997 - THE BEST Bargain of sports cars PERIOD!
11-09-2018, 05:39 PM
#16
Three Wheelin'
Yup, haha... The only thing that comes close is another ... Porsche 
I have the Boxster/Cayman too and in the handling, steering response, and precision they are way up there too. The 911 still holds the edge for me in the excitement department. The Cayman/Boxster do exactly as their told, where as the 911 still keeps you on your toes and you have to be a little more calculated in how you attach corners vs any other car on the market. But it can be tamed and the levels of excitement this car achieves blasting through canyons or on the track really sets it apart from other cars. Other sports cars are great in their own right too. There is no denying that. It's just the unique character of an *** end engined 911 that make driving it really exciting compared to other sports cars that may even handle better or be faster.
I have the Boxster/Cayman too and in the handling, steering response, and precision they are way up there too. The 911 still holds the edge for me in the excitement department. The Cayman/Boxster do exactly as their told, where as the 911 still keeps you on your toes and you have to be a little more calculated in how you attach corners vs any other car on the market. But it can be tamed and the levels of excitement this car achieves blasting through canyons or on the track really sets it apart from other cars. Other sports cars are great in their own right too. There is no denying that. It's just the unique character of an *** end engined 911 that make driving it really exciting compared to other sports cars that may even handle better or be faster.
Spot on. The bolded part I have said word for word a number of times about my 987.2 Cayman S. Its quick, and handles smartly, but it does exactly as commanded while the 911 will make sure you're paying attention. That rear engine nature makes the 911 a lot more fun and challenging. Folks like to say Cayman handles better. I say it handles "easier".
11-09-2018, 06:32 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
How could you possibly think you would match the fun of the 997 C4S?? Especially in Meteor grey??
Shame on you and glad you came to you senses!
Shame on you and glad you came to you senses!
11-09-2018, 09:53 PM
#18
Rennlist Member
I think anyone will be hard-pressed to find a comparable and fun car to the 997 for $35-45K. It is one of the best bang-for-your-buck sports cars out there. Now, this is where I am going to get crazy...when you take away the bang-for-buck factor, I STILL think the 997S (I don't have experience with the standard Carrera) is an awesome car compared to more expensive and newer cars. I recently drove the 991 Carrera T at the Porsche Experience Center in LA for 90 min. Did all sorts of things in it, including ***** out on their short circuit. Despite all of that and the fact the T is superior to the 997 performance-wise, I would still rather have my 997.
The 997S is just a more engaging and fun driving experience. I wouldn't kick a T out of bed if I found it there, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy one, even though I can afford to. One thing to note: the 997 is noticeably smaller than a 991. It feels closer to the 993/964 in size than the 991, which adds to the appeal for me. It is the right combination of size, agility, performance, looks, and value. I've driven the new Boxster GTS, 991.2 Carrera S, and 991.1 911 GTS as well. None have convinced me to leave my 997. To me, the 997 is THAT good.
The 997S is just a more engaging and fun driving experience. I wouldn't kick a T out of bed if I found it there, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy one, even though I can afford to. One thing to note: the 997 is noticeably smaller than a 991. It feels closer to the 993/964 in size than the 991, which adds to the appeal for me. It is the right combination of size, agility, performance, looks, and value. I've driven the new Boxster GTS, 991.2 Carrera S, and 991.1 911 GTS as well. None have convinced me to leave my 997. To me, the 997 is THAT good.
11-10-2018, 02:49 AM
#19
Nordschleife Master
I've slightly fallen out of love with my lowly 997.1 4S,
11-10-2018, 05:09 PM
#20
50k can get you a decent Lotus Evora S. Never driven one but from what I've heard they're on a completely different level in regards to handling and feel compared to a Carrera or Cayman. The fit and finish, however... I've heard some bad things but I suppose you have to prioritize what you want. Driving dynamics or relability/practicality. The 911 definitely has a great balance between the two imo.
11-11-2018, 01:38 PM
#21
Burning Brakes
Buy a $100 chip to eliminate the built-in electronic throttle lag. Turn on sport mode. If you have real race experience, turn off the PASM. Then take out your 997.1 and tell me it isn't more fun than a new GT3 with all the nanny-tronics.
11-12-2018, 03:18 PM
#22
I was about to say the same thing. M3 and Mustang GT500 yes, but others not really. As other have mentioned, for the price range, 981 Cayman S are within range, as well as early year Nissan GTR. Also, you can start picking up 2019 - 2012 Aston Martin Vantages for $50 - 60k now. 2014 - 2016 Jag F Type can be had for high 30s - 40s. Not to mention 2009 - 2012 Maserati Gran Turismos, you won't believe how cheap they are now. Last but not least you can find some AMG models which are also pretty cheap. Not saying any of these are worth giving up the 997 for, but there are quite a few fun choices out there.
11-12-2018, 04:58 PM
#23
Three Wheelin'
I was about to say the same thing. M3 and Mustang GT500 yes, but others not really. As other have mentioned, for the price range, 981 Cayman S are within range, as well as early year Nissan GTR. Also, you can start picking up 2019 - 2012 Aston Martin Vantages for $50 - 60k now. 2014 - 2016 Jag F Type can be had for high 30s - 40s. Not to mention 2009 - 2012 Maserati Gran Turismos, you won't believe how cheap they are now. Last but not least you can find some AMG models which are also pretty cheap. Not saying any of these are worth giving up the 997 for, but there are quite a few fun choices out there.
Gets back to the point about what makes a sports car a sports car. Not to say that modern 911 are bantam weight. They aren't. But a 3800lb car, no matter the performance is not what I'd consider a sports car. GT350 are 3800lbs, Vantage 2019.. 3700lbs, F Type R.. 3800lbs, BMW M3 CS.. 3700lbs, GTR.. 3800lbs, Maserati Granturismo.. 4200lbs (1,000lbs heavier than a base Carrera! https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...trumented-test). The porker of the 997 pack is the Turbo at 3,500lbs.
I pulled the weights from Car and Driver as they actually weigh the cars, vs just going with what the manufacturer says.
Its kinda crazy how the weights are ballooning these days. My GTS is plenty porky enough at 3,400lbs (though I've done a bit of weight reduction and will do more)
11-12-2018, 05:30 PM
#24
It's also how the mass determines what is a "sports car". I guarantee you for most folks out there they wouldn't know or care the slightest about the weight differences. F Type, Vantage and GTRs are definitely sports cars. GranTurismo is a GT but to the 95% of the population it's a sports car that handles and sounds great, looks exotic. If weight is the definition, what would Miata owners think of 911s?
11-12-2018, 06:07 PM
#25
Three Wheelin'
It's also how the mass determines what is a "sports car". I guarantee you for most folks out there they wouldn't know or care the slightest about the weight differences. F Type, Vantage and GTRs are definitely sports cars. GranTurismo is a GT but to the 95% of the population it's a sports car that handles and sounds great, looks exotic. If weight is the definition, what would Miata owners think of 911s?
I'm a previous Miata owner, and I'll own more. And I think 911 is tubby. Extra tubby. I'll strive to get lighter 911s in the future, and would be very interested in a sub 3,000lb 911. I know the GT3s get close. GT3 RS even closer.
The only thing that kept me out of a Lotus up to this point is that I don't want the hassle of stuff breaking on me (unreasonable things, I mean)
What makes a sports car is different to different enthusiasts. I don't consider anything as large and heavy as a GTR to be, but its ok not to agree.
11-13-2018, 02:52 AM
#27
Nordschleife Master
I'm a previous Miata owner, and I'll own more. And I think 911 is tubby. Extra tubby. I'll strive to get lighter 911s in the future, and would be very interested in a sub 3,000lb 911. I know the GT3s get close. GT3 RS even closer.
The only thing that kept me out of a Lotus up to this point is that I don't want the hassle of stuff breaking on me (unreasonable things, I mean)
What makes a sports car is different to different enthusiasts. I don't consider anything as large and heavy as a GTR to be, but its ok not to agree.
The only thing that kept me out of a Lotus up to this point is that I don't want the hassle of stuff breaking on me (unreasonable things, I mean)
What makes a sports car is different to different enthusiasts. I don't consider anything as large and heavy as a GTR to be, but its ok not to agree.
Same here. I've shed about 100 lbs on my current GTS. Close to 10 lbs each on the Forgeline wheels vs.stock. Close to 40 lbs. on the GT2 CF bucket seats vs. stock seats and 10 lbs on Sharkwerks x-pipes for ditching the center muffler. Not sure what's left that would yield much if anything. Back seats don't weigh much.
11-13-2018, 07:56 AM
#28
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Same here. I've shed about 100 lbs on my current GTS. Close to 10 lbs each on the Forgeline wheels vs.stock. Close to 40 lbs. on the GT2 CF bucket seats vs. stock seats and 10 lbs on Sharkwerks x-pipes for ditching the center muffler. Not sure what's left that would yield much if anything. Back seats don't weigh much.
11-13-2018, 07:20 PM
#29
I drove a 14 Boxster S PDK recently and I have to say it is prettier than my 997 S cab but its nowhere near as much fun listening or driving... The PDK was also awful IMO... what a waste of a driving experience. Turned a nice car into a fast Camry.
11-14-2018, 02:21 AM
#30
Nordschleife Master