The Perfect Carrera T

The other day, my husband took the Carrera T (MT) to Royu, and had the pleasure of letting TAKURO-san, a fellow Porsche owner we always appreciate, drive it.

TAKURO-san was incredibly impressed, saying things like “This is the perfect machine!” “So nice, so nice, I want one!” “C-can I have another go!?” “This is the Porsche I want most right now!”—he was full of praise, so my husband suggested, “Why don’t you ask him for a detailed impression?” when he got home, laughing.

I was also very happy to hear TAKURO-san say that, especially since this is my first Porsche bought with my own money, and I’ve been increasingly satisfied with its evolving ride and performance since delivery.

So, a few days later, TAKURO-san kindly sent me his detailed impressions (thank you so much!), and I’d love to share them here on the blog.

By the way, there’s absolutely no staging here (…and since this is a personal blog, there’s no need to please anyone). Please read this as a genuine impression from a driving enthusiast who owns a 981 Boxster GTS and a 964 C2, and how he felt behind the wheel of the 992 Carrera T.

What a Porsche Owner Felt About the Carrera T

Ride Comfort and Suspension

First, the ride was more comfortable than expected. I had imagined the 992 sports suspension to be quite stiff, but I felt it would be comfortable enough for long trips without causing discomfort or fatigue in the seat.

I think the thickness of the seat cushion also plays a role. (This Carrera T has the Sport Plus electric 18-way seats.)

Regarding the suspension, the Royu Driveway’s somewhat uneven surface didn’t cause any discomfort at all. Even at low speeds, the suspension didn’t feel overly stiff, and while there were moments of slight rocking due to road undulations, the stability improved as speed increased.

Also, I really appreciated how well the road conditions were fed back through the steering wheel.

Steering and Shift Operation

At first, the steering felt so light I wondered if it had Power Steering Plus—it was very easy to handle. I think it would be very comfortable for city driving.

Also, the effect of the rear-axle steering was very noticeable (the Carrera T comes with rear-axle steering, an option usually only available on the S and above), and I was amazed at how it pulled the car firmly inward mid-corner, making it incredibly agile.

It was a lot of fun on winding roads—I immediately wanted to go on a touring drive.

The rear end was also very stable, so cornering at high speeds felt safe and confident.

The manual shift feel was short-throw and crisp. This was exactly the kind of feedback I like, and shifting was just so enjoyable. The auto-blip feature was excellent, making me want to shift more often just for fun.

The clutch felt lighter than expected, so I imagine long drives or traffic jams would be less tiring… It felt almost like an automatic, making driving very easy and relaxed.

Lightweight Feel and Sound

Overall, the car felt light. After checking with my husband, we found out the battery is a lithium-ion type, and with other weight-saving measures, the car felt nimble and made me want to press the accelerator more often.

The exhaust sound was quite good too. The engine start-up sound was impressively powerful. Once driving, it felt quiet enough for me, and the 992’s sound reminded me of an air-cooled engine, which I liked. In Sport mode, the tasteful bubbling added to the excitement without being over the top.

Other Overall Impressions

It’s a matter of preference, but for me, the left-hand drive position felt just right. It was easy to operate and suited my body well. The 992 feels highly refined, almost cyborg-like in its speed, but combined with the fun of manual shifting, rear-axle steering, and weight reduction, it was an incredibly fun, flawless machine with no apparent drawbacks.

I was so excited I still find myself thinking, “Ah, I want to drive it again!” (laughs)

It’s rare to feel this way, so I’m convinced it’s truly an excellent car.

The 992 Carrera T is the perfect all-round Porsche for everyday use, long tours, and even circuit driving. The monochrome body color, interior, and parts were fantastic!

The 2023 Carrera T Without GPF

To be clear, I never told TAKURO-san to “write only good things!” (laughs).

In fact, I even asked, “If you praise it this much, it sounds fake—are there any dislikes at all!?” (He said no, it’s a perfect machine.)

Probably, those who love classic air-cooled Porsches or prefer a heavier clutch and a more direct, hands-on driving feel might find it lacking (it’s just too well made). But for people like me, it’s so fun and versatile that I wonder if there’s any other 911 that can run anywhere this well? It’s a wonderful partner.

As a side note, when my husband took photos of the Carrera T’s suspension, he noticed “it looks like it doesn’t have a GPF…” We need to verify from which model year or grade the GPF is installed, and he’s planning to investigate further (laughs).

一枚目992カレラT（MY2023）、二枚目は992カレラカブリオレ（MY2020）。
結論、見る限りではカレラTにはGPFは付いていないように思う。ちなみにこの触媒の品番は両方とも992 131 703です。 pic.twitter.com/eDQfQMjk98

— Hiro@ポルシェがわが家にやってきた (@boxster_gts) June 17, 2023

Anyway, I hope other owners get to drive the Carrera T and share their impressions. First, I need to finish the break-in period (currently just over 900 km).

TAKURO-san, thank you so much this time! Please drive it again anytime!