Drove a 997 today, but prefer my 996

I own a 2001 996 Turbo. I've been wondering if I'd ever want to "trade up" to a 997 someday. So today, just for kicks, I thought I'd test drive a 2008 997 Turbo. The 997 is worth about $25,000 more than my car. On paper, it should be faster, doing 0-60 in about half a second faster than my car. Maybe it's because the 997 was a tiptronic, or because my 996 has a modified exhaust, but I came away feeling like my 996 was faster. At any rate, my car just felt more fun, and is certainly way more bang for the buck. So, happily, I feel no need to "trade up" to a 997! I feel like I'd be paying a lot more money for a car that doesn't feel any faster. Also I'm not a huge fan of the 997's busier dashboard. I'll probably try another 997 someday. Maybe a manual with a louder exhaust will be more to my liking.

Maybe it is because your 996 is lighter....... The trend seems to be that the newer the car, the more it weighs. Not always the case but it seems the REALLY new cars are losing a little weight. At top speed, your car probably has a lower coefficient of drag, also. I don't know what the numbers are for the turbos but for the Carreras the Cd was .30, one of the lowest Porsche ever accomplished on a production car, as far as I know. At least for the 'modern' cars.....

Buddy picked up a 991 GT3 PDK. Drove it today and that thing is a blast, but i still wouldnt give up my 6speed for it.

Everyone has their own driving preferences but I personally can't think of one parameter of performance where the 997 is not noticeably superior. I owned both, still have the 997 and prefer it in every way. Hated the fried egg head lights and the interior is simply cheap looking using lots of inferior plastics. Great for you that you preferred your car since you saved yourself a chunk of money.

Mine are not turbos so performance is not at the same level but if I had to choose between my 2011 997.2 or my 2002 996, I honestly don't know which one I'd pick. Yeah, I like the 997 headlights better than the 996 but that's a small detail to me. My WB C4S is otherwise a very beautiful car to my eye. Anyhow, they are different cars and both dear to me but how can you choose one child over the other??

You are not comparing apples to apples. The real comparison would be a 997.2 4S compared to your 996 4S. I am quite certain you would no longer be in doubt. BTW- the 996 4S does have a beautiful shape. Far nicer than a 997 C2, except for the headlights of course.

I prefer the "Fried Eggs" (with their racing heritage background) to something that looks like it come off a VW Beetle... you know what they say about opinions...

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Justification for "I overpaid for a car that is really not much different" It's ok. We've all been there.

Gaining power at about the same rate as weight, and always faster. Add the much improved interior and round headlights, and the 997 is a winner every time. All specs from Excellence tests: 2002 C2: Curb weight - 2,959 HP - 320 Torque - 273 0-60 - 5.0 2005 C2 Curb weight -3,075 HP - 325 Torque - 273 0-60 - 4.8 2005 C2S Curb weight - 3,131 HP - 355 Torque - 295 0-60 - 4.6 2010 C2S Curb weight - 3,208 HP - 385 Torque - 310 0-60 - 4.5 I'm holding out to afford a 2010-11 C2S with the DFI engine. That said, I love my 996.

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How do you come to that illogical conclusion after I state that the 997 is superior on every parameter of performance.

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The 996 is superior to every 993 based on that same logic. And there are lots of people who actually think the 993 is a better car. I don't, but that's another story. The reality is that it is all just an opinion. This post was about how he likes the 996 better and you tell him he is wrong. You post sounded to me like you were trying to justify your purchase. Sorry

I saw a black 997 on the interstate today, I wasn't driving my 996 so he was probably wondering why I was staring.. I love how wide they look, and the front end is sweet, but I wouldn't go into debt for one...

I am now going back to 2007, but I test drove the 997 TT before I purchased it to replace my 996 . It is only after I drove it did I decide to purchase it. I have no need to justify anything.

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OK

I may be an outlier but when I was looking I drove a 997 c4 and several 996c4s and I prefer the look and feel of the 996 Both are wide bodied..... Both nice cars... And yes... The 997 has a more upscale interior.... I just prefer the look of the 996 Its like the more sensuous look of Cindy Crawford vs the hotness of Heidi Klum Both are amazing Lookers.... But I prefer the Cindy Crawford look.

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Myself...I'm aiming for the 3some between Cindy and Heidi . I hope to be adding a 997 GT3 in a few yrs but would keep my 996 C4S which I don't plan on ever selling unless something unforseen forces me to. It's one of the most beautiful cars I've ever owned, if not THE . It looks like it's sculpted out of a chunk of steel. ...

I've always said that there's really no better or worse 911s, just different ones. Each has their pros and cons, but they are all fantastic cars.

I agree completely. Having owned a 996 and a 997, there are things that I like about both of them. They are different, but both great in their own way.

Tiptronic is just not the same, period. I drove a friend's 2012, and just felt the basic "driving" experience was lost....

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I feel just the opposite. I like the TIP just fine, it doesn't matter to me which trans it has to me but I been driving sticks for 58 years, I've gotten lazy and I like it.

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2012 is PDK, not Tiptronic. Your experience is more of a manual vs. automatic thing, not a 996 vs. 997 thing...

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You are right. Actually I don't know anything about a 997 or a PDK.