My first post - a lot of knowledgeable people here so bear with my newbie questions pls. Have never owned a Porsche but after visiting a dealer in Scottsdale, and having given this prior thought, my wife and I are thinking of selling one of our 4-runners to make room and money for a true sports car. We have an E-550 for long road trips and it's terrific.

After reading these and other posts I think I would wait for the 09s as the rumor of 380 hp for the S is intriguing. At first we thought we would want a Tip but since we have both driven sticks decided the 6 spd might be preferable and better resale. We live in the CO mtns. and would go for the 997 4S. The pdk via the paddles might be a consideration but worry about first year intros.

In AZ I think I could have gotten the 08 for maybe 10K off from the showroom - I'm sure this won't be true with a special 09 order. I don't want a lot of extras but mainly the functional upgrades. Not sure about sport exhaust. Can someone explain what the sport shifter is? Not sure about sport chrono and if the "speed package" would be offered on the 09 - that would put the output at around 400 hp I know the 09 changes are not confirmed yet but seems worth it to wait despite some good deals on the 08s. Maybe a dealer will end up having most of what I want in stock by end of year. I might want to do some stock track events in CO and another reason for considering the 6 spd. or any other options you might deem suitable for this.

Does anyone have experience with any of the 4 dealers in CO? The Scottsdale shop is large and had over 40 cars on the back lot and I suspect more room to deal. I would probably do adj. heated sport seats, heated mirrors and sand beige all leather interior and silver exterior (easier to keep clean in CO) Thanks for any comments on my early considerations as I have time to mull these things over. Glad I found this site as your discussions are detailed and informative - esp. since this would be my first Porsche and I don't want to make too many mistakes. Thanks again.

 

While the rumored beneifts of a little more power and some improvements in the interior were worth considering my wife and I chose to get an '08 instead.

Why? Actually several reasons.

1) We plan on keeping this car a very long time. Any car has teething problems when it is first introduced and we were much more comfortable goign with the now road and time proven technology in the 2008. Did anyone else notice that now Consumer Reports is recognizing the improved quality of the 911?
2) Value. We were able to negotiate a very good deal on our 2008 that I'm all but certain we wouldnt' be able to negotiate on the 2009's whenever they start showing up.
3) Value again. With the status of the Euro vs. Dollar, I am wondering if the MSRP of the 997.5 isn't going to increase.
4) Reality. I'm not a good enough driver to even use all of the "lowly" 355bhp that the 2008 car has. Do I really need to have more power other than to brag to the neighbors? For me... no.
5) The looks. I really, really, really like the looks of the current 997. While spyphotos' are concrete evidence I suspect that I'm going to like the rear of the 997.5 but not the front bumper. That's just me.

But cars are a very individual thing and some people have to have the latest and greatest. And more power to them.

Me, I love the new 2008 that's nestled away in my garage.

 

Well put and food for thought. Can't disagree with your points. Is there anything option wise that you would or wouldn't recommend from experience of ownership? Did you get the Tip or 6 spd?

 

I think the power for the new 997S will be closer to 370 than 380...

The new gearbox should be awesome but I'd be a bit worried about first year teething issues.

The 09 should have some very nice improvements and will be a better car in some respects vs. the previous versions.

If you can wait for the 09 do it

 

Well, we literally took delivery of our car this morning so I don't know that I'm in a position to tell you what you should and should not order but..

We go the manual tranny, 6-speed with the Porsche short shift kit.

I'm a big manual transmission guy so I didn't even consider the Tip.

We did a few other nice touches (full leather, sports seats, heated seats, Bose, etc.) but other than the sports seats I'm not sure what else I think is a must have option.

 

Thanks and congratulations. You won't be able to sleep anticipating your next drive. Can you tell me what the short shifter does and how is it different from the regular 6 spd.? I see it listed in the P-car options and several have mentioned it. Maybe it makes shorter throws, etc. What is the cost?

 

If you have your heart set on the cosmetic/performance tweaks of the '09, then wait. But if you like the current design/performance, buy the car now. It's major deal time in the marketplace, and there's no way you'll regret it. Haven't you ever noticed that practically every 911 from any year still turns your head? It's amazing. The other thing, and I know this is a bit far fetched, is that you just never know what will happen to you in this world. I just found out the other day that a guy I went to highschool with was killed in the NYC crane accident from a week or so ago. With all of that said, reread the first line of my post and decide. If I were you I'd already be at the dealer getting a sweet deal on an '08. There's always something new 2-3 years away. I'm so bonded to my '06 C4 that I want for nothing. Start the relationship early

Good luck.

Peter

 

The short shifter reduces the distance of the throws between gears. If I remember right, it reduces the throws by 15-20%.

Suncoast Porsche sells the OEM part for about $450 US and the avg. dealer asks 1 - 1.5 hours to install. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful, in my case it was all negotiated into the purchase so I don't know an exact amount of the part.

Hope that helps.

 

Get the car now. The 09 IMHO has nothing that I would wait for. Again that's just me. I'm quite sure you'll find great deals on 08's. Hey man it's a Porsche anyway you look at it!!!

 

It seems like the direct injection and pdk dual clutch gearbox might be worth waiting for? I know the 09 would be more $$ up front but then a year newer when you sell. You all make a good argument for the 08s - I'm still undecided but can't pull the trigger for 4-6 months from now anyway.

 

The 08's or earlier, may take a bigger % hit in depreciation comp'd to the 09's (if the changes are well received and/or considered significant) reducing or eliminating the impact of the additional savings on an 08. I remember when the facelifted 02 Carrera's came out, the 01's and earlier took it somewhat on the chin.

 

are the 2009's all facelifted now or is it 2010?

I want the led tail lights

 

This will give you an idea of 09 changes. Seems like I read it will include LEDs; there's more pictures with a Google search and on this site as well.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...arrera_s_spied

 

with the discount on the 08 and the price increase on the 09, the difference of price will be around 15k which is enough for you to so a lot of different things....

 

Never wait for tomorrow if you can have perfection today.