Thanks for all the great feedback. You have all been immensely helpful. Keep the comments coming.

 

I won't mind having the normal sport seats instead of adaptive ? Most often the bolsters when deflated show creases and don't look neat not to mention,the sport and the adaptive they look pretty much the same.

 

How can you tell if a car has the rear diff lock option? I've never seen this listed in a for sale ad.

John H

 

4. Short shifter: not *that* critical because this could be added for only a few hundred bucks. In addition, it is fun to try the standard long one, THEN switch to be amazed by how different, and better, the shorter one feels.

I have to second this. For me, the B&M shifter is vastly superior to the stock shifter. Although not apples to apples I drove a friend's Cayman S with the factory short shifter and I much prefer my B&M.

 

I dunno why people get so obsessed with short shifters that end up greatly increasing the shift effort. While people may feel like it's racy to have shorter shifts, it's not going to actually increase the shift speed for the majority of users, and you're more prone to miss-shifts as a result of the increased shift effort. I've driven a GT3 with a short shift kit on it and I fail to see how the notchy, heavy shifts is an improvement over stock.

 

I know what you mean; I used to be extremely skeptical just like this. In fact, I deliberately ordered my car with the long shift, with plan to switch to the Sport/short shift. I finally made the move when one of the guru's of this forum (eclou) wrote something to the effect that it *always* feel better.

First, I drove 2010 997 GT3 too and you are correct, at least when new, the shift in that car is extremely notchy and difficult. Rest assured, that is nothing like the sport shifter in the Turbo.

Second, you are correct, effort is increased, and I am not certain at all the speed of shifting is faster, but it is all about the feel. The feel is much more precise, more solid, less plasticky. It feels different, and better. Actually, wonderful, and I will never go back, even though I could.

 

Below quote is (modified) from an old post of mine. The key difference between normal and adaptive seats are the depth (size) and adjustability of the 4 bolsters: 2 on the seat and 2 on the seat-back.

>>>>>>>>>>>
Don't know about 997.2 but in the 997.1 Turbo, these are the seat choices:

1. Standard Seats: Has power adjustment on everything EXCEPT the bolsters on the seat and on the seat-back.

2. Sports Seats: Has power seat-back, but not the seat itself. Meaning: manual seat height and fore/aft positions. Not sure if seat's rake angle is adjustable -- I do not think it is (a big negative for me if true).

3. Adaptive Seats: Every position is power adjustable.

The difference between 1 and 2: Bolsters and electronic control. 2 has deeper seat and seat-back bolsters, but 1 has electronic control and has control of the seat rake angle.

The difference between 1 and 3: Bolsters. First, the seat bolster of 3 is bigger/higher/deeper. Second, the seat bolster is adjustable. Third, the seat-back bolster is also adjustable.

The difference between 2 and 3: Electronic control, memory, and seat rake angle (someone please correct me if I am wrong on this). Because I tend to be very finicky about seat rake angle, and about maintaining exact seat position, I actually do not like seat number 2.

Lastly, 2, and probably 3, has firmer upholstery than 1. I hope I have not been thoroughly confusing. Just trying to help here. Be careful about this as you definitely don't want the wrong seats in this 150k car. My ranking is 3, 1, 2. I had #1 in my 997 C2, and now have #3 in my Turbo. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

 

Option Code I220

Check the VIN here http://www.autoatlanta.com/life/vin/vin.php?

 

Does this car has seat # 1

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

What does this car has Seat # 2 or Seat # 3

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

I have tried seat # 1 which was lot firmer with out out any cushioning...

The car in second auto trader ad is regular sport seats which i found very comfortable.

So my question is, do adaptive sport seats look any different than the regular sport seats ?

 

+1 That is super useful!

 

For me, the appeal of a short shifter is not the shift speed, but rather the tactile improvements. The B&M is much more precise and I think that this precision reduces chances of missed shifts.

Overall, the controls of a 997 turbo including the steering, suspension, switchgear, and parking brake, all have a nice feeling of quality by being precise and firm but not harsh in operation. I think the short shifter improves on this feeling.

 

Have to tell you... I have them and LOVE them. No more sticky back or bottom.

 

Yes it definitely looks different, at least when it comes to the electronic control.

It's been such a long time and I am too lazy to do careful research now (anyone corrects me as needed), but the way to tell if the seat is Adaptive Sport Seat is to look for the electronic buttons that control the bolster. These are two smaller buttons, in front of the buttons that control the seat height and seat back angle.
If possible, you might want to go out to a Porsche dealer and confirm for yourself what I just wrote above (maybe print my post about the differences and bring along to confirm). This *is* an important option, especially if you are particular about seat rake angle.

Regarding the 2 web ads that you asked about, I can't tell clearly from the 2 web sites and I don't want to give you wrong information. Best to call the seller and ask about the buttons.

 

Adaptive Sport Seat - Notice "wings" in shoulder area


Adaptive Sport Seat Controls - See the two horizontal buttons at the front of the seat controls


Regular Seat - No wings


Regular Seat - Does not have the extra two buttons on front of control area


Sport Seat - Not Adaptive

 

Those are 997 GT3 seats. Sports seats look like the top "Adaptive Sports seats" pic.

John H