ECS

Love my 2006 997S.1 but was thinking about moving to a newer 997S.2. I have tracked a lot with numerous Porsches and would be interested in the opinions of people who use it as a DD and those that use it on the track as well.

Chris from Cali

I can't speak to track experience with either, but I've had a couple of 997.1 and a 997.2 4S. The biggest differences to an owner accustomed to a 997.1 are as follows:

1) 385 hp feels a LOT stronger than the 355 in the 997.1. I know it's "only" 30 hp, but it's strong.

2) The switchgear in the .2 is light years better. Everything feels better damped, better quality, etc. I also love the look of the black PCM, etc. vs. the volcano gray in the .1.

3) I liked the LEDs in the DRLs and taillights, but not enough to switch up to one.

Bottom line, I'd only do it if you get a great deal on both ends (selling the .1, buying the .2). I went back to a .1 because I wanted to avoid long-term direct-injection issues. Otherwise, the .2 is better in almost every way.

slicky rick

dont mean to hijack but, chris you foresee direct injection problems bad enough to switch back from a .2 to a .1? these fears must be substantial to do such a move.. care to share. hope this also give ideas to the op and his topic

kkswow12

or you find a nice X-51... oh so nice, the X-51... i bought and sold a .1 S cab on my way to moving up to a .2 targa, luckily found a lovely X-51 and my search has somehow stalled...don't mind a bit, this car is, well... i could go on...

yemenmocha

I've driven the 997.2 in a limited capacity on the track and I was very disappointed in the perceived horsepower differences as far as straight line performance goes. I was more impressed by some of the handling changes around corners. For the straight line, I asked the Porsche driving instructor and he commented that the really quick shifts from the PDK make a substantial difference in the acceleration times (it's not that you're thrown back in your seat because of the HP and torque differences - it's the fast PDK shifts that shaved the time).

When you look at the prices for a nice 997.1 vs. a 997.2, I just don't think there's enough value in that marginal change. A much better value for that same price gap is to get into a used GT3 or turbo.

PHX 911

As you can see in my sig, I had a 2006, and now have a 2009.
I wouldn't characterize the differences as earth shattering, but nonetheless significant.
Interiors are the same, with the exception of ventilated seats. That was huge for me in AZ - more so with a cab.
Power - as someone noted, the 30 HP increase is a strong 30.
Tranny - simply put, the PDK is amazing, and enhances the experience in a number of ways, particularly in traffic. Sometimes it's nice to have the car shifted for you. Sports Chrono is a must if you go this route.

ECS

Thanks all for the comments so far. I am definitely a manual guy for now so I'll stick to that. I am curious to hear any further expansion on the direct injection comment. Would consider the .2 GT3 avenue but would need to put in the back seats and believe the differential would be pretty high relative to the to an "S" vs "S" change. Good to see confirmation of the improved suspension as that was a point I had heard.

DHC

Are you itching to get out of your 997.1 right now? If not, you might want to wait a bit to see some 991s come out on the used market ... don't know if that's a 'no go' or not, but might be something to consider.

alexb76

I haven't moved from 997.1 to 997.2, but have driven extensively on both, and even took a 997.2 around Nurburgring back in 2010. Here are the differences:

1. 997.1 engine/exhaust note is significantly better
2. Ride/handling is pretty much the same
3. Manual transmission is the same
4. 30HP difference was NOT as significant as others pointed out, I think the biggest difference is if you did PDK/Auto vs. Manual the faster shifting makes you *think* it's faster
5. 997.2 is a bit more refined. For instance PASM and sport mode are more refined, like the throttle response doesn't jump as dramatic between Norma/Sport mode in 997.2 as it does in 997.1 (I rarely use sport mode in street)
6. Electronics in 997.2 is much better
7. Options available in 997.2 are more sifnificant than 997.1 cars
8. PDK is significantly better than Tip
9. DRL lights refresh the look quite a bit (there are options for 997.1)
10. 997.2 is more refined, 997.1 is more raw!

Overall I did NOT feel like 997.2 was a major upgrade to 997.1, specially for the premium it required, while I'd lose the sweet engine and some rawness of 997.1.

To sum it up, if a specific 997.2 feature/option is desirable to one it's worth the upgrade, namely, the PDK, better electronics, Sport-PASM suspension, or the looks.

I'd never consider an upgrade unless I gained at least 50HP (GTS), or significant track performance improvement (GT3, Turbo), so to make it worthwhile.

simsgw

It's right up there with the Mayan Calendar issue.

Oh yes, before I forget, it also blows off the dot one
on tracks as well as any GT3 from previous incarnations

Gary, who drove his 997.2 forty thousand
miles and loved it on street and tracks