onewhippedpuppy

Generally speaking, you're at the bottom of the 997 market. Though there are some gems out there:

https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...red-black.html

If you can't go over $35k, I would advocate for a 987S or a 996 C4S/40th AE. You could get either with money to spare, and are still fantastic cars. Frankly I think the 987 Boxster S is the funnest street Porsche that you can buy.

wardrive

Hi OP.

I did a new thread on this but thought i would be good to read, as it discusses the IMS issue in the 996 (which also relates to the 997.1).

Overall the writer thinks the IMS issue in the 996 is over-hyped and definitely doesn't think the 997.1 (06-08 has updated IMS bearings) should be of concern. Reminder the 997.1 has IMS, 997.2 does not.

http://truedelta.kinja.com/a-pin-les.../+tommcparland

Ynot

Personally for me if I was in a market for a 997, I would not even considered the 997.1. IMS, d-chunk, #5/6 cylinder, engine issues everywhere, although super rare, I wouldn't want to be the one forking out $25K plus for a new engine replacement.

Kuhl997.2!

I was in the same dilemma as you choosing between a 997.1 and a 997.2. After quite a bit or research ogling over countless combinations and cars for sale, options and prices options I settled on a 997.2 2S and couldn't be happier. Both car platforms are great but the 997.2 engine is really quite superior: direct injection, 30 percent less parts, better fuel milage, No IMS issues that really are not as common as we have become sensitized to and a bit quitter nothing a cross pipe or aftermarket exhaust can't change if you so wish. Other features are the LED lights maybe you like maybe you don't but they definitely give the car a more current look where as the 997.1's lights look more traditional. The 997.2 also have a much improved PMC and a truly brilliant automatic PDK transmission, although I went with the manual, because when you are good at something it is a joy and Porsche's manual transmission is truly the finest manual in existence. I drove a new 991 and although the new sheet metal and interior are stunning and the interior quieter i enjoyed the feeling and steering feedback the 997.2 offered. I was on a bit of a budget, read my wife was only going for it for $x after which i get to live some where else, so the 997.2 GTS which was and still is out of my budget is completely in my option the best 997.2 it simply has every thing and I think it will hold it's value more than any 997.2, have you seen RS America prices. Cheers and thank you for letting me share.

tomc_mets

997.2 S range from upper 40's K on up on cars.com, upper 50's for CPO'd variants.

I can't add anything to the great posts above & elsewhere, but echo that after 10 months & 11K miles, my 997.2S has gone from a stepping stone to a more powerful car (sorry folks, a Ferrari) to a car I would only part with under the most dire circumstances. Love how it drives, looks, sounds, smells & since it's not my DD, I still get a bit giddy in the morning when I know I'm gonna be driving it that day...T

Selo

Bluetooth was not available on the .1. If you have any intention of driving the car as anything more than a toy, this is huge. Also, I somehow think the Bose stereo sounds better in my .2 than it ever did in my .1. I can't substantiate whether or not it actually under went any updates, but perhaps the somewhat quieter engine and exhaust make it sound better.

Dennis C

Bluetooth is extremely easy to add to a 997.1 with a system like Mobridge. I have bluetooth telephone connectivity as well as bluetooth streaming audio. Everything is controlled with the factory head unit, song titles are displayed on the PCM screen and it looks like a factory option. I can play Spotify, Pandora, etc. with no problem at all.

wardrive

I definitely agree that if a budget allows, go for the 997.2. But with the price delta being huge to buy a similarly equipped car (15k easily), I'm happy with my 997.1.

myw

+911 from another fellow 997.1 owner.

Rubik

Call me simplistic, but I'd imagine that less components would amount to less opportunities for things to go wrong or having bad components and ultimately less engine failures?

Thanks everyone! A lot of good info.