Never considered the scraping issue but it's a good point. I've heard it twice in my regular car since I purchased it and that was going down a small looking gas station incline one tire at a time at like 1/2 mile an hour. As far as I can tell the light scrape was on a black rubber plastic piece under the car. No paint damage and no noticeable damage on the black piece either but it happened.

 

Had an '08 that was coming off lease 3/12. While the 991 may be an awesome car, I just couldn't love it. The '08 was great but I only had a desire for one more 911 and it wasn't going to be a 991 variant so I bought out and sold my '08 and was able to get one of the last custom builds on a '12 GTS that I can't see myself getting rid of unless I am physically unable to drive it.

 

Well, for me when I bought my 997.1, 997.2 was just released and 997.1 had much better value vs. 997.2... plus, I absolutely love 997.1 exhaust note and engine tone vs. 997.2 which is much muted in comparison.

Today however, if I wanted to buy a 997, the .2 might be a better option due to the upgrades. To me, HP actually is not that significant of an upgrade (unless you're looking at GTS), but the following is something you could never get on 997.1:
- LED lights
- PDK
- PCM with touchscreen and Bluetooth
- Sports PASM (lower than PASM)
- LSD

In my honest opinion, if none of these 4-5 options are must-haves for a buyer, then I'd buy the car that has the most options that your looking (Leather, PDK, etc..) for at the best price between 2006-2010 997s.

Good luck!

 

I never really considered the .1 as I had read enough about the IMS issues to keep me away from them. I also preferred the updated electronics, etc. Ultimately what pushed me was the deal. I have purchased several cars from this local broker and he had taken in a 2010 Turbo and a 2011 C4S so he was sitting on a fair amount of inventory dollar wise, as he is not a big scale broker. The C4S had only 4300 miles and was a MT which was one of my requirements. He had it advertised for $80K, offered it to me for $76K. The car had a TechArt wing and a Tubi exhaust installed (almost a deal killer), but the OEM parts were included with the car. I had the wing and exhaust removed and sold them for another $2K (for both). Brought my cost closer to $74K and that isn't bad for a 2011 C4S with original and CPO warranty for a total of 3 years from when I bought it.

 

Phil,

Do you know how much lower the aero bumper reaches compared to stock? Is your car lower than a stock S? I think about adding it someday, but if it makes for a constant worry DD experience then maybe a bad idea.

 

I lusted for a 997.1 GT3 for years, when I was finally ready to buy (early 2013) GT3 prices rose beyond my budget.
A 997.2 C2S was my plan B, slightly less power, slightly more torque, and cheaper to maintain / get parts for, and bought mine with warranty which saved me a few hundred $ in repairs already.

The reason why I didn’t get a 997.1 C2S even thought I test drove one and it felt awesome / fast enough.

For 997.2
+ LSD & Sport PASM
+ PCM with bluetooth and ipod integration
+ More aggressive looks (many 997.1 owners I know updated lights and even bumpers to 997.2 already)
+ Engine Reliability (sure DFI is still new, but with 40% less parts, and out of the ~10 guys with 997.1s I know 2 of them had engine replacements), no worry of IMS, RMS or scoring cylinders in these engines as far as I know.
+ revised front end suspension/aero, the car is much more planted at higher speeds 100mph+
+ More rare, atleast with the Carrera S: 997.1 C2S - 6700 cars, 997.2 C2S - 2500 cars sold in the US. There were just much less 997.2s sold, likely due to the economic crash.

For 997.1
+ Its louder (but with Sports Exhaust and X-Pipe, the 997.2 can match it).
+ More body kit options for much less $ if you’re into that sort of thing

 

997.1

$$$$$

and '05 because servicable IMS bearing.

 

If you can afford it, go for the .2 because;
Direct injection engine and 40% fever parts and no IMS
+ 30 hp on the direct injection motor
New starter cable so don't have to replace, like on the .1 (labor is $800)
Updated center console and better NAV.

 

I bought a point 1 and strapped $15,000 cash to the hood as an ornament.

 

997.02 1. PDK, 2. Direct Injection, 3. Updated and more contemporary Center Console including better Nav., SAT, music inputs USB, ipod, aux, 4. 380 hp on S version. 5. Better manufactured engine. Go for the 997.02. You'll be glad you did.

 

IMS issue + found a .2 in exact color combo (Guards Red, beige interior) I wanted @ reasonable price. Also, targeted newest model year Carrera S model that fit w/in my target price range.

 

With a full tank of gas and my son and me sitting in the car, it's between 3.5" and 3.75" of ground clearance.

I don't know how this differs from stock, non-Aero cars, because the entire front of the car/bumper is different than stock. I can't measure up to where the front lip spoiler meets the bumper because Aero bumpers are unique (you seem to know this).

The whole ground clearance issue is exacerbated by the front wheels being quite far from the front lip.

.

 

997.1 for me because:

1. Got one with 20k miles, HALF of sticker. Probably won't fall much more. 997.2 are newer, perhaps further to depreciate.
2. The $$$ spent was my personal limit for a second carrera
3. Gizmos aren't important, but I do like that the air actually works..........

Again, this was what drove my decision. Hell, I don't even listen to the radio when I drive her, I certainly don't want to talk to anyone.......

 

a good and fun question. for me it boiled down to pure economics coupled with the following criteria;

-2007 or newer daily driver (the '87 is a low mileage garage queen)
-low miles (15k or less)
-immaculate condition (i like nice things)
-S version w/ manual transmission
-silver or black
-California car

To make a long story short, there weren't many to choose from, but low and behold, one was available for sale about 5 miles from where we live. Low mileage examples fetch a premium, at least that's what my research taught me, and given my list, I knew the car wasn't going to come "cheap." Would I have bought a 997.2 at the same price with the same matching criteria? Absolutely, and I could see that being my next car, that or a 991.

This is my second 997, but my first S.

 

997.2---I have driven an 03 996 for the past 3 years and felt it was time for a "newer' car. There is nothing wrong with a 997.1, but in my opinion, the 997.2 is the best 911 out there, including the 991. Last week I brought home a 2012 997 Cab. The car is amazing, love the interior and the power. I will hopefully have this car for a long time.