Recently picked up an '05 C2S Launch. No really good pics yet as I haven't had time to hit it with the PC/Menzerna to get some of the light swirls/scratches out. Plus the fact that it is bone stock means y'all already know exactly what it looks like.

Black/Black Full Leather, Sport Chrono, Nav, PSE, PCCBs and a few things I can't remember off of the top of my head.


I was really going to wait until I had a lapping day or two with the car but after Lil Raja requested some feedback - how could I refuse?

First off - coming from an S2000 the torque is killer. C2S feels pretty strong most everywhere. With the S2000 if you're out of VTEC the car feels dog slow. Keeping it in the powerband is the real fun though. Having said that - I love my S2000 and am hoping to be able to keep it (garage space is at a premium) We'll see.

The C2S HP is good as well - it feels strong. Not as strong as my buddy's modded 996 GT3 but still more than adequate for me (at least for now )

Shifting in the C2S is... better than any 996 or 993 that I've driven but the S2K shifter is very hard to beat.

Handling? Normal driving - outstanding. Great stick and just plain easy to drive fast on the street.

Auto-x - I wasn't really impressed on a very tight auto-x course. Way more understeer than I expected. I'm going to have to improve my trail braking to keep some more weight on the front of the car or modify my driving to a bit more of an "in slow, out fast" style.

I also need to adjust to the steering. The steering ratio (and the car's willingness to turn in) feels very slow compared to the S2000 which feels like a go-kart. The feel in the p-car is better but the quickness of the S2000 feels better to me.

I'm sure w/ some camber up front and serious driver improvement it'll get better. I'm also confident that it'll shine on track days and on big, fast wide open autocrosses. Definitely looking forward to that.

Once you get the tail out - it's very controllable. Kind of surprised me. I was expecting it to be a little squirrely with PASM turned off but it was actually well behaved and pretty easy to control w/ throttle.

Brakes? Just amazing. Never had a car brake so well.

This would be a great daily driver IMO if need be. The PASM clearly makes a difference - smooth in comfort, firm and almost busy in Sport.

My current daily is a B6 S4. I love it for what it is - AWD, 4 doors and sounds excellent w/ just a catback - but I could see making the 997 my daily and selling the Audi just because this car is so civil.

Exhaust? I love it. The PSE sounds great IMO. Already modded to be open all the time. Aftermarket exhausts may be 30lb lighter but I doubt that any of them will really make *that* much of a difference in power.


I really dig the full leather on the 997S. The stiching on the dash and doors really add richness that the molded dash IMO is lacking. Full leather was a must have for me. The wifey likes it a lot so that is a bonus as well.

Exterior? That's the good and the bad of the car. Iconic shape that people recognize as a Porsche. To us - all the subtle changes over the years are quite obvious. To non-car folks - they probably all look alike.

I have wanted a Porsche for many years. So far that desire has been justified as this is just a very cool car.

Mod plans? Not too many. Probably some nice reverse lip black center 19s and some 18s for the track.

Thinking about PSS9s to lower the car.

Other than that - I want to save some $$$ so I can pick up a 997 GT3 when they drop to ~ 80K.

 

Very Nice write Up!!

You are killing me reading this since I still am waiting for my car. The sport exhaust I think i a seperate add on to your launch model and I dont think mine comes with that. I am not sure I hope it does.

Also the funny thing is that i am giving up my audi S4--mine is a B7 heavily moddified that sounds like a freaking zo6 on steriods for the daily 997 now.

Will later on get another audi more than likely as a second car-maybe the S8.

As for now all I can do is wait. How do you like the sport seats? And does every launch have the full leather??

We need some pics soon!!

 

I think all the launch cars have full leather - not quite sure. You're right about the PSE - that was added after the car was delivered.

One thing that really made a difference to me was that the car is CPO. I don't think I'd want a p-car without a warranty. Otherwise - when that gray 997 that was modded w/ a s/c and body kit etc... might have been the ticket but I was afraid of the potential of paying for anything that might have blown up because of the supercharger (or that the dealer would blame on the s/c)

Already contacted a service advisor and he said his dealership had no problems with lapping days - in fact they sponsor a few every year.

I love the sound of my S4 @ 7,000RPM - sounds fantastic. I forgot to mention the 997 has the adaptive sport seats. Nice to have - but I wouldn't order them for the $$$ and the weight.

In FL - AWD is nice but not necessary IMO and you'll be surprised @ how good the 997S will be as a daily.

Oh yeah... the car has the Bose as well. Sounds pretty good - but more than 50% of the time I don't even turn it on because I love the PSE sound even more.

I hope your car arrives soon - I know you'll love it.

 

nice write up...enjoy ithe car ing ood health.

 

^^^ Thanks - so far it's just killer!

 

Well the Car you bought I almost had it but I had to go out of the country and could not close it in time...He gave me an incredible deal on it too...YOu got a very nice Lauch car and lucky to have it Cpoed--
Mine unfortunately does not have a cpo and I will have to buy an extended warranty for the car. I believe it should still have 25K and 2 years left.
I love the info about this car I am so jealous that I am not driving it yet.

 

Good write up. Thanks for making Wizo jealous.

 

Here's my (unrequested) advice, having owned all those cars you mention:

1. Keep the 911

2. Keep the S4 for a daily

3. Keep the S2000 if you can afford/manage it

Reasons:

1. Porsche - there is no substitute. As you've found out, all that hype was deserved.

2. The Audi S4/RS4 is the perfect daily driver (maybe MPG is bad, but that's it). You'll be glad you kept on those ****ty days you don't want to drive the 911 or when you have to take tires/wheels for mounting. TRUST ME!!

3. I miss both of the S2000s I had, but considering your garage, the S2K is the weakest link. If you can hang onto, do so since you'll miss it after a while....

Congrats - I'm glad you're loving it!!

 

Congrats Lig

 

Chris -

If I *have* to sell one - right now the S2000 is going to have to be the one. I would be incredibly sad to have to do that but right now I need a garage. 4 cars (wifey has an FX35) and a 1 car garage completely sucks.

Nice problem to have in a way so I'm not feeling too sorry for myself but I'd really prefer to keep the S2000 if possible.

Hey Vincent - I want either your car or Steve's in a few year, o.k.?

997 GT3 is what I am shooting for as my ultimate p-car. And white is my favorite GT3 color too!

 

Congrats. I so want a GT3 as well. Also on the garage .... can it fit a lift? Get that if you can they are amazing. I'm building a house and this is in my plans for sure. Check it out here

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Di...ppro-park7.htm

 

^^^ right now - no. I have to see about whether or not i can get a permit since i'd have to raise the roof a bit to clear.

fingers crossed!

 

Thanks for the write up. I especially wanted to know the nature of the car in the Autocross as I'm an avid Autocrosser.

Will your car rotate with mid corner lift (with PSM off)? When you understeer, is it painfully long for the front end to come back?

Thanks in advance,

Pete

 

I have done two track events since buying an '06 997S, my first Porsche. Yes, the understeer is there, but I have found it quite controllable with a gentle throttle lift, which usually gets some rotation going. I have added GT3 cup car lower control arms in front, so now I have about -2.5 of front camber. This should help considerably on track, but haven't tried it yet. I have no autocross experience, but I expect on most courses, the understeer is going to be a big factor. But for larger radius turns, especially high-speed sweepers, the car is great. The car suits me best on track using the sport PASM setting, but not activating the Sport mode selector. I just find the throttle a bit too sensitive in that position. I've driven on track with and without PSM, and can tell very little difference. The few times it activated, I had done something wrong, so it really didn't intrude at all. Good luck, and enjoy.

 

get them wheels/pss9s on! military maaaaaaaang

and u know which car i believe is the "weakest link"