OTM

I loved my 2014 base 911 (manual) in GT Silver over last few years. Didn’t do much to it besides adding PSE. I loved it. I loved the sound, feel and need to wind out the engine. I drove it year round and commuted in it most days. But like many, I began to suffer from “S” envy. It started small but grew a bit each and every trip. Not sure why. I didn’t need or miss the extra oomph. The bigger red brakes weren’t that big a deal. Nobody but us diehards know or care about base vs S but still it slowly ate away at me.

I convinced myself I was tired of silver and I wanted to try black (which I always avoided). I convinced myself that I needed a newer car with cpo as my warranty would run out in early 2018 and I already had 28,000 miles. I convinced myself I would need brakes and tires soon so I should sell before that large expense. I followed HFS and cars.com every day for 6 months and did not find the 2015 or 2016 with manual and the options I wanted and then I convinced myself of the big one...I’ll get a brand new 2017 S and I’ll love it!

I figured I would love the new electronics and the turbo whistle was fun. I convinced myself that I wouldn’t miss the NA sound and rough feel. So I started a search for a 2017 S. I needed a manual, sport chrono, PSE and sunroof. I found a few good possibilities and then I found what I thought was perfect. In beginning of July I found it in New Hampshire. Warranty punched, black, all the options I wanted and barely anything extra to drive up the price. The dealer offered me a great price on my trade. It had a punched warranty so I hammered out a good deal that included a CPO warranty even though it had 20 miles.

(Picture below)

It was perfect and beautiful...and I knew I made a big mistake.

The car was noticeably faster. The black was so nice (when clean). I had only 20 miles and 5.5 yrs of warranty. This should have been a keeper. But I kept looking for a 2016 S. I wasn’t sure why. Was it just the engine sound. I didn’t notice any lag but I missed the rough rumble of my 2014. I liked the upgraded electronics but I missed the PCM that I knew and loved. And...the black was driving me nuts. I was washing the car every couple days because it constantly looked filthy. Even if I washed it and put it right in the garage, within 2 days the dust that covered it was bugging me.

So my search continued until I found it. A newly traded in 2016 S in Dark Blue Metallic. CPO and 7,000 miles. Manual of course, glass roof, sport chrono, sport PASM, Bose, turbo wheels. (2nd photo below) a few other options but nothing crazy. This was the car I had been looking for over last 9 months. Just too bad I purchased that 2017 before I found it

I love it. I hope to have it for years and years. I added PSE right away. And clear side marker, and my pretty new winter S wheels in platinum (I’ll use the turbo wheels as winter wheels) and the black gts rear grille. I always loved that look so I figured let’s just get it all done and not think about any upgrades (last couple photos).

The 2017 was faster, smoother, more fuel efficient, newer, less miles and more warranty but I have no regret in my decision. The NA sound is intoxicating. The 2017 sounded great. I loved it and the PSE was awesome but absolutely no comparison to the NA 3.8 (or the 3.4 which I think sounded perfect btw). The clutch in the 2017 was light and smooth. Fairly short and nice easy bite...but I love the 2016 clutch. Stiffer but not too stiff. Longer travel but not too long. More effort required but...well you get it. I think this one is a keeper. My wife, family, friends and neighbors all think I’m crazy. I have to agree with them all!

Thanks for reading.

Bemo

I’m not going to say that you’ve made a mistake as you have already rectified it, congratulations!

There simply isn’t a substitute for the aural rewards of an NA/PSE combo.

STG

It was destiny. Glad it worked out.

Boulder Mike

Great post! And you are not crazy...At least by Rennlist standards!

Johnny5Alive

you know you're gonna get burned for this right?

OTM

I know but if I can’t share with my rennlist friends...


Thank you everyone for the kind words. and STG...nailed it...per usual.

RichAA

Great story! Glad you got what you need.

R_Rated

You made the right decision. NA lives matter.

KWP1911

Cool story. But won't the DBM be just as annoying to keep clean as the black?

96redLT4

Congrats on finding the right car for you. Did you end up selling the black '17 back to the dealer?

Jim

Mrrdstr

My new hero. Congrats on the madness

shake1

Congrats! Love the rims rims in the first DBM shot. Did it come with two sets?

OTM

Good question. I am much better with the DBM than black. I think for a couple reasons. First, the basic non-metallic black is so beautiful when clean but only clean for about 30 min after washing. The DBM is much easier to keep clean. I assume because it’s a metallic paint which hides dirt better. The fingerprints are just as bad as on the black but the water marks and dust seem to hide better.

Second, part of it might of been because I knew something wasn’t right for me with that car so I looked for reasons why it wasn’t the one.

OTM

Thank you. The 2016 came with the turbo wheels in the first photo. I had my winter tires from the 2014 mounted on those rims. I had the platinum S rims from a couple months ago for winters that I’m using now for the summer tires. Not sure which way I’ll end on that issue.

Jim, the 2017 was traded in to a different dealer in PA that had the 2016. I did ok on the two trades which cushioned the blow. (Sorry I didn’t know how to quote two posts in my response)

titleistaddict87

Just wondering what your purchase price was for the S? Feel free to PM if you'd rather. Appreciate it.