Drove a 997

I have a 2003 996 C2 for which the CPO warranty is expiring. Being concerned about mechanical failures out of warranty coverage, I have been considering trading up to a 997 with another 2 year CPO warranty. Today I test-drove a 2005 C2 from a local dealer (Porsche of Westwood MA - totally cool guys and super nice) but came away wanting to keep my old car. Here are my impressions: Interior: Materials are of more substantial and generally of higher quality, however I do not like the linear theme, with harder edges and perpendicular dash. It does not fit with the rounded, organic exterior design. I was really happy to get back into my smoother interior. Exterior: I like the new lights and the deck over the engine. The hips are wider and more sensual. Drive: Felt less visceral and more distant - too refined and calculated. Mine feels more intense and interactive - almost more mechanical and true. The 997 felt more Lexus-like (smoother, quieter). The exhaust note was less prominent. Steering and braking felt the same. Power felt less intense, perhaps because of the higher weight (both engines are extremely close in numbers). I also prefer the pistol grip of the 996 shifter. Conclusion: I preferred my car. I want a sports car to be hard, loud, fast and tight. For a quiet daily commute, I have my Acura.

dont drive an older car that was my demise

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Are you talking about that little red 911 in your avatar?

yup... she stole my heart....instantly upon putting it in gear and letting out the clutch

Get the IMS detection kit and drive away

I'm going to guess that your 911 experiences are limited to the 996. I found that the 997 interior reminds me more of the past 911 interiors (70s and 80s). I thought the 996 interior was Porsches stylists trying to hard to modernize the interior.

Edgy01 is right. I have driven 901 cars and they are "closer" stylistically to the 997. I guess I'm embarrassed to say I now prefer the 996 interior (until perhaps the 991). I also meant to say that I thought the 997 clutch was much too light.

I agree, my 996 interior is delightfully better. Especially with the console delete. I do not think you can delete on the 997.

The ultimate 911 -> 993S ... used they cost as much as the 997 ! I'd love to buy one, but with time everything get old and mush, unless fully rebuilt, so there is no other choice than looking at the new ones.

Thanks for your impressions gardy. Nice to hear that you are sticking with your 996 and that you liked the dealer in Westwood. I haven't driven a 997, but need to just to compare.

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That's the big problem with me - I can't stand the center console's on cars today. I need to have room to let my right leg go to the side. The 997 console can't be removed.

I drove a 951 yesterday.... man, I wish I had kept mine. Must say that it is more visceral and sporty than a 996 (although to be fair I should drive a 996TT) and the seating position more cockpit-like. Given that what I read above, sounds like a 997 would be even less interesting to me.

ive droved a 996 gt3 the other day and had a blast i need a change lil fact: ive tried heel and toe on my dad's cayman for the first time yesterday and it feels like its easier than in the 996

You barely drove the 951 and have had the C4S for about a year and you are itching for a change.... What is it exactly that you are looking for?

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hahaha ferg, i know man, shame on me loll the thing is, i started DE this year with the 4s and ive done 5 events this summer and im tired to be behind gt3 rs thats the main concern loll on a serious note, i didnt thought i would of love doing DE like that, its the best activity i have with my dad and we are really enjoying it, i try to convince my mom to start DE with an 05 boxster with have in stock, so we could have family rendez-vous at the track ps: how come you were not at mosport for the last ucr event. would of be nice to meet you

so before you sink $2-5k in the C4...consider moving up to the GT3 - if that's the end goal why waste any more time/$ in the car you have...

For the $, I'd grab a 996 GT3 before any base or S 997 variant. So much more car. And the interior isnt a consideration in a GT3 :/ -td

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the 4s is already pretty well equipped for the track, i plan on leaving like that. Just planning on doing the maintenance to keep it in good health. ask fergus how i changed my 944 turbo when i had it loll i wasnt looking into buying a gt3, its just that i test drove one last week and it really didnt feel the same as the c4s.

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i know!!! im sure you like her a lot

I had a sweet 993,drove my buddy's 996 and was doomed.

Having driven a few 997's, most recenlty a 2010 997 Cab with PDK... It felt very sanitized, way too subdued, quiet, light, lacking emotion, and thats without commenting on the interior. It does feel Porsche is using less expensive materials to finish their interiors, especially coming from a full leather interior 996 to a regular plasticky 997 feels like a downgrade. Of course i think of changing my car, although its tough when i love my 996 so much..

I think sanitized is a good descriptor. It almost felt more like a luxury car - isolating and distant. Perhaps they have had to move in this direction as their customer base has enlarged.

The 997 my brother in law bought last year is nice, but I like my dated interior way better! Nothing annoys me more than too many plastic accents with silver paint on them in a car's interior!

I guess I'm going to be the exception here. Have a 2002 drove a 997 and can't stop thinking about it. yes, less raw and "connected" but the upgraded interior makes a great transition to the 21st century and less "ford tauru-ish" with all the oval shapes on the 996's interior. Don't get me wrong as I love my speed yellow+carbon fiber interior but I won't hesitate nor miss, it if I sell my car to buy a 997.

My 911 40th Anniv. has a distinct visceral sensation and the x51 gives it enough oomph. I drove a 997S and I felt a bit more isolated - could be PASM, though my test drive wasn't extensive. I didn't feel the need at this point to put up an extra 100K to purchase a new one. I drive the 911 a few times a month and for DE's. To each his/her own.

If I had the choice (and the money) I will have all generations for sure I think each one has its own thing. I am not sure what it is but I love my 996. I owned a 997.1 and loved it. BUT the 996 seems more raw. I have not driven the 6GT3 yet but heard its an awesome track/street car (well more track). Love the lines of the 7GT3 but thats another story.

I wonder if it has to do with mechanical honesty, so to speak. It's the same reason people go crazy over 1950s MGs and swear up and down that it's the greatest car ever. If one feels a mastery over the machine and has learned to control it well, the bonding is deeper. Sorry - getting a little metaphysical here.

I'm old enough to understand the newest , latest, most talked about in anything is just that. Anything "just released" will only be "new" for a short time. After the newness wears off, the true atributes, if any remain and judging something on its true merits becomes a bit more straightforward. I enjoyed my '99 996 Cab ownership for 7 wonderful years. The car was very special with a msrp of over $95K. It had over 29 options many of which were "X" from the Exclusives Programme. The interior was full leather, leather everything like I'd never seen on another. After selling it and looking for nearly a year for a replacement, I had a chance to drive several 997s, S and Aero models included. I even passed on an awsome Rivera Blue 997 Coupe and a Yellow 997 Cab. Frankly I had a really hard time warming up to the 997s. The interiors just look less substantial and more artificial bling. Like more rakish styling and glitz but overall cheaper materials. Looks that one would tire of quickly and await the next and newest iteration. I look at the 997s as attracting those looking for more than just the Porsche mistique. I must say the driving experience of a 997 is a bit softer and less visceral than the 996 which is less than the 993. I'm sure the 997 is better in a few areas mechanically. I know because I have an improved clutch 997 accumulator in my 996TT. The 996 interiors in full leather have a timeless, classy, purposeful, understated and comfortable feel. Everything is ergomomically designed, and very well thought out. It's simple, subtilely stylish and it works. To me it's like a favorite comfortable overstuffed leather wing back armchair. Once you found it and like it you become resistant to change. I felt the same way about the exterior styling but wanted the dry sump GT1 motor and it had to be a Cab. Now my only choice would be a 996 Turbo. Got it, no regrets. Just today, I was passed by a 997 Turbo on my way home from work. It was a nice looking car, funny I felt like I had something a bit better. These are just my opinions and the way I feel. I realize most all 997 owners are very happy with their cars and find then superior to the 996s. I'm OK with that too.

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+1 I drove a 2009 C2S and agree with most of what you said. It was far to Mercedes Benzish to me, but then again I would not kick one out of my garage for leaking a little oil.

This thread is pretty funny when you realize that on the 993 board they're talking about how a 996 drives like a Lexus. Then on the 911 board they're discussing how the 964/993 are just way too refined for their tastes. Finally on the 356 and 914 boards they're up in arms over these "fancy" air cooled 911s running around!!! ...I guess it's all perspective.

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You're spot on! Seems like subsequent generations of anything get, softer, easier, more refined, and such to a point that they start to loose their identity which originally made them attractive in the first place. A Harley-Davidson and Honda Cruiser look sound and ride very simular. Both share many components made in the US, Japan and China. Both depreciate quite heavily. Didn't used to be that way. BMW, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki have all produced a sport bike that look almost identical. They weigh nearly the same and are surprisingly dimentionally identical. Performance is very close too. Many models of cars in the same class are very simular as well right down to their styling and design.

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+1. Every newer iteration is often berated by all the previous 911s, it's very comical.

Too much bling is a great way to describe the newer interiors. Call me old fashioned, but I like our mono-color, more classic looking interiors! I'd love the added HP and missing IMS of a later 997 though!