10 GT3

I test drove a new 997S. Driving the car, it was no faster than my 996. The engine feels very similar. The torque band feels flatter in the S and a little less peaky. It seems to have a little more bottom end <2500 rpms. I believe my lesser impression is due to the low number of miles on the car I drive. I am curious from 997S owners as to their break in experiences? How many miles did it take to loosen up?

As some other comments, the test car I drove had the PSE on it. I was very disappointed at the sound. It is still fairly subdued, but too high of a pitch. Not exactly the sweet tone I was expecting. I would have liked something more like the exhaust on the new 987 Boxsters that sound deep, powerful and smooth. I recently had one as a service loaner and was really surprised as how good it sounds, especially at 4000 rpms. Last, the car I drove had the sport shifter in it. Although I have the same unit in my 996, it is very slick in the 997. There was abolutely no notchiness even cold. I believe the shift **** is a little taller because the throw felt slightly longer, but extremely direct and smooth...if not perfect.

Short shifter

PSE Go Fabspeed instead

gravedgr

Are you kidding me? I test drove a 997 and 997S before I ordered one, and listened to PSE on two different cars. The PSE sounds equal to or better than most Fabspeed clips I've heard, and the performance of the 997 (base and S) are significantly better than the 996.

If you think the S you drove was no faster than your base 996, you need your head recalibrated.

Deven

Coming from a Boxster myself, the regular exhast on the 997S is 'better' (lower pitched more 'raw' versus the Boxters 'turbine' howl), but the PSE takes it on another dimention. The growling rumble is actually very low pitched, and commands an enormous presence. It is also significantly louder on the outside (compared to the cockpit), and with the PSE on, most people turn there heads to see what car is coming/going. It sound even better with a cab (one of the reasons why you may have liked the boxsters sound especially with the top down, plus the engine will sit right behind your ears, so it is closer to the cockpit). Next time stand outside the car as it drives by, and compare PSE to regular to Boxster and you will immediately notice the difference. It is not subtle. I have not driven the 996 so I cannot compare.

flash1034

He sounds like a troll to me.

Flash

10 GT3

First, I don't expect any performance difference in a 997 Carrera versus a 996 since they had the same engine. The long blocks are exactly the same. The only differences are some accessory changes, the intake and the exhaust plumbing. The small 5 hp increase is more than taken up by the increase in weight. It has the same brakes and a similar soft-just-for-the-US suspension. Hence why I am only looking at a 997S. I test drove 1 of the 2 Black 06' 997S' at Boardwalk Porsche. Read my post again. I am not in anyway insulting the 997. I am trying to get some information after having a test drive that was not that thrilling.

I asked specifically about break-in because I expect it to be faster that it was. I realize when you are driving a car with less than 50 miles on it; it probably isn't going to feel like one that is completely broken. Hence why I asked about break-in on these cars. I would appreciate if someone could answer the question asked. Has nobody here bought a new 997S? I have owned other cars that have taken 3-4K miles to fully break in. I am going to go back and test drive a used one when they get one in to re-evaluate it. The question is: how many miles should it have to be completely broken in?

Next, this was my first experience with PSE on a 997. I simply didn't like it for the reasons stated above. There was no low end "growl" as posted above. You can argue about it, but that was the experience I had. You can even test drive the same car and get the same experience. Is there a break in for the PSE? Does the sound change after a certain number of heat cycles or break in time?

steve775

PSE sounds very good to me, it is on full-time, no special switches, and I like how you hear a rumble
just after letting go of the gas. Also I like that has real dual tips.

steve775

I simply followed the manual - why do anything else for the break-in, I can't tell how it is now and how it was then, it's all good to me. Make a point of shifting through all the gears during break-in.

03-turbo911

Did you press the sport button while driving the 997 S? Because that activates the "loud" mode of the PSE.

JFScheck

I can only speak for myself - 997S for me is better than a 997 and blows away any 996 naturally aspirated vehicle to include (for my purposes) a 996 GT3.

Now the 997 GT3 has caught my attention...

Again, I can only speak for myself...

tvandegarde

I agree with the initial post. I also have a 2002 996 and was really looking forward to a test drive in a 997S about 6 months ago. There's no question it is a great car, but I really didn't think it was enough of an improvement over my 996 to justify moving up to the 997S. I drove a 997TT 3 weeks ago and decided that will likely be my next P car.

JFScheck

The interior dash is enough - let alone the stiffer chassis and the better looking body style (a return to the 993)...

Holy Cow - for me I would rather have a 993 than a 996 (although I do like the 996 Turbo's looks)...

Again - just my opinion...

doc2s

you need to have the sport button on to activate the pse. both engine and pse gets sweeter (and louder for the pse) with more mile, at least 3-4k. wiat unil you test drive a used one to make your final assesment.

mdrums

I personaly like the interior of the 997/997S cars beeter than the 996. More leg room!

Vancouver83LTD

Better quality plastics, better design....

mdrums

Brett, the 997/997S cars just fit me better than the 996. they just seem more comfortable and have a better driving position.