$40k: 997.1 S or 997.2 Base?
06-05-2018, 09:27 PM
#16
Of course not. A tremendous amount of what gets posted here is fully unsubstantiated info based solely on the car a person owns. To 997.1 owners there is a lot of talk about "why get a 997.2".. to manual gearbox owners its "a PDK is so unreliable" (even though there are almost daily threads about clutch problems)... to Turbo owners.. the mezger engine is the be all end all...
It's just a whole circle jerk of "what I have is objectively better than what you have" even though it really only reflects on keeping yourself happy about how you spent your money, and not objective info at all.
It's just a whole circle jerk of "what I have is objectively better than what you have" even though it really only reflects on keeping yourself happy about how you spent your money, and not objective info at all.
06-05-2018, 09:40 PM
#17
Pro
OP, don’t write off the 996, There’s plenty out there that have the IMS taken care of. IMO as a Porsche noob the IMS issue is overblown in the 997.1. However I admit in my own hunt I wanted a 997.2 in order to get the 9A1 engine. $40K is short money on a 997.2 unless it’s high miles (say 80K+).
Last edited by swingwing; 06-05-2018 at 09:43 PM. Reason: Added wording.
06-05-2018, 09:41 PM
#18
there is always data available. but for every source presented there will be someone to disqualify that source because their neighbor's cousin's brother's monkey's uncle just bought a Carrera GT with 11 miles on it for $5,600 because the battery was dead.
https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuati...he-911-carrera
https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuati...he-911-carrera
06-05-2018, 10:13 PM
#19
Similar budget a few years ago. After carefully evaluating the 997's I ended up going for...wait for it...a 996TT. It feels lighter, more nimble, fewer electronic ninnies, and breathtakingly quick when the Turbos kick in. Also doesn't hurt that they are going up in value as opposed to 997's which are still going down.
The answer is always Turbo.
The answer is always Turbo.
06-05-2018, 11:29 PM
#21
Burning Brakes
Of course not. A tremendous amount of what gets posted here is fully unsubstantiated info based solely on the car a person owns. To 997.1 owners there is a lot of talk about "why get a 997.2".. to manual gearbox owners its "a PDK is so unreliable" (even though there are almost daily threads about clutch problems)... to Turbo owners.. the mezger engine is the be all end all...
It's just a whole circle jerk of "what I have is objectively better than what you have" even though it really only reflects on keeping yourself happy about how you spent your money, and not objective info at all.
It's just a whole circle jerk of "what I have is objectively better than what you have" even though it really only reflects on keeping yourself happy about how you spent your money, and not objective info at all.
06-06-2018, 09:30 AM
#22
I paid $43k for my 997.1 Carrera 2 base, one owner car with low miles... do you really think you can get a 997.2 for $40k? I suppose if you were okay with really high miles or accidents you could do it.
Last edited by Blue997_1; 06-06-2018 at 09:46 AM.
06-06-2018, 09:42 AM
#23
5th Gear
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
997.2
No question. All day long. I bought a 997.2 with 57k and PDK for under 40k with from a non-Porsche but factory luxury car dealer who had taken the car as a trade in and addressed any issues the PCar dealer PPI found, did the 60k service, put on new tires, and other routine maintenance before I purchased. I got a remarkable deal considering the cost of all the work that was done to the car to close the deal. I'm imagining the dealer made money wrapping the trade-in to the other purchase and a few dollars from me.
That said, I've been looking for 2 years for the right car to come along based on a budget. Expected to land in either late 996 or 997.1.. I asked the right questions and assumed little. Put down a deposit under conditions and while the PPI/work was being done. Then bought a plane ticket and drove the car 1000 miles home.
No question. All day long. I bought a 997.2 with 57k and PDK for under 40k with from a non-Porsche but factory luxury car dealer who had taken the car as a trade in and addressed any issues the PCar dealer PPI found, did the 60k service, put on new tires, and other routine maintenance before I purchased. I got a remarkable deal considering the cost of all the work that was done to the car to close the deal. I'm imagining the dealer made money wrapping the trade-in to the other purchase and a few dollars from me.
That said, I've been looking for 2 years for the right car to come along based on a budget. Expected to land in either late 996 or 997.1.. I asked the right questions and assumed little. Put down a deposit under conditions and while the PPI/work was being done. Then bought a plane ticket and drove the car 1000 miles home.
06-06-2018, 09:45 AM
#24
Rennlist Member
The specs of 997.1 "S" and 997.2 Base are nearly identical. In a manual, a 997.2 is also pretty much bulletproof and in the long term will be known as one of the most desirable and durable 911's of all time.
The 997.1 is a great driving car, but will always have that "stigma", whether it is deserved or not.
The 997.1 is a great driving car, but will always have that "stigma", whether it is deserved or not.
06-06-2018, 09:49 AM
#25
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
2009 C2S 125K miles
Specs of a base are near identical to an S and both are world-class sports cars. I always felt the suspension shock/spring dynamics of the base are really well sorted over PASM that uses shocks to do many things. Ss are always more desirable in the market simply because more is better in consumer minds and that is where companies really rake the emotional over the coals..... Anywho..... that is just the way it works.
BTW: I would never buy a car with that older engine design... flame away if you want to, but regardless of what you think of the older engine, the new 9A1 DFI engine is turning out to be fabulously rugged... and that adds up in real dollars over time.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
Specs of a base are near identical to an S and both are world-class sports cars. I always felt the suspension shock/spring dynamics of the base are really well sorted over PASM that uses shocks to do many things. Ss are always more desirable in the market simply because more is better in consumer minds and that is where companies really rake the emotional over the coals..... Anywho..... that is just the way it works.
BTW: I would never buy a car with that older engine design... flame away if you want to, but regardless of what you think of the older engine, the new 9A1 DFI engine is turning out to be fabulously rugged... and that adds up in real dollars over time.
Peace
Bruce in Philly
06-06-2018, 12:14 PM
#26
When I was searching for my car, I specifically wanted a base 997.2 C2 with as few of options as possible; things like suspension, exhaust, etc. are items I'd address anyways, so to me, there was no point in paying more for those things from the start just to end up replacing them. I also wanted a car that had some miles on it... I wanted to know that it had seen some road time and that old, stagnant fluids and dried out seals from a car that had been sitting all it's life in a garage wouldn't be a problem. Again... These were important requirements to me, but may not fit someone else's list of requirements or criteria.
The decision really comes down to what you want from the car. Everyone has different reasons or expectations in a purchase like this. Drive the different variations between .1 and .2 and see which speaks to you most for what your preference is. Drive some 996s, 991s... Maybe what you're really after isn't even in the 997 family. People always comment on how everyone tries to justify their purchase like it's making an excuse for settling on something that's perceived as inferior (like a base); the only person you need to justify your decision with is yourself, so be sure to get the car that puts a smile on your face (you'll know it when you find it). In my mind, there is no bad Porsche; just different flavors to suit different tastes.
The decision really comes down to what you want from the car. Everyone has different reasons or expectations in a purchase like this. Drive the different variations between .1 and .2 and see which speaks to you most for what your preference is. Drive some 996s, 991s... Maybe what you're really after isn't even in the 997 family. People always comment on how everyone tries to justify their purchase like it's making an excuse for settling on something that's perceived as inferior (like a base); the only person you need to justify your decision with is yourself, so be sure to get the car that puts a smile on your face (you'll know it when you find it). In my mind, there is no bad Porsche; just different flavors to suit different tastes.
06-06-2018, 01:32 PM
#27
Burning Brakes
I agree with most here, 997.2.
But for a max budget of $40k, you are likely looking at a higher mileage example.
Good luck!
But for a max budget of $40k, you are likely looking at a higher mileage example.
Good luck!
06-06-2018, 02:30 PM
#28
Rennlist Member
No question, 997.2 base. There are hundreds of reasons to buy a .2 over a .1. Pick the ones that mean the most to you and don't look back.
06-06-2018, 04:53 PM
#29
I must be in the minority here. I actually prefer the exterior aesthetics of the 997.1 over the .2. This was only amplified in my eyes because I knew I was going to purchase the aero kit components.
