996scott

After 10 yrs, I sold my 2000 996 and am looking at getting a 997. Love the styling of the 997. I'm trying to learn a lot about the 997 before jumping in. Can someone give me the basics on the difference between the 997.1 and the 997.2? Also, are the Carrera and the Carrera S the same body? It's just the Carrera 4 that is the wider body, right? The carrera S has the bigger engine, and bigger brakes. Any other big differences over the base model? Thanks for the help. Hope to be joining you here soon with a 997. Scott

ADias

The 997.1 carries over (basically) the 996 M96/M97 engine. The 997.2 has a new DFI engine (9A1). PDK is also available on the 997.2. The 997.2 has a revised front suspension which eliminates front bobbing.

The Carrera and the Carrera S have the same body. The AWD models 4 or 4S have a wider rear (44mm wider). The 997.1 4 or 4S use a viscous coupler (like in the 996 C4/C4S) to connect the tranny to the front axle. The 997.2 uses a multi-plate electrically controlled clutch which allows 0-100% torque apportionment to the front axle.

The Carrera S (both 997.1 and 997.2) has a bigger engine 3.8L vs 3.6L, bigger brakes, bi-Xenon lights, and PASM (active) suspension.

See the 997.2 microsite HERE.

slicky rick

Adias are you sure about "0-100%" torque apportionment to the front axle"? i would think that max would be around 30% lest the handling change drastically.

slicky rick

i would also suggest to the op that waiting is the best thing to do right now. the 991 is coming soon and if it's really a good car, could drive the prices of the 997's both versions lower. Or maybe if it was reallly that good the op can opt to buy the newest version instead.

ADias

Yes, on the 997.2 AWD.

ADias

If the OP is a 911 'go-kart' fan, he may not appreciate the 991's longer wheelbase.

996scott

Adias, thanks for the info. That gives me some good info to go off. So is the 997.1 from 2006-2007 and the 997.2 from 08 to the present?

Slicky Rick, that is my plan. I going to wait for a while and see what prices do. I bought my 996 new, but I plan to buy used this time. There are so many used, low miles cars out there that are in perfect shape, and for half the price of new. I'm hoping I can find a nice 997 S for about $40k in a year or so.

ADias

The 997.1 was launched in the Fall of '04 as a 2005 model. The 997.2 was launched in the Fall of '08 as a 2009 model.

The new model (991) is expected to be launched next fall as a 2012 model.

gota911

997.2 (model years 2009 - 2011) has the new 9A1 engine, which:

• has DFI (direct fuel injection)
• does not have an inrermediate shaft (IMS)
• has 40 % fewer moving parts
• S have 385 HP
• Non-S has 345 HP
• Refined PASM (Standard on S models)
• PDK transmission is available if you want it

Chris from Cali

That shouldn't be too hard. I've seen some 997.1 C2S models under $50K now. You can check the Porsche site for preowned cars and find some good ones going relatively cheap.

Edgy01

Patience is a virtue. Both the 997.1 and 997.2 have features that make each popular with their owners. We don't know yet what the vulnerabilities are with the direct injection engines (MY09 and up). We have seen much higher failures of things like injectors, and coils, and high pressure fuel pumps on the .2 cars. Many issues of the .2 engines just haven't matured enough yet to know for sure.

The 997.1 engines are fundamentally 996 engines with a variety of fixes incorporated over the past 6 years or so to resolve discoveries about Intermediate Shaft failures ((IMS) as well as final drive seal failures. The seal failure is not that expensive or critical, while the IMS failure is a more expensive fix. Fortunately, that is becoming more and more rare with these engines.

What you will discover with all Porsche engines is one or two little issues that plague them until the engine is wholly redesigned and replaced with something else. It's been this way since they were called 901s, and continues to this day. Porsche demands much from these engines and so issues are discovered, leading them to fixes or total redesigns.

alexb76

How long do you plan to keep your car, and what's your price range?

If you're buying new, then the ONLY car I consider is the 997.2 GTS, it's the most unique and got the best goodies at great value (in brand new cars).

If you're looking at pre-owned, and plan to change it in just a few year, I'd definitely go for 997.1 as 991 is coming out very shortly. 997.1 is by far the best value.

RonCT

If one were to always wait for the "latest-greatest" version of anything to come out before acting, one would never buy. Computers, cars, etc. So yes, when the 991 comes out the 997.2 might be a little less expensive, but that's just natural. I've never seen a tremendous "fall off" of pricing on anything in 25+ years of being an auto enthusiast. Every year time marches on and every year the older car gets 1 year older and less expensive. BUT, what we all should also think about is the way pricing has gone to our benefit lately. Who ever thought I would get 13% off MSRP on a custom ordered 09? Unheard of until in the recession. So, as the economy improves it might be very possible that pricing moves up. One example is that when I picked up a pristine low mile CPO 05 Boxster S the prices were silly low and then they went up and stayed up. Supply and demand is a great equalizer to things like introductions of the 997.2 vs. the existing 997.1, the 991 vs. 997, etc.

Sounds like the OP is not interested in buying a brand new latest-greatest 991 and is looking for a great value. A CPO 2007 C2S would make for a wonderful car with 3 years of warranty remaining. Prices are reasonable and with the 07 (06 as well) any of the initial production year bugs should have been worked out.

Life is short, enjoy it.

tincanman99

I am looking to buy as well and specifically looking for a 997.2. Either a 2009/2010. I think I am going to wait till the 991 one comes out and drives prices lower which it probably will.

I want the PDK and the newer engine without the IMS as I usually hold onto my cars for a long time.

There are ton of great deals out there on the 997. Almost all have very low mileage as people buy these cars as toys and than dont drive them.

As the 997 is not the last air cooled car ala the 993 I doubt you will see the price madness that you see with the 993.

I have seen 993s that cost more than a 997 thats a few years old. Not saying they arent nice cars but they are older cars at this point.

It all depends on your timing and patience. I can wait another year, its not killing me.

Edgy01

I have to say that after a day like yesterday here in Santa Barbara County you can keep your air-cooled cars. We routinely have very mild weather throughout the year, but yesterday I saw 100ºF as I left my house at 1 pm for a short 120 mile trip. At the top of San Marcos Pass a few miles away it was 104. Passing Lake Cachuma it was 109. In Solvang it was 111. Vandenberg AFB was 99. I've never seen such numbers in 40 years in the area. The car's vital statistics: indicated (as usual) 175ºF for coolant temp, and 200 to 225ºF for oil. Even when the OAT was 111 the engine oil purred along at 200ºF, with the a/c set at 68ºF (top up obviously). I wouldn't try that with a 993 for the life of me!

These new wasserboxers are handling extremes very well. One thing that is often forgotten on the 997.2 engines is their improved mileage. Not generally a decision point for a sports car, but not a bad bonus, either.