First Impressions

[daro911]

Just had a 30 minute blast in a 997 "S" was very impressed and can't wait to test the forthcoming 987 "S". Main obersvations from first blast were very quick, very smooth, fabulous sound track, very quick short gear change and light clutch, nice steering feel if a little bit light, fantastic traction as it was very wet at the time. Downside ride jiggly on firm setting, ride noisier than my Boxster "S" on 18" wheels, especially over repairs on local stretch of road, tyre noise much greater too.

New chairs an improvement, fit and finish better than ever except for centre console plastic surround which doesn't match the other ali look plastics used throughout, and in a car costing 70K+ it really is inexcusable IMO []

Overall definitely a big leap forward from the 996 and as ever the evolution is onwards and upwards []

 

[Guest]

Can one specify leather for centre console?

A neighbour took delivery of one yesterday - black on black. Suits it.

Spizz

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Spizz Oil

Can one specify leather for centre console?

Spizz

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According to my price list you can have rear centre console colour matched to car, ali look finish, wood look finish, carbon fibre look finish but not in leather [&o]

 

[Andrew Killington]

Rob
although I didn't go out in a 997 I spent half hour or so looking at both models. my first impressions were
* excellent sports seats (in the standard car they were the adaptive sports)
* doors seemed "weightier" and gave a more upmarket close than before
* better finished and better quality interiors (although the "downside" to some may be the further move away from a purists point of view)
* the stoneguards, lights and more waisted shape, seem as journalists have said to acknowledge the beauty/legacy of the 993
The cars were both in silver; I would like to see what they look like in a darker colour. Do you think that many 997's will be ordered without PCM nav? the dealership were suggesting that buyers of second hand 997's will expect nav and non-nav cars will be like selling cars with no air con! I have to say that I'm not particularly bothered about sat nav, it just seems to be the expected extra to compete with other marques.
looking forward to drives of the 997 and of course the 987
Andrew

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Andrew Killington

Rob
Do you think that many 997's will be ordered without PCM nav? the dealership were suggesting that buyers of second hand 997's will expect nav and non-nav cars will be like selling cars with no air con! I have to say that I'm not particularly bothered about sat nav,
looking forward to drives of the 997 and of course the 987
Andrew

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Andrew like you I don't require or want sat nav but 997 owners probably like a few toys [] My 987 won't have it for sure [8D]

 

[sotoole]

Had my test drive in 997 S also this week. Agree with most of the comments to date elsewhere except I think the engine note is too quiet - no nice bark like the Boxster S at about 3500rpm. It needs the sports exhaust (still not available ...)

For info, the standard tail pipes look like they corrode easily. Luckily, the stainless steel tailpipes are now available to order - had them added to my Nov build car. Well worth the extra £148 + vat

S

 

[Guest]

Great to hear such good first impressions. I've not had a chance to test drive the S yet, although I've seen a few in Germany looking very good indeed.

Question - does anyone know whether the sports exhaust (which I've ordered) comes with stainless tail pipes (to avoid the corrosion risk noted earlier), or to the pipes need to be ordered separately. My OPC isn't too sure!

Thanks

Steve

 

[Kevin Cooke]

Saw a 997 parked on the road for the first time today (Esher high St).

No one gave it a 2nd glance and I'd have bet £50 that TC Mits could not tell it apart from a 996.

Out of interest a Yellow MK1 GT3 that drove through Esher at the same time turned lots of heads, probably the colour and the wing.

Also parked in the High Street (on the pavement!) was an Enzo, there was a stready stream of passers by having photographs taken standing beside it.

 

[Gary Bullen]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS"]Just drove Timmos new 997 S and it is wonderful. Cobalt Blue with grey leather interior. All the goodies including sat. nav, BOSE etc.

Masses of improvements ober the 996. Plenty of grunt from the 3.8 engine.

 

[sotoole]

Steve,
I was told that the sports exhaust has chromed tailpipes and its made of stainless steel anyway so the tailpipes won't tarnish like the standard fit one. But I've heard earliest cars with the sports exhaust will be Feb/Mar delivery. Still, I might retro fit it with Tequipment as standard car is a bit quiet
S

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: daro911

Downside ride jiggly on firm setting, ride noisier than my Boxster "S" on 18" wheels, especially over repairs on local stretch of road, tyre noise much greater too.

Top Gear Round 1 of new series and JC said the ride was err [] VERY FIRM! Great for track days but not so great for A-B road days

 

[Guest]

Issed Top Gear - Damn!!!

What else did Clarkson say? Is it repeated?

Does he prefer the Monaro?

Spizz

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Spizz Oil

Issed Top Gear - Damn!!!

What else did Clarkson say? Is it repeated?

Does he prefer the Monaro?

Spizz

He said it was designed by the laziest designers in the world hence it looks the same as the old car and if you buy a 997 then it is the old car same engine same same performance same looks in his opinion [] but if you buy the 997 "S" then you get bigger engine bigger performance bigger wheels and trick suspension and the "S" is a much more hard core type of 911 than say the previous 996 version. As a track car its phenominal as a road car its very hard riding etc etc which is what I found when I test drove the beast.

Monaro won hands down and S Type came 2nd and in a very distant 3rd place was the Chrysler whose only redeeming feature was a proposed RHD price of under £30K! but the actual car was a typical American piece of crap

Is it repeated YES usually at the end of the season in some of the highlight shows so you better see if anyone recorded the gig []

 

[Andrew Killington]

Stig also took the 997S round the track but it was very very wet; the thought was that it wouldn't be too far off a GT3 in the dry
Andrew

 

[Mark_Bennett]

I think I saaw it is repeated tonight (late - BBC2?) - check your local schedules!

 

[Mark_Bennett]

23:20 BBC2

 

[Grant]

Top Gear, as usual, great fun but not very informative!! "997 much more hardcore than 996", I don't think so, it's just the benefits of PASM, more comfortable on standard, GT3-ish in sport, sort of two cars in one, which is a good thing but Clarkson didn't make that point!!!

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Spizz Oil

Makes me think that perhaps I need a break from 911 ownership -to give me some perspective - and then I can return.

Spizz

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So if you break from 911 ownership where do you go next?

I took a break from 911 ownership (5 examples) and never went back again. Fortunately not needing rear seats I was able to break to a much better financial proposition and still own the best sports car Porsche ever made IMO, not just drive wise but also £ for £ [] Four 986's now shortly to be replaced by my first 987 "S" [8D]

 

[Guest]

I am thinking an Audi RS6 and a 987 down the line.

Spizz