For those of you who have driven your 997 from new or close to new, I'm wondering if you've felt any difference in performance after 10K, 20K miles etc. There is a general perception that 911's "get better with age" but i'd like to know if that's true and what that means exactly. I.e., Does the engine rev more freely? Does the steering become a bit looser (in a good or bad way)? Little things too: for example I've been told that mufflers get louder over time as the intrenal packing comes loose. If anyone has an engineering background and could explain any "aging" phenomena, I'd be interested in that too.

If it's true that they do get better with age, it would have interesting ramifications for buying a pre-owned that's "already broken in," for not trading in every two years, etc.

PS, apologies if this topic has been discussed in the past, but it's tough to search for.

 

the difference would be impossible to tell performance wise.

 

Once the break in period is reached and you are keeping up with annual maintence the vehicle should remain consistant performance wise the only thing that will improved over time is your own driving skills.

 

I agree that it is difficult to tell if the performance actually improves, but I am still excited to drive it each day. I have owned a 06 997C2S since May 06.

 

From 6k to 30k now still strong but nothing has changed not slower nor faster.

 

I bought new and I did notice an increase in the loudness of my PSE when not in sport mode, starting this year, at around 38k miles + or -. Wether this is normal or not, I cannot tell; what I can tell is that I like the sound increase.

 

I put a battery tender on my and it definitely runs better with the battery fully charged. Still may need to replace the cable from the alt to the starter which is common in the 05-06.

I bought it used with 5K in 06 and it now has 27K.

Great car, enjoy it every time I drive it. New oil and air filters always seems to make a slight difference along with the mods I have made I be hard pressed to justify a new one.

The one thing that got better with age was the ease of shifting. At 5K when I got it with the sport shifter it was difficult. Between 5-10K it got much easier and stayed that way.

 

At times feels slower because one gets used to it over time (nuances of the car), but still an exciting car to drive no matter the mileage. But, spending time on a track, as someone said earlier, you get better (hopefully) at driving the damn thing.

Enjoy, no matter what you buy.

 

The 993 got better over time. I think the 997 will also get better over time.

 

I'm not sure the 'car' runs any better, but I have found that over time I've become more confident in the way I drive it, making it easier to run it fast w/o getting in over my head. I can't imagine driving anything else.. this is one helluva car.

 

I absolutely agree!

+1 to you.

 

+1 Bump

 

If you drive the car a lot you do get use to the speed and it feels slower. That is why I will drive my truck for a week or 2 then get back in the Porsche. Damn, it is quicker after that!!!

Mine has gotten faster with age but I would have to benefit the TPC turbo for that LOL.

 

That isn't my experience. On each of the 3 997's I've owned, they each seem to really come into their own around 25,000 miles. My current 06 C2S Cab just turned 30k and it just feels better every day (daily driver).

 

I'm enjoying it more everytime I drive it. I miss it when I use my other cars. Driving a Porsche 997 is like good wine, it get's better over time.