I didn't want to turn this into a 997 vs. GT3/981 performance/handling debate ... so let's assume they are equal in that department. My question is with small kids does having the even small back seats mean you get to drive the car more?

For example, if I have a 997 I could take it to:

- take my kids for the day to a car show
- let them experience a sports car
- maybe even take the whole family somewhere
- pick them up from daycare

With a GT3/981, I can only take one (assuming I'm ok with car seat in front) anywhere.

Some of this is obvious, but the question is for those with kids, does a true two seater turn into your "only to and from" work mobile that maybe you drive an hour or two on the weekends when you can sneak away (which isn't often for me)? How much is this a factor? Thanks.

 

Absolutely. I drove my son in carseat that was installed in rear, now he is 8 and sits in front, but my daughter has taken carseat. Rear seats turn this into a usable car. As much as i would like a 2 seater it would render this vehicle quite useless for me.

 

YES

They love Cars 'n' Coffee.

Sometimes we just take a sunset cruise.

Only use the car for special events, and sometimes they join me.

Thank Og the 911 has a back seat.

 

Yes. My kids are teenagers. We don't go too far, but we go. Better with 1 in front and 1 in back, but that means mom stays home.

 

The answer for me was YES!
I purchased my first 911 over 25 years ago when my son was first born and it was the right decision.
My wife gave her blessing and I never looked back. In those days we did not use car seats as the rear seats fit the kids very securely.

 

My kids are 11 and 8. I take them to the beach in the 997. windows open, (bad) music of their choice playing - they love it! I also take my son to C&C events all the time.

 

That is a huge "yes" for me. Having the rear seats in my 911 is one of the major reasons I chose the car. The rear seats allow us to regularly travel together as a family, rather than just occasional outings with my wife and I.

 

The rear seats mean that my 997 can be a legitimate DD for me. Several of my other cars are true 2 seaters and as a result they only get driven (rarely) for fun. I take my kids (13,11,9)to school about 1/2 the time but it's only 2 miles, so while they complain it does work.it also comes in handy when my wife calls at the last moment and one/two of the kids needs to be picked up at practice, dance, etc. The other posters must either have smaller kids or a more tolerant wife as there is no way in hell my kids would ride any more than about 15 minutes in the back. So good for around town, trips... Forget about it!

 

Yes for me as well. I have a six year old and have a booster seat in the back. We can easily do short drives as a family. Again, for me, the ability to pick up my kid from school once in awhile was one of the deciding factors that got me the 'nod' from the Boss, er um wife.

 

YES....in my case anyway.

 

Absolutely! My kids (7) love riding the Porsche. It's special and they get it. It's pretty much the family car on weekends and we use it for road trips. We pack lite and have fun.
My kids live to go on the back roads and they live it even more when my wife isn't there to complain that I'm taking the turns too fast. They love getting tossed around a little.

 

Yes, precisely the reason why I upgraded from a 986 to a 997.2
For longer trips we take the SUV but for shorter trips my two girls (14 & 10) love the Carrera

 

Yes, I have a car seat for my 3 yr old son who loves to ride in "Daddy's Porsche car." One of the main reasons I opted for a 911 was due to the "rear seats" so my wife, kid and I could enjoy a day out with the top down. Would I want to take a Multi-day trip with them in the car, umm no.

IMO it makes the 911 a little more 'practicle.'

 

Absolutely. My 5 year old daughter loves it and goes to PCA events with me all the time. Now my 16 year old daughter is a bit odd. I grabbed the 997 keys on the way out to a college visit and she said "we're not taking a Porsche are we?" I just looked at my wife and said "...said no teenager ever..."

She redeemed herself by arguing the correct pronunciation with her theater teacher.

 

I always wanted a 911 but it became a no brainer when it was time to buy due to back seat accommodation for my kids.

I've thought about the newer cayman S but won't do so due to same reasoning.