kevinthickey

So, first world problem, but I'm on my 3rd 997 and think I am ready for a change. My first was a manual 997.1S with 14k miles. Beautiful, owned 2 years, but sold after 1st child. My second was a manual 997.2 base. Beautiful, owned 2 years but sold after 2nd child. I'm on to my third 997 and thought I would switch it up a bit so I got a 997.2 4S with PDK. Amazing car, but after owning for almost a year, I'm really missing a manual.

So why the 997? They are gorgeous, fun and don't really depreciate. I buy them outright and can only afford $50k-$60k which is why I've always stuck with the 997.

So I think it's time to get back into a manual as the PDK just doesn't do it for me. Given my price range, I feel my only options are:

- Another 997.2, manual
- 991, manual, as these have fallen into my price range
- 996 Turbo
- GT 350
- M3

I'm sure many of you have bounced between the cars listed above and have had the same dilemma so appreciate the insight and debate. Daily driver is a 2018 A4.

bgoetz

GT350 definitely peaks my interest, I have instructed a few at the track and they are really amazing cars. I doubt they depreciate much, but neither of the cars you list would. I had a similar choice and ended up with the 997. One I have an E90 328 M-sport daily so an M3 seemed duplicative. Two I got a great deal and couldn’t have touched a GT350 for what I paid and also having a track car my “fun car” funds are sorta split between the two . If I sold the track car and needed a car to do both I would consider a GT350 as it seems a bit less expensive to track/get reliable and if it had a warranty that would be a good piece of mind.

Astraelraen

I sort of cross shopped slightly used GT350s when I bought my 997 simply from a performance/interesting V8/warrantied sports car perspective.

GT350 have already lost 10k-20k off MSRP from depreciation the used market or about 20% +/ 5%. I don't know what they sell for when new (any discounts from msrp) It's a Mustang at the end of the day, it'll hit 50% depreciation in 3-5 years. You've still got another 20 grand to lose riding that curve down.

I think you hit the nail on the head with 997 in terms of cost/value/depreciation. The only substantial depreciation many 997 models will see is mileage related at this point.

I suspect the operating costs of a GT350 are less than a 997 though if you pay for maintenance.

Petza914

The gt350s don't have the same reliability as a 997. Talk to member Para82 who has a 997.1 C2S launch car and had a gt350 for a year or so. He sold it due to too much time in the shop.

Stick with the 997.

SFZ GT3

Good advice (as usual) from Petza914. Went back to a 997.2 from a 991.1 C2S PDK and am very pleased. As is said often, the 997.2 6MT is the sweet spot of "classic/modern" 911's with enough tradition, performance, and convenience to click most of the boxes.

If you don't need the rear seats, what about a C7 Grand Sport? Power, comfort, tons of mods available, and "it's a Chevy". Had one myself and sold it to get the 991, sometimes I wonder why! Have fun with your search, and my final vote goes to another 997 C2S, 6MT,

kevinthickey

I forgot to mention, I would also consider a 993, as some higher mileage/cabs have dropped into the price range. Tanks so much for your advice and responses so far!

php

Based on the car you listed....any form of 997.2 manual. Can't go wrong. I previously thought about a 991.2 manual, but decided it wasn't that much of an upgrade for the price.