Mark in Baltimore

I just bought a 2005 997S, seal grey with a black interior with under 15,000 miles. It's loaded with gorgeous sport seats, an incredible Porsche sport exhaust, full leather, chrono package, blah, blah, blah. It is incredibly fast with that singing exhaust that is, admittedly, almost better sounding than my 993 with the Supercups. The car also comes with the sport package that changes the throttle mapping and shock settings. I drove it pretty hard and found the shock's sport setting to be overly busy and way less forgiving than the Motons on my 993, especially over high speed bumps on the highway at 100+ MPH. Where my Motons eat up bumps and make the car supremely easy to drive at very high speeds (130+ MPH), the 997 on the sport setting moved around way more than I cared to feel. The normal setting is much more communicative and less brittle than the sport mode. Maybe I'm just a wuss.

Visually, the 997 looks overweight and portly compared to the lithe and lean 993. Despite the round headlights, the 997's lines are no match for the curves on my narrow body 993. The 993 seems like a sexy iteration of Penelope Cruz, while the 997 is more like Salma Hayek after having been locked and lost in the Twinkie factory for a month. Sexy, yes, curvy, yes, but definitely not quite as bangable.

So many things are electrically operated. "What's wrong with cables?", the Luddite asks. The trunk switch is electrically operated, as is the engine deck lid. When you pull on the door handle, the window moves down a half inch to clear the window gasket. I think the handrake is electrically operated. (Kidding!) Maybe it's the racer in me, but more motors mean more weight and more things to go wrong.

I can't deny the incredible power of the 3.8 motor. It is a rocketship compared to my 993, 120 MPH coming up in a jiffy, that glorious exhaust wailing in my ear. Man, I wished I could stuff this motor in my 993, waterpumper or not.

<EDIT> I completely forgot to mention that the headlights are amazing! The low beam cut-off is razor sharp, and the high beams simply flood the area in front of the car with a very even light. The one criticism I'll make is that some of the light output seems to be focused very high, as if Porsche is concerned about some species of tree dwelling deer that we do not need to contend with. If the high beam spread were dropped lower, more energy could go where it's needed.

The 997 has definitely moved from the sport market to the luxury GT market, but this statement should come as no surprise to anyone. I have enjoyed driving it for a very limited amount of time but wish it weren't so big compared to my 993, which I feel is already an overweight car.

Anyway, I thought I would give my two cents on the 997 for those of you considering the latest 911. Don't get me wrong; this is a very cool car and I'm lucky to have it, as well as my 993. Despite the contradiction, I think the raw quality of my 993 has "spoiled" me a bit.

BTW, my 993 race car is not going anywhere.

Air Kuul TT

Congrats Mark... Wow... very cool, 2 P-cars are always better than one. I hope you'll share some pics (including the 993 too). Enjoy... BTW, great choice in color!

csertich

Congratulations Mark. I've had a couple of rides in a 997S and the sport exhaust sound is fabulous. Much better than I ever expected. it makes the car for me because so much else is 'so modern.' Not that I don't like it but I love the 993 experience. Sounds to me like you have the best of both worlds with the 997S and 993.
Wow.
chuck

obchuck

I think the analogy would have been just fine w/Penelope Cruze compared to Salma Hayek. No need for the Twinkie comment!!! I think they're equally "bangable" IMHO. In fact, maybe Salma would be more "lively"

OK, OK, back to the subject (sorry ladies ) You were saying? Something about 993 still being the best?!...)

993polarsilver

Thanks Mark, and congrats on the 997s. Your summary is concise and well balanced, unlike Selma. I gotta go test drive one of these now! The 997, that is...

Ron Adair

Aaahhhh yes....

I just bought a 997S to complement my 993. The new car is a tip.

Spot on commentary, btw.

I got the sense from your comments that you would agree: Porsche's latest effort is AWESOME, but the 993 seems all the more special now.

Air Kuul TT

Congrats to you too Ron!!!

Terry Adams

Hard to believe these width comparisons, but the 997 S at 71.2 inches, is wider than the MB CLK at 68.5 inches:

MB CLK550 v. 997S

obchuck

Whatz up w/the Selma bashing?!?!

obchuck

To Ron: I'd be interested to know why you went w/the Tip vs. Manual. Perhaps Mark's comment about the 997 being more of a "Luxury GT" is the reason? I've often thought about it; if I were to get a 997, would I go w/the Tip??? I think I've read that Volks/Audi's lauded manumatic tranny is going to find it's way into the 997. Hmmm....interesting

You reasons Ron?...

chris walrod

WOW! Mark, congratulations! What a purchase! Love to see pictures! When did you decide to look for a 997?

Mark in Baltimore

There's nothing wrong with Salma. Remember, I said she was locked in a Twinkie factory for a month. I didn't say she was fat, pre-Twinkie. I saw Penelope Cruz in Spanglish and think that she is smokin' hot. Salma was great in From Dusk Till Dawn, but she's no Penelope. JMHO.

Chris, I ran across a good deal on a perfect 997 and decided to pull the trigger. It happened in a matter of days. I'm usually not this impulsive.

texas911

Hey man, congrats! The two compliment each other well, don't they?

Everything you said is about right except for the 997 being overweight and portly, its about the same weight as the 993, even though its demensionally bigger, it really doesn't weigh that much more. Its a common misconception here on the 993 board.

Wait till your battery runs down and you have to open that electric hood to get at the battery!

Ron Adair

I've been so infatuated with the 993 that I wanted to drive it more. About every 10 days I drive ~180 miles round trip to LA from Santa Barbara. Traffic can be a bit annoying and hard on a clutch (which I would never put the 993 through). So... a 997 tip seemed like the perfect solution.

Mark in Baltimore

Texas,

Thanks!! I said that the 997 looks portlier than the 993 and just feels...bigger.