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Currently have a manual 997.2 C4S on 53000 miles. Too old to use in winter (see various threads on what happens to the undersides on winter driven cars) and so thinking about getting a manual 718 GTS 4.0 which I should be able to use all year round, at least for the next five years or so until salt begins to take its toll. Question is - particularly for those who have moved away from 997s - will I miss the 997 or will the 718 give me everything I enjoy about the 997, in an even more focussed package?
One thing that comes to mind is the gear ratios on the 718 GTS 4.0. I have not driven one myself but apparently 2nd gear is impossibly long-legged.
This can take away some of the enjoyment and driving experience, as you will not be going through gears as much.
In the end I guess it comes down to how you want to use your car. Definitely test drive the 718 with a MT.
If you want a 718 GTS because of the driving experience vs the 997, then go for it. If you want that car cause you’re afraid of driving your 997 in the winter months, I’d reconsider. I drive my cab in the winter months. I just rinse the salt off the underside after. It’s not like there’s any special car out there that totally resists the effects of salt. Take care to rinse after use and any car will be ok.
Currently have a manual 997.2 C4S on 53000 miles. Too old to use in winter (see various threads on what happens to the undersides on winter driven cars) and so thinking about getting a manual 718 GTS 4.0 which I should be able to use all year round, at least for the next five years or so until salt begins to take its toll. Question is - particularly for those who have moved away from 997s - will I miss the 997 or will the 718 give me everything I enjoy about the 997, in an event more focussed package?
What's the point of a C4S unless you're using it in inclimate conditions? The threads I've read regard salt seem to complain about bolts and heat shields rusting out. How much would it cost for an indy to replace some bolts and shields vs. the overall cost of a new GT4? Does the salt actually damage any hard components of a 997 any differently than any other car?
What's the point of a C4S unless you're using it in inclimate conditions? The threads I've read regard salt seem to complain about bolts and heat shields rusting out. How much would it cost for an indy to replace some bolts and shields vs. the overall cost of a new GT4? Does the salt actually damage any hard components of a 997 any differently than any other car?
well, this was after a few winters, despite it being cleaned regularly
It also comes into play upon resale. Living in New England, and despite me storing my sports cars in a climate controlled garage all winter, I've had a few potential buyers flat out pass over my cars over the years simply because they spent a few years in the Northeast. Didn't want to hear about my storage or detailing routine, they just said "no thanks" and moved on.
If you plan to own the car forever then to hell with a little surface rust that will have no real structural impact but, if you plan to sell ever, good luck explaining the above pic away as no big deal.
Having said that, there likely are some cleaning measures you can take to avoid serious rust.
Interesting, but is any of this structural, or is it just surface rust? I’ve never taken a close look of any my cars’ underbodies over the years, living in the Northeast. Is this condition any different than any other modern car that’s driven under the same winter conditions and, although it looks bad, is there any real cause for concern?
Originally Posted by 997.2.C4S
well, this was after a few winters, despite it being cleaned regularly
Based on the pictures, at this point there is no point to not just keep on driving it. Someone else pointed to resale, but that depreciation ship has already sailed. It's rusty under there, so resale takes a big hit anyway. My partner has a 991 that he put winter tires on and drives nearly every day. Gorgeous car, but plenty of salt. He washes it every week or so. These cars, unlike our Italian brethren, are meant to be driven whenever. That's literally one of the reasons the 997 came with 18" wheels standard - so that you could fit chains on them and drive through the mountain passes in winter. To me, subbing out one rusting car (and mostly nothing of structural consequence) for another car to get rusty doesn't make sense.
Further, one other consideration - do you like to grab the significant other and go for weekend drives? It's nice to toss the stuff in the back seat, and if you have a dog, that too, and go. Can't do that with a 781. The additional space of a 911 is much better than what you get on the 2 seaters, even though they have some trunk space in addition to a frunk.
Well, I’ve now spent many thousands on getting the underbody refurbed and dinitrolled everywhere! Still wouldn’t use it in winter... especially after that. New seam sealant, all cavities injected, everything protected... in theory!
Further, one other consideration - do you like to grab the significant other and go for weekend drives? It's nice to toss the stuff in the back seat, and if you have a dog, that too, and go. Can't do that with a 781. The additional space of a 911 is much better than what you get on the 2 seaters, even though they have some trunk space in addition to a frunk.
You know its funny, you would think that but after having driven a 718 for a couple of years and getting back into a 997.2, the 718 definitely holds more with the larger funk and rear trunk than the 997 does with the back seat. It will only front seat a dog tho! I can say from a size perspective they feel similar. You may have a little more room between the two seats in the cabin in the 718, but it's negligible. I drove mine in winters with snow tires and it was perfectly fine.
Personally, the big benefits to each would be:
718
Updated Interior
Updated Infotainment (BT, Apple Car Play, etc)
Mid engine, more "go kart" handling, more precise
997.2
More analog driving experience
Classic 911 looks
rear seats if you need them
Depreciation likely already at the floor
Two totally different driving experiences between the two. You really need to drive a 718 to determine if it checks enough boxes for you to make a switch. The 718 will drive as a more precise machine; however you lose some of that classic Porsche "soul". Personally, if it was me and the sole impetus for the change is having something to drive in the winter, I'd keep the C4S, grab a used Macan and call it a day.
02-19-2021, 05:17 AM
Sell 997.2 for a 718 GTS?
