Posted this in the general 997 forum but I may get different perspectives from those in this forum 😛

Pricing for both choices is similar but I am so torn between PDK in the newer Carrera S model or the Turbo 😫 Would really appreciate the views of the Bros here who have experienced both! Thanks much!!

 

If the Turbo is a 6 speed, then no brainer to go that route.

 

I've been in a very similar situation:
I had a 2009 PDK Carrera that was well modded for the track. I loved that car. Honestly, it felt very quick for being a base 997.2, especially with PDK and the suspension I had. On the track, the 997.2 Carrera S was barely faster, albeit noticeable pulling out of corners, but not as much on the straights as you would think. I knew when I bought the base Carrera I would always want the S, and after a lot of track driving I knew I should have got the S (I just got a great deal on the base.).

I did want more power and ended up selling it and getting my current 997 Turbo 6MT. Its night and day different, and practically comparing apples to oranges.
The stock suspension on the Turbo is not as tight as the 997.2 Carrera with PASM, in my opinion. The Turbo suspension is definitely, again IMO, the worst part of the car. The exhaust is also much quieter than a NA engine (obviously), but you can remedy that pretty well.

I love the Turbo, its ridiculously powerful and fast, but ONLY because of my enjoyment of going to the track, I'm looking at getting another PDK car. I know many on here hate to hear that, but PDK on a track is hard to complain about...

If you are just buying a street car, or a weekend car, then the Turbo with a manual is about as good as it gets. You can definitely DD it as well. It is supercar fast with mods and built extremely well (like all P cars). It's been the most hassle free car I've owned and it has the classic 997 looks. I will say the interior does leave you missing the 997.2 for sure, but manually shifting and pushing the throttle down, I quickly realize I could care less about it

I honestly think it depends on what you are wanting to do with it. If anything, I can personally tell you, you will be happy with either.

 

Great review!

You'e spot on in that PDK is better for track duty. Truly a valid point if the OP plans on tracking the car a lot.

I've relegated mine to street stalking only.

 

Thank you RON1X and TTEQNY!! Very valid points from people who have had both experiences. I guess I made the noob error of not stating the use I would like to make ot the car. I intend to use it primarily as a DD but also for the occasional track use so pulling out of corners and power does matter to me :P

That said, I do dig the 997.2 S for the exact reasons you state. I like raw on performance but also some refinement internally. PDK is the main reason tho'. The turbo i am considering seems to be a fully TechArt modded one so I am assuming that the exhaust and suspension have been changed as well.....

 

Is the 2008 turbo a tip or manual transmission? Depending on your use, there will be varied opinions. Where do you live? Significant traffic? I've owned a 99 996 carerra 6mt, 03 996tt 6mt, and 08 997tt cab tip. They all have their pros and cons. I do enjoy the 997.1tt tip, but I would have preferred a 2009 pdk 997.2tt, had prices been in my reach at the time. I dont track my cars, so that wasn't a factor for me.

 

The one I am looking at is a 2008 997.1 tip. I would love a manual or even a 997.2tt tip but there suddenly seems to be a dearth of those in the market??

I live in a city and so 80% of the usage would be city street commuting and 20% will be on special occasions when I go north to track.

 

I struggled with the same decision. The TT was local, low mileage, one-owner and in incredible condition with the mods I wanted. However, it was also a cab with tip. I much prefer the looks of a coupe and I've never had a sports car with an auto trans. I decided I really wanted to be able to drop the top in good weather - and the top is down on my car a lot since I purchased it a year ago. I decided to give the tip a try since the car is a DD. I've been much more satisfied with the tip than I thought I would. It really is only rarely that miss the MT. My view was that if I got the car and didn't like it, I would sell it. I might lose a little money but I didn't think so at the price I got the TT. Bottom line - I also knew I would always wish I had gotten the TT. Coming from the corvette world and being used to the torque and power, I knew I would want as much oomph as I could get to be happy. My TT puts out around 560-580 hp, is a great DD, and is much more satisfying than my vettes ever were. Go for it, you can always get another car if you're not happy1

 

.1 Tip prices are reaching levels where they are hard to ignore.

.1 6MT prices are higher that what I paid a year ago.

My wife has an '06 Boxster Tip with 20K miles that I picked up for her. I've seriously been considering one to replace it with.

OP-if you are going to buy a car with mods it goes without saying that a quality PPI with DME read is necessary.