Test Drove a 997.2 Tip Coupe

Let me start by saying I love my 2002 black/black 6MT Coupe but, curiosity being what it is, I've starting looking at other cars. When a black/black 2009 Tip showed up at a local dealer I thought what the heck, let's try it out. This car was comparably equipped like mine (read: about 5 options) so other than the updates that 7 model years brings and the tranny, it was apples to apples. The price was about $25K more than I could sell my car for. So, I have to say that I wasn't blown away as I expected to be. As a matter of fact I actually preferred my 996. Yes, the '09 felt faster, but only when I wound it out. However, for the 95% of the time that real driving actually consists of, it felt like my car but without a clutch. Granted the '09's interior was more updated but I only noticed that when I was sitting at a light. Not that any of you will be shocked at this but the 996's (ugly, awful, disgusting...) headlights didn't look any different than the '09's from the driver's seat. Actually, three people at the dealer asked me why I would test drive the exact same car that I drove up in. Please don't get me wrong , the '09 Carrera is a great car, but at twice the cost of my car? It's not worth it to me. Anybody with similar or contrasting findings?

Kind of similar situation. I drove a 997 coupe manual about 14 months ago. Actually, I drove it twice, and was thinking of getting it. One of the few that wasn't black or silver. Anyway, I was suitably impressed, and the interior was fantastic. Then, I got more interested in the lower prices of the 996 so I drove a couple of those and after the second test drive in the 996 I began to wonder why the 997 existed. Sure, at the very top end of the idiot speed scale the 997 would be faster but for handling, I thought the 996 did just fine. Having bought a 996 with the sport pkg on it, it harks back to the road holding of the 997 as I kind of recall it. The only thing I'm missing is some HP which becomes relevant when the tach passes the 5 - so, almost never.

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Seriously you need to wind up that engine every so often - it'll make you appreciate your car even more so when you do! But back on topic regarding the 997. Remember the main reason for it's introduction is to bring back those who felt alienated by the appearance of the 996. The fact that you didn't feel much of a difference is not surprising considering they are essentially the same vehicle with a slightly different exterior, updated interior, and a bump in power. Whether that's worth double of what our cars cost is a personal choice. And although I do like how they look unless I went with a Turbo or 997.2 4S I would feel as if it's not worth the extra premium over what I already have.

I would only upgrade to the 3.8L "S" model at the bare minimum, otherwise as you said not enough of a difference to justify the cost.

the difference performance wise is not huge. Appearance wise though, for me, the 997 (especially .2) blow the 996 so far out of the water, they'd nearly reach outer space.

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Agreed. I've been mostly puttering it around. I should wake it up more often when circumstances permit. I'm taking a trip to Houston on Friday, and I think I'll take the back way and maybe a side trip or two.

As for the looks dept I hate to be pedestrian(but I will), the headlamp shape doesn't bother me much. My only complaint in the looks dept of the 996 was the engine cover grill treatment. Since I have an aero mod, it was a simple solution. The mk1 aero with a slight lowering on 18" rims looks just fine to me.

While I'd like to say that "looks don't matter to me", all evidence is to the contrary. Good thing my wife doesn't also think that though. Ironically, I've never had a problem with the 996 so my next look is to a 996 Turbo. Cheaper than a 997.2 and waaaay more fun.

I went from a 996.1 6 speed to a 997.2 pdk (both c4 cabs). And the one thing I can tell you for sure is that you are right. in 99% of the driving I can't tell the difference. The one advantage the 997.2 has is that it is quieter on the inside - easier to take phone calls. And the radio reception is much better in the 997. And the remote fob works from a lot farther away. And the wipers - automatic are better in the 997. And the auto dimming mirrors are nice. For the interior I had the full leather in the 996 and it looked as nice as the stock 997 interior. Oh, and the 9a1 gets better gas mileage. As far as driving, acceleration, handling during the daily commute - same. I would even the the 996 had a better ride - but I went down to 17's with all season tires. So to sum up - if performance matters look elsewhere. At an S or turbo. But if that other stuff matters - the 997.2 is better. Oh - and I'm with you. I don't get all the crazy headlight stuff. I like them both. And if you don't like on or the other fine. But there are lots of porsche people who state their opinion on the headlight issue as fact. And boy do they get worked up about it. When I read those comments I want to prescribe therapy for them.

I'm the odd man out here... The other day I test drove a 2012 997.2S and absolutely fell in love (PDK). This car was loaded w/ suspension goodies (PASM, Sport Chrono Plus etc), and didn't have PSE but probably a fister upgrade because it sounded fantastic. It was low and aggressive and I loved every minute behind the wheel. Since then I have been looking for an 09 C4S coupe or cab w/ PDK for a daily so I can save the 996 for weekends. I'm running stock suspension on the 996 so I might try out some H&R sport springs to tighten it up and get it lower, see if I can mimic the feeling of the 997.2 I drove.

I've driven several 997s and 991s. There is no doubt both are amazing cars - more technology and somewhat nicer (imo) interiors (I do not like the fact the engine is 99% invisible in the 991 - I *like* seeing what makes all the noise). However, I still truly love everything about my 996, so I am in no hurry upgrade my DD. And after a day of driving the GT3, my '03 996 feels like the poshest car on the planet

I drove a 2015 991 ... Yes it is fast, but you also feel less connected to the controls and road versus the 996 ... So I'm not rushing to upgrade at 4x the cost. Interior is newer but I actually prefer the cleaner look of the 997.2

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not a C4 but all other boxes checked: 09, S, cab, PDK. even CPO http://www.waltersporsche.com/invent...cb29909s754215

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Perhaps I have a different perspective on these 996's than someone who's more familiar with the "mystique" of the 911. Been a car not all my adult life (now just about 70) and of course been familiar with the 911 since, well, inception really I suppose. Never owned one until about 4 years ago when I got my C4S. Whn I saw it, it never occurred to me that there was anything different or "bad" about the headlights or the engine cover> I don't think I even noticed it/them! To be honest, I think the damned headlights are waaayyy cool! Ditto for the automatic wing on the back. Makes the car unique......and the overall shape, well, crap, sex on on four wheels! I consider it my great fortune that there's a set of needle noses out there that think the car detracted too much from "tradition".......bearing oin mind of course that the 996 was simply the car that saved Porsche......they should put it on a damned pedestal! I love the car, was scared about the IMS/AOL/rearseal just after I got it (should have done some research beforehand I suppose) but I found there were ways to fix them......$3k took care of things AFAIC. Now I have a car that I am constantly amazed by that whenever I look at it, get into it, fore it up and plough off down the road, I am happy as a pig in sh**. Onlt one other car I can think of makes me feel the same........my '68 XKE!

sory abowt all the spelin arrors.

I drove a 996 C4S as my daily driver for many years. It was a great car, and I really enjoyed owning it. I didn't mind the look of the headlights or the interior. It was a gorgeous car, it was fast and it was comfortable. I spent quite a bit of time driving a 997.2 C4S cabriolet while I still owned my 996. At that time, I felt very similar to the way that many of you do. The driving experience was very close to my 996. I told myself that I was going to skip the 997 cars and go to the 991 when the time came to sell my 996. Then I had an opportunity to drive a 997 turbo, and that changed my perspective. I don't drive my 997 turbo every day like I did with my 996, but I still get to put some miles on it. I love the car. I know it's hard to compare a normally aspirated car to a turbo, but here are a few of the notable differences in my mind: - The normally aspirated 996 with Fister mufflers sounded much better than my 997 turbo. I miss the growl. - The interior of the 997 does have a much more upscale feel, and it really is more luxurious than the 996. That matters more to some than others. - The PCM and electronics in the 997 are now out of date, but they are better than the 996. It's nice to have bluetooth streaming music and telephone connectivity. - There are many subtle things that I like about the 997 that don't seem big on their own, but the cumulative effect is significant. Part of this is because the car is newer, and part of it is because Porsche continuously makes incremental improvements to their newer cars. Several of these things were mentioned above, but here are a few more: The headlights are much better in the 997. The ride quality is much better in the 997. The shifter action is much better in the 997 (although I prefer the clutch in the 996). The interior of the 997 is much quieter. My 997 cabriolet is quieter on the highway than my 996 coupe was. Overall, I think it's a personal decision on whether to switch to a 997 or not. Some people value these little things enough to make the jump to the 997, and some people don't. There's really no wrong answer.

Started with an 03 996 coupe with MT, traded for an 06 997 S with tip, went back to a 2000 996 cab w/ tip. I'm still more of a coupe guy than a cab guy...but I have no complaints about this one.