Upgrade to 997

Any of you guys thinking of upgrading to a 997 in the future (0-3) years? I have had my 40th for 2 years and will probably have for another 2. My plan is to buy a used 997 and save some cash. Any strategies worked good for you guys? I am thinking of moving to a cab and love the new GTS.

nope, I drove a couple... If I "upgrade" it will be to a 72-73' coupe

If I upgrade it will be a GT3 or Turbo.

good choice Marc.... a C2S would be a minimum....otherwise what did you gain over the 996

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Zactly!

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+1.... might even be a modded one.

I intend to add to the fleet, not swap out. I'm gonna add a late 996 or early 997 Tip car for the wife (so I can stop the "my husband has a fancy car but I don't) and a CPO's Panamera S (while keeping the 996) for me.

I have a great indi, so a Cayenne is in the near future; like Jim stated, adding to the fleet (a GTS Cab) would fit the bill. If my son wants our current 996 Cab, it'll be there for him.

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Yeah, me too. I'm planning on the next gen GT3. Gonna completelly leapfrog the 997 version - not really different enough from 996GT3 for me to switch now. -td

I have no interest in a 997.1 anything, but have you driven a 997.2 GT3, it's... not bad.

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Thinking of the same, but keeping the 996 since its worth less then a new Honda Accord now.

This is my plan, "If I "upgrade" it will be to a 72-73' coupe". I am selling the 83sc this spring and have my wife convinced it is because "we need the money". I need the money alright! I love this image.

I would go for either a 3.2 carrera or 996 GT3

I've thought about it. The problem is that only the 3.8 would offer real improvement over my C4S, and the 3.8 models are still a very poor value. Paying a 60-80% premium for an incremental performance benefit makes little sense.

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Ed, I like your style! I have same problem but will love to have both new and old school!!! I just don't have enough space on my garage And to answer to the OP - We added recently our CTT - Love it!!!

Next one is a GT3... Id love to keep the 4S but most likely going to need a tow vehicle instead.

I can make space, its money I seem to have difficulty making

I think with wonderful economy some or most of us have felt the $$$ thing. I saw the new 2011 GTS 997 this past weekend. $103k MSRP + options.... If I only could... (sigh)

It's so hard to predict but, my list includes a 997, GT3('05 and up),and Turbo. I already did the '68 912 in my early 20s, and a fabulous '79SC in my 40s, and a wonderful 996 in my 50s/60s, so....I can't go backwards, just forward with my Porsche evolution of the incredible 911, whatever it might be.

I'm planning to get a turbo next. 996 or 997 is still to be decided as is cab or coupe.

To replace my 996, I'd be looking for a daily driver replacement - not a track car or a weekend car. Therefore, my criteria is more towards being able to live with the car at a higher comfort level than its stablemates. With this in mind, at the Porsche Driving Event this afternon at Pacific Raceways, I drove a Boxster S, Cayenne S, Cayman, 997 S, Panamera and a Cayman R! To answer OP question regarding upgrading to a 997, it is now a second option. For sure, I would get the PDK feature with my 996 daily driver replacement. I really like how the PDK holds the gear and how it shifts with minimal weight transfer felt in the chassis - better than my years of heel/toe. My first option is: if I need the rear seats for adults, I would think long and hard about the new Cayenne - very balanced at the track and very competent for what it is. If I don't need rear seats, I would pass on the 997 and get the Cayman R. I liked it so much I drove it twice at the autox setup. Besides, the Cayman R has provisions for a roof rack which my 996 has. For the 996 die hards, I drove away in my 996 and was happy I have what I have. For the money I've spent on this car, it is hard to beat the fun/satisfaction per dollar it delivers. Keep driving your 996s! Newer is not always better - especially when normalized with $. If and when the Cayman R depreciates enough then I'll change my tune...

Here is an impromptu photo of the Cayman R I drove today...

Very cool. Give more info on the drive of the Cayman R. I'm looking to upgrade to a used 997 GT3 in 2-3 yrs. Don't think that the budget will allow a new one :S

I like the more simple, less buttons, less frills approach of the R, compared to its other model counterparts. The suspension feels well-tuned. The sports-plus setting transforms the car - suspension is stiffer, engine is louder, tranny is less intrusive. The balance of the car i.e. oversteer/understeer is confidence-inspiring. Turn in on the R is much sharper compared to my 996 which has a more aggressive setup towards oversteer (yet still tends to understeer on corner entry). This car simply gives credence to what many said of the Cayman/Boxster chassis: when given an engine that is more on par with the 911 engines, it excels over its 911 siblings. I'm ok with Porsche making the 911 more of a GT car; just make sure they keep making trackworthy mid-engine sports cars and race cars - Cayman R, Carrera GT, 918, RS Spyder...

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Ed, I see you are still pushing the old school 911s. Good for you. I don't blame you one bit. If looking for a 911 at the same price point as a a new-ish 997, I would opt for a 70-71 S non-sunroof, non-AC coupe. The 2.2 liter engines with the Bosch MFI sings and revs unlike other stock 911 engines.

I always wanted a 997, I just prefer the look, but for my first 911, the 996 was a perfect entry car. The prices right now are so good, it is really hard to justify putting an additional 10 to 30k more to get pretty much the exact same car, may be a few horses more. Right I am looking into a 997 GT3, even more expensive but at least I think it will be worth the upgrade. I might to take a good look at the cayman S, before replacing my 996. It seems that they are really good track car. May be it is time indeed to let the 911 be a GT and the Cayman be the hardcore sports car.

I did. i was looking for a GT3 and lsot patience when I came across this C2S. I loved my 996, it performed, it looked great, adn yet I still pulled the trigger on the '08 C2S. Upon arrival, I found it performed very well, shiofted even better (shorter throw), but I did like my 996 PSE more then the C2S PSE (not sure why, but still wanted to state that)

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What the heck !? How did I not get an invite to this !? Who put this on !? Stupid Ferrari of Seattle keeps inviting me to test drives; I don't want a pretty but expensive car that I could never actually drive, but I might actually buy a Cayman R and I don't get the invite.

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Various local P dealers sent invitations - I was invited by Barrier. The Porsche Driving Experience based in Alabama ran the event with several of their pro drivers giving you driving tips and going over features of the cars. Good event, I think...from a marketing perspective. Though I'll still stay with an older P car for fun use, I'll eventually buy one with PDK as a DD. The Cayman R was actually a surprise. They just recently got it, I heard. A distributor plate was mounted to it.

I'm with Mark, GT3 or Turbo. I'm really leaning towards the turbo. Wait, leaning towards what?? I'm not even in the market! See what this thread just did to my life...

I think at some point we are (or dreaming) in the market. I don't know about you guys but I am always doing searches. Sometimes I find such amazing deals on newer 997s, Turbos, etc, etc... I gotta chill... You guys are bad influence...

I would wait until the 991s come out - then all the status-conscious Porsche owners (read: lessees) will be dumping them like hotcakes to get the newest models. I am sure I will get a 997 someday, but I don't really see it as an upgrade to a 996 - sorry.

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dont be sorry... the truth hurts. even the 7gt3 cant pull ahead of a 6gt3 on the straights.

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Hey Mike, not as much pushing as sharing...I like it here. I havent really had the same experience sharing on other forums for whatever reason. This is a good group. the older cars are drawing me in deeper and deeper, I cant get enough and have you to thank for my demise! Sure I miss the 996 and am VERY happy it is still treating you so well. This is just differant, you know. Got some seat time in a couple early 70's S and RS (real) cars and that about did it for me....something special about those cars that until you drive one you just cant understand

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+1 Ferd... I know you like the rally series too and the 996 rally cars look way better for some reason (read smaller, more nimble)

I think the next one will be a 7TT, probably a cab. If I can get 18s on it for winter I'll run it 4 seasons (with a hardtop) And yes I will probably chip the hell out of it

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I think I saw what might be the new 991 Friday, I was heading back to LA on I-15 from Vegas. It came racing up and I couldn't figure out what it was. I thought the front light configuration was odd and as he passed I realized that, what I thought "****ty bra" was actually camoflage. The rear was really well conceiled too. I punched it up to 100 to get up to him again and tried to get some cell phone pics but the damn thing wouldn't work. I think he realized it and slowed way down and took the next exit in Fontana (which makes me know he was ditching me).

Here is a video for the 991 (or 998?). Sorry if repost http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YrdR...mbedded#at=226

I worry the 991 will move the car closer into luxury/comfort sector. It seems to be that the earlier the Porsche, the more raw the driving experience. I wish I could make my 996 more "old school" and just swap the automatic AC for manual dials etc... That said - having been in several 7RSs, on the street and track... I'm saving up for one. Anything short of that and I'd prefer just to keep my 4S.

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I completely understand. And as you know, I encourage it. For my car hobby, I would tend to go older before I go newer at this point. Daily driving is a different case as I have learned from my 996 to Cayenne to 86 911 then back to 996 experience.