Buying a 997 carrera or carrera s
#1
Buying a 997 carrera or carrera s
hey guys wanted to ask some questions about the 997 carrera or carrera s. Is the car reliable enough to be a DD. What should I be looking for when im inspecting a car. Is buying a mid mileage Porsche reliable (30k - 50k). What is a good price for a 05-07 carrera or carrera s
Last edited by GT3 Chuck; 02-09-2011 at 07:49 PM. Reason: not enough posts and not in open forum
#2
hey guys been looking for a car for a while and wanted to ask some questions about the 997 carrera or carrera s. Is the car reliable enough to be a DD. What should I be looking for when im inspecting the car. Is buying a mid mileage Porsche reliable (30k - 50k). What is the price for a 05-07 carrera or carrera s
I've asked basically the same question here and the guys helped a lot. Search is your friend too!
I think any 997 will be a great car, carrera or carrera S. I was looking at an 05 S with really low miles, which seemed very attractive, but there are a couple of potential problems with the 05s, especially low mileage cars that the problems may not have appeared yet. The fact that the 05 is no longer under warranty has lead me to look at newer 997s.
#3
Well it depends if it the car is CPO meaning Certified Pre Owned, or if you are buying from a private seller. I always recommend buying from a dealer and have the car CPO if it isn't already. The prices stem from about 50-60 grand for a Carrera S ( my choice ),or a Carrera Non S for 40-50 give or take for a 05-07...... both great performing vehicles, i have driven my friends Carrera, and my C4S and there is a little difference but if this is your first Porsche to begin with you should enjoy it no matter what, they are great cars, and very reliable consider they are a sports car. I didn't drive mine every day, but plenty of 6 speeders drive theirs everyday, trust me they will chime in, any minute from now .........
Here is a link for the most reliable car in Germany and the second one is from J&D Power
1. http://www.porsche.com/usa/aboutpors...&id=2011-01-13
2. http://www.merinews.com/article/pors...15801538.shtml
Enjoy
Here is a link for the most reliable car in Germany and the second one is from J&D Power
1. http://www.porsche.com/usa/aboutpors...&id=2011-01-13
2. http://www.merinews.com/article/pors...15801538.shtml
Enjoy
#5
My 05 C2S with 50k on the clock was $46k with CPO. Even that was higher than I should have paid but it had the right options I was looking for and was from Cali. You can DD them no problem. Lot of people do, and lots of people use them as weekend cars. They are touted as the only high end sports car that can be driven ever day without paying large amounts at the dealer for service.
I think the only thing you will find different between the 05-07 is the price. So set the price first and then find the car to match it.
If the added stuff the S comes with matters to you decide that now. Dont want to get a non S only to find out 2 months after the purchase that the S is more like what you wanted.
I think the only thing you will find different between the 05-07 is the price. So set the price first and then find the car to match it.
If the added stuff the S comes with matters to you decide that now. Dont want to get a non S only to find out 2 months after the purchase that the S is more like what you wanted.
#6
My 05 C2S with 50k on the clock was $46k with CPO. Even that was higher than I should have paid but it had the right options I was looking for and was from Cali. You can DD them no problem. Lot of people do, and lots of people use them as weekend cars. They are touted as the only high end sports car that can be driven ever day without paying large amounts at the dealer for service.
I think the only thing you will find different between the 05-07 is the price. So set the price first and then find the car to match it.
If the added stuff the S comes with matters to you decide that now. Dont want to get a non S only to find out 2 months after the purchase that the S is more like what you wanted.
I think the only thing you will find different between the 05-07 is the price. So set the price first and then find the car to match it.
If the added stuff the S comes with matters to you decide that now. Dont want to get a non S only to find out 2 months after the purchase that the S is more like what you wanted.
#7
From a guy that owns a 2008 non-S, and has driven S, S Cab, and new 4S:
- Understand what amount of power satisfies you (is it 325, 355, 385 hp?), and on what roads you plan to drive.
- Also realize that a non-S can be modded up to make around 350 hp pretty easily.
- Does PASM matter to you ? On some less-maintained roads, PASM can be pretty rough in sport mode. It also lowers the car by a small amount.
- PDK is a great transmission. Uninterrupted power delivery when changing gears. But this can be had on non-S or S models.
- Look into adaptive sports seats. I favor these much more over the std seats.
I drove a new 4S recently with PDK - great experience, but in reality didn't seem head over heels better than a non-S. Just amped up a little more. In rougher weather I'm sure I'd see a bigger difference.
For me it all came down to budget and having a nice long warranty.
- Understand what amount of power satisfies you (is it 325, 355, 385 hp?), and on what roads you plan to drive.
- Also realize that a non-S can be modded up to make around 350 hp pretty easily.
- Does PASM matter to you ? On some less-maintained roads, PASM can be pretty rough in sport mode. It also lowers the car by a small amount.
- PDK is a great transmission. Uninterrupted power delivery when changing gears. But this can be had on non-S or S models.
- Look into adaptive sports seats. I favor these much more over the std seats.
I drove a new 4S recently with PDK - great experience, but in reality didn't seem head over heels better than a non-S. Just amped up a little more. In rougher weather I'm sure I'd see a bigger difference.
For me it all came down to budget and having a nice long warranty.
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#8
if price is not an issue, go for S
you will probably end up kicking yourself in the *** later for it unless you want to mod it...
yes, it is a daily drive if you have no real need for a backseat and loading large objects.
It will do grocery shopping fine, small appliances (like a computer), medium sized paintings, and even pick up a friend from an airport.
you will probably end up kicking yourself in the *** later for it unless you want to mod it...
yes, it is a daily drive if you have no real need for a backseat and loading large objects.
It will do grocery shopping fine, small appliances (like a computer), medium sized paintings, and even pick up a friend from an airport.
#9
There's a gazillion threads on this topic, do a search and you will find a wealth of information. If you have the means, get the S, you won't regret it.
My favorite option no doubt.
Mine has been a daily driver for the 3.5 years I've owned her and has been bulletproof. I do get some inquisitive glances in the Sam's Club parking lot but after folding the rear seats and using the trunk and passenger seat, space is rarely an issue. Case of beer in the trunk, one on the passenger's seat, and 36 rolls of TP in the rear.
From a guy that owns a 2008 non-S, and has driven S, S Cab, and new 4S:
- Understand what amount of power satisfies you (is it 325, 355, 385 hp?), and on what roads you plan to drive.
- Also realize that a non-S can be modded up to make around 350 hp pretty easily.
- Does PASM matter to you ? On some less-maintained roads, PASM can be pretty rough in sport mode. It also lowers the car by a small amount.
- PDK is a great transmission. Uninterrupted power delivery when changing gears. But this can be had on non-S or S models.
- Look into adaptive sports seats. I favor these much more over the std seats.
I drove a new 4S recently with PDK - great experience, but in reality didn't seem head over heels better than a non-S. Just amped up a little more. In rougher weather I'm sure I'd see a bigger difference.
For me it all came down to budget and having a nice long warranty.
- Understand what amount of power satisfies you (is it 325, 355, 385 hp?), and on what roads you plan to drive.
- Also realize that a non-S can be modded up to make around 350 hp pretty easily.
- Does PASM matter to you ? On some less-maintained roads, PASM can be pretty rough in sport mode. It also lowers the car by a small amount.
- PDK is a great transmission. Uninterrupted power delivery when changing gears. But this can be had on non-S or S models.
- Look into adaptive sports seats. I favor these much more over the std seats.
I drove a new 4S recently with PDK - great experience, but in reality didn't seem head over heels better than a non-S. Just amped up a little more. In rougher weather I'm sure I'd see a bigger difference.
For me it all came down to budget and having a nice long warranty.
if price is not an issue, go for S
you will probably end up kicking yourself in the *** later for it unless you want to mod it...
yes, it is a daily drive if you have no real need for a backseat and loading large objects.
It will do grocery shopping fine, small appliances (like a computer), medium sized paintings, and even pick up a friend from an airport.
you will probably end up kicking yourself in the *** later for it unless you want to mod it...
yes, it is a daily drive if you have no real need for a backseat and loading large objects.
It will do grocery shopping fine, small appliances (like a computer), medium sized paintings, and even pick up a friend from an airport.
#10
The slight lowering won't matter unless you're planning an off-road race in Baja, in which case you should be looking at a Cayenne or a sponsorship deal that will buy you one of the off-road specials.
Gary
#11
I guess I was speaking about the 2008 and prior PASM, which I found too rough in sport mode. On regular it was daily-driver type. It feels like the non-S suspension is tuned right between PASM regular and PASM sport. Of course that's subjective.
#12
I will guarantee that whether you track or just use your car as a daily driver, the PASM is the way to go with a dot two. You can get it as an option on the straight 911 and it comes with the S configuration. From the reports I've read from ADias and other owners with the Sport-Chrono option, the additional changes to create Sport PASM are worth it as well. Wish we'd known about those before we decided.
Gary
#13
Hey guys,
First porsche in the garage for me. Owned a few non M bmws and now have the option to pick up a 2006 Carrera (non S). Its run 6,000 odd kms (3800 miles) and has been maintained well. Haven't decided on the car as yet, as i want your opinion on whether i should wait for a good example of a 997C2S to come along.
I'd definitely prefer the PDK direct injection models if i could afford it !
Bottom line, is it worth picking up a 2006 carrera with a 6spd manual ? deep blue with beige. Bose. 18inch wheels. No PASM.
Thanks.
First porsche in the garage for me. Owned a few non M bmws and now have the option to pick up a 2006 Carrera (non S). Its run 6,000 odd kms (3800 miles) and has been maintained well. Haven't decided on the car as yet, as i want your opinion on whether i should wait for a good example of a 997C2S to come along.
I'd definitely prefer the PDK direct injection models if i could afford it !
Bottom line, is it worth picking up a 2006 carrera with a 6spd manual ? deep blue with beige. Bose. 18inch wheels. No PASM.
Thanks.
#14
Hey guys,
First porsche in the garage for me. Owned a few non M bmws and now have the option to pick up a 2006 Carrera (non S). Its run 6,000 odd kms (3800 miles) and has been maintained well. Haven't decided on the car as yet, as i want your opinion on whether i should wait for a good example of a 997C2S to come along.
I'd definitely prefer the PDK direct injection models if i could afford it !
Bottom line, is it worth picking up a 2006 carrera with a 6spd manual ? deep blue with beige. Bose. 18inch wheels. No PASM.
Thanks.
First porsche in the garage for me. Owned a few non M bmws and now have the option to pick up a 2006 Carrera (non S). Its run 6,000 odd kms (3800 miles) and has been maintained well. Haven't decided on the car as yet, as i want your opinion on whether i should wait for a good example of a 997C2S to come along.
I'd definitely prefer the PDK direct injection models if i could afford it !
Bottom line, is it worth picking up a 2006 carrera with a 6spd manual ? deep blue with beige. Bose. 18inch wheels. No PASM.
Thanks.
#15
If you haven't put a lot of thought and research into what you want ("haven't decided on the car yet"), i would do that before making a move. There are a ton of choices to make, and while most may not be bad, you have to make sure you chose the best one for you. While a low mileage 06 C2 is worth picking up for some people, it may turn out not to be the best choice for you if you think you really might want an "S" model, or DFI, or DPK, etc. Figure out what you want, right down to the important options, then look for that car. Cars are coming onto the market all the time, so sometimes you have to be patient before you find the one you really want. I found my current car in Denver when I lived in LA, after looking on Autotrader for months. But when I saw it, I knew it was the right one for me and went and got it. Good luck in your search.
I have decided on a 997. Cant decide whether to go with a non "S" Carrera or not. The M/T appeals to me over the tiptronic.
Quite the spirited driver, very occasional track use, not too frequent... will i miss the 30 horses and PASM. 19in wheels are an easy fix.
Red callipers/quad exhaust i dont really mind living without, they aren't deal breakers.
As a car to drive and live with, is the 997 Carrera a good buy ?