Road Test: 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S & Porsche 959 - Head to Head With History

[@ct1762]

After seeing these retro reviews, 0-60 in 3.7 circa 1986 is absolutely astounding. This from an era when anything under 9 seconds was considered quite quick

[@icegiant1000]

Whats crazy is I remember watching MotorWeek in the 80s and saw the episode where the news woman reported Porche was releasing the 959. I really remember because I was so impressed that it had 4 wheel drive. Time flies.

[@tre1193]

I´ll take the 959 that was the SuperCar in my Youth. It looked like a SpaceShip back then and the technical data sheet was from outer space. Even today it is for me one of the best Cars Porsche ever build.

[@borginator1493]

The 959 is just outright gorgeous!

[@rockdude9080]

That cutout drawing has been embedded forever in my brain since my highschool...

[@Gorilla_Jones]

959. Those numbers alone make goose bumps.

[@romelseepaul1761]

10 second 1/4 mile passes!! Amazing!

[@georgecarlin2097]

Old comment but still relevant. I remember back in the day circa ~2001, one of the big car magazines did an enormous comparison test between all the major sports cars and exotics. I remember the BMW Z8, 996 turbo, corvette Z06, Ferrari 360 modena etc. all being in it. Like a dozen cars. The 911 turbo had the quickest quarter mile time at 11.9; all judges remarked on just how insane it was that a drivable car you could buy at a dealership was knocking off 11 second quarters (the Z06 C 5 corvette also did an 11.9 at some point but was not replicable in this particular test). This test here is now 5 years old, and sports cars were already knocking down 10 sec quarters. There is a huge difference between 11 and 10 seconds. Pretty sure there is a Tesla or something out there doing 9's off the showroom floor now

[@romelseepaul1761]

@@georgecarlin2097 I have my eyes on a 2012 Nissan GTR or 2013 911 Turbo because the MK4 Supra doesn’t seem like a reasonable buy although I love it to death! But the tech and the platform are old but to each it’s own!!

[@mc3films]

Favorite MotorWeek video in a long time.

[@mzondi1970]

36 years hard to believe I've been watching it since it was on public television I've been watching probably all 36 of them what is the first car show I ever seen on TV so I instantly fell in love

[@robertosanchez4021]

Great reviews as always..., have been a fan for decades now...

[@philasturian8477]

I love all sports cars. All have positive and negative points, and must be respected. But the Porsche brand is unique among them all. Is an icon without comparisons. You may have a ferrari or a lambo but it is not the same as owning a Porsche. This is a way of life. It is not a question of price or snorer of the engine but rather a legend. An incomparable myth!

[@autopilotdriver8247]

I'm in love with the 2017 Porsche!

[@cardude1992]

One is timeless the other is the latest and greatest atm. I wish i could have either one

[@SARCASM_IS_MY_FIRST_NAME]

959 is shooting up value every year , 2016 was worthing $300,000 , now 3 years later , the value it's around 2 Million dolars !!!

[@PrettyBird23]

Not all 911's are turbocharged. The gt3 and gt3 rs are still naturally aspirated.

[@DBLOCKJERSEY]

when I was growing up the 959 was my favorite car and still is one of my favorites, it was way ahead of its time.

[@mfmf100]

Nice review. Sure the turbo s is inevitably more advanced, but it's not head and shoulders ahead of its contemporaries the way the 959 was in '86.

[@TheGtracer1994]

The 959 doesn't look 30 years old, at least to me.

[@DIYDanCars]

I'll take the 959 please. The 911's proportions are getting too big. Seeing that 959 proves how timeless it is as it still looks good even today.

[@josiahthibodeaux]

I agree with you wholeheartedly, not too mention it's the first of my dream cars.

[@Baerchenization]

And when did you figure that? The last four generations have virtually been the same size; except for length, the 991 and 959 are the same size... every reviewer thinks they have to throw in there for good measure 'how big it has gotten' - while it is almost exactly the same as the previous 997 - it is the wheel base that has been extended, not the overall dimensions.

[@tmat04]

DIY Dan There's nothing "timeless" about the design of the 959. These small Porsches like the 959 and 911 are ugly, in my opinion. They all look like toads.

[@meridian7143]

tmat04 You look like a toad!

[@tmat04]

Meridian 714 Lol....You haven't seen me. But I see your ugly little Porsches all the time. And I'm saying....they look like toads. Live with it!

[@briancenti5423]

both are so beautiful and the 959 is timeless. M/T got a 2.6 0-60mph and a 10.6 1/4 mile out of the turbo-S. both of these cars offer something special. no loser here.

[@ErwinSchrodinger64]

1.) Was the pearl white on the 959 shown an original paint job? I just don't remember seeing that type of paint on cars back then (then again I was 5 when this car came out). 2.) Turbo systems are vastly more complicated and come in so many different types now (sequential twin turbo, variable geometry, twin scroll, variable twin scroll, single turbo, and so forth). Why is there no mention of the type of turbo(s) on the new turbo-S. I'm assuming it has variable geometry turbos?

[@illstplaya]

Probably because most people have no idea what any of those words mean lol. they just know single turbo or twin turbo. by the way this car uses a twin turbo with variable turbine geometry.

[@stevechaconjr941]

Great looking rides. Back in '86--this 959 was the one.

[@Delvis343]

Great video! Keep up the good work.

[@oshi8994]

What beautiful cars Porsche makes!

[@Len1977gt]

JOHN YOU ARE THE MAN!!! I LOVE IT WHEN YOU NARRATE THE EPISODES!!

[@jamestu9768]

Kudos to the video crew 3:50 nice shot

[@EDHBlvd]

That white 959 blew my mind. It was pure ecstasy. Screw that yellow thing.

[@brellnob]

Rediscover Film The 959 hasn't aged well. Looks wise. Specifically the rear.

[@Joke9972]

I get you, this 'yellow thing' doesn't feel like it has a soul. Esp. in yellow (refers to RUF, but doesn't feel like it has sth to do with it). I'd paint it blue or something, anyway, the 959 for me too here.

[@aaronmcconkey6448]

I love him. he is the true enthusiast. not biased from your favorite brand. But every company has mad stuff.

[@brucerobertson5919]

This style of presentation pre-dates even the 959. American dude yell reading a script that sounds like an infomercial. I enjoyed the trip back in time... and wow that 959 is a special thing.

[@seinsmeld13]

Nice lid/helmet Ben!!!!!

[@JoJoJoker]

959 AND 991.2 Turbo wow! Even so, MotorWeek can't get 800 views in 12 hours? How times HAVE changed:)

[@ZepG]

+Abe Froman Yes it's sad, this was the first car show I ever watched. As a 14 year old kid in 1981 it was pure gold!

[@Porsche996driver]

Super cool, good job John Davis ha.

[@Zepherian]

"...looks slightly bloated next to this 2016(...)". Then cue image of the clearly smaller and elegant 959 next to this huge turbo. Jesus, automotive journalism is dead, all we have are these glorified car salesmen that will say what they have to to get to where they want to be... It's this sort of biased bs that made me stop buying magazines. And jesus was that 959 ahead of its time, its clear by the moving shots that this thing was and is simply fabulous. Best porsche of it's time by far and it's dna is clear throughout the porsche range. The 993 turbo clearly was born out of this, as well as all modern turbos 911 with 4 wheel drive. Amazing car.

[@jamesshives5679]

I thought that too, when I saw how small the 959 is compared to this turbo s, but I still agree with them calling it somewhat "bloated looking." The new 911's, although bigger, and actually bloated, are not bloated looking. "Looks" is the key word; what they are saying is just in regards to its appearance, not that it actually is. The lines and curves on the 959 are such a way that it's just not as trim looking as that turbo s.

[@S58PSHIFTING]

Porsche 911 Turbo S & Porsche 959 RULE.

[@greekchris91]

I am trying to figure out what song is being played in the background when showcasing the 959

[@sorasaurusrex7795]

4:40 Song name?

[@figarofigaritz889]

Fun comparison! Lucky, U guyz is...

[@rittastic]

Name of 80s electronic jingle@ :50 sec?

[@zoranmld2532]

BATTLE OF SUPERCARS OF ITS TIME.

[@ekscalybur]

John, its not almost mythological. 959 is god tier.

[@2yugen2]

Video made in 2016 but still looks like it's from the 90s. But I like that.

[@RACEgale]

Good video. Question: Who the heck grips the steering wheel like that, esp. at the track? If you're going to put someone in a driver suite, a helmet, and let that person out on the track then at least make sure they know what they're doing.

[@TheSnoopy1750]

If either of these cars look "soft and bloated", it's the 911 Turbo. I sure miss the days of the 959 and 993, which were the perfect size and had a connected driving experience.

[@allensaunders449]

Actually the new Gt2Rs is the flagship in the 911 range still nice vid

[@TheNovum]

959 is the car to have.

[@WHO9119]

I don't know if I'm just stuck on old school tech but thd 959 look way better then the Turbo S.

[@camirocz]

turbo s over 959 any day.

[@michaellui74]

36 season, congratulations😊😊👍👍👍can you please review Mclaren 650's and 570s. thanks

[@esr10503]

seeing this video is like stepping into a time machine too :p

[@chasevineland1508]

959 will always command a lot of $$$. The new 911 is awesome but the 959 is simply hotter!

[@wengmunarjr]

The intro car is not the 2017 911 Turbo.

[@stephenn6657]

You can thank Nissan for these excellent drag strip numbers. When the GTR came out, it embarrassed the 911 turbo. So Porsche went back and really modified the new 911 to compensate. Same thing when Honda/Acura NSX humiliated the Ferrari f355. They started taking it a serious.

[@cross7387]

Stephen N. I am a porsche fan and you are right also my second favorite car (300zx) made corvette step its game up with the introduction of the tt in 1990

[@KrustyKlown]

that cover over the 911T engine needs to go! .. why even have an engine hood, if there is a cover over the engine? If customers don't want to see the engine ... lose the engine hood, just put a little lid (like for gas) to access water & oil fill caps. Heck on a Porsche, the entire rear body panel needs to be lifted off to access the engine for service anyway ... so, go to a removable body panel hood instead .. and attach the rear wing directly to frame, as it should.

[@strongereveryday2302]

The 959 was revolutionary. The current 911 os just kind of...there. Almost a parody of itself at this point.

[@SubaruWRXspdManual]

The turbo S is incredible. 0-60 in 2.8s? Ridiculous. That's as fast or faster than just about any supercar. Of course starting at around 180k, it better be really good. The 959 needs no words. 0-60 in 3.8s back in 1986? Unbelievable.

[@madshartmann3684]

That's an impressive voice!

[@shawnmoore2736]

I want both

[@disneyland5001]

What tires were on those 991.2? The 0-60 and 1/4 times are a bit off. With top gear showing 2.6 and 10.6 times and users were able to do with 2.35 and 10.4 as the best.

[@travisp11]

You had me at 959...you lost me at 3:00.

[@OriginalBernieBro]

Where's the 2016-17 991.2 GT2???

[@GHOSTJERKER]

I would take that money and buy a 1979 930 turbo widebody car with low miles!

[@aaronmcconkey6448]

Id give almost anything to afford that.

[@robbae9307]

Porsches are meant to be understated. the 911 turbo is for someone who wants supercar performance, without looking like an absolute twat

[@r.i.p2464]

MilkTrafficker Robbae is right. Its not meant to be an eye catcher. Its meant for the eyes who fell in love with it. Its got all the right curves in the right places and that wide hips! ohhhhhh.... its like a low key not so pretty but super sexy and elegant secretary, teacher or librarian., not like a high end hooker/escort that wants attention on the street like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Mclaren. I agree that Porsche’s are not as pretty as the three i mentioned, but Porsche looks like a simple girl whose hiding something kinky and wild inside kinda girl and you’re not gonna be disappointed, thats what makes it better in the other three imo. Im a corvette guy and i still am and I used to hate Porsche’s till i did some growing up. now I’m in a hunt for the car i use to fucking hate the 930 turbo. Tell you what! i have never had this kind of craving over a car even though she is not even on my top ten most beautiful car list.

[@georgecarlin2097]

@@r.i.p2464 I have owned both Porsche and Corvette. Simply different and love them both

[@GoFast865]

Awesome

[@jasonsmith1143]

959 is KING even in 2017

[@BRIANBOBCHAPMAN]

COOL MotorWeek | Road Test: 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S & Porsche 959

[@michaellui74]

beautiful 959😊😊😊

[@555Tbird]

I demand more Star Wipes in my car reviews.

[@derekdreke4990]

The new one is a pretty dam good deal

[@mybeatmhz]

is still 959 is way better @ his time

[@YTuberosity]

What

[@albertkelly7129]

did he really just say the 959 was the bloated one?? i like this guy but wtf

[@highestone2313]

Let it be known that Porsche did not make 337 of the 959's. Porsche only built 294 komfort spec models and lost their ass on each one sold.

[@erikhertzer8434]

John looks like my dad looked after a summer of mowing the yard...

[@PrinceDavid]

Great comparison video, although I consider the GT2 model to be morel ike the 959, although GT2 isn't out yet.

[@henryzhang9915]

959 numbers can still kick my m3's ass.

[@jbell1166]

959 is my fave.. Then gt1

[@paulthomson9014]

The 959 is greatest supercar of the 80s ,.288 gto most beautiful ,.countach most striking and 959 just the best of them

[@coureurdebois]

Sexiest 911 EVER MADE 991.2. too many damn hipsters in the comment section now days. "i was born into the wrong generation DUR DUR THE 959 IS the best, dur dur dur"

[@worldtravel101]

Members Only jacket lol

[@taelorwatson9822]

The 911 will be 50k in four years. That 959 about 3m if not already. I know which one I'll buy.

[@squidproquo2241]

....then came the LFA, and changed the tire compound classification for road legal and tracks, to save the "prestige" brands from Europe.

[@l8Os]

One of those is over $1,000,000 and one of those is $150,000

[@allensaunders449]

Come on people the 959 was great but the newer Porsches look better and perform better own up to it

[@mikelkiparski638]

Roadholding is a pleasure it drives its'self the brakes are even better they make my head spin.The power is more than ample any more will only complicate things.

[@xavicopelyoutuber9668]

959 THE BEST

[@Rick2010100]

The GT3 is still naturally aspirated....

[@VeiLofCognition]

the 959 look s1000 times better, and i disagree, its not dated at all. Its timeless.

[@jasonsmith1143]

959 @ 100%

[@steveelliott77]

Not really a head to head comparison.

[@abepowers4379]

959 always been an awd 962 to me.

[@januszj.8547]

Bill Gates has one ,went through all kind of legal trouble to import one from Europe -must be special car, just saying...

[@samuelas0009]

He's soo bronze!

[@dscpat]

Why is this weirdo pilot still employed ? That is the scariest steering position I have ever seen on a track. Mandatory pit in for a serious talk imo.

[@Logicsupremacy]

Turbo S should be considered a super car (not just your ordinary sports car) so I wouldn't be surprised they don't offer manual in the future too.

[@isawahammerhead]

That test driver has terrible hand position on the wheel, send him to a proper racing school

[@vrmmmm]

959 Owner is nuts to let someone else drive that on a track.

[@oreally8605]

Yeah but the 959 is worth $1.5 million in 2022

[@roybennett2148]

I'd take both the Turbo S & the 959. The S for outstanding every day driving pleasure and the 959 for outstanding investment potential.

[@modernworldiscrap]

9 5 9

[@GregGolightly]

The 959 is legendary . . . and being terrible looking. It is like a roller skate with the two axles nearly touching. All my life when I have seen a picture of one I think of it tipping forward or back when hitting gas and brake the bottom 1/3 is like : -------0--0--------

[@rohyco]

What's wrong with that guy's voice?

[@Len1977gt]

You

[@dreray4077]

...MotorWeek, its not 1996 anymore, Get some pizzaz in your videos, I swear i was watching and hearing a video from 1996 C&D...

[@charlesmiller6281]

Living in Redmond, WA I was lucky to see the 959 of Bill Gates when it was at Barrier for a tune. As awesome as it was when he bought it, by the time it was released from US Customs 20 years later, every 911 Carrera on the lot was a much better, faster 911. The 959 that was then a showcase of advanced technology is today one of the more dated and odd looking 911's ever made. Sorry, but it is. Still, not nearly as odd looking as the hideously awful driver you got for this video. WTF up with that?

[@genieacura]

:)