gota911

In another 996 thread, Dresler posted this question to me. I figured his question deserved a thread of its own.

So here are my impressions and ramblings after three months of ownership.....

Well, for starters, the 997.2 doesn't have those fugly headlights! Just kidding, I like the 996 headlights.

I debated between getting a 997.1 and 997.2, which has the new 9A1 DFI engine. I there is just not enough performance difference between the 996 and the 997.1 to make it a huge step up in performance. Porsche really added a lot of upgrades in the 997 "face lift" (997.2).

Untimately, I decided to get a 997.2 C2S which has the 3.8L 9A1 engine with 385 HP and 300 Torque. I went above my price limit to get the 2010 C2S with 2,945 miles and 5 Years Porsche warranty (3 year factory and 2 years CPO).

The new engine:

• has DFI
• has 40% fewer moving parts
• the Intermediate Shaft was completely eliminated
• revs faster than the M96/M97 engine

The PASM suspension is great.... firm yet compliant. Porsche tweaked it from the 997.1 model. Hitting the PASM button firms up the ride to the point that you can use it only on smooth roads or on the track.

TPMS is also upgraded from the 997.1 and works very well. Some of the 997.1 guys report 2 to 3 PSI difference between their tire gauge(s) and TMPS. Mine is spot on to the pressure measured by my tire gauge.

The interior is nice and well laid out. Obviously, a lot more "straight lines" in it than in the 996 interior. I wanted Full Leather but couldn't find one with the options I wanted and in my price range.

I really like the LED lights, both front and rear. You can have the front turn signal lights on for use as DRL, or you can turn them off in the PCM menu which is controlled by the lower left stalk.

The PCM, Navi, and Stereo are touch screen, which is nice. The Navi is GREATLY upgraded from the 997.1. It is a good system. You can also have the Navi directions appear in the information window below the Tac. Pretty cool.

For those of you who may upgrade in the future, skip the 997.1 and go to the 997.2, even if you have to wait a little longer. IMO, there are too many good things that have been added on the 997.2 to settle for the 997.1.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Barn996

But Tim be honest, you must miss the Honda. I really envy your current Porsche choice.

Wellardmac

So, my interpretation is that Tim bought the '10 because it looks pretty, rather then because it performs better than the 996

gota911

Honda? What Honda????

Thanks, the color is really understated. It's like of a sleeper, not "in your face" color.

gota911

Wayne, good to see you back here.

Well, I have been trying to keep the car near the speed limit, so my comments were from the "daily driver" point of view. I listed all of the items one notices when one is not pushing the fast pedal to the floor, which quite frankly, is probably a much higher percentage of the time than most are willing admit to on this forum. It's those things that make it a better daily driver than the 996.

Here is a good example of one of the improved systems. Suspension: The front end is much more planted at speed than my 996 was at the same speed. The light and nervous feeling of the 996 is not present on the 997.2. It feels much more stable at 90+ MPH (or so I have been told).

Is it faster that my 996? There is no question that the 997.2 is faster than my '04 996. How could it not be? It has 65 more HP and more torque than my Lapis Blue beauty. But that (more HP), in and of itself, does not make it a "better" car.

All of the "supporting elements" that Porsche improved upon, not only enhanced the individual systems, but the collective cohesion of all of the improvements come together to make the sum of the parts greater than the total. So yes, it performs better than the 996, but not because of HP, but because the total package has been improved. That's what makes it "better" than the 996.

roadsession

I would love have a 997.2.
I will probably wait another 2 or 3 years to either get a used 997.2 or a 991 as I am still enjoying my 996.

fpena944

I have to admit as much as I love my car I've been "looking" as well.

I really like the looks of the 997 turbo but the 997.2 S cars seem to have a sufficient amount of power and a lot of the advancements you mentioned.

Good review from someone with experience from both sides of the fence and absolutely helpful to those of us trying to figure things out. Thanks!

gota911

Fernando,

You are welcome. I certainly hope this thread will be helpful to those that may be considering a 997.

abiazis

Thanks for write-up...great move to 997.2 and avoiding all the IMS stuff for 1999 cars through the 997.1........

Enjoy the car.......)

dresler

No, you silver-tongued devil, I won't be moved by you. I like my 996...it has an AVIC 110BT....it does ride hard as a rock.. but the C4S already is planted at speed...the leather is getting a bit worn...but if the IMS Blows I can get a 425 HP 3.8 from Jake....that will make it faster than yours.... (won't it?)

gota911

I liked my 996 too, but I like the 997 even more, but in a different way. My 996 was leased so I knew my time with her was limited. Plus, my Lapis Blue baby was my "first" Porsche, and it has been my experience that the "first" of most things are very memorable. Maybe not he "best" but the most memorable.

I would guess that your 425 HP would trump my 385 HP, as long as you didn't have to worry that the extra 100 HP wouldn't put too much strain on the clutch, or the transmission, or the AWD system, or be too powerful for the brakes, or........

OK, that was mean of me, but it was fun!

B r i a n

I guess next year we will see the "Confessions of a 991 owner... or in what ways is it better than the 997" thread.

Dennis C

I definitely agree with your comments on the engine revving faster. When I rented a 2010 C2S in Europe last year, I noticed this right away. It makes rev matching during downshifts even more fun!

francars

Thanks Tim for the feedback... I admit I have been looking more at the 997.2s lately. BUT prices are a bit over my budget so for now I guess will have to live vicariously with some of you 997.2 folk's stories...

Well, the 991... another story...

fpena944

The fact that it's a bigger engine yet revs faster is interesting to me. Usually it's the opposite as the bigger engines tend to be slower "revvers"