Personally, I prefer the looks of the 997.1, front and rear.

that said, does the 997.1 do anything better than the 997.2? Comparing similar trim/specs

 

Sound. Price of entry. That's all I got.

 

Looks
Sound
Availability of manual



explode - just kidding

 

1. Yep, better exhaust note,
2. in 05, no TPMS system to have to deal with (optional in 06)
3. Lower cost of entry
4. More MTs available
5. Less need to replace the injectors as a preventative maintenance item.

That's it.

 

Easier to add third radiator.

 

Less HPFP failures, 0% to be exact.

I personally like the 997.1 and have had two of them. The 997.2 commands a much higher price and most are PDK, so I just didn't see the value in them. Both are great cars and you can't go wrong with either one.

 

Blow up.

 

their interior plastics wear much faster
probably break at a faster pace
have cheaper to maintain tail lights ($150 a pair vs $900)

 

First off, I'm completely biased as a 997.1 owner, BUT...

1) Styling. IMO the 997.1 design is classic and pure 911, while the 997.2 looks like a "tweener" stuck between modern and classic design (especially in the tail lights—the front is kind of okay).
2) Character. My 997.1 grumbles, grunts, purrs, and roars in a very satisfying way. 997.2's are a bit too refined in this regard.
3) Restomod vibes. Add up 1 + 2 and you get 3. Overall, I feel the 997.1 had a lot of the character and looks of classic 911's, but with a modern ownership experience, power, and safety aids.

And it's also cheaper as everyone said, a fact that wasn't lost on me when shopping for a 911. I actually preferred the style and classic vibe the 997.1 offers, so I bough an '08, the newest and best example I could find. Truth be told, I didn't really want a 997.2 and didn't seek them out.

 

They are both awesome...I never loved the .2 tails...

 

agreed on the styling. the overall shape is there but what they did with the front (fog?) lights, bumper (making it all swoopy), and rear tailights seems like an afterthought, refreshed interior is nice though.

 

oversteer

 

Guess I have to pay closer attention and take a closer look. The only way I can tell a .1 tail from a .2 tail is the the little corner cut off on the tail lights. Whole different story comparing either 997 to the tail of a 991 though. Surprised to see the number of "styling" responses on this thread. Aren't the bodies of the .1 and the .2 basically identical with some subtle tweaks on each end?

 

The 997.1 GT3RS is the most sexy GT3 made to date IMO. ...so styling.

I was at a tint shop having my tint removed when a 997.2 GTS came in. We chatted a little. He had H&R springs and a center delete. He heard his car start up and walked over. It was my 997.1 C2S with only Fister cans. I just figured it was his car too. Now with a filter, IPD intake tube/plenum/GT3 TB and then X51 headers to the Fisters, it sounds super good to me, so I agree about the sounds.

Besides my styling quips and that making a .1 sound better being easier, I do think the bump in HP and other features is attractive in the .2.

 

Sound
Front and rear bumper styling
Rear Tail Lights
Value