997 Cold weather testing spy pics that have been floating around. As others have noted, it's becoming quite clear that the basis for the 997 is still very much the 996.

My dream from age 12 was to purchase a new 911 before age 30 and at age 29 in 1999 (and fortunate enough to be there) I recall standing on the lot at the local Porsche dealer agonizing over a new water jacketed 996, or a "previously enjoyed" 1998 C2S in Ocean Blue over Classic Grey. Well, I made the wrong choice (thought Pacific North West daily driver would be better for comfort - 996). For 1 year and a half I lovingly referred to my 1999 C2 as a "Monday Morning After Oktoberfest" build. The rear main seal (twice), clutch, brakes, electrical all total made me very good friends with the local service reps. However PAG stepped up and stepped up big time and in the summer of 2001 (after more problems) bought back the 1999 (and for a small amount out of pocket) put me in one of the last 2001's to roll off the line. The 2001 (in gorgeous Slate Grey, fully loaded) is rock solid. Needless to say, I hope to be a Porsche customer for life (or as long as I can afford it).

However, I can't help but recall that day on the lot where I couldn't stop comparing the look of the 993 to the rather bland profile of the 996. Better technology is a much less subjective matter but I've been sooooo looking forward to the 997 as a radical upgrade to traditional styling with someone more substantial also in the hp/trq department to boot.

I for one will not be stepping up to the 997 (fat *** "S" model please) if the only plan is for another paltry 15HP HP bump, no interior refresh, and a second round f/r rear fascia change to carry on until (998??) in 2008/09???

Maybe it's just me

 

sorry can't figure out how to upload pics....

WC996

 

another

 

Looks like different spoiler, tail lights and front bumper

 

front

 

Although the rear bumper now has a little bulge, it still looks like a 996.

Weatcoast996, why not get the best of both worlds, 993 looks with performance, and get a 993tt?

 

beleive me I would have if at the time I could have afforded a 993TT. To this day I regret not going with the C2S. Coming from BMW, and needing a year round daily driver I beleived the 996 to be the better choice (since I also do a lot of highway driving). The 20 more ponies in the 996 also made a significant seat of the pants difference IMO. Regrettful was the Gemballa exhaust I put on shortly after. Brutal. My 2001 has the PSE (open full time) and IMO it's as good as the RUF mufflers which I've heard first hand and they both sound wicked. A couple of friends with Fabspeed are jealous!

Most of all though the "dream" was to take delivery of a brand new car and I missed the window by a year or two to get a 993 configured for me.

It's all good though as I've been having this new dream where my wife and I take delivery at the factory of a 997 C2S....drive around Europe for a month and then relive the excitement all over again when said car lands on US shores sometime later!

 

dood, that's a 996!

 

I don't think about the spy pics much. It's been a while since I've seen a car come out that was accurately portrayed in the press or through previously published spy pics imo.

On the 996 comments, I understand where you are coming from. I had a C2s (993) and really liked the car. I remember the first 996 I saw in the flesh; parked on the street in Munich. A buddy of mine and I thought they had ruined the 911. That was early 1999 and I can say now that I do like the 996 better. I think it has a sleeker, more refined look. Don't get me wrong, I love the looks of the 993 but the 996 is a great looking car imo...

Driving around Europe in a 997 sounds fun; I'm in

Roy

 

Those shots look pretty dated... hasn't been snow like that in Germany for several months. Can they wear their D plates in Argentina?

 

froggy headlight and bumper lights look gay as hell... if that's the real 997, I'm gonna sell my 996tt

 

Look behind the front facia. Somethings wierd with what's behind there, almost some sort of 911 variant

 

To expect that the 997 will deviate a lot from the 996 is to dream… if we take history as an example all we will see from Porsche is an evolution (not a revolution) of the 996 design. Just look at how long it took the 911…it was not until 1989 that a radical design change was done… then, 10 years later the 996…

I do not expect to see radical changes until 2008/9…

Hey, but what the heck do I know about Porsche and their development cycle, right? LOL

Nevertheless, I am too waiting on the 997. IMHO it will be the car to buy. With most, if not all, the bugs worked out of the 996 cars, we should get a better built/equipped car. I will wait for the S version since I like that fat rear end.

 

It looks like the whole front clip is a cloak. If you look at the highest point of the front wheel well you'll see a line (in the side pic), then the rear angle pic its even clearer....the front end pic shows it even more since there is the obvious line about 9 inches up the bonnet between the lights...also the front fascia in the pic is definitely hiding something, so perhaps the nose of the 997 is shorter than the 996...and for some reason is looks like they are cloaking the door handles too...

 

You would sell your 996TT because the new 997 is ugly? Wow. Just WOW.