I've owned my '06 base Carrera since new and have no "S" remorse nor have I experienced any negativity towards my car for not being an S. I have found a great fellow hood amongst 911 owners broadly.


Matt

 

Thanks again to all that responded. I am leaning inward rather than outward on this deal. Glad to hear the support instead of the "snicker's." Hoping to meet other folks enjoying the same interest. Another post spoke poorly about the P club though. I was kind of looking forward to that. We'll see.

 

I have wanted a Porsche since I was 17. However, once I was making enough money to afford one, I purchased a boat instead. 4 boats later, i now own the perfect size boat, for "now". But, I have loved every boat I have owned to date. I would think Porsche's are similar when it comes to getting as much speed, handling and buzzes and whistles (maybe full leather or thousand way seats ). With this said, I will tell you what many seasoned boaters told me. Buy as much boat as you can "easily" afford. You don't want to own your dream car that becomes a drain on resources, quickly turning a dream into a nightmare.

Having test driven a 1997 C2 Cab in 2003, a 2009 C2, 2010 C2S Cab, 2012 991 C4s Cab, and finally buying a 2009 C4S coupe, i can confidently tell you, you won't be disappointed in whatever you buy, as long as it is mechanically sound! Not saying you won't want more at some point in time after buying it, but whatever you buy, you will look forward to getting in your Porsche, starting it up, driving her until she is warm and then letting her rip!!!

Enjoy the hunt - it is half the fun with a little frustration mixed in.....

 

Hi

I got a 997.1 non-S. It had 6k and is a 2008, I have had it 18mths now.

It was exactly what I wanted, White, Dark Wheels, AeroCup Kit, Tubi, SSK, Revo Re-map.....basically the guy who originally bought it did everything you could ever want to it.

At the end of the day I will never use the 350 whp (325 stock).....yes maybe an S would be a little quicker and I don't have PASM but you know what....to me its a piece of art as it is!

Makes me feel good every time I get in it, has extended my social network through car clubs, always get 'up front' hotel / parking :-)

My advice, get one that looks the way you want, if that ends up being an S, then nice, if not who cares.

People are constantly coming up to me to say its the nicest 911 they have ever seen, even with Turbo's and the like about.

Get what makes you feel good, life's too short.

Best of luck

 

Another 997.2 Carrera base driver here. For me it was either 997.1 S or 997.2 non-S (budget reasons) and I would go with base again any day.

CF

 

Different strokes... I'm the guy that didn't want a base car at all. . .

Coming from a heavily modified M3, I didn't want a car that would feel in any way slower or less adequate than what I was already selling.

Therefore, I got an S model with big options like X51 and PCCB. Took me a long time to find but was well worth it. Bought it over a 997.2 S, in fact.

To answer your question though, NO, no one cares whether or not your car is an S model. They're still all nice cars. Coming from a Highlander I am sure you will be very pleased

 

Buy what you like & can afford.
Mod, don't mod. Doesn't matter.
It's for you, not all of us. Remember, there will always be a better or faster car than yours.
Your welcome to the club just the same.

 

Going back to OP's dilemma, there have been a couple threads discussing 997.1S vs. 997.2 base and majority of posts have been in favor of 997.2 base.

I was in the exact same situation as you, started looking at older and lower priced cars and steadily came to the exact same point you're at; 997.1S vs. 997.2 base. I chose 997.2 base (one day I'll post a pic) and couldn't be happier. I drive it to work each day with a smile. Sometimes it's the best part of the day

I personally have never seen segregation or clique of people by model on the Porsche side at any car show, club or gathering. But I have seen it for other German autos.

I wouldn't worry or get caught up in Carrera vs. S, etc. Get what you can afford and go have fun!

 

I think people underrate the 997 C2 a LOT because it's rated 325 hp.

355 on a S? also weighing 75lbs~ more. still not so much numbers if you ask me.
the 911 doesn't move on horsepower.
30 hp is NOT a significant difference ESPECIALLY at speeds over 100+ mph.

i have beat countless 400-500hp cars, 600 cc motorcycles and Carrera S .1's on the freeway.



for example, my buddy puts down around 530 whp on a 07 GT Mustang and i left him in the dust. (this is one of my MANY examples.)

 

Is not about the HP, it's about the overall drivability and the connection to the road!

 

Something to be said about the purity of a car that has very few computer aided suspension controls, all wheel drive, etc...

I love that if I want to drive the car aggressively, I have to rely on my skill as a driver, not on all the stuff that is added to help.

And, the horsepower of a base Carrera is more than enough to get you in trouble.

Just a few thoughts on why I love my base Carrera...

 

These are 2005 specs but just for your reference purposes......
http://www.356-911.com/post1974/mode...sguide/997.htm

 

WC11- great stats that says it all. I have owned both an Air Cooled non-S 1988 and a new 997-S 2006 (current weekend driver) Though years apart in age and worlds apart in power I never regretted buying the Non-S. Unlike high school true Porsche / Sports Car Enthusiasts just enjoy hanging with other car people. The group I ride with here in Tampa welcomes ALL true car guys and gals. If you can find a clean, well maintained, 997 buy it, if it happens to be an S-model bonus. You'll always want more, it's the American way. Keep the Highlander for trips to the grocery store parking lot!!! Enjoy

 

Hi, noob here as well. Had a Boxster in 1997 and that's where my Porsche experience stops. I purchased my 997.2 Cabriolet to actually resell since I got a good deal on it and wanted to make a couple of bucks. Driving it for 550 miles towards home made me realize that when I would sell this beaut, I would regret it. It brought a smile to my face. Of course i read the blogs when I made my decision and felt a little left out since I hardly see base 997.2. And when the Porsche dealer at the Miami show told me me after I showed him my newest family member "Oh, thats the old one...". I felt that I had to swap it. Driving it back home I realized again that I really like THIS car. So to make a long story longer... it's about what I like and makes ME happy. Its being (FVD Brombacher) re-mapped tomorrow and then a FabSpeed Center Muffler Bypass X-Pipe. That's where it end with the mods. Why would I do this...well, not sure actually, kind of making it my own. I'm polishing it when I have some time and just baby it... I never did that with any of my (20+) previous cars... goes to show ;-)

 

Also drive a base 997.2 w PDK that I ordered new. Spec it the way we wanted and have been very happy with it.