Mike_A

Not really familiar with the later 997 variety . How easy is it to change the badges and create a GTS from the more common Carrera S model? What would I look for to determine authenticity other than a COA? Thanks in advance, Mike

Tkersting

Run the VIN in one of the free build-sheet sites.

C4SDayton

See above

Mike_A

I used FaxVIn....would the decode specifically identify “GTS” as the trim or options? I ask because the report only identifies it as a Carrera 4S. Do I understand correctly that the GTS was not a 4 wheel drive

ltcjmramos

It should id as a Carrera 4GTS. There are many (expensive) modifications that could make an S into a GTS, but any reasonable person wouldn't do it.

Kuhl997.2!

Pretty tough. The person would have to install wide body rear fenders in addition to changing out quite a few GTS specific options to even resemble a factory GTS. Cheers

Mike_A

Gotcha....thanks guys. Kinda thought that it was misrepresented after noting that the Carfax listed replacing the badges on the car

ThomasCarreraGTS

Use a tool like this to see how the car was built:

https://vinanalytics.com/


The GTS is a widebody RWD (44mm) and came with center lock wheels like the GT cars and Turbos. A few cars were ordered with the center lock delete to make track changes easier, but the wider body is not easily duplicated. It gets more complicated. Many cars had the alcantara delete as well. All GTS models also have the X51 package which boosts horsepower (noticeable mostly on track due to high RPM nature of valve setup) from 385 to 408 hp. The GTS also has a bespoke suspension (20 mm lower) which was universally lauded for its abilities. Unfortunately the Porsche sales department failed to remove the ability to order the “sport suspension” option that was intended for the S, so some cars have that setup. It has been well reported that the GTS factory specific suspension is best. Cosmetically the GTS has a sport design front fascia, GT2 RS side skirts and black trim, plus really nice brushed stainless steel door sill covers.

The 2011 GTS was the very first ever GTS 911 and was created largely by taking upmarket parts from the Porsche parts bin. As such, the car is not easily specifically identified as a GTS model through its VIN (insurance companies and even Porsche dealers frequently misclassify it as an S or 4S but the tool above will tell you how it was built.

Good luck!

Wayne Smith

To confuse things more there was a 4GTS all wheel drive so if someone rebadged a 4S into a 4GTS that car would have had a wide body.

sandwedge

Good points by all the previous replies. First thing I would look for is what kind of wheels are on the car. The 997 GTS came standard with centerlock wheels so regular 5 lug wheels on real GTS's were an option and not many buyers went that route so GTS's with 5 lug wheels are rare birds. Then the badges on the door sills and in the engine compartment. Some fool would spend a lot of wasted money on this kind of scam since when all is said and done, pulling the build sheet using the VIN # would tell the whole story.

sandwedge

Yes, but the more common regular RWD GTS is a wide body too so the only external differences between the two is the red reflector stripe or whatever they call it running between the tail lights. Just like on the C4S. So you're right. You could re badge a C4S into a 4 GTS and on a black car it would be a challenge to tell the difference just by looking at it. I say it would be harder on a black car since that area surrounding the exhaust pipes whatever it's called is painted black on all GTS cars as opposed to matching the the body color of the car on non GTS cars.

lurchphil

I used the vinanalytics.com website to look up my 2011 Carrera GTS. It worked like a charm. Here's the PDF link: https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link...1-f35f47be64d1

Kg11

If you are looking at the Carfax, the "trim" noted is not always accurate. That might be self-reported at one point or another by Porsche, a dealer, or some other database. don't read anything into it. As others have said, the VinAnalytics site will say "GTS" very clearly if it is indeed a GTS

Mike_A

the car is legit with the 5-lug wheels. It's a very low mileage example and looks exactly like that belonging to lurchphil. The story on the rebadging is that the script on the rear deck came adrift on washing the car and the indy dealer had the Porsche dealer reattach new pieces. Thank you all, hopeful that I can acquire this car....will probably need some advice/assistance with so much gadgetry on board

ThomasCarreraGTS

GTS with 5 lug wheels and alcantara delete.