First 911–997.1 Manual or 997.2 PDK?
05-22-2018, 12:14 PM
#17
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I don't think it's a "first 911" question as much as a personal preference question. If you like manual transmissions, then buy that. I had the OE short shift kit in my 997, and it was sweet. If you prefer a dual-clutch automatic, then PDK is hard to beat. There's no wrong decision. Buy the one that is right for you.
05-22-2018, 12:24 PM
#18
Hey guys,
I'm looking into my first 911 and the 997 has been one of my favorite generations.
I've sourced 2, both with similar options and both with similar price: One is a 2005 Carrera manual and the other is a 2009 Carrera PDK.
I went into my search thinking it must be a manual (this would be a weekend car since my daily is an electric car and I miss that analog feel), but stumbled on a 997.2 with PDK which also seems intriguing (and wouldn't have to worry much about the IMS issue).
If given the choice, which would you guys go for and why?
I'm looking into my first 911 and the 997 has been one of my favorite generations.
I've sourced 2, both with similar options and both with similar price: One is a 2005 Carrera manual and the other is a 2009 Carrera PDK.
I went into my search thinking it must be a manual (this would be a weekend car since my daily is an electric car and I miss that analog feel), but stumbled on a 997.2 with PDK which also seems intriguing (and wouldn't have to worry much about the IMS issue).
If given the choice, which would you guys go for and why?
Here's some advice from a recent buyer. This will never be a choice between 2 cars. It is a choice among 100s. Look around, take test drives, stick to your local area initially as there is a lot of slippage in an out of town purchase. Consider what your budget is and what your operating costs will be. Can you really afford the car? Are you a good mechanic ? Do you embrace risk or like to play it safe? What is your end goal ? Keeper for life or frequent horse trader ? Why is the seller selling ? Are they trust worthy ?
One of the initial pieces of advice I got here was "when you buy the car, you're buying the ex-owner" - if you don't like them, don't trust them, walk away. This ended up being the DECISIVE factor in the car that I bought. The ex owner had no problem taking the CPO car into a Porsche dealer and telling them "fix everything so it's up to date" - well that and the records to prove it.
It is possible to buy a $30k to 60k Porsche with 40,000 miles and find out it needs $3-7k in maintenance. Bottom line consider every car, every cost, and learn as much as you can before making a purchase. I saw 3 'ideal' cars bought before I could even go to look at them. Most of them within a days drive or less. So have your cash ready, be willing to skip work - what ever it takes to move and move fast when the right one comes along.
But not so fast - don't buy without a PPI, A DME/over rev and fault code report (and be able to understand them) and FFS don't wire any money or pay even a nickle for a car you haven't seen in person and checked the title against the VIN. Scams abound in the Porsche market right now. Again - no matter how good the deal seems DON'T WIRE MONEY.
05-22-2018, 02:57 PM
#19
Rennlist Member
I have an 05 C2S with a 6 speed. Manual for the win for sure. When I had my clutch replaced, Road Scholars recommended that I not worry about my IMS. When they hooked up the computer to my car they said that there was no reason to replace it. Sorry I can’t remember the exact verbiage that they told me. Something like it was within a certain threshold. IDK if anyone can help me out with what I’m trying to say. My engine number falls into the category that should have it replaced. I was advised to always split open the oil filter & inspect for small metal shavings like is advised on this forum. They also told me that I would feel that my car is not running right. The car has not been tracked so far. I’m just under 50k miles and the car is amazing. I drive my car very swiftly & enjoy rowing thru the gears. Definitely what ever car you buy you will love the experience.
05-22-2018, 03:02 PM
#20
05-22-2018, 03:22 PM
#22
Track Day
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Personally, I would always take the manual over a PDK, especially an early PDK. The bigger question is whether to avoid an '05 altogether due to the IMS, which will need to be addressed just like in any 996. The IMS was updated in '06 -but you would need to confirm by VIN. There's a a reason '05's are much cheaper.
05-22-2018, 03:23 PM
#23
Track Day
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I have an 05 C2S with a 6 speed. Manual for the win for sure. When I had my clutch replaced, Road Scholars recommended that I not worry about my IMS. When they hooked up the computer to my car they said that there was no reason to replace it. Sorry I can’t remember the exact verbiage that they told me. Something like it was within a certain threshold. IDK if anyone can help me out with what I’m trying to say. My engine number falls into the category that should have it replaced. I was advised to always split open the oil filter & inspect for small metal shavings like is advised on this forum. They also told me that I would feel that my car is not running right. The car has not been tracked so far. I’m just under 50k miles and the car is amazing. I drive my car very swiftly & enjoy rowing thru the gears. Definitely what ever car you buy you will love the experience.
05-22-2018, 03:24 PM
#24
Track Day
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Here's some advice from a recent buyer. This will never be a choice between 2 cars. It is a choice among 100s. Look around, take test drives, stick to your local area initially as there is a lot of slippage in an out of town purchase. Consider what your budget is and what your operating costs will be. Can you really afford the car? Are you a good mechanic ? Do you embrace risk or like to play it safe? What is your end goal ? Keeper for life or frequent horse trader ? Why is the seller selling ? Are they trust worthy ?
One of the initial pieces of advice I got here was "when you buy the car, you're buying the ex-owner" - if you don't like them, don't trust them, walk away. This ended up being the DECISIVE factor in the car that I bought. The ex owner had no problem taking the CPO car into a Porsche dealer and telling them "fix everything so it's up to date" - well that and the records to prove it.
It is possible to buy a $30k to 60k Porsche with 40,000 miles and find out it needs $3-7k in maintenance. Bottom line consider every car, every cost, and learn as much as you can before making a purchase. I saw 3 'ideal' cars bought before I could even go to look at them. Most of them within a days drive or less. So have your cash ready, be willing to skip work - what ever it takes to move and move fast when the right one comes along.
But not so fast - don't buy without a PPI, A DME/over rev and fault code report (and be able to understand them) and FFS don't wire any money or pay even a nickle for a car you haven't seen in person and checked the title against the VIN. Scams abound in the Porsche market right now. Again - no matter how good the deal seems DON'T WIRE MONEY.
One of the initial pieces of advice I got here was "when you buy the car, you're buying the ex-owner" - if you don't like them, don't trust them, walk away. This ended up being the DECISIVE factor in the car that I bought. The ex owner had no problem taking the CPO car into a Porsche dealer and telling them "fix everything so it's up to date" - well that and the records to prove it.
It is possible to buy a $30k to 60k Porsche with 40,000 miles and find out it needs $3-7k in maintenance. Bottom line consider every car, every cost, and learn as much as you can before making a purchase. I saw 3 'ideal' cars bought before I could even go to look at them. Most of them within a days drive or less. So have your cash ready, be willing to skip work - what ever it takes to move and move fast when the right one comes along.
But not so fast - don't buy without a PPI, A DME/over rev and fault code report (and be able to understand them) and FFS don't wire any money or pay even a nickle for a car you haven't seen in person and checked the title against the VIN. Scams abound in the Porsche market right now. Again - no matter how good the deal seems DON'T WIRE MONEY.
05-22-2018, 03:28 PM
#25
Three Wheelin'
Hey guys,
I've sourced 2, both with similar options and both with similar price: One is a 2005 Carrera manual and the other is a 2009 Carrera PDK.
I went into my search thinking it must be a manual (this would be a weekend car since my daily is an electric car and I miss that analog feel)
I've sourced 2, both with similar options and both with similar price: One is a 2005 Carrera manual and the other is a 2009 Carrera PDK.
I went into my search thinking it must be a manual (this would be a weekend car since my daily is an electric car and I miss that analog feel)
05-22-2018, 04:32 PM
#26
Three Wheelin'
I would not buy a modern 911 without PDK. 997.2 all the way.
But of course the manual only crew is the loudest, to the point a person might start thinking its the only right option. In the end it's a personal decision that is best left to your own judgement. There is not one of them which is better.
But of course the manual only crew is the loudest, to the point a person might start thinking its the only right option. In the end it's a personal decision that is best left to your own judgement. There is not one of them which is better.
05-22-2018, 05:48 PM
#27
I don't want a sportscar without a 3-pedal manual. Period. If you're not adamant about it, then the 9A1 engine seems to have less issues than the M96/97. IMS has never been a problem with my '05. Had it retrofitted with the ceramic LN at 30K. At 60K it was suffering bore scoring. I now have nickies and The Solution, so IMO it's as durable as a 9A1. Don't forget, AFAIK PDK can't be rebuilt in-house, the only recourse if it fails (and apparently it's not unheard of) is replace it, and (again AFAIK) they're around $12K. Not as much as an engine but still not chump change. But the main factor governing reliability of an older car, whether it's 9 yrs old or 13, is how it was driven and maintained. A well-maintained '05 could very well be less trouble than an '09 that was neglected. I don't see the reason to have to decide between just these two vehicles. There are a lot of them out there. Patience is your friend.
Stick all the way, much more fun.
05-22-2018, 06:24 PM
#29
Instructor
I have a 997.2 C2S Manual
My opinion:
If you plan on tracking it, buy a 997.2 PDK with Sports Chrono over a 997.1 Manual.
If you don't track, 997.1 manual would do just fine for a street car.
My opinion:
If you plan on tracking it, buy a 997.2 PDK with Sports Chrono over a 997.1 Manual.
If you don't track, 997.1 manual would do just fine for a street car.
05-22-2018, 06:44 PM
#30
I am a manual car guy and wanted a 997.2 6MT but bought a 997.2 PDK because I couldn’t find the car I wanted in manual.
I ended up finding the perfect car - color, mileage, sports chrono, history, condition - but it was PDK.
I settled and ended up buying the PDK and kind of regret it. There are some days that I actually love the PDK but too often I wish I had bought a 6MT.
Don’t get in a hurry and buy what you really want. You’ll be living with the car after the joy of gain has subsided and if you compromise on the transmission, you’ll probably regret it.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my 911, but do wish I had waited and gotten a manual.
I ended up finding the perfect car - color, mileage, sports chrono, history, condition - but it was PDK.
I settled and ended up buying the PDK and kind of regret it. There are some days that I actually love the PDK but too often I wish I had bought a 6MT.
Don’t get in a hurry and buy what you really want. You’ll be living with the car after the joy of gain has subsided and if you compromise on the transmission, you’ll probably regret it.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my 911, but do wish I had waited and gotten a manual.