Edgy01

I'm curious as to whether others here have used the test drive to determine whether the 997 is for them, or to fine tune their orders between a 997 and 997S.

One of the nice things about a Porsche is that you can actually ORDER one without ever having DRIVEN one and know that you're going to get a winner.

Has anyone else here ordered a 997 Carrera without driving it first? I know many of you wanted a 911 since you were in grade school and would take one no matter what,--did you?

I remember being a 914 driver decades ago and certain that I wanted a 911 next. I finally got around to taking $80,000 worth of Porsches out one afternoon (excuse me, in 1976, that was SEVERAL cars!) and test drove a used 911S, a new 9112, a 912E, and knew then that I had to order the 911S.

My next car, a used turbo-ed 911, became mine after the dealer, a friend of mine, threw me the keys and said 'take as long as you like.' An hour and a half later I was negotiating for it.

This time I didn't get to drive what I ultimately ordered (997S Cab--6-speed) until today and am SO CONVINCED that Porsche truly got it right even MORE this time. You that are out there ripping up the roads in your cars today are so lucky! (I have to wait still before I pick it up in Europe in June).

Any out there who just ordered based upon the Porsche track history?


Dan

Blue Turquoise 997S Cab, Nat Brown, Blk Top, Euro Del.

Coochas

I actually ordered my C4S w/o ever having driven any 997.
The first Porsche I ever drove was a worked 930 many years ago (I still remember the WOW) and then my sister's Boxster.
I always wanted a 911 and 'studied' them for many many years. Besides, I pre-ordered my car long before they produced any of them!

edited: Oops, I forgot about the Cayenne TT test drive

ds2k1

Not me, but I would have if getting a test drive wasn't as easy as it is. In the bay area, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a few Porsche dealerships (although none in San Francisco, curiously), so arranging a test drive was pretty simple. It only confirmed what I already new, so while exciting, the test drive wasn't particularly enlightening. My only real concern prompting me to drive it before buying it was whether the Carrera is slightly underpowered for an $80K car? After driving it, while it's no dragster, it does every single thing that a true enthusiast enjoys so damn well, that it really doesn't matter. I feel the same about my current Boxster S. For $50K can you get a faster car? Hell yeah. Can you get a better driver's car? Not that I'm aware of. And I'm ruling out the Corvette because, well, it's a Corvette and I'm just not a Corvette guy.

M A Z N G

Always dreamed of owning a 911 and when the opportunity appeared, wifey made me get it... Love her dearly.

Drove 5 hours one way, away from home to pick up. No test drive, one glance, signed on the dotted line and drove my baby home.

Riad

Ordered my 2004 C4S Cab without ever seeing or driving it. However, I spend 20 minutes picking out the perfect avocado, I'm retarded.

Deven

I bought my 997S without test driving a 997 (or any 911 for that matter). Love the car. I had more faith in doing so as I had bought my Boxster (in 1998 after a 8 month wait) sight/driven unseen and truely loved that car (as a matter of fact, that is how I learned to drive stick). That was my 1st Porsche and I knew I had to have another.

ds2k1

Out of curiosity, what are you really looking for in an avocado?

OCBen

Whatever it is, knowing riad it's probably short term.

Riad

It's all about making perfect guacamole. It has to have perfect color, texture, size and sound.

paul997

Saleman drove me around in a 996 prior to ordering. I had never driven a Porsche until I picked mine up 4 months later.

ds2k1

Just got back from the store, perfect avocado in hand. Couldn't figure out what it sounded like, but I'm relatively confident it's a winner. Home-made tacos and Bohemia coming up!

robbonds

bought both my boxster s and my 997s cab without test driving either...i mean come on - whos not gonna love it?

MichaelL

I had a 10 minute test drive in a 997 coupe & then bought a 997 S cabrio sight unseen. I did, however, take a few weeks to mull over the options. I don't regret a penny of the damage.

DJ23

I never saw one up close or drove one before I ordered it. Went on reviews and internet pics only. Was never disappointed.

Jay.

Crazy Canuck

I test drove a 996, a std. 997 and then a 996TT before I settled on the 997S a month later. I knew if I were to buy a 997 it was going to be the S for the extras that come with it (brakes, power . . .)

I debated between a 996 GT3 but couldn't find one up here. Made an offer on one in Boston but the sales manager wouldn't budge. Three months later he called me but by then my car was well ordered.

So, no. I did not drive an S before driving mine. I did drive a 997 though.