aks753

I will admit that I am a complete newbie to 911 land. I currently have a 2008 M3 but am considering a 997S cabriolet. I would prefer a 997.2, but the prices are just much better on the 997.1. I found two 2008's that list an option for "Extend Navigation Mod-PCM 3.0" Does this mean it has the PCM that appeared in the 997.2 or is it still the older one?


Also, any thoughts on whether it is worth changing from a M3 to a 2008 997S?

fjpdds

Hmm, that should have the older PCM.

aks753

They are both later year 2008's. Did they put PCM3 in any 997.1s?

sbpsu354

Are the vehicles listed online? Can you post the links?

USMC_DS1

Depends on what you're looking for in a car and you're on a Porsche forum so you may get some baised view points. I'll try to keep it as fair as I can.

I owned a highly mod'd e36 m3 for 10 yrs. Test drove an e46, the current e9(x) m3's, and the 997's last year when I decided it was time to replace my e36 m3. Ultimately I went with the 997.1S even though my wife wanted the newer e92 m3... These are completely different cars. The newer e9(x) m3's are heavy but make up for it with gobs of torque and HP plus lots of electronic gismos, truck space, usable rear seats and creature comfort. In comparison, the 997 is light, provides instant(telepathic like) power, precise handling and no creature(space wise) comfort in the rear seats unless I'm just transporting our mini-dachshund to visit the vet. I'd characterize these cars as coming from different ends of the automotive spectrum. IMO, the m3 got it's genetically origins from a sports coupe and was mod'd by BMW for the track... The 997, on the other hand, is a track car mod'd by Porsche so you can DD to work comfortabiliy. Great for date night as well.

My old e36 m3 was lighter and closer to the handling characteristics of the 997. If BMW made an e9x M3 that weighed in the 3,200lbs range I might have stayed with BMW... but everything has been getting heavier and bigger with BMW lately. In hind sight the m3 I owned previously was a great intermediate step towards the 911. It's been a year after my purchase of the '08 C2S and it still stirs me emotionally everytime I get in the driver side and I've yet to cheat on her... I drive by the local car dealerships w/o any thoughts of what I want to replace her with... maybe in a few years. Every now and then I find that I do still miss the whistling sound of the supercharger winding up from under the hood of my old m3 though. Good luck with the hunt for your next car... the hunt is almost as good as driving a 911 everyday.

Tim_Allison

It's still the older PCM. The extended navigation is for situations where you are off the map and can trace a route (and store it) to or from your destination. I have that mod on my 2008 C4 and I don't know why they say 3.0. Its confusing.

Spokane5150

I've had an M3, 540, 335i and now a 08 997.1 C2s for a 3rd car. I'm fond of the BMW's but I believe the 911 is the greatest car ever made. Although I haven't become proficient at driving the 911 yet I'm amazed at the performance and handling. It took me a while to save up enough to buy the car a year ago but I really love it and cannot believe how much fun it is to drive. If you can get a 2009 it would be nice but you won't go wrong buying any year 911's. It is a fantastic car!

Zeus993

I agree with all that's said here. The 997 is a visceral, emotive car that grabs you every time you sit in it and turn the key. It reminds me a lot of the bush planes my brother used to fly. Noisy, powerful, raw... exciting.

stefang

I've owned all M3s except for the E92 (still have the E36). I never really took to the E46 and after test driving the E92 don't like it that much either - one word: weight. If you drive convertibles (I do) you always pay a weight penalty, but with BMW it's getting ridiculous. The latest weighs in at 4100 lbs, so even with the great power plant it's not doing it for me. I've always found that M cars offer a great bang for the buck, but I'm now hunting for a 997 Cab.
So if you're asking advice in this forum - Of course it's worth it!!!

-Stef

Spiffyjiff

FWIW, i went from a '04 E46 coupe to my new '06S. now, in the 26yrs i've been driving, i havent owned the most exotic vehicles - mitsu eclipse, couple of mustang GT/cobras, E46 etc - but this is the longest i have ever kept one particular car (6yrs), the most miles i have personally put on a car (45k) and the most fun i've ever had with a car (50+ track days, autocrosses, "spirited weekend drives", etc).

just sayin.

aks753

Just test drove the 2008. It is definitely a different feel than the M3. Handling is much more responsive. But, they are asking way too much $83k with 7,000 Miles. There are others for a lot less around. So, now I will need to start looking.


It is the old PCM to answer my own question.

98Boxster

83k for a 2008??? What a rip! Look for an 05-07 for $45-55k!

USMC_DS1

As a reference... another RL member just bought a new 2011 C2S with 88 miles for $88K.

aks753

It's a cabriolet with 7k miles, but $83k is one of the highest 2008's I have seen. The original MSRP was $115k. In my mind the car should be $70k at the most, any thoughts?

I've found a 2009 cab for $2k less (as a starting point) with 8k miles but it is PDK and I would prefer a manual. Having a hard time finding 09's with a manual. N

Mumbles

If you are in Canada, then those prices could be accurate.