Mark Harris

Good to know where that dough is so you can find it when the IMS gernade goes off.

Fahrer

I was originally looking for 993. But, the examples I considered buying were over $50K. I found my 2008S at dealer when the 2010 models were about arrive. The result was a new car for $22K off list. The IMS failure rate for a 2007 or 2008 is extremely low. Also, at that time, I had a 2008 BMW 535 which was a nightmare with chronic HPFP and direct injector problems. That made me a bit hesitant about another new car with DFI. The carbon buildup issue is one that can be corrected every 40-60K miles for about $500 ( at least for a BMW).

mjsporsche

Similar experience but I found a very lightly used 2008S when the 2010s were arriving and saved over $33K off the list price of the 2008.

With my 7 year extended warranty, I am not worried one bit about major repairs.

Fahrer

I also got the 7 year Fidelity Platinum warranty ( based on your helpful comments) but I did not do as well as you on the price of that either

I am also feeling quite secure about the reliability of my car.

tigerspill

I went for a 997.2 for 2 reasons -
1. No RMS/IMS issues (had a 986 that I had to do the RMS on).
2. PDK

No Regrets.

DGrayling

I was originally searching for a used 997.1 but picked up a new leftover 2009 997.2 C2S in 2010 instead. The factory took 10K off the cars in 2009 plus what we could negotiate an additional discount from the dealer. Good deals were common on those late 2009 cars.

Rich

workhurts

Searched for a 993. Gave up. Was going to replace the 987.1 and it made no sense to replace it with a 997.1 or a 987.2 ... so ended up with a 997.2. The 997.2 costs a bit more than a well sorted 993 C2 and less than a C2S. I'll eventually have to scratch the 993 itch but can do so now knowing I'm driving a 2011 that I should have to work on less.

I needed an upgrade and jumping for a 2006 car to a 2011 car seemed about right. Anything less new wouldn't have been worth parting with the 2006.

Ags 911

After missing a chance to get a 04 C4S in 2008, I waited for the market to stabilize. When ready to buy, the .2 was the only car for me. Better engine, DFI, better interior, and better PCM... Two years after purchase, the car has been perfect. Use as DD and have put 20K plus on car! My 09 C2 was the best car for my budget.

Ags 911

After missing a chance to get a 04 C4S in 2008, I waited for the market to stabilize. When ready to buy, the .2 was the only car for me. Better engine, DFI, better interior, and better PCM... Two years after purchase, the car has been perfect. Use as DD and have put 20K plus on car! My 09 C2 was the best car for my budget.

Edgy01

I ordered my 997.1 car because (1) I know Porsche (having driven them for over 40 years); (2) didn't want to wait for a 997.2 or 997.3 car; and (3) it was the right time to get what I wanted.

You can always be in a tail chase with Porsche. You buy a Carrera, then there is a Carrera S. You buy a Turbo, and then there is a Turbo S. The buy the Turbo S, and they come out with the GT2. You can't win.

You have to decide for yourself what is important. Personally, I see way too many of these cars sitting in garages and rusting rather than being driven. Don't be one of those statistics. On the other hand, those who buy these things used absolutely love the people who have to have the latest thing and rarely drive what they have.

usmm1234

My decision was based on the IMS issue and primarily the direct fuel injection. Just like my Cayenne GTS. There were a lot of upgrades from 2008 to 2009. I think both the 997.1 and the 997.2 are awesome. The PDK and Bluetooth are big improvements also.

Thedips

Interesting to add I notice other guys spent lots of time searching as well. It took me about 5 months searching daily. My top priority was color combination (speed yellow black interior) then year specifically wanted a 05 for price and serviceable ims. Found one finally pop up only option I wanted missing was full leather. Car was 400 miles away outstanding price. Had to pull trigger.

usmm1234

The search is half the fun. It took me a year to find my 964. Of course the Internet in 1998 wasn't near what it is now. I spent 3 months shopping for my Cayenne and 2 months for my wife's 997. Then we thought we bought a 997.2 from Planet Automotive in Charlotte, and it turned out they never even had the car! We had to start all over again. My wife was devastated. She had already sent pictures out to friends.
My first pick on color for my 964 was speed (Lamborghini) yellow.thats a great color with black interior. I just never could find one in mint condition.

RobC4sX51

I have been fortunate to own a 996, several 997.1 cars, an '09 TT, and current 997.2. I have loved them all. The 997.2 is in the stable because of the PDK (my wife hated driving the manuals and I occasionally have to drive her V8 Touareg -pulls the boat). The advice above says to buy the newest car you can afford w the options that you want. Great advice!

Ben Z

I bought my '05 C2 in '09, so the only 997.2's around were new, and double the price. Mine was the color I wanted, had the options I wanted, and at around 20K miles it was low mileage but not a garage queen @ 5K/yr. I didn't even consider a newer .1 because why pay $15-20K more for the same frickin bodystyle that nobody else knows is 2 yrs newer?

Frankly I knew nothing of the IMS issue at the time. I had searched "reliability" and "repair issues" for MY2005 and found nothing alarming. Evidently at the time unless you put IMS in the google search you got nothing. Well at least I got nothing. If I had known I would never have bought the car, honestly. But oh well. When CPO was done, @ 32K miles I had the LN bearing installed (and a new clutch, it was about half shot). Also bought a B2B warranty out to 2017. So far a few minor repairs have reimbursed half of the cost of the warranty, so it's not so bad. And I had Bluetooth put in for a couple hundred, so that's a non-issue anymore also. Got calls, music and NAV through my iPhone.

I've had 5 years and 34K of pleasure out of it, planning to drive it at least another 2 1/2 years till the warranty is up. Depreciation-wise it's the cheapest car I've ever owned. So I'm not sorry I didn't hold out for a .2. My only hope is that when I want to upgrade, I can find a 991 with a stick or else I'll be moving away from Porsche.