frayed

Well, just got back from my test drive. Took the 997S out for a 1 hr test drive (I timed it by accident with the chrono, and didn't really mean to be out that long actually, hope they weren't too irritated at the dealer).

The short story:

WOW.

I'm in love. Really. The chrono/sport option makes this car. It is absolutely nailed to the pavement in the twisties, and when it starts to drift, the car is really, really easy to modulate. Once it takes a set, it feels very balanced, sort of like my E36 M3. The weird diagonal porpoising that most 911s have is entirely absent in the car, and brake dive and squat are all but eliminated. I am a believer in PASM, and my hope is that it can adequately handle sticky R comps on the track.

I'm keenly interested in cars that can be track driven with minimal preparation. Other than the Lotus Elise, which I drove for an hour yesterday, I have never driven a more competent sports car. (note, the Elise is not the full package though, lacking in many obvious areas) I think that the 997S represents a marriage b/t the Elise and my 996.

I have some minor quibbles, but nothing major. I love the way the PCCB's feel, but am very wary of them for track use.

Well, I'm pretty sure I'll pull my deposit on the Elise and start the negotiation process with my wife (she thinks I have a few screws loose, having just bought my C4S). Fingers crossed.

NTI 911E

Glad to hear what a fellow M3 owner (or past owner?) has to say about the car. I have yet to drive one.

frayed

nick, still have the M3. Going to have to sell it though to make the 997 happen.

NTI 911E

A sacrifice for a noble cause

How did the 997 compare to your C4S? Did you drive a non-S for comparison as well?

mb996

Jeff -

I haven't had a chance to stop by Beasley. That is great they let you take it out for so long (by yourself?). I would like to compare the S to my 996 w/X74. The X74 is so good I have a hard time believing something could be much better.

jcnesq

I was waiting for Gert to get X74 in to put on my 04 Targa (which I traded for the 997S), but I haven't driven X74. I doubt the 997S matches X74 performance based on a bunch of research I did. However, I can tell you that 997S is way, WAY better than a stock 996. While I felt compelled to change the stock 996 setup, and I am perfectly happy with 997S the way it is.

Without making a long review, my one word summary of the 997S matches frayed's: WOW!

frayed

mb,

They let me take it out by myself. I don't know how well it was sanctioned w/i the dealership, but I can say that it's the second car I took out by myself. I didn't mean to take it out for a full hour +, but I came up against an Austin cop on 2222, and before he turned around, I ducked down Mt. Bonnell, and took the long way home, adding about 15 minutes to my journey back to the dealership.

I hope they were not irritated. I can't remember the head sales guy's name, but he didn't look to pleased. I actually think it was out of indifference/arrogance rather than irritation, though.

I have a fair bit of track time, and let me tell you, it is truly a badass car. My thinking is that a lot of drivers will not appreciate the brilliance of the chassis from the vantage of boulevard cruising, but when you push the car, the reflexes of the car show through. It begs to be driven with your heart on your sleeve; has the uncanny balance of a bmw and the communication of a porsche. Phenomenal stuff IMHO.

Nick,

I did not drive a 997 non-s car, as I don't think they had any. In non-sport mode w/ the 997S, the car was very nice. Notably, it was quieter and more refined. But, I'd never buy the 997S if it wasn't for the way it felt in sport mode under hard driving. The full on sport mode makes the car: throttle response, extended limits of PSM, suspension.

While the sport mode is not a substitute for a well tuned, more track oriented suspension, from my limited time with the car made me feel like that I wouldn't have to tinker around endlessly with suspension setups like I did with my M3, w/o having to deal with endless teething problems and NVH issues. Check out the 'ring laptimes:

7:06 --- BMW M3 GTR, 24hrs, test session, Jörg Müller (2003)
7:19 --- Radical SR3 Turbo (2003),
7:20* -- Opel Astra DTM V8 Coupe, set-up for 24hrs race (sport auto 2003) *estimated
7:25 --- Alzen Motorsport Porsche 996 Turbo, 24hrs race, Uwe Alzen
7:28 --- Porsche Carrera GT, Walther Röhrl, Autobild July 2004
7:32.5 - Gemballa Porsche GTR 600 EVO, Wolfgang Kaufmann (2001)
7:36 --- Porsche Carrera GT, factory test driver Walther Röhrl (2002)
7:40 --- Mercedes McLaren SLR, Klaus Ludwig, Autobild July 2004
7:42 --- Radical 1500 SR3 (2002)
7:43 --- TechArt GT Street (2001)
7:43.5 - Lamborghini Murcielago (Autocar magazine, 2002)
7:44 --- Pagani Zonda C12S (2003)
7:45 --- Gemballa Porsche GTR 600 (2000)
7:46 --- Porsche 996 GT2
7:46 --- SHK Porsche 993 GT2, 652 PS (1999)
7:47 --- Porsche 996 GT3 RS, 381PS (996) (2004)
7:49 --- Porsche 996 GT3 Cup
7:50 --- BMW E46 M3 CSL (2003)
7:50 --- Blitz Supra, 750 PS, Herbert Schürg (1997)
7:50 --- Honda RC30, Helmut Daehne (1993)
7:50 --- Lamborghini Murcielago (2002)
7:52 --- Gemballa Porsche 911 Le Mans (1995)
7:52 --- Lamborghini Gallardo (2003)
7:52 --- Mercedes SLR McLaren (2004)
7:54 --- Porsche GT3 (996) (2003)
7:55 --- Caterham R500 Superlight (2002)
7:56 --- Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale (2004)
7:56 --- Porsche 996 Turbo
7:59 --- Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (Performance Chassis) (Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:02 --- Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (Sport PASM setting) (Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:03 --- Porsche 996 GT3 (1999)
8:04 --- Lamborghini Diablo GT
8:05 --- Ferrari 575M Maranello
8:05 --- Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (Normal PASM setting)(Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:06 --- Mercedes Benz SL55 AMG
8:06 --- Caterham 7 Superlight R, Robert Nearn
8:07 --- Ferrari 550 Maranello
8:09 --- Honda NSX-R
8:09 --- Ferrari 360 Modena
8:09 --- Lamborghini Diablo SV (no ABS?)
8:10 --- Chrysler Viper GTS, 411PS, UK-Spec, no ABS
8:10 --- Donkervoort D8 180R
8:12 --- Mercedes Benz SL55 AMG
8:12 --- Porsche 993 Turbo
8:13 --- Lotus Esprit Sport 350, 354 PS
8:15 --- Ruf 911 CTR 2, 520 PS
8:15 --- Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (997) (Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:16 --- AC-Schnitzer E36 M3 CLS II, 350 PS
8:17 --- Aston Martin Vanquish
8:17 --- Porsche 996 C2
8:18 --- BMW Z8, 400 PS (2002)
8:18 --- Chevrolet Corvette Z05 Commemorative Edition, 344 PS (2003)
8:18 --- Ferrari F355
8:20 --- Audi RS6
8:22 --- BMW E46 M3
8:22 --- BMW M Coupe, 321 PS
8:23 --- Aston Martin DB7 GT
8:23 --- Porsche 996 Carrera 4
8:25 --- Audi RS4 375 HP

-------------------


The 997S is truly a badass platform IMHO. I kept *wanting* to push the car b/c it felt so good.

Cayenne Austin

Jeff-

Did you drive the launch car? Figured it was gone already, or I would have gone for a drive for myself ;-) Love the 2222 to Mnt. Bonnell route- my "standard" test route for a car, if I can get it that for long.

How did you like the adaptive sport seats?

frayed

Gary,

I liked the adaptive sport seats over my sport seats in my 996. I think not so much due to the adjustabilty, but simply b/c they are great seats.

I'd likely opt for the sport seats rather than the adaptive sport seats.

frayed

Update (for the one or two interested):

Went back to drive the S again yesterday afternoon. It was sold on Sunday two hours after I drove it. Shucks.

I'm awaiting a call from the dealer to see how badly I'll get raped my my trade in. If I can stomach it, I'll order the S this week.

My wife seems OK with it, provided that I sell my E36 M3 as well.

I pulled the deposit on the Elise. Given the handling of the 997S and its power, I choose it over the C4S/Elise combination.

raidentech.com

Hi Frayed. If you don't like the dealer trade in price, I can do a deal with you for the C4S.

Thanks.

frayed

No problem. I'll let you know how it goes. I called the dealer 3 times today, but no return call.

I very good friend of mine, performance shop owner, national level autocrosser, and hotshoe on the big track, tells me that the local dealer sucks, and to go with the Dallas dealers. I'm giving the local a fair shake though. . . so far, it's not going well.

Cayenne Austin

What sales person are you dealing with at Beasley? Can't speak for the others, but Marty has done a great job for me over the past year. Bought 2 Cayenne's from her, second took hauling one in from Atlanta to get it right. Bo (sales manager) is a good guy as well.

Beasley easily has the best family of dealerships here in town- bought my Audi from them as well. Very customer oriented, and above board, IMHO. Of course, as with all things, YMMV.

frayed

Gary,

I'll let sleeping dogs lie for now.

I mean no ill will; but am surprised by the lack of attention. Four phone calls, two messages.

Jeff

frayed

The trade in price came in quite good; I'd only lose a few grand after having just bought the car 8 weeks ago. If I don't get a better deal in short order, I'll take it and order the S.

Gary, the salseguy told me to use his cell. He is bad about messages coming in from the main number.