Buy a 997S - Am I Nuts? Help! EDIT: DID IT _ WOOHOO!

I just came back from the dealer and I am already calculating ... I know it is probably totally stupid to get rid of a 5 month old Targa ... but the black on black 997S, loaded, sure looks sweet. Would you all think I'm nuts to trade up?? (I think I can get out of the Targa without a brutal loss, actually a pretty sweet trade in deal, of course full MSRP on the 997S.)

It's only money and life is short Go for it!

If you're not going to 'take a bath' on the trade-in, go for it. I just saw it today myself, and I like the S. Personally, I will wait until the 998 and Boxster Coupe before I make a move.

I think you are done for, Jim. You've fallen for the new car. Now, it won't matter what we say or what your mind thinks. Your heart will always make you want the 997S, and the Targa will now always be found lacking in one way or another. I'd say go for it. Stop calculating and just do it!!!

But I like it! A counter argument, even though quick satisfaction can be a good thing. Why not order a custom 997S and have it built your way? Maybe you don't want PCCB and PASM. Personally, I'd choose the steel rotors (PCCB are not proven yet) and the sport suspension is supposed to be a better track setup (RoW is lower, but I doubt US will be). You may also want different wheels and a different steering wheel. Just knowing you ( ), you will start to debate lowering, wheels, etc., etc. At least find out what the build date would be!

The wheels are easy: SSR GT3s Maybe the Tirerack already has the 997s in the Wheel Configurator Buy the car ...

The hell with caution - just picked up my new Black on Black 997S, pretty well loaded (including Ceramics ), sport chrono, adaptive sport seats (think I will love these), Nav, Bose, full leather and a few other goodies. First pics below (not too good). All initial impressions are really great. But I gotta go drive it now!! YAHOO

Enjoy and congratulations!

The title says it all. Just kidding, have fun & enjoy. Hey, anyone needing a buyer for a C2 Coupe Tip, IM me. No very dark colors. Jim R, northern CA

good man, congratulations. We need a few early defenders of the look and feel for the 997!

Congrats on the new ride. As a 996 Targa owner, I found myself in almost the exact same situation yesterday, looking at a new black on black 997S at my dealer. I really liked it, including the 19" wheels. I'm not entirely sold on the retro headlights, but I love the detailing of the exterior: the rounded front leading edge of the hood, the new rear bumper cut, etc. Enjoy the car, I'm going to stay on the fence awhile and enjoy hearing about the 997 experience from you early adopters. I'll be especially interested to hear if you miss the Targa roof; that's one of the big things holding me back for now.

Very nice.

LOVE IT Amigo - there is no logical for passion, so regardless what others say - follow that desire to the end - It works for me - I just stopped by my local dealer - they had a coupe of 997 no S's though - I would only go for the S, if I were to make the jump - Question : Can you let us know what they gave you for the Targa ? I would love to know. Thanks and stop reading this and get DRIVING ! :-) Enjoy....

Congtats!! Enjoy it.

caf - Of course too soon to really tell, but on the one hand I slighly miss the open feeling of the Targa, but on the other hand I didn't open the roof that much because of the rear visibility problem. RJMDAD996 - I bought the Targa in March, MSRP about 83.5, my price 73.5; they gave me 65 in trade. Yeh, I had some loss (I'm trying to ignore the sales tax, but Arnold needs all the help he can get), but in terms of future depreciation, in the long run I don't think it was a stupid move. I was really surprised at how much I got for the Targa - no question it was a fairly high trade value. And I got some discount on the 997S to boot (about 1.5%).

Jim, Congrats on new 997S. We have exactly the same car showing in our Vancouver showroom. Black on Black with expensive options, total CAN$145,000. Much improved interior details, fast and light 6 speed manual transmission, awesome all leather interior and impressive material on the head liner. I was a little tempted to trade in my 993 Targa, but my trade-in will be much lower than yours, and the front end look of 997 and 993 was not significantly different. So I'll probably wait 5-6 years for the 998. Happy motoring!

Congrats on the 997!! The 997 is sounding like its going to be a great car, based on all reviews.. Let us know how it is once broken in...HURRY!

Damn, congrats!

Congrats, I probably would have not done it because of the money lost on that targa, but hey you only live once. I live near you so maybe I'll see you sometime and enjoy.

WOW! Congratulations.

Good for you pruchasing a 997s. The more(quantity) of these units sold will possibly make it easier for me to purchase a used one later years down the road. Enjoy your purchase!

Hey Jim, will your BBS RS-GT's fit on the 997?

Kirby: Silly me traded the turbo look II's when I got the BBS's because I didn't want to store them, so I traded away the BBS's with the Targa. Anyway, the 997S came with 19's and I didn't want 18's, and the 997S rear wheels are 19x11's while the BBS's were 18x10's. I don't know about the offsets. But to answer your question, I don't know. BTW, from the spy photos I thought I would hate the new 997S wheels, but I actually like them a lot.

When do you take delivery on it? Or do you already have it? I travel to Honolulu again this Friday and I plan on dropping by the dealer again - hopefully I might see one!?!

Stevo - I stopped by the dealer "just to check out the new 997" about noon on Saturday, went to my office for a while, then went back to the dealer and bought the thing - took delivery about 10:15pm Saturday night. They were supposed to keep it through Sunday for their launch (it was their only 997S), but I know them too well and they know me too well, so we all stayed late and the delivery was made. They have two more 997S's coming soon, but those two are already presold.

HWFMR Official Team Procrastinator I think you need to change your title, you didn't procrastinate long on this purchase.

Jim: Congratulations! Now you need to bring that bad boy down the hill to run it by my house so I can drool and dream (corner of Campbell and Randolph; you'll know which corner next month when our landscaper starts to put about a 997S-worth of work into the yard). Enjoy!

Thanks, Dave. I'll try and drive by this weekend. You sure you want that yard work and not a 997S? I'll bet your wife would rather see you happy.

Ha! My wife thinks I'm a little too happy already, heading toward crazy (that's nearly a quote from an e-mail exchange we had today). She accepts that I'm having fun with the car and getting to know other Porsche owners, without any hope at all of understanding that enthusiasm. I think, at some mutual subconscious level, the new yard is my penance for getting the 993 earlier this year. So, I think a 997 is not in the cards for quite some time, which is okay by me; I love my car. I'm guessing that you will love yours as well. I look forward to seeing it!

Kirby - While at first blush your comment makes sense, what you are missing is the highly honed talent (out of necessity) for getting things done fast (once you get around to doing them) - a core HWFMR value!

jcnesq, you are more nuts than i am! congrats and enjoy.