I will soon join the ranks as an owner...my first one! I have waited many years to own one and finally the stockmarket has been very very good to me (gold junior stocks if anyone wants to know) in the last few months to buy one.

I noticed that there are many new or almost new 2008s for sale throughout the country and I imagine a good deal could be had as I am sure most that can afford it will go for the 2009 due to the new motor and lack of IMS.

Is better to pay the premium for the 2009 for piece of mind?
Anyone know how long the new motor was tested before going into production?
The 2009 is supposed to have fixed some of the issues that the previous years had but I am just wondering what the probability are of new issues arising with the new motor or PDK?

With 2008s, you have some piece of mind that the probablity of IMS issues are low and with 2009 it might be a gamble that something else could could takes it place.

Opinions? Thought?

Thanks

Pat

 

As always, improvements are great but bring risks. After looking I decided to go with a new 2008 rather than a new 2009. Some things to consider.....

2008

1. More likely to have an RMS leak although less likley with the newer seals. Costs about $1,000 to have fixed.

2. IMS is on board but has been strengthened in the last few years of production. IMS failure means new engine. About $10,000 with trade in. A relatively rare event.

3. A generally lower price than a 2009.

2009

1. Newer body stylng ( front and rear).

2. No IMS and perhaps lower chance of RMS leak.

3. Some tweaking of the PASM.

4. Direct Injection - More mpg and hp but could be troublesome with the high pressure fuel pump. Ther is a widespred concern with carbon buildup on intake valves for DI engines including Porsche, VW/Audi, BMW, Mini,

5. For those who may need to rebuild the engine in the future, the new engine has integrated bearings. I believe this would mean a new case.

6. New PDK vs the Tiptronic for those preferring an AT.


I went with the 2008, saved some $$ and I do not want to deal with DI issues. Bye the way, I belive that DI engines will be widely used in the future. I also believe there will be a big business opportunity for those who get paid to open up these engines and clean out the intake valve area periodically.

 

thanks for the reply. I was thinking the same thing with a 2008 that we know what can go wrong and the probability of it. Another big factor would be the cheaper price for the 08.

I will get news about my loan application on monday and depending on the amount I may not have much of a choice if they don't give me enough.

If I were to go with an 09 I am considering maybe a PDK so for this an 08 is not a choice. There are a few used 09s showing up on the market as well.

 

Don't want to sound like the 'old guy' here and you probably already know this, but don't base what you spend on what they give you, base it on what you can afford.....


w

 

The more they give me the better. I have the cash to pay for it without affecting my lifestyle. Its just that I refuse to pay for it all in cash and want to minimize the amount of cash I need to pull out of my stocks because once its out of the market you can't make money with it (or lose any).

I have done very well in stocks and will be moving from a mazda 6 (V6) to 08 or 09 911 which would not be in my price range if I was not successful in my trading.

Thanks

 

All good points... and worthy of consideration.

However... I call BS on this so-called intake valve build-up problem on 997.2 engines. Making broad generalizations and propagating unproven internet rumors is not good.

I have yet to see one single proven, documented case of ANY 997.2 engine with any form of so-called "intake valve build-up".

It is an urban legend and not true.

I challenge anyone to document this on a 997.2.

Because there is no proof, then these claims must be refuted when they pop up. Let's help each other not spread mis-truths (however well-intentioned their mention might have been).

Wabbit- congrats to you for this opportunity that has come to you. A Porsche is a fantastic drivers car. You will be thrilled with whatever you wind up buying.

 

If you can find a great deal on an 08, get that, there isn't much wrong with it. If you can afford a 09 and that is what you want, then get it. The 09 is newer/better technology.

 

'09 base has almost same power as '08 "S". I don't know if that matters or not or how it works out money-wise in your considerations.

If you can get everything you want in an '08 for less money, then why not? Even with '09 discounted, the '08 has probably taken more depreciation so might be a better deal - either way, both are now "old" year models. '08 may have less warranty left, but maybe you get CPO?

Here's a link where this guy about stole this '08 new + CPO - amazing deal and a really gool car: http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...ghlight=yellow

As far as the other concerns, sure the '09 is new technology with less track record, while the '08 is technology that they have moved on from ostensibly to improve the car - so, no clear advantage either way.

 

If money is really not an issue for you, then don't look at an 08 as saving $$$$. Look at both cars and test drive both. Consider that extra hp and the cosmetic changes of the 09. Whichever car ends up in your mind makes you sleepless at night, that's the car to get. Worry about the potential problems later. Money is no object remember? I don't think there is a perfect car without problems. Just my 2cents.

 

1) Price - I got 20 percent off on my 09 and unless the dealership is knocking 50 percent off that 08 I don't see the value saved.

2) I had an 07 997S and currently have an 09 . Both have been reliable , One can find posts of car problems with EITHER -but that is common on any auto forum .

3) The 09 car has significant improvement in terms of performance, styling, and technology . The Dfi engine has this immediate response which the 08 lacks along with the added Hp. One can even get the axle lock differential on these cars . The stying on the front and rear add a fresh appeal (opinion) and the ipod and bluetooth added to the PCM make quite an improvement.

My vote goes to the 09 .

 

Don't worry about warranty on an 08 being a concern....warranty starts the day it is reported sold to Porsche...if you by one today, your 08 will have the same warranty period as does a 2009 but today by someone.

Trev

 

OK .. price point at the end, and I have to agree with Larry.

As far as how they drive .. you know what? I doubt you'll know the difference between the two cars back-to-back (6spd to 6spd). You might feel the clutch change which isn't mentioned here. 30 horses sounds like a lot but I bet you don't know. And if you are a mod crazed person you'll have cats and maybe a few other things popped on before you know it, at which point your car might feel faster than a stock 09.

If you try out the PDK (make sure you get sport chrono btw, even if the dash wart is ugly to you) ... that's a different experience. The dealer will ***** and moan about running it hard when it's a new car, but wait until you do. If you can find somebody that lets you in on a broken in car do that. Consider the driving you will do, who will drive it, etc. If your SO will be driving and can't drive a stick, gets nervous, etc... it's something to think about. I do not have a PDK, and it's *one* of the things on the newer car I'd actually probably enjoy. This coming from somebody who hasn't driven an auto in 25 years.

I'm on the fence about the styling myself, and the front to me just creates more vacuum cleaner spots for cigarette butts and garbage from the road. You guys know what I'm talking about! The small styling changes outside the car are so subtle, but I do like the new base S wheels!

There are a lot of other changes besides the big ones we've talked about that you need to think through, and perhaps these might make you think 09 time. The nav system is changed. The touchscreen is a VAST improvement over the old screen to me. It's clearer, bigger, and easier to use. IPod integration if you care about that. Bluetooth integration. Nothing like getting your 2008 porsche 911 110K car and it has this "phone integration" thing where you slide in the SIM card, except ... nobody knows how to make it work! (you can make it work, but you're going to have to do a lot of research, work with your cell company so you don't get a 2nd # if you want a permanent sim card in the car, etc..). Let's just say the gadget side of the 09 kicks *** over the 08.

Many other small mechanical changes, from updates to the clutch to things like LSD. A lot for you to consider, and you'd have to sit down and really think about what your driving experience will be, etc etc etc.


Now price ... unless they knock of a lot on the 08, screw it. Untitled? That means the warranty had to be punched in 09 some time, probably around March. Seriously, unless they are pricing you a 90K car for about 60K I'd be walking from the 08s right now. And as far as I can tell dealers aren't trying to sell their 08's for that much less than an 09 model, now that dealer lots are full of 2010s.

Good luck!

 

Not true - they do something they call "punching" - the warranty starts when the car is punched and many '08s I read about were punched. Do a search - you'll find it. Or Larry can probably explain it.

The car in the link above was $86KMSRP for $56K - about 34% off and a CPO to 100K.

 

In late July I was faced with the same choice, although at that time the 2010's weren't out yet so the '09's weren't being as heavily discounted. I went with the '08 and am very happy with the decision. First of all it's a Cab and not intended for the track, so I don't think I'll ever miss the extra 30 hp. And the Softronic ECU can get me that if I feel the need.

I don't know the technical improvements in '09 to the same detail that many of the members do, but I felt that the suspension on the 997.2 was more supple and felt less "Porsche purist" to me. (I'm interested in hearing some other people's comments on this.) And while any car can develop problems, I believe there is some comfort in owning the last year of the model run, such that most of the kinks have been worked out - as opposed to the first year of the run which is likely to need to have some kinks worked out.

 

For my money I'd go with an '09 if you can find it optioned the way you like. Unlike what some others will tell you about HP difference, you will notice 30 HP in a 3300# car. Additionally, the '09 has a new suspension over the '08 and its much better. PASM is standard on the S if that's the route you're going so think about that, too.

My $0.02