Here's one worth looking at:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

 

Go to the LA or ATL experience center and do the GT3 run. Worth every penny and you’ll be convinced to buy one.

 

Personally, I went the other way, from 997 back to air-cooled. No regrets for my use case.

If you are concerned about speeding tickets or being tempted to drive stupid dangerous speeds on public roads, going from 997 to a Turbo or GT3 doesn't make a lot of sense. Top speed in 3rd gear in a 997 Turbo or GT3 is around 100mph, and can be hit about 8 seconds. I understand those for the track, but in real life road driving? Not for me. Plus the wing on the GT3 looks ... not my taste anyway. GT3 Touring on the other hand...fantastic.

 

I'll add my 2 cents. Just shared a comparison experience in another thread a couple of weeks ago.

I owned my 997.2 for almost 8 years now. Had the itch of "upgrading" to a newer car, looking at the 991.2 gen as I like the updated rear design. Went to test drive a very comparable car to my 997.2 (almost same blue color, non-S, manual), but the 991.2 also had sport chrono and sport exhaust that my 997.2 did not have. I was ready to be blown away but left somewhat disappointed. I liked the interior, mostly the newer tech, but that connection to the road and driving feel was no comparison to my 997.2. Steering was super light, clutch was so soft, and the manual stick shift very differently than my 997.2. It also has auto down shift (car will blip for you during downshifts...) which I don't like. I want to do that myself, not sure if I can disable it. Anyway, felt like a blvd cruiser, less sports car like. I didn't even feel it being any faster than my 997.2. Had my checkbook ready that day, but walked way without much hesitation.

I have now decided to increase my budget for the next car, and if I stay with Porsche it would probably have to be a 991.2 Turbo (for GT3 prices I'm open to consider other brands too). I haven't driven the 992 yet, but considering the 992 folks now calling 991 gen analog, I don't have a lot of hope for the newest gen. I'm sure they get faster and more capable, but I'm looking to buy a sports car for driving feel.

 

I understand the sickness. I am on my third 911, moving up the ladder every two years or so. I have also been to a number of DE's (with all three cars) so feel pretty comfortable pushing the car on the track.

I do believe I am experiencing diminishing returns as my lap times have come down and I am no longer a road block on track. I am torn between looking at a dedicated track car or climbing another rung on the ladder. While a GT3 (or GT4) would scratch that itch, it is a bit out of reach financially.... Maybe a 997 Turbo but is it worth a few seconds of lap time? I love my 997.2 C2S and don't have a desire for more performance on the street.

Either scenario is not cheap (track car, trailer and tow vehicle or Turbo). Might be a little more family harmony to just be content with what I have.

 

Just make sure you test drive. I thought I wanted a 997 Turbo until I drove one. It felt too heavy and quiet, I couldn't wait to get back into my agile 997S. That really surprised me. 997/991 GT3 probably a different result.

 

I'll jump in here just to say that while I appreciate the 991 from an objective perspective. The chassis is a huge leap forward, wider track etc - it is a faster, better car. That said, as others have said, before I bought my 997.2 I drove a couple and didn't enjoy myself as much...steering on the 991.1 is lacking somewhat when compared to a 997, though improved on 991.2. I do not plan to sell my 997. I have not driven a 992. To each his own.

 

I think you should give the 997.1 or .2 turbos a closer look. It has the back seats, has way more power than what you have now, and it is last year mezger/6pd. Plus I don’t think you will loose a dime on any one that you buy at the moment, I actually think that in a 6 spd it will be a far better investment than any 997 GT3. I really should listen to myself and make the leap because I don’t think those cars will be nearly as affordable in a couple years.

 

I could not agree with you more.

Back in 2016, I flew from Honolulu to Boston to inspect, test drive and PPI my 2011 6MT GTS Coupe. It turned out to be "the one" and I put down a deposit and flew home. Wired the funds, set up a PPF and window tint appointment and flew back with my wife a week later. (The seller was very cool; he had several full price offers after he agreed to a price and to hold the car for my inspection and PPI- but he kept his word.)

We drove it from Boston up through Maine, to Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Niagara Falls (Canadian side), Michigan (Mackinac Island), Upper Penninsula, Wisconsin, Minnesota, ND, MT, WY, UT, ID, OR and then the entire Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to Los Angeles. I keep it stored there, and drive it 4 or 5 times a year (about 1000 mi each time)- mainly in the Malibu Canyons, along the PCH, Angeles Crest Highway, Ca Hwy 33 above Ojai (Maricopa Highway) and also in the San Bernadino and Sierra Nevada Mountains.

I had looked for almost 2 years for my GTS- and then it literally fell into my lap by reading a PCA classified ad, in print, which lags the online ads by at least 2-3 weeks (in Hawaii, a month). So, definitely search nationwide, then act fast, place a deposit dependent on an inspection and PPI, and fly to inspect/PPI the car with funds at the ready.

The advice posted above is all valid. Test drive different the 911 models to define which one you want, then search for that version diligently. The differences between the 997 Carerra, Carerra S, GTS, turbo, GT3 and GT3RS are pretty dramatic, I have owned or driven them all. You owe it to yourself to do so. Throw in the sub-varieties of Cab, Targa, PDK, 6MT, RWD, 4WD...and options including exterior color, Sport Chrono, PSE, OEM wheel styles, 4 seat types, interior color/leather options, LSD, headlight options, PCCB...CPO or Fidelity warranties... and any desirable aftermarket mods...well, the choices become almost endless. But you have to find the car that matches what you want.

Good luck with your search. Having your own favorite 997 in the garage is a very cool thing. You get to mod it, maintain it, detail it, race it and drive it...and get the satisfaction that comes with owning something that provides performance, safety, timeless styling, transportation and truly impressive engineering.

 

lots of great advice here. I have plucked that wild hair to upgrade out of my butt so many times that I have lost count. The eye opener was when I was invited to a Porsche track day when the 991 was released, and to be honest, it did not knock my socks off, which I was really hoping it would. I could not justify or quantify any increase in driver enjoyment over my 997 that would merit spending so much extra cash. Newer and more refined, absolutely, but more fun to drive or more exciting blasting through a canyon road... hmmmmm, I don't think so. Was it worth trading in my 997 and forking over a bunch of additional money... not a chance.

One thing I have done is renting a Porsche for a day or two that I really want to get a feel for. You can try out Turo or call the airport rental car services. You would be surprised how many Porsches they have at the airport rental lots. Test drives are just not enough for me and I need to be in the car, by myself, and driving it like I like to drive. Take it on some curvy roads and blast down your favorite streets. Really give it a thorough test and put 100+ miles on one. A one day rental could be enough to pull that wild hair out for a while, or, really give you some clarity on whether or not it is worth the trade and extra cash to upgrade. Keep us posted! .

 

I drove mine for the first time in about a month (blistering heat of about 45!!!) I think this is kinda where I fall at this point. Newer is still intriguing however.

​​​​​​Tested a 991.2 Carrera S with all the sport options. I didn't get any instant attraction and didn't come away feeling like I needed to make a purchase. It was way faster than my 997, but felt non-engaging. I was disappointed to be honest.