eviligloo

For people that were deciding between the 997.1 and 997.2.....what ultimately decided it for you to go with one vs the other? was it budget? reliability? raw visceral feel? options and gismos?

I know the topic has been beaten to death but I like to hear feedback from specific people about why they chose one over the other.

The pricing is within $10k of each other which means the 05-08's are holding their value well despite the 997.2 and 991 being available. I guess that's a good sign but makes the decision between the two harder.

Thanks!

Collin Chapin

I'm currently looking at one of the two and without being an owner i'm going to say the main incentive is simply price.

I'm sure almost anyone would go with a 997.2 if there was a minimal price difference due to the newer electronics and elimination of IMS issues.


I am planning on buying a 997.1 C4S but if I stumbled upon a 997.2 C4 it would be a tough decision.

My main concern lies with the possibility of IMS issues... even though the percentage may be small I could just not afford to fix it if I were to have that kind of failure.

malexgcab

for me, it didn't matter if it was 997.1 or 997.2...I just wanted to drive a 911. I ended up buying a 997.1 since I knew myself it will not be the last 911 for me.

It's nice to anticipate I will upgrade to 997.2 or 991 or 991.2...LOL

eviligloo

Haha....I've already started mentally thinking about that next upgrade. I haven't even owned a porsche yet but i look at the spot in my garage and already have the feeling that "one of these spots will always be for a porsche."

sure wish that i hadn't become so enamored with the aerokit recently. my personal opinion is that i like porsches with a spoiler (not the one that deploys). That really limits me to the 997.1. The porsches with the aerokit stand out a lot more. But the updated electronics and bluetooth and the new engine on the 997.2...........man. still undecided.

chris.hanle

Newest I could afford, well newest I was willing to spend. In addition PDK and electronics.

9114Scab

Not to sound like a homer, but, they are both great.

The IMS issues with the 997.1 are my only real concern with the first generation 911s. That in itself would probably push me to the 997.2.

I had an 08 and it was great. I have a 2012 and it is great. Take your time and have fun.

eviligloo

What made you decide to sell the 08 and go to the 12? were they both s or 4s or base models?

9114Scab

I had a 08 911 S cab with 7500 miles on it. In pristine shape, matter of fact, I would concours my car via the PCA. ( I do have a very good relationship with my dealership here in the Chicago area) I also purchase Cayennes on a regular basis from them. To make a long story short, the GM called me and said, " I have a deal you can't turn down" on Jan. 3rd 2013. Well, he was right, I couldn't turn it down.

So, I traded it in for a 2012 911 4S cab ,relatively loaded(although, I am going to add the sport chrono package soon). There was nothing wrong with my 08 it was an amazing car.

In the Midwest, shop for cars in January, cause these dealerships aren't moving anything , a week after New Years and they are all dealing.

Have fun searching.

7391420

Number 1 for me was find the best car I could afford. That = an 08 C2, with 27k miles, all records clean car fax, and spotless in and out.

I don't worry about the IMS question at all. Every Porsche has its potential weaknesses. My feeling is drive it, enjoy it, use It, maintain it. I had an SC back when the fear...was chain tensioners. I had a 3.2 carerra when the fear....was valve guides... you just cant worry about that. Maintain the car, perform upgrades or PM by checking the oil and just use it. I'm sure the 997.2 is a great car, personally I don't think it will be any more or less reliable that the 997.1 . I've had DI cars (2010 Mini Cooper S) that needed to have the combustion chambers cleaned every 20k miles...literally taken out and cleaned with walnut shells.... The 997.2 may be better or not time will tell. I would still buy one for sure but I don't think that it's any more bullet proof than anything else.

mk3boy

never drove .2 but I prefer more raw for weekend driver .1

Bruce In Philly

I had two engine failures of the older design from unknown failures... 1 was definitely not the IMS, the other IMS was not suspected. No way..... '09 DFI engine for me and that was that.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

Ezkill

Decision was based on petty stuff. I didn't like the look of the 997.1 PCM. The phone dial pad made it look extremely outdated in my mind. Figured I'd have to change it out to be happy and that was going to cost a lot when I looked at options.

The IMS/RMS issues where also a concern. My indy Porsche mechanic had fixed a few too many cars over the years for my level of comfort. Small chance but I'm a bit obsessive over this kind of stuff so it would cost me SOME sleep.

dasams

You'll grow out of this.
IMO, the .2 facelift was a major upgrade so it was an easy choice for me. I also have no interest in the 991 as it's too much of a GT for me.

Philster

I went for the best combo of age/price/miles/equipment/condition I could, and was trying to avoid the first run of the 997.1 that had the highest % of IMS issues (prior to some changes).

My car is 100% excess, for weekends, specific road trips and special events only. Were it used as a daily or somewhat regular driving car, I'd never get the Aerokit. It makes the car look a bit exotic, and I prefer that for something I use that way.

The front bumper and lip are so low that I have to plan out where I can get gas and stop on road trips. I use Google street view or call ahead, because she ain't getting up many driveway aprons at many gas stations and other stores.

.

eviligloo

haha.....maybe someday! my other fun car is a saleen mustang so it's over the top too with a big spoiler and light bar. haven't grown tired of the look yet despite owning it for almost 10 years.

the part about "planning your route out for gas stations" is something I never considered. this is a semi-issue with my mustang and I do have to avoid speed bumps. i scrape regularly since it's so low. i figure i'll put about 10k miles on it a year using it as a second car so maybe i should be considering that a little more. Thanks for that insight, Philster.

keep the opinions coming. very interesting feedback!