my new 997

[Guest]

I have always wanted a 911 but for many reasons, financial, kids, not practical etc have never had one. However I finally ordered a new 997 C2S cab in March 2005, however by the time my delivery date was confirmed it was taking it into winter so I have postponed the delivery until 1st March 2006 new plate, in time for the SUMMER !!

You can imagine after a long wait i am keen to get everything right and confirmed the spec to the dealer only a few days ago. Basalt Black, Manual, Classic Wheels, Park Assist, Sport Chrono, Sports Seats, Cruise ctrl, Heated Seats, Sat nav, Bose, Multi funct wheel, sports exhaust. After reading some comments on the forum a couple of things concern me

1) If having a CAB buy a Boxster was one comment, is there something I should know.

2) Should I tackle my dealer now about the Button that switches the Sports Exhaust on / off as some owners don't seem to have a separate button? dependent on wheither they have had Sport Chrono or not.

3) With the CAB the back on the rear seat is vertical with no incline at all, does this render them totally useless?

4) Presumabley having manual over tiptronic is better unless you are involved in alot of town driving etc. I have test driven both and did like the auto option for when you would be in town but however found the tip side a bit remote and not as involved as the manual.

Any feed beck would be greatly appreciated

 

[Michael Downing]

Hi Roger. Welcome to the form - sounds like a great car. The C2S Cab would certainly be my choice from the current range.

The rear seats are not (entirely) useless - small things and children fit into them very well. The 996 Cab is my kid's preferred form of school transport - whenever they are told that Daddy is taking them it is a race to see who will ask for the Porsche first. []

So that also answers the "why not a boxster" question .... although to be honest the question is a personal one. The boxster has a lot going for it, but so does the 911.

Manual or Tiptronic is also a very personal question. I did drive one Tip, ahich was easily the best auto I've tried, but it wasn't for me. Maybe I'm just a control freak. []

Can't help re the sports exhaust!

 

[pvernham]

Congrats - sounds like a good spec. You will see from many threads that there are opposing views on many different things from more signifcant issues such as tip or manual to less significant such as whether to spend your money on sports seats, BOSE, etc.

At the end of the day you have top buy the car that you want and that suits you, but for what it's worth, my two pennies....

I have a 997 C2S cab bought in April last year and comments on your spec choice and questions...

Mine is manual - wouldn't have it any other way, even if I did a fair amount of town driving (but do have an automtatic on the family car so I'm not completely anti - personally I just wouldn't buy a 'sports car' with an auto box)
19" classic wheels - look good and easy to clean
BOSE is excellent
Heated seats good for top down motoring all year round (had to top down yesterday)

Rear seats - have had my 15 year old sitting behind my wife, both are around 5 ft 6. My 7 year old can sit behind me if I move the seat forward (I am 6ft 2) so the whole family can tolerate journeys of up to an hour. My 7 year old is very comfortable sititng in the rear behind my wife and will continue to be so for a few years yet.

Rear seats with the backrest down also provide extra 'boot space' and a spot for the golf clubs. Probably provides the potential for more stowage space than a Boxster rear boot but obviously not as secure.

Therefore I would say that the rear seats are very useful and for me, one reason that I could justify buying the car.

The standard standard exhaust systems sounds awsome when the engine is extended and yet quite docile around town. The sports system must be even better but I can't comment on that.

There are lots of Boxster vs 911 threads to be found on the site if you search, some interesting observations from people who have owned both.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[Dapster]

The Boxster is an absolutely fantastic car - well balanced, very quick, has accessible handling - a true Porsche. It's also 25 grand cheaper than a 997 cabriolet. A Honda S2000 is 20 grand cheaper than a well specced 987 S, and is also a fantastic car, however I didn't consider one of those for a second. If you have your heart set on a particular car, and can justify the dosh then go for it.

 

[oliver]

The rear seats are rather compromised on the 996/997 Cabriolet, to accomodate the retractable hood and its mechanisms.

The Coupe does offer usefully more space and comfort, with more rake in the backrests. My kids are fine in the rear of the Coupe, but never liked the Cab.

IMO the Boxster S is, £ for £, the best Porsche you can buy.

 

[sidicks]

3) With the CAB the back on the rear seat is vertical with no incline at all, does this render them totally useless?

Having sat in the back of both a C4S Coupe and C4S Cab, I found the Cab much more uncomfortable, and I'd say for emergency use only for adults. Even kids may find the backrests uncomfortable, given how upright they are.

Although I'm 6'2", I was able to sit in the back of the Coupe (behind another 6-footer) in reasonable comfort, and I think I would have been happy there for an hour or so.

Sidicks

 

[Guest]

1. On the 996/986, visually, the 996 cab did not appear that different to the Boxster.
I think this was the original reason, since if you wanted wind-in-hair motoring, the Boxster was much cheaper.
Since both cars are the same (more or less) from the B pillar forwards, then it is only a case of whether you need rear seats and a bit more power.

With the 997 and 987, then perhaps there is more of a difference.
Unless you want the rear seats, then there is quite a premium to pay for a bit more performance.

2. I am not familiar with the 997 buttons, but don't delay on any spec issues. Once the build is confirmed and details arranged it is hard or impossible to change anything.
Make sure you are getting what you want, and are clear about what will actually be delivered.

3. Due to the hood mechanism, the cabs rear seat backs are more upright, and the seating position a bit more compromised.
A quick trip to your OPC should allow you to see them. If they don't have a 997 cab, then look at a 996 cab, since I don't think the arrangement has changed much.
The seats are still usefull, but not as comfortable.
On my coupe, I can get four 6foot+ adults in, although it is a real squeeze and you don't want to go far (or crash).

4. This is personal choice. I don't like Tiptronic, although I can see the advantages.
Manual has 6 gears, tiptronic 5. Tip is heavier, uses a bit more fuel and is slower in the 0-60/0-100 sprint. There is a lock up mechanism on 3rd, 4th and 5th gears, so the torque converter does not waste as much energy.
In the real world, I guess there is not much between them when driving on the road, and you can't miss changes or mess up downshifts in the tip.
However, until there is a dual clutch solution, I would go for a manual, just because you are more involved, and that is part of the reason for buying the car.
Plus, I reckon fixing the tip if anything goes wrong will cost more.

 

[Marc B]

I have a 996 C2 Cab and a 997 C4S cab arriving in March. My kids (10 and 8) find the rear seats fine for relatively short journeys. But they are diffidently useable which for me is essential. Personal I prefer the tip over the manual its very responsive when you know how to use it and great around town. I think too many people fancy themselves as racing drivers and unfairly and snobbishly knock the tip as some do for the cab over the coupe. I love driving with the roof down on a fine day and that for me compensate for the slight lose of visual appeal. All said and done all the 997's are great cars. Enjoy.