My Search for a Very Particular 997
 

Hi Guys. I'm starting this thread to get some help with my search for a new toy. Given that it's a toy I've decided to hold out for pretty close to exactly what I'm looking for. I welcome all comments and advice. Thank you.

Below are the specs:
Price Range: <$60K
2005-2012
Trans: Manual
Body: Cabriolet
Model: Carrera S or 4S
Ext: Midnight Blue
Int: Tan, Beige, Saddle
Miles: < 80K
Features: Sport Crono Exhaust, Full leather (dash, door tops), Bose High End Sound, Heated Seats (neg.)

Having said that, anyone near Springfield MA and interested in having a look at this one for me?: https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

No affiliation and dark gray interior but might want to check this one out. https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

Great choices, but I'm biased :p

Spent a long time looking for a similar spec before I found mine: a Lapis blue on natural brown. Unfortunately not for sale ... ;)

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...d5f4228853.jpg

Thanks :) Looked at one just like that. Stunning...

Yes. Before 2009 the automatic (Called Tiptronic) was a torque converter and nowhere near as good as the dual clutch PDK.

And Sport Chrono is completely separate from the Porsche Sports Exhaust, so you can’t assume a car with Sport Chrono has PSE (unless it’s a GTS which came with both).

Thanks for the help. How do I tell when looking at pictures? Does Sport chrono = "Sport" button in center console?

You can add sport/sport plus to a 997.2. You just won't get the little top mounted clock.

any idea how much the option to add runs?

See Suncoast:
https://www.suncoastparts.com/category/997238per.html

Cool, thanks. I'll check that out.

Have enjoyed 2009 S cab, manual midnight blue, loaded with full beige leather for years. Will be departing the garage when new 991.2 GTS arrives in a few months. PM if want more info.

Partially correct. All GTS's came standard with PSE but not with sport chrono. Not a big deal with a manual which the OP is looking for but PDK without SC is depressing imo. And to the OP, yes, I would avoid the TIP transmission in 997's through 2008. The PDK introduced with the -09 cars is a whole different animal as long as it's paired with sport chrono as already mentioned.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...rt-chrono.html

Since you say you want a manual, get a manual. Avoid the Tip completely in the 2005-2008 cars - it's not the right transmission for a 997, especially one that's going to be a toy, unless you can't drive a stick for some reason (medical, heavy commute traffic, wife or girlfriend wants to be able to drive it and can't drive stick, etc).

The PDK is a much better 2-pedal transmission and was available in the 2009 to 2012 cars.

Add Full leather to your must have list as it means the dash and door tops are leather instead of plastic and make the cabin much better and high quality feeling. I wouldn't own a Porsche without the full leather option - have it in both my 997s and the Cayenne, and had the dash, console, visors, A-pillars glovebox, and pod all redone in leather in my 928.

In my 997 I have CF dash vents so it's all leather and CF in there.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...9aee054fe8.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...4407c3ca2a.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...2a186061f0.jpg


If you can find one with PCCB (ceramic) brakes, you'll be even happier.

Good luck on the hunt.

Thanks for the good discussion on automatic vs. manual. I've decided to remove automatics from consideration. I'll update the thread request accordingly. Thanks for the suggestion on the leather too Petza914!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...b74c775dc0.jpg

I have this exact car. Its a beautiful color that looks very different in different light.

Sooooooo jealous ! What's your price? :corn:

Sorry, not for sale. I've had it for about 5 years, and drive it about 5K miles/year.

Man, sucks for me! Absolutely stunning car though. Thanks for sharing it!

Thanks. Nice cars are out there, just be patient and jump quickly when yiou find the right car. I bought mine on the other side of the country and had it shipped back to me.

I have a very different opinion on the full leather. I had it in my 996. I don't know if I would want it in another car. It looks great but also has the potential to shrink and look like crap. I had to pull the dash and have it recovered. This was a pain and it really didn't look as good because most upholterers can't duplicate the factory processes.

appreciate the perspective on full leather

The search is over!
 

After a long search and lots of help from fellow rennlisters I have completed my purchase of a 2009 Cabriolet S. 6-speed with ~31,000 miles on it. As you can see from the pictures below it's midnight blue with brown/saddle interior.

A HUGE thank you to @boxtaboy and @rwsteelers for their advice during my search. :thumbup:

I've had a ton of fun with it already and fully enjoyed my first nice Saturday since completing the purchase in late April.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...58e48615fe.jpg


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...4cf296f653.jpg


I gave my wife an early mother's day present by washing her Audi after I too care of my 911. A man has to have his priorities straight :D
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...d014edbe05.jpg

Congrats! Stunning combination!

Thanks! Loving it so far!

Very nice. Looks like it's nicely optioned.

Congrats! Beautiful combo. How did you ultimately find "the one?"

I was very patient and got really lucky. I decided that since this was a toy I wasn't going to settle for something I wasn't thrilled with. So I passed on many over the last 2 years or so. I wasn't looking non-stop during that period rather on and off in bursts. Ultimately the luck came that a fellow rennlister saw my thread here and happened to be upgrading so it was perfect timing. Better to be lucky than good right? :)

Thanks! It has a ton of options!

Congratulations! Absolutely Gorgeous color combo. Enjoy in good health and lot's of sunny days ahead! :cheers:

Thanks! Finally got it out for a great day today, which was awesome! Really looking forward to the summer! :cheers:

Looks great! Nothing like a sunny weekend, top down, driving the twisty roads in a 911 :) Enjoy it

Looks awesome, and the best color choice if I do say so myself. ;) Enjoy it in good health!

https://i.postimg.cc/NFJPPv9M/A12-EF...-D35-A3915.jpg

Congrats! Gorgeous.

I have an 06 4S coupe Tiptronic - same color, same options minus Sports Chrono and exhaust.
That color is a delight and I love how deep the blue changes to at night under fluorescent lights.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...4bd949f23.jpeg
Native habitat
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...4f2dac1e7.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...a5acf8054.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...ea42a8e41.jpeg


BTW folks, please don't knock the Tiptronic! It is by a long winding country mile far better than any transmission I have ever driven (yes I have not driven a PDK). It has so many modes that it seamlessly flows between and it quickly gets your drift when you want to give it the beans. On track it is at home instantly and if a higher gear is needed at entry or apex to exit, just a flick of the thumb gets you perfectly set. It is in no way shy about holding full and complete throttle through max redline switching rapidly to the next gear.
It can be easily told to stick at a higher throttle in a given gear just by a light feather of the digital acceleration pedal.
It certainly isn't perfect as there are a few lags in awareness outside of manual mode, but knowing those weak instances the driver can do subtle things to wake it up prior the critical need moment.
Overall, it is the finest manifestation and marriage of Porches engineering excellence mated to the demanding lofty high performance bar the 911 4S commands.
It's a 12k option, and in my estimation and daily driver role, worth every penny.

When I bought mine the dealer had a blue 2009 with grey interior very similar to the one I bought. It was a tough choice but the one I bought had a couple more options and less miles. That blue is very nice.

Beautiful Car Brads16. I'm a big fan of the Natural Brown leather.

Pete's right about everything - leather door spears are also a nice

Had that exact car in a 2001 996....Awesome color combo! Good Luck!

Tom

Thanks Tom! Really happy with it!