sleepy_911

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?

Balr14

I have an 09 C2S with the PDK. I would never give it up. But, this question has been asked many times and you will probably get more people who favor manual transmissions responding just because that's what they do. Look around and see how many manual transmissions any manufacturer sells. It gets to be kind of a pointless discussion after awhile.

golfnutintib

you want analog feel... go for manual (you shd ideally upgrade to a GT3/short shifter or numeric shifter) as a stock 997 manual shifter can be loose and sloppy

there are good reasons to get a 997.2 over a 7.1, but not this reason... this is just stupid imo...

rubenswm

KeepItTidy

LOL

In my local market you cannot find a Manual 911 after the PDK was laucnched (apart from the GT3's)
So my choice was the same as yours. .1 Manual or a .2 PDK
Beacuse this is purely a weekend car I wanted the most excitement possible and opted for the older Manual.
I regret Nothing!

sleepy_911

Isn't there a bore scoring risk with 997.2s as well?
I haven't searched really hard in this forum, but haven't heard of anything major on the 997.2s really which intrigues me to go with the safer bet? Let me know if I'm wrong here.
Though the manual, hydraulic steering, small sports car feel makes it feel like a more complete package to get that feeling again.

Such a tough decision guys...

shekmark

Why is an 05 the same price as an 09? Something else ? Major mileage difference?

Jaskfri

Get the 997.1 inspected.If it checks out ok buy it. Nothing will replace a manual shift if you want one.T he risks of a .1 or .2 are a very small % of the population.

OnlineAlias

I'll just leave this here....

alexl911

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.

PasPar2

manual if you dont commute in traffic but Id never get an 05. 08 .1 are safer. this coming from a guy who had a 996 engine grenade.

rubenswm

Are the 05's that much cheaper? I thought the 05 IMS is more replaceable, which seems like a good thing. Bore scoring is the bigger issue anyways as far as I can tell (though I am just learning myself!)

rubenswm

997.2 is a different powerplant, so as far as I can tell (again, learning here) - not to nearly the same extent as the 997.1.

Big Swole

I went for a 6MT to a PDK recently. I love it.

Don't get me wrong, 6MT will always be my first love. Owned many cars with a manual, but when I went to the mountains with this PDK, I was SO impressed.

Fact is, if I had the money, I'd own both.


ON EDIT: The lack of worrying about IMS issues is a huge plus as well, I would think.

thurm33

I'm biased, but I'd go for the manual 997.1, especially since you say this would be your weekend car and you won't be fighting traffic. That was my exact situation -- I bike to work but wanted a weekend 911. I bought a 2005 Carrera cab, knowing full well the risk of the MY2005 IMS issues, but the deal was too good to pass up my dream car. The fail rate seems to be under 10% (6% according to this site's poll) and I've read that if you drive it like it should, there's less chance of a failed IMS.

As stated above, sometime in 2006 it was upgraded to a stronger IMS. If you want to minimize your risk, look for a 2006+. Good luck