FC25FB

* NOTE: Title should say 997.1
While I've collected cars for the better part of 30-years, somehow I never owned a Porsche.
When the time came during COVID to acknowledge that this merry-go-round ends sometime, I decided to get a 911 because I'd heard so much about them. After reading the forums, shopping on BAT, talking to "experts" and visiting the dealerships, I eventually bought one on the exact other side of the country because I trusted the person I was talking to and family could check-out the Indy shop to see if it looked legit. I was concerned because every input I had received was that these cars were delicate, would blow-up if the IMS wasn't replaced, that they needed specialized everything and you would destroy the resale value and the engine if you missed a shift and the computer recorded points against you. Then again, my experience was 1929, 1952, 1957, 1964, 1967 and 1972 American military, muscle and police cars. But a Porsche; that was for the coffee club guys or the racers who blew down 135 doing 120+

So I was wrong - completely wrong.
The cars are about driving and they excel in what they do.
These cars rev higher - much higher than what I was used to. My 1952 pickup might not recover after I reved it's old transmission because I forgot for a moment; but ...
The 911 isn't delicate.
I took it out in the snowstorm to run an errand and the C4S rear end never broke free on the ice and it took everything the other old cars did. But better.

A month into ownership the battery was shot. It was a batteries plus unit with some age to it so no surprise.
Called the Porsche dealership and was quoted $980 for the battery and reprogramming the computer. Seems the car has to know how old the battery is because over time, the 911 changes the charging and desulfurization program to compensate for an older battery. As to checking out why the cupholder wouldn't work, that would be an hour plus parts.

So, I made a 2nd call to my local body shop who does all my old car work and he installed a genuine 999.61.07.21 battery for $248 plus $100 for some code clearing things. Cupholder removed, cleaned and reinserted was $50.
I hope the 911 doesn't find out that Porsche didn't service it and leave me stranded on the road somewhere in revenge. Wondering if Porsche and John Deere software engineers are collaborating or what. So far, it drives just fine.

Long story short, my message to the next guy like me who stumbles across this thread is to not sweat it.
If you read B.A.T. comments, you'll never buy one of these. Read them for sure but keep that in the back of your mind, ask around for the local Porsche shop and don't get stuck in the paralysis by analysis loop.
The car is magical in how it handles, turns, drives and simply exists. It can't be explained - you just have to drive it.

Oh - and if your convertible is left outside for over an hour, don't be surprised if when you come back, the top has closed itself and the doors have locked.
Not sure if this is a factory feature or a gremlin looking out for me but that's what mine did today. I see no reference in the manual to a self locking protocol but who knows.
The first time I thought I had imagined it. This time I'm sure it closed itself.
YMMV

ilovemaui

The title to your thread indicates you purchased a 991. This is the 997 section, so may want to ask a moderator to move this to the 991 section. Congrats on your purchase. Drive it and enjoy.

My 997.2 cab never closes itself, must be a 991 thing.

FC25FB

Thank You for pointing out the title error. I will try to fix that. It is a 2007 C4S which would make it a 997.1 which I think just got entered when I typed it as a 991.
Not sure what to say about the top closing - I thought it odd too.

linderpat

Great post - welcome to the club! These are indeed awesome cars. Also, I have good freinds who are attached to Porsche dealerships, but after warranty expires, an indy and DIY is the only way to go. By the way, my battery died and I had to get a new one. I bought it at Costco, and installed it myself. The programming took care of itself. Nothing other than a sub $200 charge. Mine is an 05. Maybe things changed after that?

David Berry

You discovered what we all discovered upon this journey!
It is a super car, enjoy driving it.

roadie13

Congrats, and welcome to the club/obsession!

As for the battery, the 997 did not feature adaptive battery charging, so there is no need or possibility to register a new battery with the DME.
Disconnecting a battery does through out some memorized pieces of data used for the electric windows and a bunch of wheel sensors. That's why you might get some errors when you restart the car. The errors clear themselves after a bit of driving but you need to reset the windows as indicated in the user manual.

To me, the most annoying thing about disconnecting the battery is that the car forgets the garage opening codes...

sandwedge

Congrats on making the leap to something unknown. I think many 911 owners share your view. Like you said, there's just something special about the 911 that you have to experience rather than just reading about it. Either you get hooked or you don't. I think most of those who don't get hooked are more into a plush ride and maybe not into sports cars period and just can't appreciate the characteristics that make the 911 so special.

As for the battery, that's one of very few negatives I can think of with the 997. They die without warning. Every other car I ever owned except for the three 997's started to crank a bit tired when the battery was about to croak. Not so with the 997. I've had two batteries go bad with no warning at all. Cranked strong and normal and then the next crank that sickening clicking sound.

Petza914

Mine don't. Weird.

Petza914

Congrats and welcome. In a combined 17 years of ownership of 2 997s, neither has ever seen a Porsche dealer.

JoeShark

Welcome and congrats from a fellow 997 Cab owner. Looking forward to some pics.

As for the battery, I bought a replacement from local battery shop (I think around $250) and changed it out myself. No issues.

Pbrad

Congratulation to fellow 'vert owner! Enjoy.

I wonder if you have a "smart top" installed.
http://www.mods4cars.com/sms/shop/in...de=view&id=120
(if not, you should) (easy DIY)

A quick way to check is if you have a one touch feature on your roof opening/closing switch in the center console. The Factory default is you have to hold the switch the whole time the roof is going down or up.
Also it will chirp when you lock or unlock the doors (if feature is activated)

If you have smart top installed, locking the car and holding the lock button will close the top for you. (there are also other programs you can set up for individual preferences)

Don't forget the Sunscreen!

Brad

Ohio Performance

I laughed!

sandwedge

Mine doesn't either. Nor did the previous two 997's. So yes....weird.