Hey guys, Had a 07 997 and really miss the car. This time I will go with a used car. Probably a 991 but could be a 997.2. From a value and resale standpoint and holding value can you guys provide some input on what I should be looking at?

This time I will be getting a CAB and looking for all the standard features and add-ons but not sure if I should consider base, S, 4S or Turbo? This will be a weekend car to keep for some time. Never tracked. I can spend up to about 85K and looking for under 25,000 miles.

If I put 3-5K on it a year and want to sell in 5 years I wonder which might hold the best value?

Any input greatly appreciated.

Stephen

 

Stephen:
KBB says 2012 991 beats 2012 997 slightly: 45 vs 53K. I had a 2009 C2S and have a 2012 991 C2 and prefer the 991 significantly. Some of the things I like better about the 991:
1. Better ride
2. Lower road noise (by a lot)
3. Free navigation (but the car initially cost 5K more)
4. PDK does not jerk on take-off like the 997. The clutches are engaged at idle in the 991 and disengaged in the 997. However, if you really get on it the clutches slip to 3,000 in the 991 getting into the torque range, whereas the 997 locks up as soon as you take off and tends to lug the engine before it catches on.
5. Better mileage by 10%
6. Better sound
7. Last of the NA cars will tend to slow depreciation as the 991.2 is a totally different character.
8. Stiffer. The 991 is much more torsionally stiff and designed for the CAB. The 997 the CAB was a fallout.
9. Base radio with HD is better than a Bose in 997.
10. Slightly faster to 60 by 1-2 tenths of a second.

Things I like about the 997 over the 991:
1. Access to look at the engine

If you want a GT car, get a 991.2. It is VERY quiet. So quiet and reserved, the 991.1 feels faster than a 991.2 off the line despite the fact you can feel the torque on the 991.2 (and of course, it not).

Most of these things you can test drive and determine for yourself, but they are things to look for.

ChuckJ

 

I have an affinity for the 997 but they still lacked many advancements in electronics and creature comforts comparatively. With the 991 you get a much quicker shifting PDK too if that's what you're after. While I much prefer the 981 for its superior handling and balance, I think if looking to buy a 911 today I'd only look for a 991. Preferably with SC, PSE, full leather, PCCB, and PDCC. Although a 997 GT3 is always appealing.

Newer model year will always hold more value. 997 turbos and GT3's will hold good value. The others not so much. Really depends on how spec'd and how pristine. A normal 997 will have to be something very special (in stock form) to hold better value than a 991.

 

I had 2 997 turbos. Awesome cars,awesome performance. Hard car to beat for overall look and performance. Even though the 991 is somewhat more refined the 997tt is a 3 sec or under 0-60 car.
Install a Europipe exhaust and it's complete.

 

I would look at a 2011-12 GTS cab, either 2 or 4. If you can find a manual, big bonus and might be a collector. Great car for the $. If you were daily driving, I'd recommend a 991. Good luck.

 

I stuck with the majority of what people told me... buy the newest best 911 you can afford. I ended up with a pretty much new CPO 2015 C2S with manual, sunroof delete, PSE, SC, and 18 way seats as the major options.. got a great price and will just have to deal with depreciation. I never think about it anymore, especially when driving it....

 

Good question here...if I had to recommend what to try out for yourself, they would be:


1. 997 GTS Cab - a little hard to find but awesome, and more rare.
2. 997.2 tt - one of these with a manual are likely to be quite a hoot- Top Gear did a segment on these and even Clarkson was impressed.
3. 997 Sport Classic
4. 991-50th anniversary
5. 997.2 4S with all the options you want!


Happy hunting-

 

Hey, new here thought Id post in here and continue the thread.
Im going through a similar scenario. Found these two and it a tough decision
2012 997.2 GTS 4 coupe pdk, sc, sport plus, sport exh ...or
2013 991 C4S coupe pdk, sc, sport plus, sport exh
both under 15k mi, optioned similar both very clean. I plan to drive it as often as poss.

 

I came from a Cayman, so the more neutral behavior the 991 chassis provides sold me over a 997. I already have an 87 for that old school feel.

Take a close look at the 3.4 - it's really a gem of an engine.

 

Newer, if you don't...you will always wonder...and regret!

 

991 is a great car. But the 997.1 and .2 are also great cars. I came from a 997.1 TT to the 991 4S I drive now. I love this car but I also loved the 997Tt. Race proven engine, fast as lightning and mod friendly. Can't go wrong with either.

 

At $85K, you might be able to find a 997.2 Turbo w/ 6MT with higher miles (if you can find one), which was the last 911 Turbo to come w/ 6MT. There are currently two black ones for sale nationwide at ~$90K.

As for 991.1, a GTS 7MT has some "collectible potential" being the last manual N/A GTS, but that's way above your $85K price point.

I don't expect lower 991 models to hold their value as well as the last manual Turbo.

 

2012/2013 C2S is the best value right now if you ask me, and I just bought one so I'm in the same boat.

If you never owned a Cayman before that's probably the better buy, but I have and wanted to own a 911, and the 991 definitely feels a step up. I am not sure you'd feel that way comparing a newer Cayman against the 997 unless you opt for the Turbo.

 

The 997 cars are great, there's no doubt about that. However, the 991 is a huge improvement. This is especially true for the cabriolet version. The 991 is the car to buy.

 

I just went through similar decision making but no cab. I knew I wanted PASM, PSE, SC, and other performance goodies. I really liked the S exhaust quad exhaust. It was a PIA to look through base cars as they lacked performance features. Plus I would always have "S" envy. Ended up with a 14 C4S pdk.spasm,pse, 13k miles for $82k. While I could have picked up a newer base for similar $$$ I went with the C4S 1) the car looks and feels more "special" 2) more rare so should be easier to sell as there are so many pdk bases out there 3) couldnt stand the 4x4 look of the base, didnt want to deal with lowering.

Base is plenty of car for street driving, the C4S is a beast. But it was easier to find a car optioned how I wanted in an S or 4S so just got sick of looking and pulled the trigger. Pretty happy getting the older higher optioned car.

I started out looking at 12 991 CS as its a sweet spot for value, however they just felt a bit old. I wanted something newer.

Good luck.