Advice requested. First Time Buyer. 997

I'm a potential new inductee into Porsche ownership. I've admired the 911 from afar too long and it's time for me to get serious about the decision. I have done a search on this forum about buying used 911s. Learned a lot. can't say that I found all of the good threads so don't hesitate to recommend a thread or two. I am targeting the newest low mileage one I can afford. Probably 2007-2010. It won't be a garage queen as it will be driven daily, but it won't see wintery roads either. I like to do my own preventive maintenance and when armed with a manual, I'll fix bigger stuff. I'd rather not see a replacement engine or replacement transmission bill. I'm inclined to keep my first 911 experience simply: Carrera. No Cab, No "S", No "4", but........we will see. There are several Porsche dealers in the D.C. area and Annapolis, and I have located Intersport in McLean,VA. Spoke with Andy. I intend to visit Intersport and spend sometime getting to know the cars and their shop. I hope to take one on a long drive as I have some hip and back joints that don't cooperate as much as the past. My wife's Mercedes treats me well. My Tacoma is good for about an hour. I have no issue with getting on an airplane and flying somewhere to buy and drive/ship it home, except maybe going much further west than Texas. Questions Sources of 911: - Anyone have experience with Intersport? - Are there other forums you folks would recommend? - Are there other Porsche sources in the D.C. area, or within a day's drive I should consider? - Are there other Porsche sources that are a flight away that I should consider? - Are there any decent classifieds? I've been looking at New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews, Car Finance Advice - Cars.com Mechanicals: - I've read that a PPI is a must. Got it - Consumer Reports lists Reliability as Worse for the Transmission-Major and Electrical. Any thoughts on the issues? All CR sez is: Engine cooling, water pump, trans-minor rough shifting and clutch adjustment. - Are PDK issues rare? - I've not found any issues related to the "4". Are there any? - Are the rear main seals an issue or is it mostly a sweat? - Is the intermediate crankshaft still a rare issue? can that be checked during a PPI? - #1 and #6 coil pack failures. Common or rare? Options: - PDK. Yes or no? Worth the extra bucks? I'd rather not see a big tranny bill, but if it didn't fail during the first few years of ownership, then maybe its okay? Skip it and still with the manual? - SportChrono? Sounds like fun to me!? - "4". Yes or no? Worth the extra bucks? Again, I'd rather not see a big transverse case (I presume) bill. - I'm not going to be on the track so I think I should not go the "S" route. I hope to test drive both. - What about PASM? - I think 18" wheel/tires will provide a better street ride than 19 or 20 inch. Agree? I hope to test drive these sizes Misc: - Any decent aftermarket warranties out there? Should I even consider one? - Is there a difference in the widths of the Carrera, "S" and the "4"? I keep reading "wide body" but can't figure it out even after pulling some literature. - Those who own a 997, what are your thoughts about a long day's drive. Comfortable? Seat or comfort issues? - Cabin noise at 70-80mph on the highway? Manual vs PDK? Test dive points for us. - I can't imagine a long drive in a Cab, even with the top closed. If you own a Cab and make long drives, do you own the removeable hardtop? - Any decent sources for Cab removeable hardtops? I know this is a lot, but it's a rainy day here in Maryland. Wish it was for our drought ridden country. Sincerely, J.R.

Will answer what I can inline below...

Thank you K-Man S. Lot's of good things for me to research more on.

With all due respect, you're making this way too hard. Test drive a few cars, coupes and cabs, and pic one you like, have PPI done and if it checks put buy it and enjoy it. Most of the options don't have that significant an impact on your enjoyment of the car with the possible exception of PASM, for ride comfort, and Sport Chrono, for that little extra fun factor. Both are worth having but if you find the car you want I wouldn't rule it out because it didn't have them. If you plan on using the car as a daily driver in rush hour traffic don't rule out PDK. Oh, and cabs are just fine at highway speeds for long trips with or without the top up.

I don't disagree about the potential for making it too hard. For the newbe these cars come with so many options, and opinions about the options that it can be a bit overwhelming. I very much appreciate the thoughts about PASM and Sports Chrono. I am going to a near-local used car dealer/shop that specializes on Porsche this weekend and put some time in the seats.

PASM Yes Sport Chrono, although I have it (bought the car off the lot, not custom ordered), I've rarely used it. Sport and Sport Plus if available: Sport, YES; Sport Plus, I like it but when running autocross I find the Sport mode to be better. PDK is as many have indicated a personal preference. For my $.02, I like my PDK, has a manual mode when I like and auto mode when I don't. All good questions, like others have said, drive a few, definitely have a PPI done, get the one you like and enjoy the ride. Also, I've owned a few Porsches over the last few years and other makes. CR has a "flavored" view of some makes. I've not had any problems in my cars (924S/968 to Cayman S to 997.2). Porsche builds a rock solid vehicle. Some items to ask about: (1) Do you have a full service history? Those that don't I personally shy away from (my preference). (2) Has there been any accident damage? (3) Definitely CARFAX the one you are serious about buying or ask the owner. Mike

My wife and I spent 1/2 a day Saturday with Andy at Intersport. I plan to check with a couple of the sponsors of this site too. Andy was a great host. In emails and phone conversations there was no pressure and he respected the fact that we had not yet driven a Porsche but because he knew were were serious about a Porsche, he set us up for some test drives. Intersport had a decent cross section of cars. I would prefer to buy my first Porsche from Andy but we'll see what the market has in 4S out there. He also offered to keep an eye out for one if I can supply him a configuration. We started with a drive in a 2007? with Triptronic, then onto a 2008? with PDK. Both of these were straight up Carreras. Not sure all of the reasons, but the 2nd Carrera rode better than the 1st. Age? Tires? Shocks? Then I asked about a 2009 4S on the lot and off we went. The 3rd, the 2009 4S was an even better ride. I accept that because of my "rookie" status, there maybe other reasons but the 4S just felt better from the perspective of a car to be driven more than just at the track, on weekends and sunny days. By the way, the wife road along for the first two as she made up her mind within 1/4 mile about them. The 4S I talked her into driving for the return leg. At 5'2" and about 100 lbs she was very pleased at how easily she could adjust the seat to her needs. I wish I had taken a picture of her face when she applied some of the power in this car. I think she said "I want one of these!" and "I can see why one could get a lot of tickets in one of these". Neither of us came close to applying any of the 3 Porsche's full capability and still enjoyed them. Now it's time to narrow the search. So far (and thoughts are still welcome) this is what we're thinking: 2009-2010 Carrera 4 or 4s, Coupe, PDK, Bose, Sunroof, no ceramic brakes, seat heaters, Comfort seat with full electric adjustments, no reds. Desirable: PSM, Sport, Sport Plus, PASM, SportChrono Nice to have: Seat memory, Seat ventilators, and not all inclusive. Of course: DME readout, CARFAX, no accidents, PPI, maintenance records if available, owner's manual. What else? I will probably trade it in or sell it in a few years so i suspect there are options listed and not listed in this post that I should consider having for resale Thanks everyone. Keep those cards and letters coming. Sincerely, J.R.

Good luck with your search and don't get hung up on the options. 99percent of the time you'll just be happy to be driving such an incredible car.

YES, it is an incredible car. Good advice about the options.

It's all personal preference; for me the key options were: 1. PASM 2. Leather 3. Sport seats 4. Sport steering wheel 5. No Bose Everything else was take it or leave it ... You have to decide which are non-negotiable "must haves" ... :cheers:

Purchased first 911 Bought one. :dance: THANKS everyone for your thoughts and advice. ALL very helpful. Purchased from dealer 2009 4S: 5,800 1 owner miles with CPO out to June 2015 White with black interior, White Dial faces PDK, Sport Chrono, Sport Exhaust, PASM Dynamic Lighting, Self Dimming mirrors Power seats: heated and ventilated Bose, Sirius, Blue tooth, Ext nav Someone took VERY good care of this car. It looks new. We left it with the dealer to have the clear bra installed. Now to move some shelves around in the garage to make way for the new addition. My wife said "it looks good on her". Anyone know what that means??? By the way. There is a stunner of a 2012 997 PDK Sport Chrono and more, black on black with yellow dial faces and yellow seatbelts at the Cary,NC dealership. We thought about it seriously but went the used CPO route. If you're interested in that car please ask for Brad Shafer. Even though we didn't buy from the dealership he works out, he worked hard on a potential sale of used '09. Looking forward to learning even more and maybe contributing as I learn. :cheers:

Congrats on your new ride.. funny when I read your initial post... I KNEW you'd end up w/ a 4S :hilarious: show us some pics.. icsplz: JT

Congrats. Well done, sounds like you have a really well spec's car. Be sure to post some pics.

997 Pics Here are a few pics from the ad. Thanks again.

...and from your neck of the woods no less.

Yes... I see that... I go by their Charlotte location 2-3 times per week... the rear end on the 4S is sooooo sexy... congrats again. beautiful car.

They have TWO!? Wow. When the wife and I first walked in, I jokingly said, "We have to walk the isle of shame past the Maseratis, Lamborghinis and Aston Martins to get to the 'poor' Porsche section" . The sharpest show room I've ever been in.

Congrats on the 997.2 C4S and welcome to the world of Porsche! Once you're in it is extremely hard to get out.....you've been warned She looks great :cheers:

Those who own a 997, what are your thoughts about a long day's drive. Comfortable? Seat or comfort issues? I have leather heated seats, very comfortable. Longest drive I've had was about 3 hours so not quite a "long days drive" but I wasn't aching or itching to get up for a walk around. Cabin noise at 70-80mph on the highway? Depends if you're holding the car at a specific speed. I find that when I lift off slightly and let it cruise, hardly any noise from the engine and a nice experience. When I depress the pedal I get a bit of a whine betwee 3k-4k rev range because of the sports exhaust but I can turn that off. As for actual noise from surroundings / road, very good in the 997.2. Can't speak for a 997.1 The options I looked for specifically were 0. 997.2 over 997.1 1. S over normal spec - better breaks, suspension, handling, power, PASM, 6 speed box. Very important for me. 2. PCM 3.0 with Sat Nav (997.2) 3. Heated Leather seats 4. Aero kit, don't like the normal back end shape without spoiler. 5. USB / iPod interface for music 6. Bose system if possible I managed all but the last one, no Bose but "Sound Plus" package.