I've been lurking the forums for quite some time, and been a Porsche enthusiast for years. I'm now looking to buy my first 997.


I've been looking at a used 08 & 09. I know the differences between the 2, I just haven't made up my mind whether to get the 08 CS4 or the 09 CS. The 08 is $150 a month cheaper in payments and has almost the same amount of miles as the 09.


I like the 08 CS4 with sport mode and the wider hips, but I also like the 09 CS with the newer engine, refreshed look and 30 more hp, but it doesn't have sport mode. They are both 6-speed.


Is there anything I need to look for specifically before I make my first purchase such as known problems with these cars? They are both in the 30k mile range.

 

Be sure to pay attention to the better electronics and better PCM trim finish in the 09 car. The 08s and earlier did not have Bluetooth or remote audio feeds (iPod etc) built in. Their PCMs also had a lot more trouble with trim wear. Not a big deal if these or the better Nav don't matter to you.

Have you driven both? It is important and may make up your mind. The power difference was big to me, no only at peak RPM, but throughout the power band. Much more torquey. You can add sport mode to the 09 manual for 900 some odd dollars plus installation, so that isn't a big deal. (Go look at http://www.porsche.com/usa/accessori...es/tequipment/).

(Update: Editing out the following section... I was wrong!)

HOLD ON A SEC! You said the the 09 is an S but didn't have sport mode. All S models have Sport Mode (I guess it may be possible to force a delete of the option, anyone?). Are you sure it is an S? Does the engine have the 3.8 designation on the air box, or did someone slap an S on the car?

I also thought the 997.2s handled and rode a little better too just FYI.

Last thing, remember that although the 09 will cost more, it will also resell for more, so the long term cost difference isn't as big as you'd first think.

 

The 09 is definitely an S. It has the 3.8 stamp on the air box, but no sport mode button under the radio. It does have the spring button, though. I also test drove them and felt the horse power difference between the both of them.

 

Well that is something new I've learned. BTW, if you have the VINs of the cars you can check out the original build sheet and prices for the cars at the following link: https://admin.porschedealer.com/repo...=Carrera+Coupe

I'd be curious to see that for the 09 in this case so I could see how it was optioned and ended up without the Sport Mode. I'm not sure what the Spring button is, maybe is has PSE? Is the symbol actually a tailpipe? The PSE wasn't initially available in 2009s, so that is doubtful unless they retrofitted it.

Are you willing to share the VIN?

 

This is incorrect for 2005-2012.5 997 911's. Sport Chrono was an option for both the base and S models. PASM is standard on the S.

 

can you provide links to both cars?
options, CPO and others can make a huge difference...

2008 is the last year of 997.1. "last year" cars tend to be the best in terms of reliability. Where first year can tend to be more problematic.

 

and yes, PASM is stock is S model. sport mode is an option, S or not.

if it can be added for $900, it's a no brainer.

 

Um... I did not know this existed. That is something new I have learned and that's awesome. Thanks for sharing!

To the OP, good luck in your decision making. I would go with the 09 for the updated systems and most importantly updated engine, but either way you go, you are getting a great car. Take the time to research there are a lot of good options available.

 

I'd agree this is true in most major revisions, but I disagree in this case. The 997.2 was considered an incremental refinement that fixed most of the shortfalls of the 997.1 and wasn't a major step like the 991. I think that the 997.2's engine, PCM, PDK/tranny, and lighting updates are widely considered to be much improved over the 997.1's and the rest of the car is pretty much mechanically the same.

 

I am a proud owner of an '09 Carrera S and have had almost zero problems with the car. The DFI engine is a charmer and the power delivery is amazing. The only things I have had the car in the shop for is scheduled maintenance, plus two factory recalls; one for a clutch pedal sensor and one for replacement of the high pressure fuel pump, neither of which I was having problems with. The service manager had to insist that I let them honor the recall just to keep their records straight. I did have one of the horns stop working and it was replaced no questions asked.


I'm sure that the 997.1 cars are very good. It's just that the 997.2 is such an overall improvement in content and performance.

 

I recently switched from a 997.1 S (2006) to a 997.2 4S (2009) and it's a big step up, IMHO. More power, redesigned 9A1 DFI engine, PDK in my case which I love and the PCM upgrade is great. Sport Chrono Plus and PASM also makes a big difference.

Oil consumption on my '06 was ridiculous, but on the '09 it's WAY less.

 

Congrats on your new purchase, I may be going that way towards a 997.2S for the DFI.

 

I drove both and over the weekend. I didn't notice that much of a difference in pull off the line between the 08 and the 09 except the 09 felt like it kept pulling once it reached max RPM's. Also, the 08 took longer to start than the 09. Do all 997.1's crank like that?

 

No, my 07 C2S crank right up, slow cranking is an indicator of starter cable going bad.

Before, I was totally hooked on the wide hips look of the C4S, however the factory aerokit cup kit totally change the look of my C2S.

I would go with the newer technology 09 only if it has Sport mode. As for performance i would think the 09 has the edge, more hp, PDK, and lighter.

 

My 06 cranked slow -- when the engine was hot it would barely turn at all. Drove me nuts. My current 09 cranks quicker hot or cold.

If you can swing it, buy the newer model.