty cosmetic setup for people to feel as though it's a GT3 lite lol.
RBR is so good! The content is top quality!
Just saw a lot of super cars this weekend at an event. But that Porsche is always my favorite, since childhood.
My 991.2 Carrera 7mt is the last of the narrow body Carreras and also the last of the base Carrera with a manual. I think I will hold on to her 😍
12:36 those were my EXACT thoughts (in relation to singer) when i first saw it !
Awesome. The base model is affordable for many. 80k is reasonably. Thx for sharing . I like your inputs .
Wait in which universe is a 992 brand new starting under 100k? In NL basic config is like 170k
The basic 911 is more car than what most people need. Fabulous car, especially if you want to drive all day and do nothing but drive.
Having in mine all the restriction on the road we have, as daily I'll save my 40 k for the S and take the Base one. Don't even need the chrono - I'll tick only the sport exhaust (more a matter of look then the sound) and upgrade the sound to Bose... S worth only because the manual...
my config for the S model came to 142k and the base came to 125k both with Aero Kit. Not sure which way to go.
Well done 👍
You’re reviewing is at another level👏👏
Thank you!
I have a well optioned base car about to start production. Keep in mind that Car and Driver measured the 0-60 time of the base Carrera @ 3.2 seconds w/11.5sec quarter mile.
Same here... delivery in august... only got sports exhaust, glass sunroof, Bose, and carrera S wheels.
@@reginaldjackson6204 Sport Chrono, 18 way, RS Spyder, Sport Exhaust, Bose, Slick Roof w/rear wiper...due in early Sept. I loved all of the 992's I drove. Was mostly driven by availability of the local allocations
Car and driver are full of shit they use rollout times to get the best times also and make up figures
@@lexman8678 Rollout times are worth about 0.2 sec, so w/o rollout ~3.4 instead of 3.2. As for the rest of your post, you are gonna have to provide examples.
I still preferred the 991, until I saw the 992 GT3 touring. That is the pick of Porsches for mine.
Yea, and it’s the price of a 458.
I'm German/American. I owned several 911s when I lived in Germany, they were everywhere, and a dime a dozen. Until you needed repairs or parts! I now own a Lexus LC 500 touring, naturally aspirated V8 coupe. Better design, better built, better materials, and cheaper to maintain and repair!
The base C2 is so fast now you almost don't need the S unless you really need the bigger brakes
How is this channel not over 2ml subs? It will be!
Just specced a base carrera to how I would want it. Only ticked sports exhaust, sport plus seats, sport chrono, aero kit and different wheels. The aerokit makes it a mini gt3 or GT0.3. Looks just as cool, is plenty fast. Dream car. If only I had the money haha
It's a NO brainier why would spend another 40k unless you have money to burn !!! As a daily driver it has everything that you need ; comfort,it's quick, enjoyable, & puts a smile on your face. What's not to like !!!!!!
Thank you for promoting a VPN service without saying such nonsense like "makes your internet connection more secure!". Subscribed simply for this. :)
I love Porsche! I cant wait till I have my first one.
me too 3103frank!! been dreamin' far too long, time to buy.buy.buy!!😃 CJ in LA, CA
Love the new GT3
Up next on the channel! 😈
@@RemoveBeforeRace I prefer GT3 Touring
I agree Raz it's all about the base
No treble...😎
2:45, was that smoke coming up from the backend of the base 911.?
Actualy if you count twin lines there are also 9 pairs, i observed this after you pointed out the grill lol,thanks for the great reviews keep up the good work mate!
Great Review Raz, very educational & helpful, for people who might be new to the brand & are considering the 911 as first time buyers - perhaps you could do a review for these folks & cover stuff like options that would enhance the 911 experience? Such as the lift kit, sport chrono & sports exhaust, also since this is the most popular model & very unlikely to depreciate after a year depending where you (South Africa) I would assume that after 2 years these cars would be a lot more affordable & in greater demand? Just some of the things i guess prospective & future 911 owners who like to know? Thanks 👍🏼
Prek…..Maybe I can help.
I spent almost 3 years waiting for an allocation for a 911.
When it finally came through, I had my choice between a C4S or a C2.
I chose to get a C2 and option it with a few thousand difference…..mainly for about 60 more hp and a few tenth’s of a second to 60…..not exactly a live or death situation.
And if it’s an ego thing to have an “s” behind Carrera, I already feel sorry for you.
I had plenty of time to go over the configurator……many, many time.
I probably fine tuned the build a minimum of 30 times…..but the 911 I took delivery of last month was more than worth it !
Here are a few options for a base 911 that I believe you should consider.
( first of all, there is no lift option…and it’s not needed )
Color and interior are very personal…..so I won’t spend time here…only to say I got an Agate Grey with Beige interior….and it’s stunning.
Ok….options : Sports Chrono…..from your steering wheel you can choose 5 different drive settings, including an “Individual” mode that you can customize different settings just for you.
Before I forget….it may sound insignificant, but there are many owners that missed a relatively inexpensive option they really regret……the extended range fuel tank ! You go from about 16 gallons to 23…..really nice on any road trip.
Prek continued : Sport Exhaust…..the option to give it a bit more glorious sound….even if you don’t have “580 hp”.
Adaptive Cruise Control. If you get in traffic, you’ll be thankful you got it.
The seats are another area you’ll get a lot of different opinions. If you can go to the dealer and check out the multitude of options.
I have 18 way in my Macan…..very nice…..but really wrap around you with the bolsters. Probably not for a generous size……Butt !
I got the 14 way in the 911. They’re VERY comfortable….and so are some of the less expensive options….but here’s the deal….only the 14 and 18 ways have an extended thigh support….and THAT is really a nice comfort option.
I did get the GT Sport steering wheel in leather….it’s nice, but not as critical as some of the above.
I also got the light-weight, noise insulated glass. Not sure this is necessary.
I’d driven an older 2016 or so “S” model that was absolutely obnoxiously loud….road noise. I was concerned. But as it turned out, I think it was a freak and this option was probably not necessary.
I did do custom yellow seat belts and a yellow tach ring….looks great !
I did a partial clear wrap that was a dealer condition upon delivery.
It’s a very wise choice even without it being a condition…..and a bit expensive.
But it’s protecting a very valuable investment.
There may be a few more….but these are some you should really consider.
And make the car “yours” with a few options you just might like “just because.”
You’re going to pay for it…..but you won’t regret it for a moment.
This BASE 911 absolutely blew me away……there is nothing else like it in the world.
Period !
Appreciate you making this video. I am having a tough time making a decision on a Porsche (although not a 911). Fundamentally, most of the lower end vehicles have enough sports car DNA to make the upper HP options unnecessary. I certainly value the higher HPs and capabilities of the top tier cars but its clear that they are not required for an awesome driving experience.
I don’t know if a Stage I tune will add a lot to a less powerful version?
I bought an S3 and Stage I’d it plus Sachs organic clutch. Got first gen RS3 power at a big discount.
Just a thought.
Can you please review a Carerra S with a manual?
the most beautiful sports car humanity ever made for the masses... love it and definitely will buy it soon or later.
Man the basic looks so clean, especially from the back...
Love the review! The lack of a limited slip diff is noticeable on the base? I have been debating between a 4S, S in pdk for ages now. One note is that pdk programming on the base seem quite different than on the S or 4S...
It is a very much present difference.
How is the difference in suspension stiffness between both? Does de PASM gives a bit more comfort?
Pasm is standard on the 992.
If you have a porsche, you dont look broke. Thats only thing I care about. Dont need all the bells and whistles. Baseline 911 is perfectly fine.
Props to your camera team.
Moral of the video: Just pick any 911 on any day of the week and you are guaranteed to have fun.
In the real world the basic 911 is the best model
Raz I see how you get all the vehicles in the exact same position.. those pavers on the side you line the front wheels up with them dontcha..😏
Good job. Very honest to admit you like the base. I would be happy as well.
Unless you want a track car the base model is the way to go
you "had" a 911 992 Turbo S....when did you get rid of it and why?? another great vid. just makes me want a 992 more
Great vid. Most of those extras not needed are they. Everything that makes the car fun to drive is in the basic car.
Your voice hard to hear in car. Do you have a lapel mic?