Hi Everyone,
Since I moved down to Miami from Boston, I've been looking for weekend car that has more power and feels a bit more special to drive than my lightly modified DD ('06 C2 MT - 37,100 miles). As a daily driver, I couldn't be happier, but as a weekend car that I may want to take to a track in the near future, it just doesn't cut it and putting more money into modifications for minimal-moderate gains + less practicality is not what I am looking to do. After driving many 991 variants, I still prefer the overall feel of the 997 so I am set on buying another one. My budget is $80,000, but I'd be willing to go up to $85,000 for the right car. The car must be a manual and mileage must be less than 40,000 miles. If you were in my situation, which 997 variant would you choose and why? Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Andrew

 

Turbo! Why not? It's the fastest. Anything else just seems to similar to what you have. Or an older GT3 ?

 

You are likely to get many opinions, not as many as wine recommendations but enough just the same.
I own a 997.1 that is modified and a blast to drive on track in Black and Red groups. But given the chance to do it over again I would have bought a 997.1 GT3 a few years ago before the dramatic inc in price. There are still good examples out there near your price range.
Pros:
No real need to modify it, but you won't be able to help it.
Mezger engine with a true dry sump. So no g-force induced oiling or pressure issues and no potential IMS issue. I know, I only said potential, don't blast me. I'm taking the risk with it myself.
Still compliant on the street IMO.
It IS more special. Looks, sounds and drives like a more special car. If you like what differentiates the 997 from the 991 then I imagine you will enjoy it.
It will retain it's value more than any other 997 model I can think of.

Cons:
Consumables are more than a 997.1 S but it will be more special.
Others here can chime in on needs like pinning or welding the coolant lines
That's it, all I can think of.

Good luck. The search and purchase are exciting as hell.

 

A 997.2 GTS is the obvious choice (in my completely unbiased opinion, lol), but they are difficult to find in MT. There is a night and day difference between my GTS MT and my buddy's 997.1 base C2 MT that I have driven several times. The GTS is a great track car, but civilized enough to drive around town or on road trips.

 

Since you have a good and practical DD, maybe try something reaaly different. A GTS or GT3 sound good, and the GT3 has the stock looks down, but if I were in Miami and wanted to do some track days and look good on the weekends, I'd consider a boxster spyder in something other than generic black, silver or red. Yellow sounds good. Tracking an open air car will add 100hp to your butt dyno.

 

 

Based on your description of what you like and what you want more of, definitely the GT3. A GTS is not different enough. A turbo is a rocket but doesn't handle or drive all that similar to your current 997 (prevalence toward understeer, not quite the same steering feel, etc). It feels planted and rock solid, but not as playful. The GT3 takes what you have, ups it and sharpens it.

The simple answer is to drive both and see which your prefer.

 

997.1 GT32006-20093,600415 PS (305 kW; 409 bhp)405 N⋅m (299 lbf⋅ft)1,394 kg (3,073 lb)2,378[40]4.3s (manual)310 km/h (193 mph)997.1 GT3 RS2006-20093,600415 PS (305 kW; 409 bhp)405 N⋅m (299 lbf⋅ft)1,375 kg (3,031 lb)1,1064.2s (manual)310 km/h (193 mph)997.2 GT32009-20113,797435 PS (320 kW; 429 bhp)430 N⋅m (317 lbf⋅ft)1,394 kg (3,073 lb)2,256[41]4.1s (manual)312 km/h (194 mph)997.2 GT3 RS2009-20113,797450 PS (331 kW; 444 bhp)430 N⋅m (317 lbf⋅ft)1,370 kg (3,020 lb)1,6004.0s (manual)310 km/h (193 mph)997.2 GT3 RS 4.020113,996500 PS (368 kW; 493 bhp)460 N⋅m (339 lbf⋅ft)1,360 kg (2,998 lb)6003.9s (manual)310 km/h (193 mph)991.1 GT32013-20163,799475 PS (349 kW; 469 bhp)440 N⋅m (325 lbf⋅ft)1,430 kg (3,153 lb)5,5003.5s (PDK)315 km/h (196 mph)991.1 GT3 RS2016-20173,996500 PS (368 kW; 493 bhp)460 N⋅m (339 lbf⋅ft)1,420 kg (3,131 lb)6,5003.3s (PDK)310 km/h (193 mph)991.2 GT32017-3,996500 PS (368 kW; 493 bhp)460 N⋅m (339 lbf⋅ft)1,430 kg (3,153 lb) (PDK),
1,413 kg (3,115 lb) (manual)In production3.4s (PDK),
3.9s (manual)318 km/h (198 mph) (PDK)
320 km/h (199 mph) (manual)991.2 GT3 RS2018-3,996520 PS (382 kW; 513 bhp)470 N⋅m (347 lbf⋅ft)1,430 kg (3,153 lb)In production3.2s (PDK)312 km/h (194 mph)
I

 

Wow, that's not how the chart looked before I pasted it. It is from Wikipedia, so easy to find. I would want an RS if I could find one and afford it. Looks like that made WAY more GT#'s in the 991 series tan id 997. They only made 600 2011 977.2 GT3 RS 4.0's and sent only 141 to US. They made 6500 991.1's!

 

Maybe consider targa 4S. Plenty left for tires and extra track time. Lower running costs. Unique looks. More storage for a weekend getaway.

 

Thank you all for the input, I really appreciate it. While having a convertible is great in Miami, I can't justify spending $80,000+ on a Boxster Spyder. Great car, but I am leaning towards a nicely optioned 997.1 GT3 (~24,000 miles) that a client of mine is willing to sell within my budget or a manual 997.1 turbo with similar mileage. I've driven the 997.2 GTS with a MT which was a great car, but I want something with a bit more edge - even at the expense of practicality (as this will be a second car). As of right now, I'm leaning towards the GT3 partly because I love high revving, NA motors and also because it is a track car that was built for the road which is a huge plus being that this is a second car. However, I do want to drive a 997.1 turbo with a proper 6-speed so that I don't find myself experiencing buyers remorse. Both are amazing cars, but until I drive a turbo with a MT, I remain on the fence. As for the Targa 4S - beautiful car, but not really what I'm going for. If only there was a 997 Targa GTS....Now that would be a game changer. One day I hope to have an RS 4.0 or 991.2 GT3 RS sitting in the garage amongst my other cars, but at 22 years old I am very content with what I have and am able to comfortably afford.

 

 

Can't tell if this is sarcasm or not. If not, here's a bit on my background: I come from a middle class family and ended up going to Boston University (~$65k/year). While pursuing a double concentration + minor, I started my business which allowed me to pay my parents back for the first two years of school and put me in the position to pay for the last two years of school (including apartment rent, living expenses, etc.). Cars have been my passion for as long as I could remember (also the foundation of my business), and my dad had a 930 turbo that he drove for 20 years before selling it which sparked my Porsche obsession. I have worked very hard to be at the point that I am at and if I'm able to enjoy the fruits of my labor in the form of my passion, then why not? I've certainly earned everything that I own/will own in the near future and I am fortunate enough to enjoy the things that I love at a young age. As a final note, my company donated over $40,000 to numerous charitable organizations last year and we are projecting to donate more this year. I appreciate your advice though, thank you.

 

GT3. No brainer.

 

a standard 997 or turbo will not feel any more special than your base model 997. In fact, in my opinion, no new cars, porsche GT cars included, feel very special. My 993TT feels special, as does say a 355 ferrari. I would definitely go to an older model if you want something special.