Hi All.. I've got the bug. I've had it for awhile, but now it's going to happen. I currently drive a 2011 BMW 535i, nice car, but just doesn't excite me. The new body style includes electronic steering, so it's mushy. The 2008 doesn't have that right? OK..

So I'd love to get a 2009, but it seems like they are at least 10k more all day long then the 2008's. Is there really a big difference? My target car is the base Carrera.

I'm struggling with PDK or Manual, I know I have to do 2009 with PDK, but I guess that's a whole can of worms in and of itself.

I found a black on black 2008 Carrera, manual, bose, painted grey wheels (nice!), 12,000 miles. I got them down to $56,000. Does that sound pretty good? KBB quotes the car a few grand north of that with the options it has.

I'm a little worried about stick being annoying around town. I haven't had one in about 5 years. I have paddle shifters on the BMW, and it's pretty cool.. My concern with PDK is, will I ever really use it, or just get adapted to driving it automatically, and then, jeez, why am I driving a porsche?

So, any thoughts, support, or suggestions on my rambilngs above would be appreciated.

Best-

Jeff

 

Sounds like you need to spend more time deciding what is important to you, what you really want, and doing some searches on the forum for discussions of PDK etc. You also need to track some cars on Autotrader with a similar profile to what you are looking for so you can see where pricing is. Suggest doing a nationwide search for a large sample size of pricing.

 

Aw jeez. Here we go again w manual vs pdk. I happen to think 997.1 is a killer car, and tip sucks, so go manual. There. Now let the argument begin.
Just how much start and stop driving do you face daily? The base manual (non-short shift kit) is really smooth, yet still could be a pain if you face a stoplight every hundred yards. Then again i'd argue that you ought to stick with your 5 if that's the case.

 

Great replies. I do a good amount of highway actually. Some in town driving, but not really city, so maybe manual is the way to go. Thoughts on the 997 targa?

 

I would buy a manual only because the PDK in the new 991 is so good that it made my 09 car seem dated enough to trade it in . It basically ruined my car by comparison.

That said you will not get even close to 56K for an 09 car because i got far more than that in trade in on my 997s . You'd have to go with an 08 as your post suggests .

Auto trader does not show a black/black 12K mile 997 anywhere . My suggestion is to buy a CPO car because whatever you are trying to save can be lost in a big out of warranty repair .

56K for a pristine base 997 2008 sounds about right . Keep in mind that the 2009 cars do have Dfi engines , updated PCM , and a lot more refinement . Those can all become points of negotiation of why the 2008 car at 56K can be priced even lower .

 

You need to decide manual vs auto before anything else IMO. If you decide auto then strongly consider a 2009 with PDK.

 

If you mostly travel by highway, a manual would work just fine IMHO. But, that is your decision and clearly not mine. I have a 2007 997.1 Carrera S with manual as a weekend car and I absolutely love it. I race a 1972 911S several times per year and the manual in the 997 keeps my skills up in between races. I have not driven the PDK car as it does not fit my needs, but at some point I feel that may be my only option. I hope enough of us die hards are around to keep the manual alive.

 

Unless you drive to work in bumper to bumper traffic everyday & back then get the manual.
I got my 911 8 weeks ago & learned how to drive stick on it (yeah I know learning stick on a 911 haha) & now I love to row gears. Even in city traffic manual is fun & once you get the hang of it, it's like second to nature to feel the clutch & shift gears.

 

Thanks guys.. The NON PDK auto is not an option.. I drove it and didn't like it at all.. I'm wondering, do people with PDK actually use it, or is it more a novelty and once in awhile used option? I'm thinking the Manual 2008 black on black for 56k is a pretty good deal at this point.

 

I really doubt Porsche is dumb enough to alienate it's core customers by eliminating the manual transmission. Although with VW running the show you never know, at least the nixed the "Entry level" Porsche. Stick with the 911! Caymen, Cayanne, now Panamera all disinterest me and turn me away from the brand.

 

The new cayman sounds as if it might be a kick in the pants, and as the 911 is morphing toward more of a gt, perhaps keep the more raw nature of the porsche soul alive.

 

I've had 2 Caymans (base and S), nice cars, just underpowered.

One of the mags did a story on the Carrera RS 2.7 v the Cayman 2.7, interesting what 30+ years will get you. I've thought about a white Cayman with PDK and a Tubi exhaust, fun car for the wife (that's not a cut-down).
In town, it would be a blast.

Used car, out of warranty, I would lean towards a stick.

Get an 09 stick and be done with it. Get an S.

DFI.
385 hp.


Good luck.

 

I agree with nikon: 09 C2S stick
if you are patient you can get a non CPO for around 65 with reasonable miles.

 

First of all welcome to 6speed. Hope we can all help you to make a good decision. All active members here are great people and true enthusiasts.

I see you are driving a 535i. Any Porsche will be a totally different experience to you. In a very good, awarding way. I remember shopping for my first Porsche. Even that whole process was fun. Enjoy these moments.

I see you have a bunch of questions. A lot of them have been addressed. However here are my personal notes you may want to take into consideration:

* First generation 997.1 cars very reliable. They come from a huge technical accumulation from previous generation of 996s. Although they seem to be similar, they are a lot less problematic and a lot more improved in terms of fit/finish/technical...etc.
* 997.1, I would prefer the "S" model. I would prefer manual transmission. "s" model has few invaluable upgrades that might not be very important in the beginning but might become a bit more desiring while your ownership experience proceeds. Larger displacement, more power output, brakes, Xenon headlamps....
* 997.2 cars are great. DFI (direct fuel injection) cars are quicker, smoother. If you are a die hard manual transmission person, go for one. However PDK shifts faster, and believe it or not is a lot of fun for everyday. I think it is a good suit for non-GT Porsches. They are by no means "slush-box". Some users complain the lack of connection with PDK, but some say they will never go back to M/T. I am always in the middle depending on my daily mood.

I would highly recommend you to go drive one of each if your time and location allows you. Then narrow it down to what you would exactly be happy with. After that go hunting. Meanwhile, any and all questions, you already belong to a good community.

Cheers,

-Berk

 

Great replies! Thanks, very helpful. It seems many are saying 09 S with stick. PDK just really worries me that I'd be lusting for a stick. I know with my '11 535i I have paddles and they shift pretty quick, but I just don't use them that much. Worry that I'd end up just using auto mode, and then think, man should have gotten stick.. I'm thinking, Porsche = stick.. But it looks like thiings are evolving.

How many miles would you look at as a maximum for purchase and resale, etc. 30k?, 20k?

I'm seeing some 997.1 S's for around $55k with 15k miles.
I also found a black/black stick 997.2 with 30k miles for $65k.

What would you do? Is the improvements of the .2 really noticeable?