Is it worth it to trade a 997S.1 to 997S.2? The 09s now are being marked down. Is it a good time to trade? Thanks in advance.

 

The 997.2 is a major upgrade but it depends. If you want to keep your next car a while perhaps, if not, wait a year or so and see what the 991 looks like. If you like the 991 get that instead, if not, get the 997.2.

 

I'm very keen on seeing what VW/Audi group's influence will be on the 991. Maybe not much, but it will have something to do with it.

997 was a huge improvement over 996, in terms of looks AND in performance, especially with the 997.2. I bought a '09 997.2 C2 in November 2009 and have not regretted it. At the time I was looking at a 2nd hand 997.1 and I had the following observations:

997.2 infotainment interior upgrade was a great plus. The touchscreen is very responsive though the maps I have (in Australia) aren't that good as I can't zoom anything closer than 50 metres (~150 ft) the street lines are very thin. Built in bluetooth, iPod interface and telephone very good to use, works extremely well.

997.2 Direct Injection engines are ballistic. My C2 has almost the same performance as the C2S, except for the PASM and lower suspension which I would've liked. HP increases makes 997.2 C2 better than 997.1 C2S, especially with PDK +SC plus. Launch control is a nice extra, but I never use it.

PDK; biggest point for me. I have my missus drive and she hates stick. I also own a '08 VW R32 with DSG and the PDK system is probably the best double clutch computer transmission on the market. Makes for a daily drive very easy, although not as rewarding as the manual. Launch control, as above, and you get better MPG. I get similar MPG as the Golf, but the golf has an ECU upgrade, increasing fuel consumption.

Styling cues; LED daytime lights (which can be turned off) distinctive sharp rear tail lights, look glorious at night.

Resale value; as the 997.2 gets older and its 2nd hand market increases, a 997.2 PDK will be highly sought after over a 997.1 Tiptronic. 70-80% of new 997.2s are now optioned with PDKs, such is the market progression towards the PDK by Porsche customers.

Hope this helps with your choice.
H

 

I'm so glad that I don't like the LED lights on 997.2s. I also have to have a manual transmission, I'm just old school I guess. at any rate it's going to save me a lot of money. The extra HP of the DI engine would be nice though.

 

Sounds like a pocketbook vs PDK issue. While the increase in HP is nice, the real advantage of the 997.2 seems (to me) to be the PDK. Immediate drop in value (of the 997.1) would easily cover the costs of upgrading the PDM screen, etc. I agree that otherwise, I might wait for the newer model. On the otherhand, if $ are not an issue, why not go for the 997.2.

 

worth it? IMHO...the short answer is No

 

not worth it to upgrade if you already have a 997.1. I agree with the others that it would behoove you to wait for the 991. I doubt there will be much of a power increase, but I've heard rumors that it may have a longer wheelbase, which should make the car smoother and more predictable / confidence inspiring.

 

Pocketbook-wise I have to wait a couple years, if not more. By then, who knows what will be available ? I'd love a Targa 4S, but it's years off.

 

I would like to see them lengthen the wheelbase by 3-5". Even a Boxster has a longer wheelbase. And bump that engine forward just a little bit...

 

I agree. I prefer the more classic look of the 997.1. The LED lights seemed like a "me too" response from Porsche after Audi started launching cars with LEDs.

 

That look is a fad that I think will fade. They'll figure out a way to make it look less like a string of Christmas lights at some point and then cars with that look will seem dated and awkward. At least PAG didn't make them into some crazy attention grabbing pattern like Audi - those really do look hideous.

As for a trade up being worth it - you can probably rationalize anything that you want to do, if you work at it. '09s are a year old now, even if new - so the price really needs to reflect that.

 

In my opinion the only way I would upgrade is if I was in a lease that was ending and I was going back into another 997 then I would consider it.

Dave

 

I got a 2006 Carrera S with X51 so power is not an issue. The only things I really want from the new car is the SPASM that has limited slip differential but even that can be solved with my present car. Now, the new engine is allegedly more reliable but, with 30k miles plus on my car, I've yet to have any issues with RMS or IMS as my engine is bone dry as of last service last Thursday.

In other words, if I were to upgrade, it would be for something else in the Porsche lineup but a Carrera or Carrera S with the 9A1 engine - maybe a 997.1 or .2 GT3 or a Turbo from either .1 or .2 generation.

 

With interior lights and Homelink buttons in the upper "console" right near the mirror, it would seem fairly easy to get power to a factory dimming mirror. I understand the outside mirrors are a different story.