Hi All

I will be in the market for a 997 and before I start the long search expedition on this website, I wanted to post a thread and get some opinions from you 997 owners. I'm a long time member on e46fanatics.com and have had my 04 330Ci for more than 8 years now, and its time to step up into a 911.

Here are the basics of what I'm looking for.

2007 - 2009 Carrera S. I will not budge, I don't want 4wd and I don't want a normal Carrera. I purchased a 330 instead of an M3 and mildly regret it, so I am set on the additional HP, brakes, etc... as well as RWD.

With that being said, I don't have any sort of prerequisites for the car. Some options aren't important to me, or it could be put ignorance. A bare minimum for me is the following

Good color combo, I want Ruby Red, Porsche Racing Green, something like that. I need a clutch. I hate black interior. The natural brown is really nice, and then any color after that is super rare.

Other than that, my question to you is what options are really worth it? Sport Chrono? Sport Seats? I know the early 997.1 had some engine gasket issues right? Was that issue fixed strictly in the 997.2 or would a mid model 997.1 (2007 or 2008) still a good option?

I definitely prefer the 997.2 with the updated nav, front fascia, LED tails, etc, but if the right 997.1 came across, it would be hard to say no to.

Any options or suggestions would be great coming from the owners. Until then, I'll be doing a good amount of research for a while. I'm not planning on purchasing until after the winter is over.

Thank you!

JJR

 

I really like sport chrono but I don't use it all the time unlike others who always have it on. Some say you really need it for pdk and not so much for manual but I can really tell the difference on my 6MT in terms of throttle response

PSE is nice but not a deal breaker because there are so many cheap options to get the same sound

S-PASM if you don't want your 997 to look like an SUV but also not a deal breaker since there are so many cheap options to lower the car. I rarely use the actual PASM function because it is so stiff for normal daily driving. It is a must have if you plan on tracking the car

 

Thanks. The PSE would be nice but not a deal breaker since I do intend on putting an aftermarket exhaust on the car. That, and a ducktail spoiler, and thats it. I'm keeping the rest stock.

Aren't the Carrera S already lower? Regardless, I don't need to to be too low. I pucker up enough with my car that i have now, all set doing that on new england roads.

 

Interesting date range you have there. Searching for 2007-2009 gets you split between the .1 and .2 which IMO have some significant differences. Some of the bigger differences that stand out to me are:

- Different engine (DFI)
- Different HP
- Different PCM
- Different driving lights (LED vs halogen)
- Different tail lamp design

It would seem like a confusing way to shop for a 997 as you won't be comparing apples to apples if you are deciding on several different available cars. Just my opinion. But good luck. I hope your search goes better than mine is going!

 

Also different price point. 997.2 is higher priced compared to the same optioned 997.1

 

That is exactly the reason, the price. Ultimately at the prices they are going at right now, I would have to "settle" for a 997.1, however in my experience with cars, going with the updated model usually has enough perks and less headaches to justify spending towards the top end of your budget.

If I could afford it no problem, the 997.2 wouldn't even be a question, however most of them, especially with lower mileage, is a good amount out of my price range.

 

"S" sits 1" lower from factory.
Sports Chrono is a fun option.
Have a look at Getty or Misha for ducks

 

Be patient in your search. I also prefer unusual colors and they aren't easy to find. Most 911s are silver, gray or black.

I also prefer the updated look of the 997.2, especially in S trim. You can add some aftermarket things to a 997.1 to improve the look, such as Depo LED tail lights. There are also aftermarket solutions for the PCM 2.1 unit to add streaming bluetooth, phone connectivity, etc.

There are several options that I think are worth having. These include: full leather interior, adaptive sport seats and Porsche Sport Exhaust. The last one isn't an issue if you're planning to change the exhaust, but you might like it enough that you decide to keep it. I'm a fan of the thicker sport steering wheel option also - it has the round center on the 997.1 cars as opposed to the triangular center.

 

Already looked at both, love them.

The full leather would be amazing, as well as the sport seats, but i know what kind of coin that costs with new porsches and that clearly trickles down to the used value as well. But that would be a huge bonus to me if I could find the right car.

I already looked at some of the aftermarket options for the 997.1 as well. The LED DEPO taillights would definitely be on the list, but obviously i would prefer to skip all that and find myself in a 997.2

The color is the main thing for me. Red, black, silver, yellow... can't do it, just can't. Porsche makes some really nice blues, but the racing green and ruby red are just perfect.

I'm a sucker for Arena Red, however that hasn't been available for quite some time but Ruby Red would suffice more than enough.

Question... i might be wrong but didn't the sport exhaust become a factory option in 2010? Chances are i won't be getting into one that new. And i am definitely going to be patient with this. I have been researching/test driving for the last 2 months, and i don't plan on purchasing until March/April. That should give me more than enough time.

 

If you can find a 997.2 in your price range I think the engine/PCM updates are very worth it. In regards to options, again, if you can find a car that has them they are very nice additions. Items like sports exhaust and sport chrono can be retrofitted (chrono without the clock) but at a price of course. I do think the sports seats are nice but it is personal preference. As others have said the rare colors might be a bit harder to come by but they do pop up. Good luck!

 

Thanks. I actually had no idea the 997.2S had 385hp as opposed to 355. Now that I see that they addressed a number of known issues in the 997.1, I'm definitely leaning much more towards a 997.2, not only for the engine and updates, but also the updated look as well. The front end is world's better and its a bit embarrassing that the 997.1 didn't have LED's to begin with. My 2004 330Ci had them stock.

Might mean I have to wait a bit longer, but something like this is well worth the wait. I will not settle when I'm spending this kind of money on a car.

 

What are you looking to spend? If you said, I missed it.

Based on what you wrote, I would get an S for sure...in either .1 or .2. I give this advice a lot. If an extra $5000 is possible (regardless of your price range) and it won't change your life, then spend it to get the better car. You will never regret it.

Options I enjoy about my car...

#1 by a long shot...the sound of the car with PSE and the Fabspeed X pipe. It's different than gundo/fister mufflers, the PSE is special and mine aren't even hooked up to turn off and on...just on all the time. It's a very exotic, think Ferrari sound, vs the lower rumble hot rod sound of the modded mufflers. NO right or wrong, but I like what I have. To me the sound of this car is 50% of the experience. It's intoxicating to say the least. And yes, other aftermarket systems sound as good if not better.

#2 Sport Mode. MUST HAVE.

Things I wish I had...

#1 Better Seats. I have the electric standard seats, they're heated and they're nice. Just if I saw a car with the better seats it would be valuable to me.

Best mods...

#1 Better shifter. I have a 997.2 GT3 shifter. Much better than stock. Lots of options.

#2 Custom steering wheel. The stock wheels are very pedestrian IMO.

 

2009, DFI, C2S, PSE is not my 1st choice, Numeric for the shifter.


Tubi, Michelins> PSE, Pirellis

DME readout if a 6sp, they won't agree, walk away.

Good Luck.

 

^^^^ this guy knows.

Also private party sales with current CPO transfers directly to YOU. Just have to contact PCNA and register your info. I bought my car this way.

 

Here are a few of my thoughts, neither complete nor in any particular order.

My must haves:

-- S package- extra hp, PASM, bigger brakes, wheels, xenon lights
-- short shift kit on a 6 speed
-- thicker wrapped steering wheel
-- exhaust enhancement, ie, Gundo, Fister or similar
-- LED lights throughout; easy to add
-- Sport pedals

Nice to have:

-- a decent sound/nav system from the 21st Century
-- a fixed wing
-- deviated stitching, seat belts
-- interior trim in exterior color
-- exterior carbon fiber trim

Indifferent/wouldn't pay extra:

-- full leather
-- PSE
-- Bose sound system, nav
-- sport/adaptive seats
-- interior carbon fiber pieces
-- body kits, other than a rear wing
-- wheels, unless something really special