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While the limited-run Carrera GT is hailed as one of the all time great, you'd be surprised at how far the more versatile 911 Turbo S has come in the past two decades to close the gap, at a fraction of the price
by Khris Bharath on November 19, 2024, 13:30Porsche has gifted the automotive world with numerous legendary models, and among them, the 911 Turbo S and the Carrera GT stand out. The Carrera GT with its F1 derived V10 engine sounds phenomenal, and is a hero car for most Porsche people, particularly those who grew up in the 2000s, like myself. Given that it is widely considered the last analog supercar ever made, not just by Porsche, but in the wider auto industry, valuations are on the rise.
But since the CGT is now a seven-figure proposition, are there any current Porsche models that are still attainable? Perhaps one of the most obvious choices has got to be one of the GT cars right? Well, those are mostly track cars. So if we’re talking road cars. In that case, the Turbo S is top dog. Now, despite the twin-turbo flat-six sounding like a vacuum cleaner compared to the Carrera GT’s V10 howl, it does have a few key advantages over Porsche’s ultimate halo supercar from the 2000s.
1. Performance: The 992 Turbo S is Quicker than the Carrera GT
0-60 mph:
The 911 Turbo S boasts a blistering 0-60 mph time of just 2.6 seconds with the sports Chrono package. This remarkable acceleration is attributed to its twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six engine, which produces 640 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. This power allows the Turbo S to achieve instant and consistent acceleration, making it one of the fastest production cars on the road today.
In comparison, the Carrera GT, equipped with a naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V10 engine that generates 605 horsepower and 435 pound-feet of torque, accelerates from 0-60 mph in about 3.5 seconds. While this is still quick, it doesn’t match the instantaneous thrust of the 911 Turbo S, which benefits from advanced turbocharging tech and launch control systems.
Top Speed:
When it comes to outright paces, both cars are capable of some seriously impressive top speeds and are evenly matched with a top speed of 205 mph. Having said that, the ease with which the 911 Turbo S reaches its maximum speed, thanks to its superior aerodynamics and turbocharging efficiency, makes it a lot more accessible for high-speed driving. It really goes to show how fast the industry moves, where a 911 Turbo S, which is essentially a sportscar can match the top speed of a CGT, which is a Halo supercar.
2. Everyday Usability
Better Ergonomics
The 911 Turbo S is designed with the driver’s comfort and convenience in mind. It features an ergonomically optimized cockpit with modern amenities such as a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which offers intuitive controls for navigation, media, and vehicle settings. I still prefer the analog-tach on the 992.1, akin to the all-digital dash that Porsche has been rolling out with the .2 update. Adaptive cruise control and PASM enhance long-distance comfort by maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
In contrast, the Carrera GT’s interior is focused on pure performance. It has a minimalist design with analog gauges, a beach-wood shifter for manual transmission, and limited conveniences. The driver’s seat is positioned for an optimal driving stance but lacks the adjustable comfort features found in the 911 Turbo S.
More Space
The 911 Turbo S provides more practicality with its 2+2 seating configuration. While the rear seats are modest, they offer additional passenger space or can be folded down to expand the luggage area, accommodating groceries, luggage, or sports equipment.
The Carrera GT is strictly a two-seater with limited storage space, reinforcing its role as a focused supercar rather than an everyday vehicle. This limits its practicality for daily use or longer trips requiring additional luggage space. Where the CGT has just five cubic feet of cargo room, the 911 Turbo S has double the space at 10 cubic feet, making the prospect of serving up a as a long-distance GT car, realistic.
PDK Convenience & Practicality
The 911 Turbo S features Porsche’s PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung) dual-clutch transmission, combining the ease of an automatic with the engagement of a manual. The PDK offers lightning-fast gear changes, contributing to the car’s impressive performance and ease of use in various driving conditions. Drivers can switch between automatic mode for everyday convenience and manual mode for more spirited driving.
The Carrera GT, on the other hand, is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, which, while offering a highly engaging driving experience, requires more skill and effort. This can make it less practical for daily driving, especially in stop-and-go traffic. You also need to be extremely careful with using the CGT’s clutch properly as it has been a weak link in the Carrera GT experience.
PASM and No Fancy-Race Suspension
The 911 Turbo S is equipped with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which continuously adjusts the damping force on each wheel based on road conditions and driving style. This ensures a comfortable and composed ride, whether navigating city streets or enjoying spirited driving on winding roads.
The Carrera GT’s suspension setup is more rigid and race-focused, making it less forgiving on uneven surfaces and less comfortable for everyday use. This race-tuned suspension is excellent for track performance but can be harsh on public roads. The ground clearance of the Porsche 911 Turbo S is 4.7 inches. The car also has an optional front axle lift system that can provide an additional 1.5 inches of ground clearance at the front spoiler lip.
3. Rear-Axle Steering, AWD
Year-Round Usability
The 911 Turbo S features an advanced all-wheel-drive system that provides superior traction and stability in various weather conditions, making it a true year-round supercar. Whether it’s raining, snowing, or sunny, the Turbo S can handle it all with confidence. The 911 Turbo S, with its advanced stability and traction control systems, has a better reputation for safety and reliability.
The rear-wheel drive Carrera GT devoid of modern driver aids like traction and stability control can make it a handful even in the most ideal of conditions. You need to be a skilled driver to pilot the CGT, as some unlucky folks have found out with some high-profile crashes over the past two decades. The most famous incident was the tragic accident that claimed the lives of actor Paul Walker and his friend Roger Rodas in 2013. It’s probably the reason also why Porsche is offering more modern brand-new tires free of charge to current owners.
Easier to Manoeuvre in Town
With rear-axle steering, the 911 Turbo S offers enhanced maneuverability, especially in tight urban environments. The rear wheels can turn slightly in the opposite direction of the front wheels at low speeds, reducing the turning radius and making parking and city driving easier. Considering you’re sitting a lot lower in a CGT (3.4 inches) than in a 911, visibility won’t be as great and the CGT is nearly an inch wider and that’s something that would make a big difference while parking.
4. Maintenance & Insurance Costs
Better Nationwide Support in the United States
The 911 Turbo S benefits from Porsche’s extensive dealer network in the United States, providing better nationwide support and service availability. This makes it easier for owners to find authorized service centers and obtain genuine parts, ensuring the car’s longevity and performance.
The Carrera GT may require special equipment and labor costs may be high, as not all dealers may have the qualified technicians that can work on a CGT. This is where a Porsche specialist like Repasi Motorwerks come in, who are more reasonable with an oil change costing $1,500. Regardless, the availability of parts for a CGT can be a challenge.
Cheaper to Maintain A 911 Turbo S Compared to Carrera GT
Maintaining a 911 Turbo S is generally more affordable than a Carrera GT. For example, the Carrera GT’s clutch replacement can cost upwards of $20,000, and an oil change will set you back $3000, whereas the 911 Turbo S has more reasonable maintenance costs for routine services and repairs with service ranging between $500 and $1000 depending on the intervals. Regular maintenance for the Turbo S, including oil changes, brake servicing, and minor repairs, is straightforward and less expensive.
Cheaper to Insure Compared to Carrera GT
Insurance costs for the 911 Turbo S are typically lower compared to the Carrera GT. The Carrera GT’s high value and collector status result in higher insurance premiums ($5,000-$8000), while the Turbo S’s relative affordability and better safety features make it less expensive to insure ($4,000). This makes the 911 Turbo S a more practical and financially viable option for performance car enthusiasts.
5. Steep Price, But Still Attainable
The 911 Turbo S Costs 250k, But Remains Attainable
While the 911 Turbo S comes with a steep price tag of around $250,000, it remains attainable compared to the Carrera GT, which often commands prices well into the seven-figure range. When new, the CGT had a base MSRP of $440,000. The average price of a 911 Turbo S hovers around $245k, whereas for the CGT it is $1.4 million.
Don’t Have to Worry About Putting Miles On A 911 Turbo S
The exclusivity and limited production numbers (1,270 units for the global market) of the Carrera GT drive its high market value, making it a coveted collector’s item. The Turbo S being a more mainstream series production model has been built in far greater numbers (estimated 4,000 units) and some examples do have the potential to go up in value, depending on the spec.
Owners of the 911 Turbo S can enjoy driving their car without the fear of significantly affecting its value. The 911 Turbo S is built to be driven, and adding miles won’t depreciate its value as drastically as it would with the Carrera GT. This makes the 911 Turbo S a more practical option for regular use, allowing owners to fully enjoy their investment without worrying about resale value.
| Feature | 992 Turbo S | Carrera GT |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.8L Twin-Turbo Flat-Six | 5.7L Naturally Aspirated V10 |
| Horsepower | 640 hp | 605 hp |
| Torque | 590 lb-ft | 435 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-Speed PDK | 6-Speed Manual |
| 0-60 mph | 2.6 seconds | 3.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 205 mph | 205 mph |
| Drive Type | All-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Weight | 3,043 lbs | 3,649 lbs |
| Downforce | 375 lbs (due to active aerodynamics) | 639 lbs |
| Production Numbers | Thousands | 1,270 |
| Starting MSRP | $250,000 | $440,000 (when new) |
| Interior | Modern, Tech-Focused | Spartan, Driver-Oriented |
| Suspension | Adaptive Air Suspension | Fixed Suspension |
| Brakes | Carbon Ceramic Brakes (optional) | Carbon Ceramic Brakes (standard) |
Khris Bharath
Khris is a Mechanical Engineer and a classic car aficionado, who adores his Jags, Alfas, and old-school American muscle cars. He keeps tabs on everything from super exotics like an old EB 110 to the latest from Lucid and geeks out on three-row family haulers. Formula One remains very close to his heart, and he diligently makes time to tune in for the Grand Prix on Sundays. Khris also loves his road trips and he prefers a stick shift over an auto. Read full bio
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