Thinking of late 997 Turbo S

[garyw]

This is almost the exact discussion/argument I had with myself over 12 months ago [&:]
I was pretty much on the money on where I thought the new Turbos price would be and this left me with the thought of for that sort of money it opened all sorts of other options.
Having driven the new Turbo S I have to say it is a awesome car and does everything wonderfully, however whilst I understand this 'enough spirit' description I think if driven properly it could give the drama and spirit most are looking for- but probably at a very high rate of knots...
I found that other brands offered this drama at lower speeds and whilst this may mean/seam I'm chickening out, I find at this current time I'm not looking for the all out speed the S offered.
It's something similar to what Geoff found with his Turbo to GT3RS conversion, it adds drama at maybe an easier and dare I say safer to reach place.

However I was still after the driver involvement and comfort that the Turbo brought- along with a still quick and nicely handling car.- and thus here I am (not in a 458 [])

 

[geoff lane]

I agree with Gary's comments he has summarised my feelings exactly.

Possibly Martin should look for a GT3RS with axle lift because mine goes over speed humps fine provided I use the lift.

I also agree if I did not have a day car my thoughts would be different, at the moment I want a car that will thrill when used but will for the most part be a garage queen.

It will however still do between 6 and 7K per year with the Sth West drive and 2 trips to France already booked.


Geoff

 

[lowndes]

"..the straight line performance of the Porsche turbo is almost more than one is prepared to unleash on the open road; indeed I used all its acceleration in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears reaching 117mph in 3rd at 6000 rpm and full boost, and felt that the continuing acceleration from that point was almost more than I wanted to cope with, and that is the first car that has given me that feeling on the road."

This quote was not taken from a recent review of the 991 turbo but rather from one by Denis Jenkinson in 1977 about the Earls Court Motor Show 930. That car had 260bhp, 254 ftlb torque.

The price of the turbo then was £21,162.

Performance wise I think I could safely say much the same about the 997/991 versions to the extent that the full performance on the open road is more than I want to cope with.

And as for the price, well in 1977 I bought a 2 bed flat in Highgate for £19,000, so more or less the price of a turbo. Good luck trying to buy a 2 bed flat anywhere in London, let alone Highgate, for £140,000 today. Makes today's turbo seem a relative bargain!

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

Cheers

 

[Lancerlot]

Nick,

My first 911 ride ever was in a 930 and I can tell you it was far hairier than it would be in a current Turbo 'S'. The combination of the early days of turbocharging and North Devon lanes made for an interesting experience! [&:]

Congrats. on your latest acquisition btw. Should be great fun, but take care with the string door handles.[]

Regards,

Clive

 

[lowndes]

Clive

Couldn't agree more. I was never in an early turbo but in 1990, as the crash of 87 worked its way through the system and the City boys were down to their last pair of red braces, I picked up a late model 3.3 5 speed for sensible money. Although that car was no doubt considerably more refined than the early ones, I never felt properly in control due to the horrendous turbo lag and what seemed at the time to be rock hard suspension; I sold it fairly quickly. Box ticked and move on.

Thanks for the comments on the new motor, Alan mentioned he had let the cat out of the bag (or in Alan's case 3 cats and two large black dogs). I won't clutter this thread with early observations but will put something later on the 968 page if they'll let me.

Cheers

 

[grover]

Always an interesting debate

My turbo s was outstanding and looked as good with its aerokit, I didn't keep it long enough for it to loosen up though and now regret that.

No regrets with the 458 though....smile on the face very time I go near it. Then gets bigger and bigger as the engine starts I get to drive.

My current next choice by a mile is the gt3 991

D

 

[grover]

I have been with McLaren today one to one as a guest to give them feedback on a new lightweight mp12 they have in concept, kind of 458 speciale ...loads of questions re emotion, appeal, engineering and passion. They had the car there along with a SLS Black which just oozed fun, whacky, etc etc and just created for me a huge smile appeal.......not once did I smile looking at the McLaren.

I appreciate the McLaren but wouldn't want one still after the planned tweaks.....

Great to have all these choices though..

D


Ps bought another Porsche recently....X5 replaced by the new platinum cayenne model..a good p/x

 

[isysman]

Chris harris and others are only reviewing the car from a technical point of view, depreciation doesn't come into that.

Personally my 997 Turbo coupe is all the car I need, I think it may very well be the last Porsche I ever buy (unless I buy a second daily car). Low mileage manual, PCCB, Sport Chrono, centre locks etc. every time I drive it takes my breath away. I can't say I'd love the new car nearly as much as I couldn't get one with a manual gearbox.

ORIGINAL: blueSL

The thing about Chris Harris is that it's easy to enthuse about a product if you don't have to deal with the loss of value.

Viewed in the isolated context of the car's performance, I've no doubt the car is very special even if that performance in increasingly inaccessible in everyday driving. Track work allows you to do that but wouldn't you then prefer something lighter?

Most of us have to see the car in a wider context and it's then, maybe, you might think the car doesn't look or feel special enough for the price and you are forced to confront the economic realities of a car which will halve in value over 4 years, less if you are driving it a lot. For some here, £75k is buttons, a few weeks income and they will not care. My own car has lost nearly £60k in the period and I'm not about to make the same mistake again.

Clearly, a pristine low mileage 997.2 turbo (S) which has already done its depreciating is well worth going for.

 

[ralphmusic]

Re the loss of value, CH had a GT3 RS 4.0 and sold it and bought a Ferrari 599 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQdpNoPCd9o so I guess he does suffer like mere mortals.. then sold the 599 etc.

Clarkson also seems to lose money on cars so I guess the smarter ones are the EVO 3, Meaden (964RS), Bovingdon (996 Carrera + mods), and Trott (911SC)

 

[isysman]

Chris Harris sold his GT3RS 4.0 because he was struggling with the payments and was offered a 'good deal' for it. He wrote this himself on piston heads I think. I'm sure there's no depreciation on the 4.0.

 

[ralphmusic]

Yup, its on the video.

 

[Lancerlot]

So, may we hear from the OP what been decided (if anything)? []

Regards,

Clive.

 

[stuartw]

Well I finally done it and ordered a 991 Turbo S in GT Silver for May delivery

I will let you all know what it is like!

Stuart

 

[mnk303]

ORIGINAL: Lancerlot

So, may we hear from the OP what been decided (if anything)? []

Regards,

Clive.

Clive , apologies not been on the forum of late, decision is still to be made , time is on my side value wise

 

[Lancerlot]

ORIGINAL: mnk303

ORIGINAL: Lancerlot

So, may we hear from the OP what been decided (if anything)? []

Regards,

Clive.

Clive , apologies not been on the forum of late, decision is still to be made , time is on my side value wise

Reel one in by Spring or Early Summer and you can't go far wrong! []

Regards,

Clive.