991 C2 vs 997.2 C2S

I have the happy opportunity to be in the market for a new Porsche. But have the challenge of choosing between 2 great cars. I currently have a 05 Boxster which I thoroughly enjoy. I drive it on weekends and track it 3 or 4 times year. I now want to move up to the 911. I found a new 2012 997 C2S for $89k with no sport chrono or any other must-have options. Seems like a great deal? Contrast that with a base 2013 C2 which I will order with PASM, Sport seats plus, Sport Chrono, 19 inch wheels. (and am considering PDK). I think they are both great cars which I would enjoy, but I am stuck on the fence. Which way would you go?

Tough decision for as you said both seem great. For the 997 is it a stick or PDK?......if a stick not having sport chrono is not that big of a deal and really the software without the dash "wart" can be added by the dealer at any time so no big deal there. Being the 997 is an "S" it will be a bit quicker compared to the 991 base, not by much but I'm willing to bet it will be. If it were me I'd be leaning towards the 991 as I always tend to go with the latest and what I can customize to my liking, but some of the options you are choosing for the 991 are standard on the 991S,....larger wheels & PASM. You might get to a point where the 991S is just a few $K more compared to the non-S. Good luck with your decision.

The 997 is a stick. I was wondering if it is still sitting in the dealer's lot because it is missing sport chrono? I will ask the dealer if he can add it. Regarding the 991 S, the price difference from base to S is 14K and there are still some options that I want such as metallic paint and sport seats plus, so the price difference will be higher.

The 991 is a tenth of a second slower with the manual and a tenth of a second quicker with PDK. 991 Porn 2012 911 991 Carrera - Stuttcars.com I might vote for the 997 S, though.

The software for the sportchrono can be added to the 997.2 including the switches for both Sport and Sport Plus, and you have the benefit of no wart on the dash. The software is installed by the dealer along w/ the switches to your center console. From a powertrain standpoint the 991 and 997.2 are very similar, so the question really is pricing and styling. Both cars carry a new car waranty so that's another "equivalence". Which "look" do you prefer and what will each cost you? Are you satisfied w/ the equipment on the 997.2or do you need to have the car just the way you order it?

I'd normally vote for the latest and greatest model, but not in this case... 1/2 the reviews I read (and I read a lot) say the electric power steering is "not too bad", largely because the rest of the car is so good. Not exactly high praise.... 1/2 say it's not as good as before and that something else was lost - not just in steering but the effectiveness of the longer wheelbase also kinda neuters the 991, making it less playful... Now the 991 is faster and all, but I'm sure that unless your name is Pat Long, a 997S will be *plenty* fast for you (and me). *I* always prefer the more communicative car, and you save $14K+ to boot. As a bonus you avoid the Panamera console, the bulbous headlights, and people don't confuse your car with an Aston martin from the back (wait, that's a almost a compliment). To me this is kinda like the 993>996 debate of yore, but not quite as pronounced. The new car is faster - no doubt - "better", though, is totally up to your preference... I don't understand why Porsche went with electrical power steering to save a ridiculous amount of gas, thereby sacrificing a big part of what makes their car a 911.

991 no doubt. I had to make a similar decision recently. After looking at and driving the 991 and 997.2 back to front, the 991 moves the game on significantly. I have a 991 c2 cab on the boat from the Germany at the moment.

Thanks for all the comments. The Dealer says they can add the sport chrono to the 997 C2S for 1500 installed. Does that sound reasonable?

Yes, it sounds reasonable. I think all Porsches come with built-in SC mapping. All you are doing is purchasing a software license from Porsche and the dealer installs a couple of dash switches for Sports and Sports+ (PDK).

There is a new 2011 leftover 997 GTS in Cincinnati listed for $99,400. Black/Black 6 speed with factory aero. It is a great looking car.

I prefer the interior design of the 997, so I'd pick the 997.2 CS were it me -- interior is what you see all the time. That said, good luck with your choice and I wish I had your dilemma!

991 - I drove both just this weekend. I didn't think I would like the 991 because of everything people have been writing but I can tell you....in my opinion...the 991 is a good step forward over the 997. My best recommendation; find a dealer that has both and drive them back to back....you will know which one you need to have. Then get it and never second guess yourself.

Personally I'd vote 991. Looks better IMHO, u get the latest model, u and you get the customizations you want. Still though, the electric steering might be a concern, I'd say drive both first!