doctorpcar

I don't subscribe, just wondering which one to back order. Curious what they said, too bad they don't offer online subscription.

iii911ooo

I found it at this website:

http://www.excellence-mag.com/back_issues.html

I am a subscriber and have this issue stored away in my "archives".

rfedele

several issues have commented on them. I don't recall an article that actually did a comparo.

doctorpcar

Yeah I looked there but I am not seeing anything jumping out at me and damn the layout is horrible.

iii911ooo

Here is the content of issue 132

#132 Oct 2004
Road Test: 2005 997 and 997S
Brand-New Factory Porsche 917K
Stunning 356 Speedster Collection
with Cars 1-4 and First Four-Cam
Ruf R turbo 590: 221+ mph 911
Market Update: 912 and 911 Turbo
Freeman Thomas’ Early 911 GT
Best Laid Plans: Le Mans 2004
Porsche’s 928 Engine Adventures
Tech Forum: Porsche Car Batteries

MUSSBERGER

That it!

Its January and I have way too much time on my hands.

Jim 'n' SC

Can some post the article?

Thanks.

Frino

I may be mistaken but the article you found in the archives appears to be the only road test ever done by Excellence on the stock 997 S. Pete Stout, (I know you are sometimes on this board), on behalf of us 997 S coupe owners, any chance that Excellence is planning to update this over three-year old road test on what is the best selling version of the 997 model?

MUSSBERGER

If nobody ponies up I can copy it and fax it if that helps. PM me.

hermie

The February 2008 issue of Excellence (#162) page 6 commentary highlites the authors preference for the non "s" 997.
Ron

Frino

The author had just driven a C2S and provided his thoughts on the contrast with the C2. The write-up stated that the base Carrera is more free revving at higher rpms and rides better/softer than the C2S...however, the article concluded with the thought that the C2S and the 3.8 mill is the better way to go, especially if Porsche offered the S package for a $6K (for just the 3.8) premium over the C2 rather than $10K. Big red braking advantages not discussed...

hermie

Here is the paragraph I'm referring to, in the authors words:
“When it comes to 997’s, the one that still impressed me the most is the silver stripper Porsche sent this way just after the 997 was introduced. The Carrera S’s torquier 3.8-liter engine is nice, but the base 997’s 3.6-flat six is sweeter and more powerful enough in the lightest of all 997’s. Of course the S badge has always added other desirable pieces, and the 997 is no exception. In this case, the S gets you 19-inch wheels instead of 18’s, larger brakes, “active” suspension, and upgraded headlights. But the Carrera’s old-fashioned suspension and 18’s are, in my experience, superior in terms of predictability and feedback. The only thing I’d really miss are the gas headlights, a situation easily remedied for a fraction of the $10,000.00 saved by buying just a Carrera.”

stout

In the coupes, and X51 excepted, I do prefer the base car, but only if it has 18s and no PASM. One like this comes in next week, so it will be nice to see if/confirm I still feel this way.

HOWEVER, while I like the 3.6 quite a bit, finding it to have "enough" power and feeling it is sweeter than the standard 3.8 in the way it revs, the 3.6 starts feeling taxed awfully quickly when used in any of the heavier 997s. C2 cab, C4 coupe, etc.

In those cases, the torque of the 3.8 win me over.

That said, beauty contests and X51/GT3 motors aside, my favorite factory 997 remains a 997 stripper. The base coupe is just really, really satisfying as a package. A definite sleeper in terms of sheer pleasure if not speed.

Of course, this is only my opinion, but it does come after spending hundreds of miles every version of the 997 and with many different options and setups.

Your results may vary.

Cheers!

pete

Alan Smithee

Pete, I know choices are limited with press cars...but if you can ever get hold of a base 997 with just PCCBs and the new sport buckets, I'm sure many of us would find an on-track comparison to a similarly priced no-option 997S interesting...

axhoaxho

In the recent Excellence issue (#163, April 2008) it has another article about the 997 vs the 997S (P.141 "Base, But Not Basic".)

Regards,