I was going to say that that rear facia looked to be pretty production-ready - then I looked again... at the outboard tip of the taillight, it looks like the panel was filled in...

Maybe not, though. Need a better pic.

 

Welcome to North Carolina!!!!

Email or come by anytime.

 

My next trip down to CLT you can count on it

 

Face lift all they want. Until the 998 comes out, 997 still rules...for now.

 

We are all reacting to a blurb from AutoSpies. I think we should remember that AutoSpies' accuracy regarding timing of upcoming model chnages is right up there with Dension. They seem to be wrong much more often than they are right. I doubt that the MY07 model year will be shortened. The 997s are selling well and there is no marketing need to have a quick facelift. I wouldn't be suprised to see a facelift for MY 08 to come out in its normal time frame about a year from now but more likely MY 09 two years from now.

 

I am not sure if I like the front, but the back is a nice improvement. I really like the clean lines on the of the current 997. The one thing I don't like about the current model, is the back end. What bothers me is how nothing lines up. The engine lid doesn't line up with the bumper and tail lights. Teh tail light have that red surround that doesn't look as attractive as the 996' split tail lights. The restyle is more retro to the loop of the 996. Thr front look more like the 996 Turbo/C4S. The rear is also more 996 with split tail lights and evening the lines.

 

It is wild speculation; in keeping with the spirit of this thread.

 

One part of these car comparisons that always seems to get missed is the bottomside. Get a 996 and a 997 up on neogboring lifts and check out the differences. Substantial. The 997 is significantly cleaner, with several NACA ducts here and there. I was looking specifically at a 996TT and 997TT.

 

I wouldn't wager money that it won't happen. Keep in mind that when Porsche brought in the production team of retired Toyota engineers from Japan, they made a lot of changes to their business. It wasn't just sourcing parts and assemblies (transmissions) that was changed. It was there entire business from design drawing board, to prototype to production. Porsche is now following a 6-year production and 12-year per chassis.

Have you noticed that a new Honda Accord comes out every 4 years. After 2 years there is a facelift. After 4 years, the car looks all new; but it is actually a different body on the same chassis with revisions. After 2 more years there is another face lift. Finally, after 8 years there is a new chassis with the new model. Toyota has the same cycle with Camrys and Corollas, Nissan with Maximas and Sentras. Starting with the 996, Porsche is doing the same thing on a 3 and 6 year cycle. 99' was a new car. 02' was a facelift. 05' is a new style on the same chassis. Hence why the Carrera engine is the same long block assembly as the 996' and why there are few suspension changes, brakes and transmissions stay the same. 08' should be the year for a facelift. 11' we should be due for new chassis and drivetrain. Best guess, is there will probably be some other minor changes on the 08' like a HP bump. Porsche is just going to keep it fresh to keep the sales coming in.