Big difference between PDK and Tiptronic. I was about to say TURBO, DUH!, until I read the no manual part. Go with the '09!

 

My 2009 C4S had the sport button but I added the Sports Chrono (and PSE) with the Sport Plus button. So, if you find what you like, you keep that in mind. The Sports Chrono is about $1,000. The only thing you won't have is the timer on the top of the dashboard. If you are not going to track the car, it really makes no difference. You will have the launch control and everything else that was noted previously.

 

I'm not familiar with the 2nd 997 except that PDK is a must have.
Additionally, anyone know of a good/reputable dealer (doesn't need to be just Porsche) along the west coast? My local dealer doesn't have any 997.2 C4S low mileage in their inventory.

 

I would not get an automatic Turbo . The car is dated in just about every aspect (technology, transmission, warranty etc) . The 997.1tt is an amazing car but it would have to be a manual and even with that it requires technology upgrades and in bone stock form is not at the same level as more current Porsches .

The C4S also has a snag . If you test drive a 991 PDK back to back with a 997 PDK there is an enormous difference in the PDK improvement . In fact my test drive in a 991 led me to sell my 997.2 PDK on the same day and my reasoning was that the new PDK was so good that ruined some of my enjoyment with my 09 car . I kept my 07 Turbo but it is a manual and it is highly modified . It would cost to much to buy a stock Turbo and modify it 6 years late to the party.



With 60-80 as a budget and PDK being a "must have" I strongly urge you to test drive a Boxster S/Cayman S brand new !! In fact 80 will custom order a car exactly to your liking . In my opinion the new Boxster and Cayman are absolutely brilliant cars . It will have the improved PDK . 4 years of warranty , and IMO if you and your wife are both driving it my guess is she will like the car too.

But if you must have a pdk C4S coupe .. auto trader search shows none with less than 15K miles which are certified . I found one in Minnesota with 17K miles which is black at 83K and one in Miami (also black) with 37K miles at 72K .

Just my opinion --I'd pass on both and get a new Boxster S , buy it in my own back yard without having to travel or ship the car and if need be order it to custom spec and color preference.

 

Good luck with your search. I am in the process of selling my 07 C4S with only 12K

 

sent you a pm

 

Nice car!

Too bad I'm looking for 997.2. Otherwise your 997.1 looks tempting.

 

There are numerous posts discussing how jerky the PDK downshifts from 2nd to 1st in sport auto mode . I am not the only one who experienced disappointment. In normal mode the car is downright boring where the car basically is in 6th or 7th gear by 40 MPH so it always feels like its lugging a load. Sport plus auto is far too aggresive for street driving as it will bring the car up to redline . So there are the two extremes of normal (boring) and sport plus (aggressive) thus most opt for the jerky middle ground OR to simply shift manually .The main postive aspect of the PDK is the absense of over revs as well as the cars ability to rev match as well as its fast shift ability .

The 991 PDK (as well as Boxster /Cayman) resolves all of the snags . In fact i first noticed PDK evolving even before the 991 was launched as the Panamera has a much more toned down unit . The 991 however has it all !!! It's not as dull in normal mode . It's not jerky in sport mode . It's simply amazing at any setting .

 

This is definitely true. I don't consider it deal changing but driving in sport mode is more fun for spirited driving yet very jerky - especially inner city between stop signs. For the most part, your wife will probably be just fine in normal mode.

A 991 is MUCH smoother in every way.

I considered the new Boxster when searching for my 997.2 (purchased less than 2 weeks ago). Its a great car but it felt small and just didn't inspire me. Overall, it may be a better DD though.

 

We found a 2011 C4S, PDK, sports chrono, 10k miles, nav, CPO, etc for $77k
Sounds reasonable?

 

I love the 997TT but probably not Tip, so the only option left is PDK with chrono. I test drove the 2012 997.2 with PDK and I must say it is very nice and shifting is flawless compare to my 08 BMW M6 SMG tranny really sucks

 

Yes.

 

Does it matter if the car has 2 previous owners?
First owner traded to Mercedes CL550. 2nd owner traded for new 991

 

Not really... lots of 911 s (as we know) are not daily drivers.

 

is it well optioned? and is there room for negotiating? sounds like an excellent starting point...