997 DUO
For many Porschephiles, choosing between a 997 Carrera S and a 997 Turbo is like asking a parent to pick their favourite child. Both 911s are magical, of course, but is the Carrera S all the 997 you will ever need? The meeting point to test these models back-to-back is just outside Bedfordshire's Cranfield University (formerly Cranfield Institute of Technology) on a sunny — but incredibly cold — Friday morning. As tempting as it would be to head inside and brush up on my engineering knowledge, the surrounding roads provide the perfect proving ground of fast straights, tight twisties and open dual carriageway. I am going to find out which of these two models makes a better road car.
Not many other magazines compare 911 models. I remember when new, the Carrera S was pitched against the Audi R8 and Aston Martin Vantage, both V8 machines, while the Turbo was pegged against the R8 VI0 and Nissan GTR. This is why it's great to meet owners, Dave Adams and Cal Clarke, who own our star Basalt Black Turbo and Cobalt Blue Carrera S respectively. I'm in the company of proper petrolheads not shy about using the words feel, lift and tightness when talking about their 911s. Then again, maybe they're talking about their preferred skincare treatments?
I've known Dave for as long as these 2007-year 997s have been alive. Once upon a time, we worked together at independent garage, G&M Reed Motors, located in Barnet on the outskirts of Hertfordshire. He now owns the business. He's owned a few Porsches, too — a 944 and a modified 996 Carrera have graced his driveway, and he now owns an immaculate 986 Boxster S, which lives alongside the 997 Turbo you see here. He's also quite possibly one of the luckiest men in the world, having won the Turbo in a competition run by online premium vehicle raffle organiser, Dream Car Giveaways. Regular readers may recall the brand from the May 2021 issue of , which featured a 991 GT3 won by another lucky Dream Car Giveaways competition entrant. Dave bought his entry ticket on his birthday in November 2022, finding out that very day he he'd won the top prize. Note to my relatives: if I request for cash
