Hey guys, my mother is thinking about getting a 997 as a nice weekend car so I've got a couple questions

She wants a manual car and wants to budget around 35k-40k. Seems like 05-07's are viable options with decent mileage 40-60k.

Any advantage to getting a newer model year? And is the "S" worth the extra money?

Also, anything to look out for when buying? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

 

How cool is it to have a mom that wants a 997!

Buy the newest model she can afford, the S is a nice bump in performance and suspension and I suspect it will have a better re-sale market.

Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified Porsche mechanic. Try to find a car with a complete history since new showing all services performed.

Go look at a lot of cars at dealerships and drive them. Then when she finds "the one" she will have a good basis for comparison.

 

Given the price range, a 06 base Carrera will be the closest match. 05s have a troublesome IMS beariing failure risk, and less reliable PCM. 07 and 08 aren't much different than the 06. 09s are the best 997s with DFI engines and a super PDK dual clutch setup. An 09 base might be had for low the 50s with 40K miles.

There is one item to remember about the manual. The clutch is heavy and its not the most agreeable in heavy traffic. That said, its loads of fun and the gearbox is top shelf.

The S gives you sporter suspension PASM and there is some debate whether its worth it. I have it and I'm not sure yet. Got it for having a more compliant ride for 19 inch wheels. In terms of stats, I don't see much performance difference. In retrospect, a base Carrera would have been enough for me but I'm certainly not sad to have a S. Love the white guages in the S.

PPI, DME scans and documentation are recommended and there is a wealth of info on that here.

Good luck to you and your mom on the search.

 

All the advice I needed. Thanks guys!

 

heavy clutch? on the GT3 maybe.

I've never felt a heavy clutch on a Carrera.

 

The 997 is much easier to drive and more comfortable than the 996, i just went from 2002 996 to 2005 997 , love both, but like the 997 better, feels more of a daily driver..


05-06" they both have the IMS- but later production 2005 has the same IMS in the 06" its a bigger one, but also could fail- (ALL THIS IMS STUFF IS WAY BLOW OUT OF PROPORTION)

The thing about the late 2005-2008's bigger IMS is it CANT BE REPLACED with the LN engineering Bearing without splitting the engine case..

I went with an early 2005 because just incase, i'll do the LN bearing once i do the clutch- wont cost but $500-$600 more.

 

How prevalent are IMS failings with the bigger bearing?

And obviously I dont know much about these IMS failures but is there a check that can be done, either by me or during the PPI, to see if a particular car is problematic (maybe listen for clatter?)? I know when I bought my 996 Turbo a while back cars were having issues with 2nd gear synchros and you could easily check if the car was problematic by winding it out and abruptly letting off the throttle at redline.

Thanks guys

 

Yeah, to each his own. I always liked the "heaviness" of the clutch on my 996 3.

My mom drove it a few times and thought it was fine so I think she'll be ok.

 

Lets not turn it into an IMS discussion lol...its so rare it happens- just for caution get the new reinforced LN engineering bearing put in when its time to change the clutch if you get an early model 997. If you get the 2005 (july i think) late production to 2008 it is an even RARER thing for it to happen...

No way to check for it. again it is a rare occurrence...dont even dwell on it!

 

All I needed to hear. Thanks!

 

x2.

In my prior manual Carreras, the clutch only felt heavy when it was about to "go"; a new clutch on a Carrera would always be very light; even "buttery" if You ask me.

 

The only problem with the OP's post is the 997 as a weekend car ... should be her only car!

 

what happened to the rule about pictures?

 

I found a 2009 997 all wheel drive, stick. Was simply patient and waited until I found what I wanted and the price. The car we got had a documented history. I have driven sticks off/on for 40+ yrs, yes the clutch is a bit heavy, but your mom will love getting used to it. The only clutches heavier for me were military trucks. My wife and I enjoy it immensely, it is not a weekend car. Good luck for your mom!

 

Agreed!

What's the rule about pictures?