Hello all,
I am looking for some advice, as I am at another automotive crossroads…. Long story short, my lifelong love for the Porsche marquee has me very seriously considering taking the plunge, but, I am second guessing my reasoning. I know it is hard to give unbiased opinions here, as after all this is a Porsche site, but here is my situation nonetheless, and thank you for taking the time to read. If you don’t want to hear about my ISF, skip down to the bolded Porsche description….


I currently have a 2011 ISF, with about 53,000 miles. The car is fantastic. I have upgraded the suspension, headers, exhaust and intake. It flies down the straights, and handles the corners better than anything with this much heft should do. I had it out at Road America a couple months ago, and it has no problem hanging with Vettes and 997s. Total blast on the track.


It also is fairly comfortable. Outside of a slightly jarring ride over some of Wisconsin’s less than stellar pavement, it rides nice, has nice, supportive seats, and all the modern amenities a luxury car should provide. On top of that, the V8 still returns 26-27 mpg on the highway, and still can haul the two kids in the back seats.


If it sounds like I am trying to sell you this car, it is only because I think it is really quite an awesome machine. However, it has an 8 speed automanual transmission, and while it can shift gears via the paddles in 0.1 sec, it isn’t the same as rowing the gears yourself; it is far less engaging. It also lacks that feeling of being connected to the road. Call it an automotive “soul”, I think you would know what I am talking about. Something that was so persistent in my NSX or e46 M3.


So, coming to present, on a whim I started looking to see what was available in the world of 911’s. Of the current modern versions, I gravitate towards the 997 body style. I wasn’t too big of a fan of the 996 headlights, and currently the 991 is out of my comfort zone. The 997 is really the best modern interpretation of the original design, IMO. It’s truly a beautiful car. Well I have found a 2006 997 with many of the options I was looking for.


2006 997 Carrera S, Atlas Grey Metallic, over Black leather, 43,000 miles $46,500
Options include: heated seats, Sport Chrono, Navi, BOSE Sound, Black Sport Seats, Adaptive Seats, Sport shifter. In addition, the owner has H&R springs, Fabspeed exhaust, Fabspeed intake, upgraded brakes and rollbars, but the brands are escaping me at the moment, 500 miles on new Michelin PSS, on 19 in. black HRE wheels. Full service history is present as well. Minor paint chips on sides, rear, two climate control buttons completely stripped bare.


So first off, is the car priced about right? I thought it was maybe a little high. It is one of a handful in the area, but nationwide the market appears to be pretty plentiful.


Secondly, I will be using this car as a DD. What are some your impressions on this car for DD duty. I currently have a 60 mile round trip commute, and this car will need to see winter duty. I am a veteran in the rwd snow driving scenario though, so with a set of good snows, I think it should be ok.


I know the 997.1 doesn’t have the most modern electronics nowadays. I really do rely on my Bluetooth to conduct calls during my drives, I have read some good things about the Dennison 500 model, any other opinions on getting Bluetooth phone and streaming retrofitted into the car?


Thirdly, I will, from time to time need to transport my 3 and 1 year old children. A lot of the car seat questions seem to be from more than a few years ago, has anyone gone down this road more recently, and are those preferred car seats still on the market and for sale? That really is a tight squeeze back there!



Alright, I think that takes care of most of the questions I have at the moment. Now onto my impressions. The car has soul! Instantly from the turn of the (odd to me) left sided key, the rumble was unique and satisfying. The steering response and feedback brought my right back to the days of the NSX and M3. It was immediate and positive in feedback. The shifter, oh the shifter! How I have so missed that third pedal. The clutch engagement was nice, and the short throws from gear to gear were precise and smooth. Not S2000 smooth, but still really nice.


Pulling out on the road, and giving it some right foot, the car just howls. That flat six noise is truly one of a kind, and really quite addicting. I love the sound of the 5.0 V8 in the F, but this was equally as good. The car’s road manners were really quite nice too, comfortable ride, with and without sport mode/PASM pressed. The only thing that I found odd, was a slight pulsating feeling from the car at constant speed, 65mph on the freeway. Not sure how to describe it, but the car/engine seemed to be pulsing at that speed/rpm level. Something more to research.

Ok, if you are still reading this, thank you, and please I am open to any opinions or answers to my questions you may have. If this isn’t the time for me to take the plunge, I know it won’t be too much farther away.

Best regards,

Kevin