uphoto

Well let's say I have an idea but that idea and its options, are what's driving me mad!!!!

997.2 S PDK, 997.2 S Manual (tougher to find), 991 S and 997.1 Turbo Tip can all be had for $60k and under. (upped budget to $70k)

Am I insane to even think of a turbo tiptronic? Especially over a 991.1 S?

I'm going to test drive the 991.1 S and the 997.2 S in the next few weeks but can't find a 997.1 Turbo Tip at the moment. I know that the 991 is considered a great car but this is a weekend spirited drive car for me, it's something I'll take out on a drive to the grocery store or run errands during the week but won't be a commuting type vehicle. So I want it to be special, I also want it to be a smart buy in that a 991.1 S is going to depreciate quite a bit still and I wouldn't doubt if a 997.1 Turbo would be worth the same or more at any given time (even with the tip). 997.2 GTS would also be a great car but would probably have more miles on it than I would like for my budget but that's a whole other discussion.

I have a feeling that I'll like the more "Porsche" feel of the 997 over the more plush and polished 991 but we will see after a few test drives. I just have a very very hard time not being lured by the idea of a 911 Turbo, it's something I've always wanted but still can't really afford I guess? My dream would be a 997.2 TT PDK and that could still be in the plans in a few years. The idea of 500hp and a manual just doesn't excite me yet either does the total lack of excitement that a traditional auto can have. With that much power, I like the idea of focusing on the driving aspect and staying alive on the road . Now my 70 MGB GT is a BLAST to work thru the gears because you need to have control of the gear you are in to keep up momentum and speed! The PDK then is fine for me for the cars I can afford.

Wanted to talk it out on this decision, sometimes it's better to write it all out and explain it and then get a feel for what others have to say (I guess that's what a forum is for huh?).

Selo

After having a few high HP cars, I don't think you need to be scared about a manual and 500 hp, especially in something with the traction and stability of an AWD Turbo.
My 14 GT500 and F10 M5 could be scary, but even with them, if I didn't drive like a complete ***, all was well.
That said, if you just feel better about PDK, especially if you're going to be tracking, go for it. Just hate for you to pass on a good MT if you happen find one first.

uphoto

Well said, there is a reason that the manuals are at such a premium, sometimes I think it's a tad bit overblown. For some reason, Porsche drivers take it a knock on their manhood to drive something other than a stick.

jayzbird

If you’re already thinking turbo, best to just go that route from the get go. The 997.1TT will hold value where the others you listed won’t. You can also pick up a really nice 996TT for 60k. Auto is no less dangerous than a manual, other than you can’t money shift it.

uphoto

I would be totally happy with a manual, I just haven't seen any 997's at my price point.

Skwerl

A .1 manual with a few miles (maybe 70k+) should be around $60k or less. If you find one with good maintenance history and the pipes are pinned you wouldn't have much to worry about mechanically.

If low miles is important, I'd go for a 6mt .2 C2S of the cars you mentioned, or PDK GTS.

Carlos4S

JoeFromPA

You gotta test drive them. There's no other answer.

Needsdecaf

I'm afraid of what kind of 991 you're going to find for $60k. Looking on AutoTempest, it looks like 2013 and 2014 base Carreras or some leggy Carrera S's. Trust me when I say, you don't want those. The 3.4 in the base is pretty anemic (sorry if you own one of those, but it is) and while the Carrera S has enough zip, the car just....isn't a great 911. The early 991 chassis don't feel very 911 like. The early electric power steering isn't great, the chassis isn't particularly composed, etc. You're getting in on the early stages of the "Panamerafied" 911...it was a pretty big change. The first produced under the VAG umbrella, they went a little too far in the GT direction in all aspects. Later 991.1's (like 2016) feel better and the 991.2's feel better still.

Contrast that to a $60k 997. You're getting the last few years of a formula that was honed. No, the electronics aren't as sophisticated. Yes the car feels older and a bit more mechanical. But to me, that's part of the charm. I had a 991.1 C2S and I never gelled with it. If I had to get a 991, it would only be a GTS or a 991.2 Carrera T.

Keep in mind, with a 997.1 Turbo you're talking about the top of the range Porsche at the time, vs. an entry level 991. While the 997 is definitely a generation older, and feels it, there are pluses to that as well.

Here is a car from a known good seller that's worth considering.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...paign=atempest

Joe has a point. My neighbor drove a 997 back to back with a 991 and was totally turned off with how "old" the 997 felt. Whereas that's what I love about it. It feels old but not G-Body, loose trunk carpet, random switch placement, old.

cjaz

I have been keeping an eye out for a manual turbo coupe with higher mileage (65-85k) in the 60k range. I'm not seeing anything.

uphoto

That's exactly what I've come to expect from the 991 without even driving one and I want to see how I will react to it. I have a thing for vehicles that have "character." I'll drive my 2002 Chevy 2500 Duramax Diesel over my wife 2018 Volvo XC90, the older truck speaks to me more even without the electronic gadgets. I do LOVE carplay so I put a dual din modern stereo in the truck and would do the same thing with any Porsche that didn't have modern electronics.

In a week or so I'll be in the San Francisco area and I've already got a few cars in mind that I'm going to see and test drive, should be interesting! I won't even get into the temptation I have to get a cabriolet though, that's a whole other issue and might come into play after driving a few of the cars, that's where the 991.1 comes in as I think the newer vehicles are the best looking convertibles Porsche has ever made but if I found the right 997T I would take coupe or convertible.

Needsdecaf

Agreed that the 991 Cab is better looking than the 997 IMO. You lose the plastic trim on the window edge, and the profile is much closer to the coupe's than the 997 Cab with it's multiple angle changes.

That's one thing I like about the 997 Turbo Cabs. Because of the revised rear deck and wing, the Turbo Cabs look much more elegant than a standard body 997 Cab.

But that's just my opinion.

lflouie

While I admire your self control to limit your purchase price to $60k, I would take a diffetent approach. I'd narrow in on a specific model and for what I wanted. If I already had a turbo I'd be looking for something different....like a GTS or possibly a Carrera S where handling outweighs power. A different car for different use.

I own and searched for a 997.1 cope 6spd and was considering a later model GTS. The GTS was just as rewarding to drive, but without the power rush above 4k rpm. The GTS handled better and had more contemporary features, but I had other cars that filled that need. The TT ability for power and a more relaxed driving style plus the overall compact feel of the car, led me to the 997.1tt since it was going to be a weekend only car.

I've owned over 50 cars, so at this point it is all about the right car for the job. Having a super charged daily, a hot hatch mountain car, the 997TT fit in as a perfect complement to round out the car options in my garage.

Good hunting, it's all about the journey and bagging the next toy.

uphoto

I live at around 5k feet in elevation, one reason I love turbos. Some of the better roads here are at 7k feet, so having forced induction helps a lot up here.

JoeFromPA

If a 991 is truly in your thoughts, try to find a 2017 991 Carrera or Carrera 4 to test drive too. They are coming down to around $60k now, many of them. They offer ~370hp from a DI twin turbo motor that is very sweet.