Have you ever driven a 997?

Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my 996. I'm stunned by the way Porsche's managed to make a sports car so driveable and 'comfortable' while still allowing it to 'go'! I'm curious though, have any of you guys compared the two?

I've driven both the 997.1 and 997.2 and they are another evolution of the species. The '09 C2S cab. I drove had full leather, PASM and 65hp more than my '03. Beautiful interior, tremendous handling and very quick. My current plan is to enjoy mine for a few more years and pick one up when they come off lease in the fall of '11. That being said, I'm weak and will probably need a fix sooner than that!

Ive had a 03 996 Cab and now have a 05 997S Cab. The cars are very different in terms of driving style the clutch on the 997 is a little softer and more springy nice for quick takes off. The 997 handles more and really is a completely different car than the 996 in all aspects. Speed wise I think my 996 and my 997s are pretty close though. I had a exhaust and Plenum in my 996 and she MOVED but the S is a fast car not just staightline but coming out of corners the trq curve is more and pulls very nice. Now that being said I drove a 997.2 yest and all I can say is DAMNNNNNNNN. As much better a 997.1 is over a 996 a 997.2 is that much more over the .1 I couldnt believe it it handles better better suspension and the PDK is INSANEEE that car shifts so fast its stupid. When we did launch control my stomach gave me a feeling of being on a roller coaster when it drops and thats no exxageration. The 997.2 is stupid fast. Take a ride down to your local dealer and take the cars 4 a test drive and see for your self youll become a BELEIVER haha

I suspected as much. My first 911 was an 82 SC and the difference between then and now is stunning. I'm not anywhere near considering a new car yet but I was curious. Thanks for the update!

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Even if your not looking into getting a new one, still should take a ride down to your local dealership(hope they are cool) and take a 997 for a spin, just so you can feel the difference. As P owners the guy who took me for a test drive said its good for us to see what Porsche offers in the new cars. I thought that was pretty cool of the salesman. But try one out

With all due respects: I like my 997 better than the 996. Completely different car. It's like asking someone who has driven a 993 and now drives a 996. 996 to 997 - more HP, more luxurious (more modern technology) and sexier (IMO) - not flaming, just my opinion. I did however doubt the 997 the first day after I drove it home and left the 996. At first it just didn't feel as beefy as the 996. This lasted about (again 1 day) Hope this helps.

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Flaming? I'd drop my 996 in a heartbeat for a 997. This is not your father's 993-996 war.

I've spent a fairly large amount of time in a 997 c2 with the PDK tranny and a 2008 997 C4S. I love my 996. For some reason, I prefer the look of the 996's. I figure that if Porsche was going to make the leap with the new headlights in 1999, they should stick with it. As soon as I was beginning to like the strange headlights, they changed them back to the old style. Seems like the they bought into the criticism. That being said, the 997's are quite impressive, especially the pdk transmission. The 997's seemed to have a much more responsive suspension. I have a row m030 suspension on my 996 but the 997 still felt better. I guess that the feel could be because they were new cars and my 996 is almost 9 years old! I did not feel that the 997's had any more power however I do have a few mods on my 996. (FYI- my previous job was a test driver for a large company. I have driven over 800 cars at the extremes).

I drove a 997 GT3 RS... WOW!

I have driven both the 997.1 and 997.2 with the PDK. The PDK is really something. I still prefer the look of the 2nd gen 996 C4S. We have a 2004 C4S Tip that my wife drives most of the time and I had a 2000 C4 6 spd before that. I find the Tip far more practical in the city we live in and still a lot of fun in manual mode. The PDK is a faster shifting transmission and it has launch control which can really help the car accelerate; that is something I would get in a 997. But the changes don't feel that drastic to me. The 997.1 interior and radio/navi/bluetooth (997.2 finally) are good improvements and the suspension in the 997.2 is better and feels more compliant over rough roads. But I find my 2004 C4S Cab suspension set up has been far more compliant (softer over bumps) than my 2000 Coupe.

I own both and love them both; however, the 997 is a definite improvement over the 996 in every respect. Maybe the 997.2 is the better choice since the difference is more noticeable compared to the 996. My next step is the RS as a dedicated track vehicle.

I also test drove a 997S. There was no Turbo available. I had the itch that my maxed out 02 C4S wasn't quite scratching. I find it hard to believe the double clutch produces claimed 4.1 0-60 but it is 5000 feet here. I wouldn't consider a launch control on a test drive. I really wanted an Audi R8 with the V10 but my dealer took my deposit and said 2012. So I bought a Nissan, GTR; red, fast, happy. But I still love my 996 Porsche and am spoiled with the SC and will keep it till I can't shift with my right arm. Will

I've driven everything from a long nose 911 (pre-1974) the 911s from the 1970s, and a 964, 993 and 996. I wound up buying a new 911S in 1977, a used one (1981) with turbo, and skipped over buying the 993 and 996 cars. As the 997s become more affordable you should definitely consider one. I bought a new 06 S in 2006 and marvel at the handling improvements from decade to decade. Going backwards is no option!

Well Edgy I agree with you there. My first was an 82 targa and the difference between the two cars is absolutely stunning. Maybe some day!