Which 997?

[Ianstewartshouse1]

Gen2 4S PDK preferably with Sport Chrono and Porsche Sports Exhaust. Not a deal breaker without them as both can be retrofitted by Porsche but if it doesn't have them you can use it as a bargaining point. PSE retrofit £2k and Sport mode retrofit £850.

PSE retrofit is a nice to have but if car doesn't have Sport Chrono, Sport mode retrofit for a PDK car is IMHO a must as it transforms the car.

 

[MR]

I'm looking for some advise regarding which model would be most suitable for my use. I wish to use a 997 for high days and holidays probably with an annual mileage of less than 5000. I basically want a capable, comfortable touring car that's an engaging and enjoyable drive - yes I know all 997 will fit that bill but which does it best for my use?. I think I would opt for either a S or 4S but cannot decide between the two and then the choice between GENI and GenII cars and manual/pdk? I have decided not to go tiptronic whatever car choose.
All advise greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Lancerlot]

I basically want a capable, comfortable touring car that's an engaging and enjoyable drive

Thanks.

997.2 C2S manual (PDK if budget permits) - no question for a rewarding, precise and nimble sports car.

Regards,

[font="comic sans ms,sans-serif"]Clive[/font]

 

[Bear911]

Welcome [] Mr

Gen 2 S2 if affordable - If your priorities are touring in reasonable weather then disregard 4 wheel drive along with sport chrono. As for PDK or manual - IMO manual, that said the PDK system is swift and a boon for what you have in mind. Its just a matter that only you prefer - crack on []

Kind regards

Peter

 

[Gap]

Can I ask why you have decided that you need an S or 4S?

Unless you've already tried it, I would also recommend trying PDK and if you did change your mind, I support Ianstewartshouse1 in recommending Sports Chrono.

Best of luck. You'll be happy with whichever model you choose .

 

[MR]

Thank you for the replies so far. To answer the questions, I considered S variants over a standard car firstly for the slightly higher output and also maybe a slight benefit in residual value if/when I decided to part with the car - am I correct about that?

2s as oppposed to 4s is more difficult, the car won't be used on track I don't think but it will likely be used for a winter ski trip perhaps so the 4s may have a benefit there? I don't intend driving it hard enough to exploit the 4wd on public roads but then again we do live in the country and the roads are routinely slippery So it may well be a benefit.

I also have yet to drive a PDK equipped car so that will be interesting to compare.

 

[tscaptain]

Push the boat out and get a gen 2 turbo! But if the boat doesn't stretch that far I'm for a Gen 2 C2S with PDK. [] Happy hunting.

 

[Bear911]

Dont encourage him captain , but if I had funds it would be my choice to [] - phew

 

[scaramanga]

Is PSE retrofit really only £2k ?

 

[Ianstewartshouse1]

Well I paid £2250 last month and was led to believe you would get it for £2k on mainland.

 

[iprice]

I would go for the turbo complete car but it depends on personal choice I have triptronic box and it is great but pdk box is fantastic really reliable

 

[Peter_Bull]

A 997 4S is the wide body and IMHO looks superb. My choice would be that with PDK.

A wide body would be more desirable when you come to sell it.

It took me months to finally appreciate how good the PDK - but its fantastic and I love it.

 

[kitchens]

Have you considered a 4 GTS will hold their value well as in low numbers .The 4S wide body would be my next choice .The PDK is the way to go without doubt I have manual in my current car but the PDK is a lot easier especially in traffic ..My next one will be PDK

 

[terry993]

I purchased my first PDK 18 months ago. It took some getting used to after 50+ years of driving manuals so my next will be PDK again well pleased

 

[Ianstewartshouse1]

Spot on Terry, my turbo was a manual and PDK in my current 4S was not something I was sold on after the test drive but the more I drive it in sport Manual mode the more I like it, am definitely sold on it now.

 

[MR]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I wonder if the Turbo version may be too much car for my intended use? I am drawn to the 4S so the search has begun. Phoned a dealer on Tuesday as I thought I found one that may fit he bill, sadly a deposit was taken on Saturday....

 

[Tamer]

Hi MR,

If you're going to be touring, then I imagine getting (things) in and out of the vehicle will be as important as the journey.

For example you may stop at a petrol station in inclement weather and need to reach out for your jacket, holdall or anything that's flung in the back parcel shelf (assuming passenger seat occupied by companion)

Whilst the 911 has 'some' room in the back, unless you're in a Targa, you will have a job reaching things in the rear parcel shelf or seats for that matter. You can't reach the rear shelf whilst seated in front, It is equally impossible stood outside, so the procedure is to fiddle with the seat, slide it forward... to make room to put your foot in behind the seat, to reach the rear shelf.

The 911's rear (passenger) windows do not open (unless in a cabrio), the rear windscreen (boot) doesn't lift, unless you have a Targa.

These cars will eat the roads, so getting there and back will be a breeze and swift but, in terms of practicality. I would not choose a 911 for touring.

The other thing to remember is that the 997 (may be same for other models) needs a special slide-fold-slide procedure to allow access to the rear seats / parcel shelf. Otherwise the head rests catch the sun-visor, which is very annoying...And would be even more annoying if you were on-the-road (touring) with no time for fafffing about....

I'm not sure what Porsche were thinking when they turned the rear interior into a claustrophobic place. Either rear window opening or better still rear hatch opening like in the targa-only models has to be the biggest missed opportunity for all 911s and it is for this, impracticality reason I will never buy a 'coupe' 911 again.

As for the 'S' and '4S' variants, take a look at a few maintenance cost scenarios to see just how much more it costs to run an 'S' model. For example, new-brake pads, new-clutch, Exhaust, Shocks or even a service.... Insurance, Road-Tax.....etc... Oh and also, the IMS and bore-scoring issues were predominantly on S models since the extra 200cc (3.6 to 3.8) meant thinner engine block walls?

The non-S is not only a lighter car by about 200kg (more efficient on fuel) it is a lot cheaper to buy run and maintain.

Good luck..

 

[tscaptain]

What's the IMS scoring issue? I think you are confusing two separate, and rare, problems with early Gen 1 997 engines. The IMS break up is not an issue on the Gen 2 car (as it doesn't have one!)and neither is the bore scoring, to my knowledge.

I disagree about the suitability of a coupe for touring. We have been to the South of France twice in ours without any major issues. Sure, getting the bags in and out of the back is not as easy as with an estate car (and I'm not as bendy as I used to be) but the bit in between is a lot more fun! We have never had to use the "parcel" shelf - which is quite something given half the SWMBO wardrobe comes too - just the rear seats folded down and the front storage space.

Interesting thought about having an opening rear window on the 911. Not sure I would want to lift a heavy bag over my precious paintwork!!

 

[Tamer]

Hi tscaptain,

I thought I had blocked you on here, for a similar clash of personalities in the past.... Strange that we are still in a state of bind here...

This is a forum, not a professional advice centre. The forums as far as I know are here for members to express their thoughts, opinions and share experiences. If you continue to discourage this from happening by trolling the forums and making corrections instead of adding your own, you might find yourself at odds with people who are otherwise here due to a common interest in motors.

Okay. Let's try to be civilized here. No need to insult one another. This is a public place after all.

What's the IMS scoring issue? I think you are confusing two separate, and rare, problems"

I'm not the one confused.

You'd be right if it wasn't for your assumption, that the 997.1 is excluded as an option.

MR clearly states "the choice between GENI and GenII cars" ..

Recall also - for; "Touring....High days and Holidays....5k miles a year....know all 911 will do but, which one for me"

All things considered, a 911 (997.1 or 997.2) that's anything between 12 and 5 years old (2004-2012) is going to cost between 18k to 40?k. I would suggest the best value for money is in the 3.6L cars with less to go wrong, lower capital investment, maintenance, insurance costs, near insignificant difference you would not miss, the 911 is a huge step up from anything else for that kind of money. Can spend the savings on upgrades - all round and best servicing...

I disagree about the suitability of a coupe for touring.

If you try to imagine that a Targa is a Coupe, you wouldn't disagree that the Targa is more suitable for touring.

but then again you, hold on, hold on....you seem to .... ?

"Sure, getting the bags in and out of the back is not as easy as with an estate car (and I'm not as bendy as I used to be)"

Unless your idea of touring only has two end-points, the issue I raised about what you can carry and how you get to them is relevant and nothing to do with confusion. Anyone panning to invest in a touring vehicle in the form of a 911 Coupe should be aware that access to the rear isn't easy. This may of course be countered with a roof rack as stowage for bulk, if need be.

I personally use my 997.1 as a daily. It is a workhorse I use for all occasions and I make sure that it is serviced and cared for periodically. Clearly the 911 Coupe is my choice of a car and I do of course recommend it but at times when I need to go to places 200-300 miles away for weekend or longer, space in the car and access to it, does become a bother. I loathe loading the rear and getting things out of it... Not sure if it just me but the Targa 997 seems more than just a semi-convertible with a glass roof. It fills that only void I didn't know existed in a 911 Coupe, which is otherwise is a superb 'transport system' for all occasions.

"Interesting thought about having an opening rear window on the 911.

Not sure I would want to lift a heavy bag over my precious paintwork!!"

That doesn't appear to be a problem for the 997 Targa or the Cayman Range...??

I'd say the Targa 997 would be best suited as a tourer from the available options in the 997 range - it's panoramic sunroof alone would score points as your passenger can watch the starts in the sky as you drive along the curves and up the skirts of a mountain.

Oh worth knowing... If you're at the lower end of my estimated budget range of 20-40k, there is a break point in how road tax is worked out for the 911. 2005 and earlier models get away with just 250/year liability and 2006 onward are paying 500/year for the same vehicle...

 

[Mikebarry202]

Wow!! Where did that come from!

anyway, back on track for MR on his thread, just to make clear; Intermediate Shaft (IMS) bearing failure and cylinder bore scoring were two separate and rare events.

I personally wouldn't be worried about either as long as the car you buy has been well maintained.