Actually many of you will know me as the a**hole from the 996 forum.

Well I have been bludgeoned by time and seduced by the dark side. Last night, driving home, I faced the fact that my reactions and coordination just aren't what they were back in my 993 days. What was once second nature I now have to work for and it still isn't the same.

Maybe this is what has been attracting me to the idea of a 993 with tiptronic. At the same time the sirens kept singing the praises of the 997 and how it is the "new" 993.

I knew that I really needed to drive a 997 and I stopped by a local indie dealer that has a large variety and also a full service department. I should pick up the car tomorrow. Oh yes...I did test drive it. A one owner MY 2006 Carrera S...3.8 engine, bigger brakes, etc. 67k miles, has had the 60k service, new Pirellis all around, needs nothing. So the money I was going to spend refreshing my 996 suspension is going into buying me this newer car.

And to sooth my aging skills, I took the tiptronic. It is much better than the old 4 speed version and it has the PDK-like feature of being able to downshift instantly even in automatic mode. Yes there is that lag, but I felt very comfortable with the buttons on the steering wheel...it will be fast enough.

Pluses...all of the above and I appreciate how the wider hips make the car look better...less long and more stubby and nasty.

Negatives...I still like the interior of my 996 much better. And I like the black/black of my 996 vs the Slate gray of this 997. And I like the black instrument faces of my 996 vs the white ones in the 997...though I understand I can change those out.

And I'll miss knowing I have a real spare tire...though I'll pick up one of the old inflaters and throw it in the frunk.

So here I am...pics will follow in a couple of days.

 

Welcome! You'll love the 997.

 

Congrats on the new car...T

 

John: you are going to love the 997. And contrary to the naysayers the tiptronic is a very good transmission. To use it properly you need to learn its nuances. I suggest you drive it mostly in M mode. Please post photos of your car.

 

Congrats on the 997, excellent choice.

 

Hi Johnny.......seems more and more of us 6'rs are moving to the 7's.

 

Congrats. Find your posts interesting and look forward to hearing your impressions on the 997.

 

The hips are all the same on base and S...congrats on the new flame.

 

He is comparing the 996 to the 997. That is one of the biggest stylistic changes, the return to the more "coke bottle" proportions of the 993 vs. the 996 which was more rounded off.

 

Here are picks from seller with his permission. 1 owner, 69k miles, waiting for the owners manual, the car is a little busy with all the electronics but I do love the S body and the tiptronic makes the city driving much nicer. Will take it into the twistys for shake down tomorrow.

 

It looks great!

 

Had a '96 996 and have to say that I miss it. I love my current 997 C4S but I believe that the 996 "cockpit" was a better fit. Also, I think that the left footrest pedal position was better than my current 997. Just did two road trip [one way 725 miles and round trip 700 miles] and my left leg got tired ... seems like that left-left "pedal" is a bit too far to the right.

 

I think the quality of materials and the ergonomic design of my 03 interior is much better than this new to me 997. I don't like all the phony aluminium look and the only controls I really want on my steering wheel are the tiptronic buttons. But Porsche didn't ask my opinion so I'll live with what I've got.

I preferred the location of the window controls and the seat memory controls better in the 996...the center console, the door pockets, and the seat headrest height are also better in the 996. And lastly the simplicity of the radio settings and operational switches, and the extra storage for CDs is also better in the 996.

All that said, the 06 tiptronic is very very nice. I miss the idea of shifting my manual more than the actual experience. The steering in this 997 is also much lighter, even with 19" wheels...and the brakes are very very nice.

Going off for a drive.

 

Welcome Johnny! In a few months you will be ready for a 997.2 C4S. You'll like that interior and rear end better.

Do you have to adjust your wardrobe now?

 

Congrats!