My Bro has a base Carrera Cabriolet manual and I have a Carrera S manual. They are both fine cars. I like the extra fire that my S has, but I also love driving around in his Cab with the top down. The S's extra umphh is my cup of tea and he loves the more laid back qualities of his Cabriolet. Six of one, half-dozen of the other.
If you have either car you are rolling in high cotton as far as I am concerned.

 

I wish I had a dollar for every time a post like this is started.
OP, do a search, this has been debated and debated over and over again. Have you been to the website and compared all the standard equipt for each model? Basically what they say is what you get. Better suspension, more power, larger wheels / tires, larger brakes, etc, etc.
My 2c is...........get the S!

 

More is better, so get the 'S' - here's why. Don't look at the added cost of the 'S' w/o considering that you'll get much of it back when you resell it. 2009 'S's cost about $8,000 extra, but in 5 years you'll get $5000 back (based on actual historical prices). Is $3,000 extra depreciation over 5 years worth it to you? That's $1.64 per day. Ever go to Starbux? $1.64 per day is background noise.

 

IMHO you should stretch to get the 'S'. I don't know of anyone with an 'S' who wishes they had purchased a non-'S' instead. And the 'S' will be highly desired down the road should you need to sell it.

 

great point!!

 

2010 is a bit overpriced right now, it will be a best buy next year.

 

I am surprised at how well 997 prices are holding when you take into consideration the new 991 is due soon. Porsche cut supply to NA, as a result prices are holding. The luck ones who got 20% off MSRP in '09 really made out.

 

I like that picture, but boy SF's got to be a tough place to own a 911 with an aerokit.
PS should the decal down the side not read "Carrera S"?

 

[QUOTE=Bruce R;8866339]I like that picture, but boy SF's got to be a tough place to own a 911 with an aerokit.
PS should the decal down the side not read "Carrera S"?[/QUOTE]

my original thoughts exactly - but hey. it's what the original owner put on it and I haven't felt the need to tell everyone it's an "S". I scored it w/2960 miles on it and am happy it's an "as new" vehicle (even though it's an '08)

owning in SF is fine (garage is a must) - I honestly can get around and do thing in town without ever heaving to drive/park for the most part. it helps that the wife has a POS mom-mobile Volvo wagon (though we are not parents!)

oh - and I LOVE your maritime blue (think I told you that before) - it's mesmerizing

 

Don't stop at just an S. Consider a 4S and you get the wide a$$ to go along. It's a slippery slope!

 

For $10K more, the S engine is not worth the negligible difference in HP. Options that count, in my view, are 19" wheels, Sport Chrono, Sport Suspension (non US), Sport Exhaust. Oh, and Bose and Nav and full leather are cool also.

 

Glad to see that we are all in agreement!

 

I wish it was true. This is me in the driver's seat with the 19" wheels and no PASM:



Love the car anyway!!

 

What is the meaning and details of the Self Adjusting Clutch in the 997 Carrera S and is it worth it?

QUOTE=utkinpol;8854325]search a bit.
'S' 997.1 car has PASM as stock (base car may have as option), xenon lights (option on base), 3.8L engine (3.6L on base), bigger red brakes, self-adjusting clutch.

on used market it all depends of what options you get with base car.

now of my opinion - i do not like PASM in 997.1 cars at all. SPASM in 997.2 cars is awesome, in 997.1 cars imho base stock suspension is better. power wise difference is also not that much between 3.6 and 3.8. so look at what options you get in each car and choose wisely.[/QUOTE]

 

I dont know, except the S clutch is actually $100 cheaper than the base clutch. My guess is it compensates a bit for clutch wear to give you a consistent release point on the petal. However it dont think you would really even notice. I asked my indy and he couldn't give a good answer either.

Search my thread "why the 997 base Carrera is the best value sports car on the planet". They are trading at $10k lower than S models and with a set of Eibachs on them the suspension looks and drivers better than a 997.1 C2S with PASM.