997 Gen 1 Turbo Questions

[Ian Gilmour]

I've seen a gen 1 turbo (manual) that I'm thinking of buying. Just wondered whether anyone has views on:

Day to day usability - e.g., could my Mrs drive it to work through town easily on a daily basis?

Running costs - I know the tax will be £490 but what's the real-world overall mpg likely to be?

Servicing - I've heard that the minor service is around £450 and the major £1300 (PC prices) is this about right?

Reliability - any known problems that I should be aware of?

Any views appreciated - thanks!

 

[maxtraeger]

Hi Ian,

I have had my 997T Gen1 manual (build in 2006) now for more than 2 years and put 8k on it. I, as well as my wife and kids, find the ride much more compliant and less jittery than the C2S but that is most likely due to the elasticity of the torque range whereas the C2S needed to be moved through the gears. My wife has less complaints about this car other than low ride height and stiffness thant with the C2S.

We use the car as my daily driver and it does sit for long periods unused on the street but except for a replacement of the battery after the original gave in after 6 years of use I have had no issues with the car. The clutch is light and the fuel consumption still bearable compared to some supercars and your servicing costs are on the mark at an OPC.

I take the car for long European high speed runs and it has never let me down or provided any concern.

I have no desire to change the car other than to put a different exhaust on it and think this is a bargain in the overall Porsche lineup and entirely bullet proof.

Max

 

[Lancerlot]

ORIGINAL: Ian Gilmour

I've seen a gen 1 turbo (manual) that I'm thinking of buying. Just wondered whether anyone has views on:

Day to day usability - e.g., could my Mrs drive it to work through town easily on a daily basis?

Running costs - I know the tax will be £490 but what's the real-world overall mpg likely to be?

Servicing - I've heard that the minor service is around £450 and the major £1300 (PC prices) is this about right?

Reliability - any known problems that I should be aware of?

Any views appreciated - thanks!

I don't know your wife, but I wouldn't let mine drive my 911 through town (or country for that matter). []

Expect 22 - 25 mpg.

Servicing costs here http://porscheownerservices.co.uk/servicing/?model=71

Check all the usual items tyres, clutch, suspension, steering, oil leaks etc. if you're buying privately, ask the owner to obtain a 111 point Porsche Centre appraisal or commission an experienced Indy to inspect before you buy.

Good luck.

Clive.

 

[grover]

23 mpg over the long term including track days.....dead easy to drive.

 

[Alex L]

19 mpg over 30k miles. You guys obviously are doing too much motorway (28mpg) and not enough back roads (17mpg) and track (8mpg).

Easy as a VW Golf to drive in town.

Expensive wear and tear parts are radiators (3 new front ones will cost you £1800) tyres (new set will cost you about £1100) and brakes (luckily haven't had to replace my ceramics after £30k miles yet but not looking forward to ££££s bill when I do).

 

[Oggy]

Have owned mine for four years in which time I've done about 16,000 miles (weekend / fun use only).

As Alex said, I normally only get about 16 to 18mpg from mine however tend to drive it quite enthusiastically []

I'm not aware of any major reliability issues however on a 2006 car, check the rads & brakes as these take some hammer and are expensive to replace.

Only faults with mine to date have been :

- Left rad split
- Coolant leak from a joint in one of the underbody pipes
- New starter motor
- TPM sensor

All replaced / fixed under warranty.

Awesome car and very easy to drive (very FAST []).

Post some pics up when you take the plunge !

 

[Ian Gilmour]

Thanks for the replies, folks!

Over the last week or so I have gone cool on the idea of a turbo not just because of the higher running costs of fuel, insurance and servicing, but because, having owned a 997 gen 1 Carrera s I think I should be going for a gen 2 car and can't stretch to a gen 2 turbo.

I have also begun to question whether a turbo would be too fast for my driving abilities so am considering gen 2 Carrera S candidates!

 

[geoff lane]

Ian

A turbo is not a hard car to drive and it is very safe and will look after you.
I had a massive moment in my Turbo S and the cars systems saved me from a field.
I accept its a very fast car but so is a C2S and I know having owned both which I would sooner have.
Try a late Gen 1 turbo with touch screen they are superb and I got 23MPG from mine.

Geoff

 

[Oggy]

Fair enough []

I understand that the Gen 2s are significantly better economy wise as a result of the DFI engine. Non Turbo, even better still !

Mine is a weekend toy so economy is totally irrelevant to me....I just want P O W E R []

Did you consider a GTS ??

 

[Hardy911]

Ian ,
I can add to the rad comments I bought mine in Feb this year. Its basically a weekender but we have been to south of France goodwood and silverstone ,
When i bought It I noticed a low coolant level , It was checked over at 2 places .Both said no problem ,
The centre rad finally gave in a few weeks ago .
So check them out carefully .Same for any 997/996
Also if its an 06 0r 07 then TPM sensors are also liklely to be an issue as the battery life is about 5-6 yrs .
Its a Brilliant drive and my wife loves driving it ( it is a TIp Though)
Worth every penny of the extra running costs which when you get down to it are minimal.

 

[grover]

My good friend is selling his red manual turbo, 08 car great condition, I think low/mid £50k if you want an intro, it has the last gen satnav touchscreen. Car is in Herts.

 

[isysman]

If you are a fast driver I'd recommend cruise control for when you are on the motorway. Reason being is that it gets up to licence losing speeds in the blink of an eye without feeling like you are going fast at all. CC will help you keep your licence and save your fuel on longer journeys! I had it retrofitted to mine for these reasons.

Apart form that it's no different from driving your C2S. I had one before and it's no different really (apart form a more rewarding drive.)

 

[Francois]

I traded my C4S July 2008 for a manual Turbo. No comparison, I found the 4S lacked power whereas the Turbo is smooth, lot's of torque and great fun to drive. I get between 12 to 17L/100km according to the enthousiasm...

 

[SMITH]

Hi Ian

I've just traded in my C2S for a 2007 Turbo TIP, having spent nearly 3 years with the manual 3.8 I need a break from worrying about over revs and missed gears etc....

life's too short just do it [] lazy power here we come.....

Iain