INTERIOR AND TRIM
There really does seem to be a 991 to suit every taste and budget(ish). Porsche really went to town when it revamped its Individual Equipment list in readiness for the 991's arrival — super-audio this, embossed that, Gt-the other. The only limit to what was possible seemed to be the depth of buyer's pockets. What this means for those of you scanning the used car scene is that you can hold out for the specification you desire without fear of missing the boat — there are so many 991s spanning a colossal number of model variants over an uncharacteristically long model lifecycle, you can almost guarantee your dream specification is just waiting to be discovered in the classifieds.
This won't come as any surprise to owners of older 911s, but the Sport Chrono Plus package is well worth holding out for. Not only does it deliver a drop in ride height and, therefore, a more meaningful stance, this superb add-on (indicated by the almost novelty lap timer/stopwatch positioned in the centre of the dashboard) changes the behaviour of the host 991, altering chassis, engine, transmission and suspension characteristics in dramatic fashion, making for a far more engaging and, dare we say it, more enjoyable ride.
Adaptive sports seats, Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), parking sensors and BOSE stereo equipment make a big difference to the driving experience (yes, we know you'd rather be listening to the sound of the roaring flat-six), especially if you intend to spend time behind the wheel soaking up miles on long journeys. It's also worth thinking about what kind of upholstery takes your fancy. Granted, most people treat full leather as the default, but a GTS comes trimmed in lashings of Alcantara and gorgeous colour-coded double stitching, marrying a GT feel with serious opulence. It's the specification we'd hold out for.
The Carrera T offers arguably purer seat time, with its modelspecific, fabric-trimmed, manually adjustable seats and the removal of many toys, reducing weight and driver distraction. There's still plenty of leather and Alcantara on show (the latter covering the headlining), but there's no rear seats (they were reinstated as a no-cost option) and Gt-style door pulls. 991 interior trim is hard-wearing, no matter the material, and the optional 360mm GT steering wheel (complete with paddle shifts for PDK cars and driving mode selector dial for Sport Chrono Plus) transforms the driving experience. Ten years on, the 991's Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system remains superb, delivering excellent connectivity to a range of smart devices and crystal clear in-drive telephone calling.