zimm17

My first post- sorry for the long story, but I'm trying to figure out if a 997 is for me.

I'm almost 36, married, new dad, military, and moving back to my "homeland" of northern VA/ Washington D.C.

We have 3 cars currently- my '08 4runner V8 that's the family buggy/off-roading toy, wifes new '10 VW Jetta TDI (she's a greenie and likes high MPG) and her old '04 civic hybrid which we'll sell before relocating this June.

So, I'm finally up for my next "toy" car. I Love cars. I've had a history of only keeping them 2-3 years after poring lots of money into mods though. I've had a '71 Oldsmobile cutlass, a couple of Nissan 300ZX non-turbo's, Subaru STI, and just sold my Mazda MX-5 with the new baby arriving (and a handfull of trucks and motorcycles that I don't need to list here)

Primary use will be just to drive to work, and have fun on the back roads. My favorite car is actually a cayman S, but I need a backseat in case I ever have to put the baby seat back there. Although with 2 4-door vehicles in the family, that won't be very often.

I'm currently considering a 2012 mustang 5.0 GT, '08-'09 BMW M3, and the older 997's. I can get the mustang new for $37 loaded, an M3 for around $45-50k and the same for a basic 997 coupe.

I'm a pretty handy do-it-yourself'er and only take cars back to the dealership if I can't fix it myself after scanning for codes and changing the required parts. I'm not worried about DIY maintenance either.

Is the 997 a decently reliable car- and more importantly fun? I'm a bit worried about the HP deficit over the 5.0 or M3. And I'm not in love the looks of the back end, but I do like the fact that it's a dedicated sports car, which I liked most about my modified STI and MX5.

Also, where do I look for the basic recommended mods? Is there any easy HP bump with intake/exhaust/chip with these cars?

sclemmons

Buy a C2S from 2006 or later and you won't be sorry. Buy the S and it will need no mods, so it is a great value compared with modifying a car after you buy it. Plenty reliable, particularly compared to the BMW and Audi.

My wife hates mine because she thinks the BMW is more comfortable, so you might check with yours. I did not check with mine and she prefers her Mazda.

But the experts are right: There really is no substitute.

racer

If I recall correctly, you can get an airbag deactivation kit for the cayman/boxster series. It would allow you to run the baby seat but you can't bring mom While others have put baby seats in the back of a 911, I imagine most would admit that its best to wait till they are in a front facing car seat or ideally a booster.

imho, you've mentioned you prefer the Cayman series... so why not GET a Cayman? Not saying the 997 isn't a great car, but if you aren't already lusting after either one, then maybe they aren't for you.

Driving to work in DC is not fun.. even in a Porsche. Its a mess, so I would guess you've been out of the area for a while. On the other hand, Summit Point raceway is only 90 miles from DC center, so there's at least "one" place to go have fun with your Porsche Driving on the track and becoming a better driver sure trumps doing "mods" in my book.

StanThePorscheFan

Have you driven one yet? if not, find one to drive, then we'll see if you still need convincing.
To answer your questions... The 05-08 cars are fairly reliable. They are great DIYers' cars. About 30hp/ftlb can be gained by intake/exhaust/tune. Anything above that and you are talking big bucks. You might get addicted to handling and decide to kick it up a notch by replacing suspension components. Then you gonna want more grip, so new rims and R compound tires. It doesn't have to end there. Porsches' aftermarket is well supported.
You asked if these cars are fun to drive. YOU BET! Even completely stock Porsches handle like they are on rails. Especially the all wheel drive cars. True Porschephilles prefer C2S (rwd) because it's a real drivers car that requires fine control. But if you are like me ( no Schumacher) then the C4S does offer additional front wheel traction for nice cornering feel. The S in the C2S/C4S stands for a 3.8 motor with 30-40 hp advantage (depending on model year) over the 3.6 (non S motor). You definitely want the S.
And one more thing. Porsches are not drag race cars. They don't jump off the line like a Mustang. But that's just the thing, these cars don't really like "lines". They like curves, bends, sudden elevation changes, hairpins. That's where real fun is. Once you taste that rush, your wife and your wallet will hate your new passion.
Like I said, go drive one!

signature65

Search is your friend, lots of info here from people going thru the exact choices you are.

ELUSIVE

Infant seats in the back of the 997 are either not existant or virtually impossible. My kids didn't ride in the back seat area until they were 3 and in boosters.
As mentioned above, you can get an airbag de-activation kit that will allow for infant and toddler seats to be used in the front seats. Same goes with the Cayman.

if you are worried about power in the 997, then the Cayman will be worse. However the driving characteristics of the Cayman can easily compensate for the reduced power.

I'd say go and drive them all and see which you like. Mustang would certainly be the last one on the list in comparison to what you're looking at. Really no comparison there at all. i'm not saying it's not nice...but it's nothing compared to a Porsche. M3's are great cars. There are tons and tons of ex M3 drivers on here that can't believe how much better the 911 is. i don't think you'll see that same thing very often on the BMW forums.

Best of luck in your decision.

axhoaxho

If you are a hands-on guy and like to work on cars, a 2012 Mustang GT500 (or, a 07-09 Shelby GT500) might be more fun for you. These cars has tons of aftermarket parts for insane power/torque at reasonable prices, it will keep you busy at your garage as well as on the road.

Regards,

yemenmocha

+1

Baby seats in back of the 997, no way, not worth it, so just get the Cayman if that's your dream car. But, given the mustang option, it makes me wonder if you've driven the Cayman or really know how it shines... because the aim of that car couldn't be more opposite to an American "muscle" car. You seem to be really concerned about horsepower, not overall handling which is where Porsches are superior.

I can see the M3 option due to family but the mustang I wouldn't normally see as cross shopped by Carrera owners, so I'd make sure you really like the car if the mustang is a viable alternative. Just completely different goals with that car vs. a Porsche or M3.

I'm also worried that you mentioned that you don't like the looks of the back end of a 997. That's a major red flag!

jcnesq

Agree rear facing infant seats don't work in back. But when the kids go forward facing (isn't that about 1 year old?), they are just fine in the back seats. My now 5 and 9 y/o kids have been everywhere with me in my 911s - great family car!

mdrobc1213

I have both an 08 e92 M3 coupe (my daily driver) and an 09 997.2 Carrera S so I can speak about both of them. Am also military, a dad, and just left the DC/MD/VA area after PCS this summer...and my dad drives an 09 Mustang. So I think I got all your bases covered!

You mention Mustang and hp and some of the cars you've had and I've got to tell you the Carrera is unlike ANY of them in terms of driving, price, mods. You mention you like to work on your cars alot and that's great as lots of DIY projects out there but be advise with a modern Porsche (2005+) Carrera there are few things other than changning the oil, swapping out the exhaust, and maybe brake pads that you're gonna be doing on the car yourself. Its not like some of the cars you mention where you can just take a wrench to em and fix this or crank and adjust that. Most of the tools are metric #1 and some special ones are required at times. Also info is the biggest thing as lots of things are close hold and require you to go to the dealer to do so...also the fact that with all the electronics and Porsche subsystems you'd likely require a Porsche System tester to do anything or reset the computers. Same with alot of cars now a days to include the BMW but nothing new there. Most on the forum will probably agree here...so not much of under the hood stuff you'll be changing or doing yourself unless you're a race/tuning specialist.

Baby seats...reason why I got a 997 vs a Cayman..my kids could fit in the back and still do and they're age 10-11 now! You can find a booster seat to fit up front and an airbag deactivation key to deactivate the front. Cars seat sensor I think in my 997 can do it for you too I believe and there's a light on the center console that shows it too.

M3 is a very nice option. Sedan option is available. Has lots of power and handles just as good as the Carrera...each one does it in a little different way! Handling is best I've ever driven. My buddy has an 09 Corvette and he out powers me hp wise but can't handle anything non straight worth crap and has to brake and slow or fly off the road! My Carrera out handles him everytime..and my car (a PDK) is just as quick to 60mph in Sports Plus mode! Believe me 385hp of a Carrera S is more than enough on the road especially since anything more will have you in front of the CO explaining yourself! LOL If drag racinig is your thing and off the line power or sound then the Mustang or maybe other American "muscle" cars may be a better choice (i.e. Camaro SS).

Finally you mention "not being in love with the back end" and wanting a "toy car" as well as a "HP bump with intake/exhaust/chip with these cars" and driving it to work and on back roads. I am afraid the Carrera while doing all those easily isn't really what you want IMHO. 1) it is not a toy car and cost will soon show you that if you get a late model one (05+). You're looking at $40-50k easy on a nice one with low miles that's been taken car of and not dogged or crashed. Also intake/exhaust/chip mods on these cars are not cheap you're talking a few hundred for the intake/at least $2k for an exhaust/and $1k for a chip/ECU flash each of which will only get you modest performance increases. The cars are just that good out of the factory floor that they don't need that much stuff done to them. Best HP mod is the X51 powerpack and that's like what $16k or so from what I've heard if you didn't get the car with it from the factory. Most folks do add exhausts and maybe headers but its more of an asethetic/sound thing than trying to wring another 50-100hp out of the car! If you want significant HP then you're likely stepping into Turbo territory and at least $75k or more for a nice CPO one. As for driving daily, you'll love it and back roads too and it does make commuting to the Pentagon in No VA traffic more bearable IMHO. But if you're not in love with the car or the driving then...I'd say drive a couple 1st and talk to some more owners and pass till you find the sports car that does it for you! There're enough of them out there and the Carrera is NOT an inexpensive proposition just to tolerate it...nor is a Cayman or a Boxster albeit less costly and in some ways better performing due to the mid engine layout.

Feel free to PM me if you want/need more info. Rob

ELUSIVE

I've seen people do it, however I was unable to find a 5 point child car seat that would fit in the back seats tight enough to make me feel comfortable. I bought two of the Porsche plus child seats (30-80 pounds) and have waited until my kids were 3 to ride back there. My 2nd turns 3 next week and he's so excited for his first Porsche ride.

Optical TDI

When looking at HP, be sure to take the cars weight into consideration. The Ford and BMW are rather heavy.

rodsky

The 997 is a great family car . I have a 5 and a 6 year old and they love riding in the back. I cant believe you dont like the back end. I love it - best part. The 06+ 997.1S will be the best car in your price range I believe. I had an M3 before my last two Porsche's and I much prefer the Porsche's based on the fact that they are true sports cars vs. a very good sports sedan/coupe (slight compromise). Although I did have the E46 vs. the current model which is really good.

Porsche is not a great DIY car. Fine by me as i'm useless in that department. GL.