srb1194

Greetings everyone,

So I have a dilemma with my 997. I bought a pristine 2007 997 to use as a pleasure car. The car is great but I've found that my wife doesn't enjoy riding in it and frankly for myself to just go out and drive to exercise the car it has become more of a chore. I've been to two HPDE sessions with the car and have found that is where I enjoy it the most. I just can't legally get that same enjoyment on public roads.

The problem I face is that I feel like I'm ruining the value of the car by taking it to such events. I feel like I'd be better off to sell it and get a better track car and something I can drive on the streets as I desire. I just never feel good punishing the brakes and tires of this car at those events. At my first event I was amazed at the power and handling of the car however having the Caymans blow my doors off takes some of the fun away. Has anyone else been in a similar predicament?

I welcome any comments.

Thanks

TheMurse

You're only ruining the value of the car if it's primary value to you is that of an asset or investment.

Tires and brakes are consumables, like fuel, meant to enable use of the car as it was intended.

Your 911 is a sportscar, go sport in it!

groovzilla

I hear ya. Although I have never tracked a Porsche and have no desire, the road conditions these days are crappy.
I rarely use my 997 and like you exercise it on occasion. Much prefer driving my Mercedes SUV - More comfort getting in & out and suspension better for crappy roads. I do look forward to driving my 997 on the occasional overnight with wife or out to dinner.
The only thing I'd be concerned about (if tracking is your thrill) would be trashing the transmission. Brakes/tires are easily replaced as well as suspension parts. But transmission not so.
As long as you don't shift hard and wild I assume you'll be ok keeping yours for some track events.

srb1194

Well I bought the car as an investment. I really don't want to ruin the value and I see many listings of cars that say never tracked and that bothers me. As for the transmission and engine I don't push too hard and generally haven't been past 6200. It is a sports car but since it's so nice I just have a hard time abusing it that much.

groovzilla

IMO a pristine 997 is not an investment. I think of it more as a way to store some money but when you consider cost of insurance/services/etc a break even is more of a reality when you go to sell.
Tracking a 997 abuses it especially considering the road rash on paint/etc. Track cars have some of the worst road rash I have seen. Also many have Over Revs in Range 5 & 6 from mis-shifts and that will devalue a 997 in a heartbeat.
I have no idea if you got a great deal, is it a much more preferred Manual Transmission? Does it have nice options like Full Leather/etc?? Is it super low mileage under 20K miles?
All those questions need answering before it can be givien a pristine money making value in todays falling economy.

srb1194

Current mileage is 27,500. It would be easier if you went to my photo album to see how the car is built if that isn't asking too much. The car has a full wrap as well as ceramic coating on all painted surfaces as well as calipers and wheels.

In my opinion it's super nice for an 07. Is it one of a kind, no. It is however a manual transmission.

Jack667

I do a lot of my own work and took my car to the track several times. It's loads of fun! I change tires and pads before and after events. It's a 1-hour drive to Road Atlanta and I go to/from track each day on a track weekend - no hotel. I use Pagid Yellow/black combo and decent track tires. It's a great car to drive on track and street. Sure - you could buy another car and to the same.
Here's a fun video with my '06C2S:

groovzilla

Took a look at your photo album. Not sure why but there is a "lag" when trying to click on the individual photos or to use the > key to look at next photo.
I got a good sense of the car. Nice Sport seats but looks like standard interior not full leather. Hard to tell if it has PSE exhaust/etc.

Full wrap?? What is the original paint color??
IMO due to the low 27K mileage and If you want to preserve it as a keeper to hold hold it's value, I would suggest the following:
- AAAA+++ for having Manual Transmission.
- Stop tracking it to preserve paint/suspension and other components. Also saves windshield from chips which I have seen on tracked cars
- Drive it on occasion, careful where you park and keep it garaged
- Replace the Turbo wheels with either Lobster Forks or Carrera ii wheels OR if u can;t live without the Turbo's buy a set of Lobsters or Carrera II's and keep them stored
- Be kind to it keeping it well serviced---> And for peace of mind, I would pay $250-$300 and go to Porsche Indy specialist and get a Bore Scope Inspection through the spark plug holes with 2 photos of each cylinder for peace of mind and future resale.

I love Silver/black - My favorite. I have owned 7 997's including my current 06 C4. (2 997S, 3 997C4S & 2 C4) - I bought and sold back when they were much easier to find in Manual transmission and also much less expensive.

Ericson38

Tech Tuesday: Tracking your car and the M96 engine (constantcontact.com)

Of everything I have read, consistent oil temperatures over 220 Deg and high G forces in turns causing a loss of oil pressure are the 1st things to guard against for the M96.05 (Base 3.6) and M97.01 engines (S 3.8). Wear on brakes, tires, and clutches come with all tracked cars.

I don't track ours. Its great just to drive in a sporty manner once in a while, and has been sitting in a garage bay for 8 years now with us, driven about 3000 miles a year with annual oil changes and all the other maintenance. Its a joy just to look at some days. We would miss it for sure.

groovzilla

Couldn't have been said any better.

Carrera2RS

Any track car is expensive and the heavier it is the harder it is on components. I personally might look at another car for pure track day fun. Not because the 997.1 isn't a great car, but you only have to look at the 997 GT3 to appreciate where Porsche considered upgrading for the purpose.

Its a fun car to do the occasional track day in for sure but if you get 'competitive' like most of us do and want to improve you will be pouring money not only on tyres and brakes but also into upgrades, then no doubt you will at some point experience the bore sore problem and run the risk of looking back realising for that purpose you chose the wrong starting point

I think the 997 is a great road trip car and capable of an enjoyable spirited drive, out of the box a base 997.1 isn't a track only car

pro1200

You had me scratching my head when you said the car was an "investment". IMHO, it is not-it is a toy to be enjoyed. I started losing interest in my '07 C2S after a couple of years and then I took it to a couple of DE events and it revived my interest. Yes, it suffered in the cosmetic department but I enjoyed it much more. I ended up trading it for a '12 Carrera GTS and now I enjoy DE events more.

srb1194

Wow, that is a great video and looks to be a lot more fun than CMP in Kershaw. I've considered investing in another set of rims just for the track but I just think my car is too nice for the track. I don't say that in a boastful manner but I just have a hard time abusing it. Thanks for sharing!

srb1194

Well another poster said it better than I did, it's a way to store money and not truly an investment. I really think I'd be better served to find a faster car that isn't in as good of condition as mine is.

srb1194

I agree with all you said. The thing is I don't really want to change the car from stock form. I think doing so will further diminish the value.