I am in need of some candid answers and advice as it relates to the 997s. I have been a BMW guy for years (no flames please ) For the last three years, I have been driving a Z8--an absolutely amazing car imo. The problem is, I have two boys, ages 6 and 9 who are very active. My wife has been pressuring me to get a 4 seater. After much deliberation, I purchased a 545 smg sport. Now, I'm sure there are many opinions on the car, but I do like the car. The problem is, it's not a Z8, nor is it a 997. Prior to my purchase, I did not consider the Porsche b/c my friend had a 996, had a number of problems with it and I was not very impressed with it, particularly compared to my Z8. So, yesterday I went to the local dealership b/c the had a GT they were auctioning and I just had to see it. While there, I saw the newly designed 997s and, have to admit, I love the car, inside and out. My question is this--how is the functionality of the 997 as an everyday driver? I love sport, but I also like a comfortable ride (years of activity and now sitting behind a desk have taken a toll on my back). That said, I need comfortable seats and something that is semi-utilitarian (i.e. something that will permit me to take my boys around relatively short distances). Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Depends the rear seats of all 996/997's are very tight, that is the only obvious issue, as well it is not going to have the ride of the 545 however having driven a Z8 this is no Caddy on the road, the 997 will ride and handle better then the Z8 however nothing like 8 cyl under the hood , I know see my signature.!

 

I have a 03 996 c4s, my kids love riding in the back seats. They are 6 and 9, fit perfectly. I actually passed on a GT3 because I couldn't retrofit a backseat. The 997s should be a great car for you(997tt/c4s/cab will be out by this time next yr).

 

azwdct,

I just transitioned out of an M5 to a 997S after three years. The 997S is my daily driver since finally my youngest daughter gets her own car in seven weeks and my wife has an SUV for hauling.

My comments:

Rear Seats:

I didn't take the rear seats of the 997S seriously but have had numerous 17 year old girls (my daughter's friends) in the back already, shlepping them around town, and two women in their fifties last night for 20 minutes. My wife was one of them and she said she was surprised how comfortable the seat was. The problem was getting in/out! I mention women because the roof line is low and the upper torso height is critical to any level of comfort! But your kids? No problem. I'm sure for them it will be fun.

On going Driving Experience compared with M5:

As you will experience in your test drive: really a step above, though I loved my M5 (I assume the same for the Z8). Tighter, sharper, better handling, better cabin experience, more comfortable seats (Active Sports). Surprisingly non-fatiguing on long drives. I keep it strictly in PASM mode and the ride is certainly firmer than an M5/Z8 but not by that much. A bit more road noise, but mostly more engine noise!

My only real issue: I love to listen to music and the Bose system is fantastic, but the exhaust frequencies tend to wash out certain frequencies in the music. So some albums are harder to listen to than others and one has the volume up higher than is judicious for one's long term hearing!

Conclusion:

My needs may be different to yours, but certainly this is my daily driver for the next three years and I'm thrilled with my choice - as I was with my M5 three years ago. The fun factor has been raised several notches. Certainly above the M5, my guess also above the Z8.

Next step is for you to test drive the 997S if you haven't already. You should bring your boys along too. They should sell your wife on it.

PS: My wife spent three years reminding me (pleasantly) that my M5 had a tighter interior than my succession of 740IL's which she loved.

The 997S cabin makes the M5 look like a boat, but my wife has said nothing. She loves the look of the car and loves the comfort of the seats. And she loves to see my perpetual grin! So maybe she is just being nice but she drove about 1,200 miles with me in the first two weeks and professed to love the car.

 

I recently received my 997S. Guards Red, adaptive sports seats, sport chrono pack, Bose, etc. It has a really tight ride. There isn't much sensation of movement at legal speeds like in our Audi TT Roadster. It's much faster, much smoother riding. I will use this as my daily driver when the weather is nice. I have an Audi A4 also as my backup.

As far as the back seat goes, it's not a good hauler of large people for long distances. I've had several of my friends in the back and they all moaned and complained about the tight quarters. Children should have no problems though. The ride is smooth. Speeds are deceiving because the car holds the road so well and has very little vibration. The sport mode changes this a bit.

If you want a thrilling car (have cake and eat it too) and haul the family around, this will do it. It's certainly not an economical choice. I have driven German cars for the last twenty years (bad habit I picked up in Germany in the Air Force back then); first BMW, then Audi, now Porsche. I think you get more for your money with Audi. The interior of the 997 is very nice (full leather options, fake aluminum), but our TT is nicer (standard leather and aluminum). I don't know what R models are available from Audi now, but I would consider that for a family. The car magazines are rating all the Audis very high in comparison tests against the other German/Japanese high-end vehicles.

If you have to have a Porsche, this is the one to have. Pretty incredible jump in technology over even the last model. I wouldn't take a long family trip in the car, but I would drive the kids across town every day in it.

 

Read my short thread on here.