Drove the 997

Just finished driving the 997 & 997s while stopping by a local dealer. I am really not crazy about the exterior. The car looks very chunky in person, especially the rear-end. I much prefer the lines of my 40th Anniversary car (and the C4S widebody) to the new design. It seems to flow better. However, the new front end treatment is much nicer than the 996 standard frontend. In terms of the interior, I feel it is a mixed bag. The quality of the materials seems a step-up, but, if you have PCM currently, the layout is still similar, just slightly reshaped. Driving the new cars provided some interesting observations. The car is amazing, but I hope that nobaody wastes their money and the base car. I just did not see any improvement over the 996. In fact, I felt that my 40th car was quicker and it feels better. Driving the "s" is much different. I was not a fan of PASM. Standard setting offers much less feel than a 996. The new 3.8 is sweet. It has a very flat tourque curve. My car is more responsive in the higher RPMs, but you could feel a slight difference in acceleration at the low-end. The chrono guage on top of the dash is way tacky. Afetr speaking with a salesperson, I think in 2 years when Porsche gives the car a HP bump, it will be worth upgrading from my 40th Anniversary 996. As of now, the 997s does not offer a large enough upgrade to warrant consideration, and the base 997 is a definate downgrade.

I havent driven it but I was impressed with the looks, and I especially liked the interior (Yes, I know, I am alone on an island w/ this opinion).

I can't wait to see and Drive one!

I haven't seen it in person yet but depending on how the steering wheel looks in person I agree with from pictures. I like the straight lines of the dash vs. the swoops and ovals of my 996. Reminds more of the traditional 911 dash.

Which dealer, Paul Miller? I saw one in front of the place tonight on the way home.

I would agree with most of you in saying it does not seem much different than the 996, thats why I will stay with my 993 S

I sat in a launch 997 S...The interior is very plush but I hate the round steering wheel of the S...The Carerra wheel is much better looking to me and I would order my S with that one for sure... Car is very nice and I hope to get a good deal on a used one that is being sold for their new 997 turbo or GT3.. Only way to buy...IMOP. Robert

Thank you for the direct comparison, all of us recent 40th anniv owners were wondering if we made the right decision.

I sat in one last night and I was most impressed with the seats. Beyand that it didn't blow me away, in fact they had a preowned 40th anniversary and that WAS inpressive.

Saw it today at the "launch". Front end looks thicker and lost that shark look. I think its due to the bumper being more squared. I still prefer the tear drop lights. The ovals do make it look more 993'ish, but it unfortunately also makes it look more like other common cars of today. I liked the fact that the wider rear is emphasized with the bulge rear fender, rather than the sweep of the C4S. Again more 993'ish, but one I like. I like the interior, so I join the minority. Wish they put that Chrono in the dash, though, rather than on top. Overall effect for the interioris increased civility. I think the 997 is a continuation of the 911's evolution towards a GT car. Increasing civility of the interior and increasing creature comforts and electronic gadgetry. At the same time, pandering to the 993 diehards by making it look more 993'ish. It's definitely an improvement, IMHO. However, not enough for me to trade in the C4S. I'll wait for the 998, thank you.