[craigyirush]

Had a drive in the new 991 yesterday courtesy of Circle Porsche in Long Beach.

Some impressions - it's a beautiful car, even better looking than the 997. I particularly like that '911' appears on the rear for the first time since the mid-70s (I think).

On the road, it feels less raw than the 996 and 997. More like a luxury car. Having said that, the power on tap is impressive. And when the sales rep allowed me to punch it in a tunnel, the sound was intoxicating.

I still wouldn't pay 124K for one, though (the price of the demonstrator I drove - an S with PDK). I wonder, though, what effect its arrival will have on the price of 997s?

On the way home, my old 3.2 Carrera, once the symbol of yuppie excess, felt like a stripped out racer by comparison. Which on reflection is no bad thing as I'm not sure I'd trade it for a 991 even if money were no object.