Decided to Pass on a new 997

The new 997's ARE attractive....as they should be since that's how the company makes money. Although I wouldn't want the PDK, they are still tempting. One the other hand, it's a new design that may have it's own problems, the depreciation alone in the first year or so would pay for a new engine for my 996--while mine is on a much slower depreciation descent. And frankly, I just flat enjoy this car. I like the interior, the simple lines, the ride, the fuel economy, the power. While I could imagine improvements to many things, there really isn't anything I actually don't like. I even enjoy the easy-on/easy-off of the hard top where a hard top for the new cabs are extra cost and more difficult to R&R. So, have decided to read any news about the new models purely as entertainment, not as information the needs to be vetted as part of a purchase decison. Whew. Back to just enjoying the car.

Perhaps, when the current 997.2 has had a couple years to ripen a bit, you will find it just a tad more exciting than your current car,.. just as you have with your previous Porsches. Let the depreciation burn off, perhaps wait for a 2010 with pretty much what you want (gives Porsche time to "adjust" whatever needs such in the new motors and trannies)and then find a properly pre-owned example. No hurry - 997's will be in the system a long time. And they will depreciate quickly when the 998 is introduced. The 997.2 will be "old" design, and the 998 will be the next best thing. I imagine the 998 will initially have the same engine as the 997.2 when introduction time comes.

I want to drive the PDK．．． http://www.jaylenosgarage.com:80/vid...tml?vid=820021

I don't get why the 997 is desired so much more than the 996. The changes, especially in the beginning were almost entirely cosmetic. Except for an improved interior, I don't see much of a difference. Especially with performace.

did you drive it?? Thats a bad idea, always leaves you wanting the new / smooth / powerful one.... But if I had a shot to sit in the drivers seat, I would take it right away!! Ed

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This is true on the 997.1 especially the non S. A 997.2 S is putting 385 HP and they've redone the engine. Time will tell how it holds up, but they've FINALLY addressed the RMS issue. Though our service manager tells me he hasn't had one new seal back. This is true w/my car too. The PDK is prett cool and the new 997 feels tighter than the 996. I still like the looks of the 996 interior, but like the way the 997 looks from the outside.

Yeah a 997.2 S with PDK would be a very fun car to own. But 997.1? A big price premium for round headlights.

I drove a S big mistake,great car. Two years ago on the way to porsches 2 oxford I got out of my amazing hot fun 993 and drove my friends 03 996 now I have a 02 996....

i dont know that the interior is an improvement...i kinda like the 996 more..and i drive an 87 so i am partial..i think the 997 interior is rather plain

I will certainly be happy to change my mind in a few years. The direct injection, 40% fewer engine parts, a more stable engine block--all sound good. Looks like they have systematically tried to address most/all the issues with the 996/997 engines. While I respect the PDK--a sports car is entertainment for me. Part of that entertainment (for me) is the connection I feel through manual transmissions--so, I'm less inclined to want a PDK. Yet, I'm enthusiastic to see how it all pans out. Especially in the Seattle area, we have had a crowd who regularly buy new Porsche's. Bless their souls, they keep the factory healthy and a steady flow of 2-year-old cars coming on the market with 5-10K miles that have taken the biggest drop of depreciation....so, that others like myself who have owned 5 of them so far, but can't bring myself to buy a new one, can enjoy ownership. Buying used is not without it's own problems. The clutch pedal seems to be getting a little stiffer at 25K--which implies the previous owner tended to ride the clutch. Yet, the $30K I didn't have to pay for a new 996 + it being under CPO to 2010 makes replacing the clutch a good deal. But for now, since I like my car, it's in good condition (confirmed yesterday at the dealer during an oil change & brake flush)--I'm in the position of being able to wait until the equation changes (that is, my car becomes less desireable for some reason and a newer one becomes more desireable). But for a guy who'd probably be happy with a 356 or a vintage 911--that may take a while. I understand the attraction of higher hp. But higher hp means (somewhat oversimplified) you've simply designed an engine into which you can pour more fuel. The energy has to come from somewhere....so, it's simply able to consume more fuel. Yes, with proper gearing & efficient design, you can still get as good or better highway cruising numbers--but, more hp in a well-made engine still means higher fuel consumption when you put your foot down (unless you are using something like dual plugs or some other technology to get a better burn). Since I don't make my living at the track, once I have enough hp--that's enough. More hp just mean higher costs--either in fuel and/or maintenance. Right now, I don't encounter situations on the road where I feel that if I just had 20-30 more hp I could have passed that truck, merged with traffic better or gone around that curve in a more enjoyable fashion. Other refinements like adjustable suspensions, adaptive interiors, lights that move with steering inputs, etc., will have more value to me.....but also worry me in their long-term upkeep. Anyway, the next few years will be entertaining to see how the new designs go and I'm indebted to those willing to pay for that development by buying the latest and greatest. I salute them (while I save my money for cherry picking).

I don't want a Ferrari...just looks good and drives great, engine sounds fantastic.....but the maintenance is too high! COME ON!!! people....If you would have the cash to burn don't tell me you wouldn't get a new 997.2.... or a F-car!!

Who wouldn't want a new car every year? It's bound to be better than last year, and that's the way Porsche does it. But face it, the question is, is it worth it? For people with money, that question doesn't even come up. Heck, Jay Leno bought a half million dollar car just 'cuz he though the clutch was cool. For me, from a 996.2 to a 997.1, no thanks. To a 997.2, maybe. To be honest, I'm eagerly awaiting what a 998 will be like. A Ferrari? Only if I had money like Jay Leno. I'd rather have 2 Porsches.

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Nicholaas, if I had YOUR money, I would burn my money in the winter just to stay warm!

I live in Southern California so no need for heating here and am a starving artist with 4 mouths to feed (luckily the wife is always on a diet!!) If I had money you would find me on the Lambo AND Ferrari forums showing off my "investments" but until my next life when I come back as a smart rich good looking and healthy guy..I got to drive around in a POS 99 (02+ wannebe, without glove compartment!?) and an escalade of 8 months old with a broken driver side door lock....and keep wondering why GM is doing so bad!! BECAUSE THEIR CARS SUCKS!!!

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I don't mean to disagree but there is a huge difference. I will say my 996 is a much more enjoyable track car since it has no PSM. I have driven three 997s and they are much better street cars to me. I have driven the 997 Gen 2 on the track behind a pace car and, aside from the power difference, the drive is very much the same as Gen 1. Still, everyone's personal experience is thankfully never the same!

I don't like the look of the 997 they've ruined it. I do like the power and new engine but those light sabers in the front bumper and the droopy tail lights got to go, a long with the extra high rear engine compartment. Now that the engine is smaller the should reduce the height so that is looks more like a 911 then a car with a basket ball for a rear end. Hopefully the 991 will fix these problems and come with that 10% weight reduction they've said will happen. Just with those changes alone I would buy a new 911 even if there wasn't a hp increase.