When is enough enough?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 4
I purchased a 997.2 TTS in July. I too have a single spot in the garage for "my" car, so I went through the same process of finding the "best" car for me. Here are the highlights that, for me, make it the perfect car:
* Excellent around-town car. When not in sport/sport-plus, the throttle is gentle, and the ride firm but not overly harsh. It is easy to get into and out of. It is not excessively loud; doesn't wake the neighbors.
* In the around town situation, it doesn't get a lot of attention. A lot of cars that would be similar performance will draw a crowd any time you park.
* Excellent on the road for highway driving.
* All wheel drive. I live in Colorado, and with winter tires, it will be fine to drive year round. (Snow clearance will be an issue for a few hours on each of a few days a year. But I can work from home when needed. )
* Excellent track performance. (I replaced the PCCB rotors with steel.)
* Reliable enough to drive every day.
* Much easier to work on than a 991 if you do any of your own maintenance. (Note that when you open the trunk of a 997, you see an engine. When you open the trunk of a 991, you see a couple of fluid caps; the bumper needs removed to get to the engine.)
My car did come with centerlocks. I went through 3 phases with those: ignorant. Then upset that I had them and the difficulty they created. Then I learned what I needed, bought appropriate tools, and I am now neutral on them. I've taken the wheels on/off several times now, and it is really no big deal. Some people make a big deal about them. The biggest mis-information is that you must get any wheel related service done at a Porsche dealer, because nobody else can deal with centerlocks. It turns out the only issue is that most independent shops do not have the torque wrench, and do not know the procedure for removal/installation. Once the wheel is off the car, they can replace tires, balance the wheel, etc. So if you carry your torque wrench with you, you can always remove/install yourself if you get a flat and need a new tire installed.
I really cannot imagine a better car for me, and I'm even happier with it than I thought I would be.
* Excellent around-town car. When not in sport/sport-plus, the throttle is gentle, and the ride firm but not overly harsh. It is easy to get into and out of. It is not excessively loud; doesn't wake the neighbors.
* In the around town situation, it doesn't get a lot of attention. A lot of cars that would be similar performance will draw a crowd any time you park.
* Excellent on the road for highway driving.
* All wheel drive. I live in Colorado, and with winter tires, it will be fine to drive year round. (Snow clearance will be an issue for a few hours on each of a few days a year. But I can work from home when needed. )
* Excellent track performance. (I replaced the PCCB rotors with steel.)
* Reliable enough to drive every day.
* Much easier to work on than a 991 if you do any of your own maintenance. (Note that when you open the trunk of a 997, you see an engine. When you open the trunk of a 991, you see a couple of fluid caps; the bumper needs removed to get to the engine.)
My car did come with centerlocks. I went through 3 phases with those: ignorant. Then upset that I had them and the difficulty they created. Then I learned what I needed, bought appropriate tools, and I am now neutral on them. I've taken the wheels on/off several times now, and it is really no big deal. Some people make a big deal about them. The biggest mis-information is that you must get any wheel related service done at a Porsche dealer, because nobody else can deal with centerlocks. It turns out the only issue is that most independent shops do not have the torque wrench, and do not know the procedure for removal/installation. Once the wheel is off the car, they can replace tires, balance the wheel, etc. So if you carry your torque wrench with you, you can always remove/install yourself if you get a flat and need a new tire installed.
I really cannot imagine a better car for me, and I'm even happier with it than I thought I would be.
And do you prefer the centerlock to the 5 bolt or have just accepted it?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 4
If you want a 911 but need a bigger car, that's probably the only argument that makes sense for moving from a 997 to something newer. They don't feel or drive the same, but I prefer the feel and simplicity of older cars. I honestly dread the day when I have to buy anything g newer than my 09 Cayenne, which is my newest car if the 6, except for maybe a newer pickup which is more a utility tool. That one will probably be a Roush Raptor or Velociraptor when the time comes.
If you can swing a 991 Turbo S, that sounds like it would tick all your boxes as far as a single, reliable, slightly larger, sporty, fun, fast, really good all around car.
If you can swing a 991 Turbo S, that sounds like it would tick all your boxes as far as a single, reliable, slightly larger, sporty, fun, fast, really good all around car.
That said - should one put some Phil Wood grease on new lugbolts to ensure accurate torque settings?
And what's the sense in titanium lug bolts? On a bicycle I get it (sort of) but when a rear wheel and tire weighs 50-60lbs, the brake rotor, bearings and axles (all spinning parts) weigh IDK 30-40 lbs more - than what's the point of spending so much to save 1/2 of 1 percent weight?
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 28,529
Likes: 8,343
From: Clemson, SC
Better to replace them with steel for track use and keep them fur street driving, where they're awesome and last forever.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 85
Likes: 9
From: Biloxi, MS
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 21,607
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From: Seattle, Washington
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 46
From: Swedish expat in Latvia
I would go for a 997/991 GTS then. More power and nice chassis with the SPASM. Optimum mix of performance and practicality. Can seat 2-4 persons. Maybe a 991 due to interior size as you say. But a sports car will always be cramped and even more so if it has bucket seats which most of them in the 200000 price range has. But most GTS has sport seats and not bucket. A mix of a Carrera S and a GT3.
The targa GTS or the targa 4 GTS are absolute beauties.
The targa GTS or the targa 4 GTS are absolute beauties.
Last edited by Racetwin2; Sep 24, 2018 at 04:45 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 194
Likes: 8
From: Espoo, Finland
It seems to me that you should get a 991.1 Turbo. I think you might struggle with the GT as an only car. Jeremy Clarkson (a rude Englishman who used to frequent BBC TV) famously ran the GT but sold it after he struggled with the range: it couldn't make it from his home in the Cotswolds to the Top Gear circuit at Dunsfold in Surrey without filling up. A journey of maybe two hours and 100 miles... much of which is motorway.
I like the fact that when I got the 997, and I asked about the range, the racers all said "two hours".
I like the fact that when I got the 997, and I asked about the range, the racers all said "two hours".
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 178
Likes: 11
From: Dallas, TX
Or you could go retro and get a nice 930 with that budget. Nothing's guaranteed, but you likely wouldn't have to worry about any depreciation. The bonus is you wouldn't see 10 others on the Bush turnpike every day like you do with 991's. You'd need to get past the whole notion of needing an automatic transmission though.... 
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 303
Likes: 61
From: Silicon Valley
For $250k, buy an airplane!
I love mine!!! Wife loves it too. We travel on our own schedule at 200kts.
There's sort of a convergence on cars where having a nicer one just runs out of steam, unless it is a race car for track use.
I love mine!!! Wife loves it too. We travel on our own schedule at 200kts.
There's sort of a convergence on cars where having a nicer one just runs out of steam, unless it is a race car for track use.