I've had my 1990 C2 for about 9 months now and it has been great to be back in an air-cooled Porsche. So much so that I decided I'd sell my 1988 BMW M5 (50K) and 1985 BMW M635CSi (43K) - two of the finest examples of those models I have ever seen - and buy a nice 997 to keep the C2 company.

The BMWs are sold and the $$$ is in the bank. I drove up to Atlanta yesterday and drove a 2007 997 car (3.6 motor, not an S). It was the first time I'd driven a newer Porsche. All my Porsche experience has been in the older cars, to include a 1969 911E, 2 Carreras, 928S4, 944S, with a 968 cab as the lone newer exception. The 997 was a nice car - drove well, shifted well, braked well. I liked it, but I did not love it. Actually, I was surprised. My expectation was that I'd be blown away by the newer car, and I simply was not. It sounded much too sedate and the doors closed with a VERY unsatisfying, tinny sound. Not the "bank vault" noise I'm used to with the older cars.

The Porsche engineers seem to have smoothed out all the rough edges and have made the car TOO refined, at least for my taste. It certainly was not as much fun to drive as the C2. Maybe what I am actually looking for is a race car with a radio and decent AC! I wonder if some of you have had a similar experience.

I kinda wish I had my old M5 back!! I inquired about a RSA for sale down in Florida that popped up on the RSA website yesterday, but it was snapped up almost immediately upon posting, with a waiting line formed shortly thereafter.

So the search continues..... Sorry if I've offended any 997 owners. Just one old guy's opinion.

 

I know what you mean, I love my 964 more than words can describe, its the first car I drove that made everything else feel mundane. Not long ago a local 991 C2S owner wanted to compare our cars, I couldn't wait considering what I've read and heard about the 991 (It even looks awesome). So it was much to my dismay that it did not feel as spectacular as I was expecting. It just felt like a big cruiser, not much feel, but the sport exhaust sounded stellar in the cabin. Even though it would wreck my 964 on a track, I would choose my 964 any day of the week.

 

GT3 is the only way you will get old school feel in the new cars imho.

 

+1 and it has the split crankcase too.

 

I knew somebody would suggest the GT3! I got pretty good money for my old M cars - but not GT3 money.

 

As much as I dislike the kidney shaped headlights and the watered down styling, I'd check out the 996 turbo as it's apparently a lot of value for the money and a good way to get your adrenaline fix. Might be worth test driving...

 

 

"As much as I dislike the kidney shaped headlights and the watered down styling, I'd check out the 996 turbo as it's apparently a lot of value for the money and a good way to get your adrenaline fix. Might be worth test driving... "

That thought had crossed my mind, albeit briefly. I just simply could not abide the fried egg headlights and the Boxster interior. Lots of hp for the dough, though. Just not for me. It's not really about the speed here.

 

Having JUST bought myself an '07 997 Carrerra S, to go with my '90 C4, I'm almost qualified to reply - maybe!
I went for the 'S' so that I had a sport button options and BOY does it turn it into a different car! Sound, handling, MPG!!! At least this means my 964 gets to winter in the warm garage!

I have decided, front of my 964 with the bum of my 997 would be perfect! Maybe that's the 964 wide body?!?
Anyway, thought I'd take the opportunity to introduce her....

 

^^^ Lovely car! Perhaps I just drove the wrong 997 and ought to try the S before abandoning the newer Porsche search.

 

I have a 964 and a 997Turbo. The 964 makes me go weak at the knees. Its the girl that you want to marry, the girl with whom the conversation and sex never gets boring.

The 997 is the $1,000 an hour blond hooker. Great at first sight but long term it will leave you cold.

 

^^ What an analogy! Makes me feel even better about my car. Just took her out, blew the dust off and busted a few bugs. Just great.

 

Please note I am Indian, by default we are so fricking tight we done pay for hookers. We do however spend a lot of time window shoppin.....

 

I don't understand. Especially selling the '88 M5. This makes me sad, unless you just didn't write your original post with the full rationale.

 

Me? I'd have kept the E28 M5. Legendary.