I'm thinking about picking up 2006-2007 997.1 C2 or C2S within a year or so.

What kind of options should I be looking for? What's standard on these cars?

About the only things I really can't live without are heated seats and a sunroof. I need a decent stereo. Is the Bose worth it? I'd prefer to stick with an OEM system vs upgrading in the future.

Also... are these cars easy to work on? I've been doing my own car maintenance on my BMW since the warranty has been out. Oil changes, brakes, brake fluid flush, water pump, thermostat, spark plugs, sensors... stuff like that.

thanks

 

The "S" comes with PASM, Xenon lamps, 3.8L 355 hp engine, 19" wheels, sport steering wheel and standard white gauges. These are options on the non-S and it comes with the 3.6L 325hp engine.

I consider the following options important to me... heated seats, self dimming mirrors. If I could have chosen one without a sunroof, I would have done so. My car has sport design wheels with painted crests, power seats, nav, Bose and a CD changer but I consider all of those unnecessary. Bose is good for originial equipment but I would not have paid extra for it ( I bought my car as a leftover from the new car dealer lot). Aside from oil changes, tire and brake service, you may find you may need a lift for more work than you might find with other cars. Power seats and floor mats are extra. There are virtually unlimited options on Porsches!

When looking for used Porsche, I would look for doumented services, overall condition of the car as the most important criteria, then condier "must haves". Also get a pre-purchace inspection.

Others here will give you additional input.

Good luck!

 

I suggest you spend a few evenings searching the discussions on all of these issues on this forum. There have been hundreds of discussions on all of this, and I think spending time reviewing them would give you better insight than a few comments on this thread.
Good luck in your search. Because of all the choices, I suggest being patient and getting a good feel for what you really want, and what you don't need. Do searches on AutoTrader to check out the variety of cars and options available. It will help you assess what is important to you, as well as familiarize you with some of the choices. It can be overwhelming at first, but over time you should be able to pare down the list to something manageable.

 

I just purchased a 997.1 and here is what I did and why I did it.

Made a list of what I NEEDED to have. What I would LIKE it to have, what I DID NOT want it to have and what I DONT CARE if it had or didn't have.

And, of course price.

Having said all that, I looked on ebay.com, cars.com, autotrader.com and Porscheusa.com for my car.

Do your research, check out these Forums and above all, test drive a few cars. These forums are full of opinions. Ask 4 people the same question and you will get 4 different responses. Everyone's needs, wants and desires are not the same.

Good luck,

Steve

PS: And, mostly, from what I have found....car lot sales people (whether they work for a Porsche dealership or not) are the WORST source of information. They will tell you whatever they need to (or leave out valuable information) to sell you a car. The cars they have on their lot are the ones they want to sell, whether its the right car for you or not...

 

+1 My approach exactly. Good advice.

 

Thanks for the input. I've been reading the forums for a few months to get a good idea of what's out there.

Is the pre-purchase inspection only something done at the Porsche Dealership? Or does anyone take it to an indy shop to get it done.

Any common problems on these cars? I've read about IMS issues on '05 and older cars. RMS issues and flaking paint on the climate controls. Other then those... are there any other common problems?

 

I was looking for one with the painted center console and seat backs, sport seats, and X51 Power Kit. My car found me on Rennlist. It has been trouble free for two years. CPO but not so much as a warranty claim. Knock on wood.

 

You can get a PPI at any good shop. I think you'll find that IMS issues are pretty rare, even on the 05 models. Be sure to check all menus on the PCM, as I've had some issues with mine under warranty. I posted info on Rennlist.

 

I have the standard stereo and it is fine for me; I listen to jazz. I hear the bose isn't worth the $$. I'd go A/B some until you are satisified. If neither works for you, get an aftermarket system, that is easy to remove and put back to stock.

 

Also check out standard sports seats vs adaptive sports seats. I personally love the snug fit of the *** and could not imagine being without it (makes me feel like a pilot in the c*ckpit) but with the wrong height and frame build those *** could become extremely uncomfortable very soon.

 

I just bought my 07 C2 and drove it home from the dealer on Friday.

I guess what is a must and what you could live without really depends on the person buying the car. For me, the most important thing was that it was a CPO. My friend had a near-nightmare experience (without going into detail) when he bought a used 911 from a private seller. And of course, he had it inspected by a professional shop when he purchased it. Repairs on even the smallest things on these cars will suck your wallet for thousands.

There has been much said about the stereo system (to bose or not to bose), and I have to say that the Bose system isn't all that great. But I think it has more to do with cabin noise in these cars than the system itself. You're not buying a lexus sedan, you know what I mean? Someone had a really great quote from a previous thread: "the inline 6 is the greatest stereosystem money can buy."

My C2 came with the sports chrono package, and that's really fun. I like having full power seats with memory. You should remember that the bi-xenon headlamps (and the headlamp sprays) did not come as standard equipment for 997.1.

Honestly, I kind of wish my car came with a clear bra. I didn't realize how expensive that thing is to get installed...

 

Use a paint meter, make sure it wasn't repainted, and if it was, make sure you know who did the repair...

 

For me the 3 most important options would be;
Sunroof = Best positioned compared to any cars!
Really gives you the open air feel.
Sport Seats = More arrangements and the look!!
Chrono Package = No need to explain

I don't know if you get Power Pack in the states. Not where I am.
But that's one option that I really want.

Bose system; well, many have negative feedbacks. I have Bose but I can't compare because I haven't tried the sound of standard stereo. But to me any stereo options whether Bose, B&W, Harman Kardon are just brand names only. Not much of a benefit.

Self-Servicing may be tricky given limited access to the engine. Apart form brakes, tires and minor oil change, factory service interval is 20,000mls(30,000km where I am).

One thing I envy is the Home Link. I think it is standard option in the states??
I really want that. No need remotes for your garage and gate.

 

I listen to a lot of Hip Hop / Alternative Rock. Does the standard system have enough bass? I just want something that's no worse then my BMW HK system.

 

Do any of you cross reference the VIN #s with Carfax while shopping around? I'd hate to spend 50k on a car and find out it was in an accident later on.