Turbo - Front Vent ??
 

I'm pretty new to the Porsche world (although I've wanted one since my friend in Germany sold his 356 and bought a 1966 911!). I'm thinking of selling my M5 and finally getting a 911.
Here's my question: I'm looking at either a 2006-2009 Turbo, or a 2009-2011 C2S. Looking at the Turbos, I see them with and without that front vent (right in front of the frunk). What's up with that? Is it an option; if so, what?

I think it's an optional front fender piece to look like the GT3 hood? Not sure if it's part of the factory spec areo kit, but I don't think so?

Are you talking about the vent in the GT2 nose?

https://www.suncoastparts.com/mm5/gr...ccessories.jpg

Some people add them to regular Turbos but it's not a factory thing. Also, the 997 Turbo's first year in the US was 2007, not 06.

That vent, unless added for cosmetic reasons, is the egress for the hot air from a center radiator, like on my supercharged car, but also depends on how the radiator is designed, the internal structure of the bumper, and overall aero on the car. If there is a deflector plate behind the radiator that sends the air up and the aero design is such that air passing over it will create a low pressure zone that actually helps to draw the hot air from inside the bumper cavity up and out over the car, then it's functional. If hot air can only egress out the bottom then the vent is mostly for looks, unless the aerodynamics are such that you get a ram air effect in through the vent that helps to force the hot air from behind the radiator out the bottom, but in this second scenario, that would add turbulence as air from the vent mixes with air passing through a center radiator, and also add wind resistance so I think the purpose of the vent is more in the first scenario I described.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...e947601e66.jpg

From your 2 choices, Turbo, hands down. They eat miles like nobody's business and the wave of power is awesome. I think their values will hold pretty steady over the next few years.

Right - 2007-2009. That brings up another quick question: how good is the Porsche all-wheel drive system? Doesn't it add a level of complexity, and hence, more maintenance problems?