RR

Excuse my ignorance but are the 997 and 997S both C2's or C4's?

RonCT

Both are RWD (C2s). Rumor is the C4S (maybe only in S?) will come out September 2005. But other rumors suggest there will not be a C4S. Who knows for sure at this point... Top Gear reviewers said something like "According to Porsche, there will not be a C4 because the handling of the new 997 is so good..."

Personally, I feel they will make one - again because of the mass market. Consider the driver who wants an automatic shift AWD car... We all know that a RWD car can do just as well as AWD in the dry and wet and with less weight to carry around. Now if you have 400+ HP to think about, then perhaps the traction of AWD makes sense. But, as I've posted before, when they tested the AWD S4 and the M3 dry and wet, the M3 beat the S4 around the track in both cases.

mrcohanian

I think that people on this board should have real life driving experiences with both models before they make comments. Do yourself a favor and spend a day drivng the base carrera, no pasm and 18 inch wheels and than try the Carrera S. I like a go-cart feel to a car and thats the driving experience you get with the Base 997. The carrera S drives Heavy as if the car weighs 500lbs more than the base model. Again , I think this has to due with the Larger wheels and the electronic suspension standard in the S model. In addition, the base car has a more mechanical driving experience ie. clutch feel, as well as the inputs you get through the steering. So all I am going to say is , Don't think that just because the carrera S costs 10,000 dollars more that its better. Drive them both and than make your decision.

Palting

I've test driven both the base 997 and the 997S. No way, no how, is the base 997 better than the 997S. The S is better in ALL OBJECTIVE measurements. Subjective aspects, like "I don't like all those electronics", are a different matter. Is the base cheaper than the S? You betcha. Is the S worth the extra money? That's an individual answer, and for me it would be "You betcha".

Ray M

RonCt--- Your points are well taken, but I think it goes without saying....your desires for the 997 do not represent those of the majority of 997 buyers. I seriously doubt more than .5% of 996 or 997 owners opted to not get xenons because of the "weight and electronic complication."

As was said, Porsche makes the car you are looking for. It is called the 'GT3.'

RonCT

I totally agree... That's why the Porsche marketing department has done what they have - to appeal to the mass market. People want Xenons, trick suspensions, sunroofs, oversized wheels, etc. Such is the way it goes. I just hope that they don't go as far as BMW has and scare away the enthusiasts - if Porsche goes, then who's left?

Sanjeevan

What puzzles me is why someone who prefers a 997 over a 997s for it's lack of certain features (PASM, 19" etc.) would want a 997 over a 996 GT3. I guess there as a niche market where GT3 is too raw and a 997S is too much fluff. (One answer could be the newer chassis, but even with the 996 chassis the GT3 is definitely the driver's 911 out there... and I guess for certain others it could be the round headlights...and for them I have nothing to say.)
But I have to make a wild guess and say IMO porsche came up with the 997 for it's lower price...and not for it's superiority over the 997S... and wouldn't have imagined a niche market full of money wanting a base 997 compared to all orther options out there. Just my humble opinion.

RonCT

Jeeva, I think a lot of it for me has to do with wanting the latest technology in design (mechanical) as well as the current style (I like the 993 and 997 look). What I don't like is the over-assist of everything. You are right, I like the simplicity of the GT3, but it's too much for every day street driving (IMHO).

What may do the trick is a base 997 with the lowered sport suspension, no sunroof, sport seats (manual please). That engine can then be tweaked with software, intake, and exhaust (fabspeed opinions?) to get a little more go out of the car. Traction control on for the street and off for the track (unless it's raining). That may be the perfect combination. And, if I turn it into a dedicated track car, easy to change suspension and brakes. Eureka!

mrcohanian

Guys, I just put 100 miles on this base 997 I picked up yesterday. The car feels light , nimble as hell, great road imput from the 18 inch carrera III rims, better engine note than the S model, more linear power delivery with stonger low end response,far better suspension set up. You can say all you want , but after driving the carrera S for 2 months and 2700 miles, Its my subjective feeling that its not even close, I think the base car is the one to get. Like I said , spend the Day driving them both and you will know what I am talking about. This car is the perfect everyday car. I ordered from wheel enhancement a winter package of carrera III rims with the continental wintercontact TS810 tires that will go on the car in 2weeks or so. I did a 30 month/15000 mile lease on this car, and I plan to drive the hell out of it(rain,snow, blizzards) BTY, I am sick of silver , black cars so this one is Guards Red/ Black. I always liked the carrera in Red.

XSpeedFreakX

Anyone who has driven both a base 997 and an "S" back to back can tell that the "S" understeers more.

RonCT

But of course it will understeer more. 60mm differential between front and rear tires on the S (235 to 295) vs. 30mm on the base 997 (235 to 265).

Again, get the car that will make you happy... Nobody looses...

Moogle

its just my opinion, if you disagree fine. no need to get personal

amazing how people get all riled up because of some comments made on the internet...

i can't say i understand the reasoning behind some of these decisions/rationalities that have been posted by people, but whatever

to each his own, they are all great cars.

Sun Ra

Bling, there is no substitute.

husky

we all have differences in taste and preference, so i guess thats why porsche makes the 997 comes with 2 models
after all i think there is no right or wrong, yes or no
just go with your instinct and buy the car which suit you the most

infestation

It's all a matter of what's important to you.