So I'm curious about how all of you came to the conclusion to get a 997? I'm shopping now and have been considering a Viper Coupe, 997TT, AM Vantage, XKR etc. Goal was to be under $80k.

But then I also begin thinking how much car can be had for as low as $40k in the form of a 996TT. So I'm somewhat all over the place. Now part of the reason I'm all over the place is that like many of you I've had lots of different cars which means I'm not especially partial to a specific brand or model - I appreciate the merits of all. Some of the cars have been Viper GTS, Z4M Coupe, Elise, 3 NSX, 993, 944T etc. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/291976/2007-bmw-m

My last was a Z4M Coupe. After lowering, exhaust, 19" Work wheels it was a beast in stance, sound, pressence - and it drove great. It was also quite rare so many didn't know what it was. Its amazing what tasteful mods can do to a car. Btw, I think I've also been spoiled by the NSX and Lotus both being quite exotic! Anyhow, I'm wondering:

1) What else have you owned and what did you consider before buying a 997?

2) What mods have you done?

3) Do you regret not getting a TT, Vantage, Viper, used Ferrari or something that either has more performance or panache for same $? Sometimes I feel like a 911 is a lot of $ for a mass produced car that may not get a second look and isn't as fast as other cars for $ like GTR, Viper etc. THe looks thing might change with mods of course!

4) Who has some of the most aggressive mods?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

 

man, u r all over the place.

Different strokes for different folks. You've got to narrow down what it is you want. A head turner, or a sports car...

now, as you elude to, mods etc can make a "basic" car look badass.

I drive a Cayman S, and "there is no substitute" is right on the money.

Best looking cars at the local Cars & Coffee events are the GT3s and TTs... and they are badass too...

 

Porsche is the best combination of performance, quality, and looks. It has enough performance to take it to the track without any mods and not disintegrate, it has great classic looks - iconic in the case of the 911, and it has enough creature comforts to use as a dd if you want to.

 

I am like you and will consider any brand of car that fits my wants and needs, I do not blindly stay faithful to one brand. I almost got my 6th BMW before I got my first porsche. I had test driven the 997.1 S models and was really unimpressed compared to my 650i which was as fast, more comfortable, more luxury, and cheaper. So I concluded porsche was not for me. Then a year later I attended the M-school and planned on getting the new M3 with the DCT. The lease rates were so high and I went to go inquire about the 911 TT which was of course much more $ but also much more performance. The dealer said why spend the extra money the new C2S with PDK will really impress. The lease rates were great, the amenities were greatly improved and the handling and acceleration were much greater then the 997.1 or my 650i.
Then when I wanted a new SUV I tried out all the high end brands and was blown away only by one... the CTT.
And when my lease was up on my C2S, I was considering something in the 130k to 180k and nothing came close as a used GT2, and I was comparing everything.

So the Viper is flashy but very uncomfortable and impractical for regular use.
Used Ferrari is going to lack performance and reliability.
Vantage in that range is going to be 07 or 08 which really are not well built compared to the newer more expensive Vantages. Borrowed my friends 07 Vantage for 3 days and thought it sucked in every area except for looks and sound.
The GTR is very fast but very disconnected and feels very big. Also you will have a lot of weird noises and lack of built quality, what you get for high performance for little $.
The new M3 would be a great competitor to the 911 but will only lack in steering feel and connection to the road.
By the way my 09C2S had a few mods costing around 5k total and I was doing 60 in 3.7 sec, 100 in 8.9 sec. Those are numbers that no other car under 80k can do and still be drivable everyday.

 

I traded in a 2009 Nissan GTR on my 997 C2S. I loved the brute performance of the GTR. Mine had 540 whp and was sub 11 second car in the quarter. I was the object of attention wherever I drove it. However, I had owned 4 other 911s in the past dating back to 1968 and I enjoyed every one of them. I considered an M3, another GTR and even an M6. In the end I just decided that the 997 made the most sense. It had every possible option and the discount on it sealed the deal. I have no regrets.

 

Thanks for the feedback. ZZZSpeed, your car sounds nice. I generally prefer N/A cars over FI. How much $'s in mods does it take to get to that level of performance?

REK125, it is interesting that you've had so many BMW's. They seem to have perfect feel and ride don't they. I haven't driven a 6 or an M6 but even the 335 has great steering, ride, chassis rigidity, braking etc. I would think the M3's steering would be otherworldy!

The only 997 I have driven was a base 997.1. I was unimpressed. Is the S that big of a difference - what about a 997.2?

I need to check out Youtube to see what a full exhaust sounds like on a C2S.

Btw, where can I see some of the best modded C2's on the forum? I haven't seen a modded thread...

 

It was determined when I was about 10 years old...

 

I'm the guy who grew up with Porsche posters on his bedroom walls. So for me a Porsche 911 was the only consideration. I started with an '87 911 which I owned for 9 years. When I wanted something newer I seriously considered a 993. But then I drove a 997 and it was all over.

 

I had a 2004 C4S that I pre-traded on a brand new, custom ordered 2006 Carrera S. The only cars I would change my car to quickly, if I could afford it, would be a 997.1 GT3 or RS, a 997.2 GT3 or RS or - maybe after I test drive it to make sure I am fine with lag and reacquainted with AWD - (that is why I traded the C4S) a 997.1 Turbo. I don't care about what other cars are there that may be faster for the money or look more exotic etc. The 911 series is perfectly integrated with my lifestyle and I can do everything with it, without a need for a second car; in fact, my second car is also a 911. It's the perfect all round performance car.

 

I considered the SL 55 in 2004 when I bought my first porsche (996 cab) I wanted a convertible so bad, so i was thinking the M/B SL 55, and the 996, but I felt @ that time there are so many M/b out there, let me be a little exclusive and go with the Carrera, at this time they were just getting ready to release the Cayenne, and Porsche wasn't so saturated with different models, besides the Boxster.

 

I've owned BMW 335i, 540, M3 Audi S4 and a few other sports cars. I've always wanted a 911 and finally got one last month. So far, the 911 has not disappointed me in any way and I'm very happy with the car and its performance. Mine is a 2008 C2S so I have 355hp but the power seems to be perfect. The GT3 and the TT must be freak'n amazing compared to mine but way out of my budget for now. If you buy the 997 I think you'll be very happy with it. You may want to consider HP up front and Porsche offers many levels but I think it's prudent to buy the hp you need up front that way you don't have to worry about blowing your motor with a SC or Turbo upgrade. You can have plenty of fun with an exhaust, intake or suspension mod and any model.

Good Luck!

 

congrats to you, and welcome to the Porsche family...

 

I've had a E36 M3: great car, 03 G35: horrible car, E92 335i: very good sportish/comfy compromise, and now a 09 C4S: fantastic car. For me it was the best overall car in my budget. I looked at the V8 vantage very sexy but lacked a real sports car feel. R8 was just slightly out of budget, but damn I really considered it. The new M3 was too close to my 335. And finally I looked at the GTR, besides brute force the car did nothing for me. Zzzspeed, Im curious what mods u have done.

 

Thanks much...

 

The mods are listed in my signature below next to the C2S. I timed the car using a VBOX and before I returned it to the dealer I removed the mods except for the softronic ecu tune and the 0-60 was .5sec slower and the 0-100 was 1.5sec slower.
The tubi exhaust with x-pipe (center muffler delete) costs about 3k, the ipd plenum costs 950 installed, and the fabspeed CAI costs 600 installed, the softtronic ecu tune costs 1200. So just under 6k total. But you could get these parts used on the forums for a little less maybe. My car sounded and acclerated night and day faster then it was stock. There are a lot of opinions out there of which mods are worthy or not but my VBOX times and my butt dyno says that all 4 mods together were magic. Also when I took off the mods my car sounded as if it was castrated!

The feel of the 911 is unique, YRALLIS explained it very well.