pissedpuppy

S!

X51

I was in the same dilemma you are - I chose the '07 "S". Knew if I bought the base 997.2, I'd always wish I had waited for an "S". It is hard to tell the difference between the two (997.1S vs 997.2 base) on drivability, but you get more "stuff" on the "S" standard, than you do on the base, even with the 997.2. My two cents, anyway.

NC 997

I'd go for the 997.2 - the .2 has the DFI engine, which (to me) is a distinct advantage.

Of course I may be a tad bit biased, since I drive a base 997.2.

alexb76

"S" for sure in this case. Then buy the Dectane rear LED tailights and NO ONE could tell it's 997.1!


Check the following though:

1. What's the red rubber on the engine bay?
2. PPI scan

sbpsu354

I'm considering the same type of option when it's time to sell my 06, and I'm leaning toward the 09 base

Autohound

So what's the right price to pay for the S?

Edgy01

It depends. Where are you?

equ

I test drove both multiple times. For me it was .2 all the way. I've had it for two weeks and 1100 miles and am entirely happy with the decision. There were exactly zero opportunities for me to use more than the 345hp that it delivers in a happy, revvy fashion (coming from someone who had a 3.4L M97 for the last five years).

Sound.. Yes, the stock DFI sound could be better, but the engine itself is so fun and revvy that I don't worry about it for now. I'm sure some fix is possible if one really wants more sound.

Gravy points are _very minor_ handling improvement, better planted front perhaps and of course the interior nav/xm/ipod/bose interface. My car happens to have all of those options, it might matter less if your .2 car is less equipped.

equ

Another thought, as I recently shopped... There are some '12 black edition cars around. If you are buying black anyway, you may be able to get a '12 new for low 80's, not bad when '09 is mid-high 60's, but then again that car is presumably very close to new... Either way, drive them both, if you really feel the 997.2 is underpowered (especially in our congested area) I would be surprised.

Mamba

That is exactly what I did. Black Edition had the options I wanted (PDK, Bose, sport chrono, sport wheel with paddles). Have not had any concerns with the HP difference.

dbrians

Gotta go with the .2 DFI motor and all the improvements in the Bose/Blue/Sat/Nav.

simsgw

Me too. The 997.2 base is the faster car, if the OP cares about that. The dot one 'S' will have a couple of mph at the top end over the dot two base model (consider this if you spend a lot of time above 179.6 mph) because it is rated for 355 hp instead of the 345 hp of the dot two, but the much fatter torque curve of the dot two will more than make up for a 10 hp difference in daily driving and track work. The newer car comes with better features so it's also the more enjoyable daily drive.

If it concerns you (I mean, I know how sensitive many of us Porsche owners are), then you can always buy a 'S' emblem for that base model so you don't hurt the feelings of dot one owners when you pass them at the track. Or say to hell with them and go for a plate that reads: "QKR N U"

Just a thought,

Gary, who drove both those models before choosing to go...

mike993c2s

I test drove both and went with the .2 base Carrera. The 3.6 DFI engine felt just a bit stronger at lower rpms by my butt dyno compared with the older 3.8. PCM 3.0 on the .2 car is also an improvement. However, if you're going to be tracking the car quite a bit, the 997.1S you referred to on ebay may be a better choice since it's easier to swap pads with that caliper design, and you can use the money you've saved to buy a set of nice rims to replace the lobster forks (which you would keep and put track tires on)!

spourreza

Either one would have been a good choice. But agree with your decision.

mclaudio

997.2 is my vote.