Hello everyone,

George here in Arizona.....

I am currently in the market for a 997, I am pretty much open as far as options go and models. I am looking between 2006-2008, cabrio, and manual T., looking for a CPO vehicle and from what i can tell ill be spending between 45-60k depending on where, options, milage. I was wondering if you guys have any advice about what I should be looking for or wanting. I don't really care about the 4S, or the Nav, since I would probably replace the PCM with an iPad mini like in the thread I saw here. I was reading and from what I can tell I would probably want to stay away from a Bose system (since I am thinking of doing the iPad mod.), the driving is more important to me than loud music. I would really like advice and recommendations...Thank you.

 

Well welcome to the site. You seem to have a pretty good idea of what you are looking for and you are starting off correctly by asking questions first. I believe that looking for the newest model year you can find in the best condition based upon what you can afford is best. I also think finding an S is well worth it given the extras that come with that model. Do your research (you are) and look at a bunch of cars before you pull the trigger. Not sure of the early 997's also had the DME reports available, I believe they do, so make sure you check into that - you don't want a car that was abused and over revved. Look carefully for accident damage that has been repaired. It is better to know about that up front than after you buy the car. Look for a complete history of records and maintenance. Good luck.

 

Good choice on the manual transmission...NO disappoint there! I just bought my car back in Oct and it's a 997.2, but I'll chime in as a recent purchaser.

First off, be open to paying a LITTLE more for the right car, special car, extra clean, meticulous ownership, etc. The only way you can get a Porsche CPO is to buy through a PORSCHE dealer OR buy directly from a private party that has a current CPO in effect with time remaining. If you buy private party, you can call a Porsche dealer and give them the VIN to verify the CPO is in effect.

Agree with above, seek out an S if at all possible. As far as features, I'm with you on your thoughts, but some cars will just come with stuff you may not need but will certainly enjoy in ownership...and might be a big deal to someone when YOU sell it. I never listen to the radio loud unless I'm on the highway, I find it distracting to take off from a dead stop, not hearing the revs. And on that "note" if the car you're getting doesn't have PSE or a modded exhaust that's a thing that can, IMO, double the enjoyment of the car. They can sound really REALLY good with the right setup. Again, mine is a different engine and exhaust, but lots of info and youtube vids. But for me the sound is a HUGE part of the experience in my car...windows down (or if it's cold, sunroof open and heat on my feet!). Exhaust is easy to mod or change, so don't get hung up if it doesn't have it. Also Sport Chrono, Sport Suspension...complete deal breaker for me if it doesn't have this.

A few things I wish I had, but in no way lusting after...Adaptive Sport Seats, Leather Dash, Leather Console.

Things I have added... Porsche OEM 997.2 GT3 shifter (awesome!), Valentine 1 Radar/Laser Detector, and will be sending off my steering wheel to get redone.

 

So still learning and researching Porsche so what is Chrono? I saw someone mention that when when asking questions about replacing the PCM. So what is the time line for 997.1 vs 997.2? what years? I was wondering also where can I find a break down of what were differences in the nonS vs the S of these years. I have been trying to determine my trade offs, however I have not located that information yet and my relative newness to Porsche isn't helping. When I started researching I just learned about the various series of the 911 so a lot to learn in 2 months.... I have been looking at cars from all over the U.S. with the thoughts of staying away from costal states because of salt water, coastal air causing corrosion, snow states due to any possible salt damage. A few I have found so far is one in Houston, 07, 37K Miles, $53K, CPO NonS. Then one here in Phx, 06, 7K Miles, $59K(I think) CPO NonS as well.

 

One other thing I should mention is that I am planing on doing DIY as much as possible once the CPO is over. I like maintaining my own cars especially if they are fun, and not a mini van or family sedan... haha

 

I just purchased my first Porsche last week and had exactly the same questions as you. I was pretty flexible on color and even the transmission type so had a lot to choose from. Mainly I wanted to find a really clean car and get a great price on it. Originally I had interest in a manual but friends as well as the reviews on the PDK all indicated that the PDK was a fantastic transmission and that I should at least try it. After driving one I decided to the PDK and it also made for a lot more selection when it came to finding a car. Ended up finding a 2009 Carrera 2S with 16k miles on it for $55,000. Not a CPO car though but it did have great maintenance records and a clean carfax. As far as the different generations go the 997.1 goes from 2005-2008 and the 997.2 goes from 2009-2012. I opted to go with the 2009 because I had heard that there were issues with a small percentage of the 997.1 cars regarding an IMS bearing that caused total engine failure and didn't want to chance it. Sounds like you are pretty handy, you may want to consider getting a 2009 with low miles that is not a CPO, it will cost about the same as a CPO 2007 or 2008. Also beginning with the 2009 models the cars had led taillights as well as an additional 40 hp (385 vs. 345) . The key options I am glad I got were the sport chrono, Bluetooth, ipod input, and the "S". Since the options don't really cost much more at all on a used car I would try to find one with as many options as possible. Good luck with your search

 

Correction - 997.1 S has 355hp and 997.2 S has 380hp, difference of 25 hp and not 40hp.

To the OP, like you, I knew what I wanted but wanting something and finding it was a different story. It took me a while and a few test drive before finding the right one at that suited. It was no CPO but all reports came out positive. Mine is a 2006 997.1 S with 25K miles on it. It came with the factory aero kit (major factor for me), pristine black leather interior, stick, factory c/f interior, aftermarket wheels, PSE, Remote Valve Controller (love this add on), Adaptive Sports Seats, Chrono, OEM Short shifter, Eibach lowering springs, Shark Werk Intake, Shark Werk ECU Tuned, 3M Clear Bra on the entire front and a few goodies.

Since then, I've easily put in another $5K of goodies into it. Also save myself money by doing my own oil change a few weeks ago.

Good luck with your search!

 

Awesome information guys, I really appreciate the feedback! This will likely be a long term one time purchase vehicle, so trying to make the best of it and get what I want at the price I can afford with certain calculated trade offs. I like spirited driving, not really into tracking my car, enjoy top down and twisty road fun. I am not sure I would ever notice the 25 hp difference, I did research the IMS failure but since I am looking for a CPO, and manual I will verify its been replaced or replace when I do my clutch. Which seems to be the consensus, of when to do it, to treat it more like a maintenance piece than a part that was meant to last a life time, I feel better about that and less concerned. I am researching "Chrono, S vs nonS " I am sure I will not get everything I want but thats ok I am good with getting about 80% of what I want. I used to own a S2000 and I miss top down road trips.

 

For me (MT car) all sport chrono does is make it easier to rev-match on down shifts because you don't need to blip the throttle as far to spike the revs. With the normal throttle response my big feet get in the way. While I like the look of the stopwatch on the dash, and its a bit of a conversation piece when I take people for rides, its honestly mostly useless (I've used it to time my daily commute twice).

Also while you may not notice the HP difference between an "S" and 3.6L Carerra, the torque increase is between the two is noticeable; especially as a DD with a MT where you can leave it in a single gear for longer.

This guide was posted somewhere here (and possible written by a member?) anyhow:

http://chrisstewart.hubpages.com/hub...-a-997-Porsche

EDIT

I forgot to welcome you to the board!

 

I know imitation is the highest form of flattery, but geez Chris Stewart just plagiarized my buying advice section verbatim. What a total tool!

 

Correction - 997.1 S has 355hp and 997.2 S has 380hp, difference of 25 hp and not 40hp.


I could be mistaken but I think we are both wrong, the difference is not 40 nor 25 but 30hp. 997.1S has 355hp and the 997.2 S has 385 hp for a total difference of 30 hp.


http://chrisstewart.hubpages.com/hub...-a-997-Porsche

 

So after spending the better part of yesterday reading and understanding the Chrono system. I am not that interested, didn't see anything in my reading that would make me want it, especially since it relies on the PCM which I plan on tearing out.

 

Hi and welcome aboard!

Sports/Chrono are offered together. While I agree that the "Chrono" option may not be all that useful if you don't track your car, the "Sports" option (crisper throttle response) makes the car a whole different beast.

An option I would strongly consider.

 

Sport chrono doesn t do much for a MT car... It maps the ECU a little different and will make shifts firmer and crisper on a automatic car... Does more for the auto trans than anything else IMO... It does will not make your MT car any faster.
I wouldn t worry to much about the PSE exhaust either, it is an expensive option and can be modified in the sport mode( sound) for good for less than $200. Good luck.