Price Check and Advice, Aisle 2007 Carrera S
 

I know next to nothing about modern Porsche's. The newest Porsche I have owned was a 1994 964, which I loved. BTW, I say "modern" knowing this thing is almost 15 years old.

So, my buddy the very disabled vet can't drive stick anymore. He owns a 2007 Carrera S Cabriolet with 40k on the odometer. I have driven it in years past, but it has sat for over a year and has issues, I am just not sure how many.

I'll move this to the Marketplace discussion but the folks I trust to give me unvarnished advice are here.

First, some back story. He is my son's Godfather, Italian, from a tough upbringing in Pottsville, Pa. Smart. Earned a slot at the Naval Academy and then earned his aviator wings. He flew H-2s.

Medically discharged as a LT, and transition to business where we met in 1991. Honest, stubborn and a now very rich man. He talks with both my children more than I do: He is their investment advisor. Not my choice but they didn't ask: They both genuinely love him.

I tell you this because as a counterpoint he treats cars poorly.

So. He wants to sell his Porsche because he really can't drive it. We have talked about this for months. I have finally convinced him to let me get the car here to my farm, clean it up, keep it in one of my nice barns and get the work done on it that needs to be done. I will drive it once a week when I take him on his errands.

He asked his my son wants it. I said no, not now. Jack just passed the bar and doesn't have a garage. Let's stick to the plan.

I think I just may buy it, keep it for a few years and then pass it along to either my kids or wife.

That is where I am. Pictures below.

The bad:

Battery is dead
Wing is inop
Sits outside (don't get me started)
Some small dents
Paint scraps on both rear wheel flares
Not sure of maintenance

All bad, I get it.

The good

I love the color and top combo.
It drives great

Opinions, please; be brutal but succinct. It is not mine but I can see myself getting it sorted.

That is Steve's claw in the pic below. I am just starting to really think about this.

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Paul,

Take it home and take a couple of days to fully assess what needs to be fixed. Then, make him an offer.

The paint doesn't look too bad. The paint scrapes may "buff right out". The small dents are another story.

The spoiler in the up position could just be the switch down by the fuse panel. But, you won't know until you put in a new battery.

I'd like to see the interior. Any pics?

I agree Paul, with your entire post. Getting it here is the first step. I won't even consider making an offer until I know a lot more...thank you.

I am home about to head out for mulch moving so I will get pictures of the interior later this week. He smokes and isn't particularly neat but the last time I drove it there were no obvious gotchas.

I am headed to Yorktown, Va to my company tomorrow.

Thanks again, Paul.

I owned a coupe version of this.
Great car, but couldn't get over the prospect of potential cylinder scoring. Mine was burning a lot of oil, which was hard to gauge due to the electronic dipstick.

Look for sooting on left? tailpipe?

Mine was burning oil pretty bad. It also had higher miles. Sold it. Got the SC, and never been happier. I'll take broken head studs all day over that crap.

This car also has the "improved" larger diameter IMS bearing. Less failures due to larger size, but so large, you can't just change it out as a wear item like in earlier IMS cars. You have to split the case to change it.

I didn't want to own the goose that was about to lay an 18k egg.

It is a 997, right?

Any recommended websites: here?

I have been called a dipstick, but never an electronic dipstick.

That is special:cool:

Yes, 997. An electronic dipstick truly is a special type of cool.

I would google search 997S Bore Scoring / cylinder scoring (or something to that effect) to learn more about it. I'm not trying to spread fear, all p-cars have their achilles heel. It might never even be an issue. In mine though, with the high oil consumption, it was.

I get it. Thanks. Mulch then Bore Scoring!

Is this real: https://www.pcarmarket.com/auction/dealtank-2007-porsche-carrera-s-cabriolet/

A year ago for 28K?

There are several pluses and minuses on that particular car. The low mileage and color are pluses but the general condition and the way it’s been treated are negatives. The used Porsche market really favors condition and records above all else.

That said, it could still be a decent car. You are in a great position being able to take possession and get to know it a little before making an offer. That’s a rare circumstance that we’d all like to be in. There are some not great things about early 997s but on the other hand, it’s one of the best driving cars they ever sold if everything is right. A good buddy had that car new in 1997 and I drove it some, it was awesome.

I wouldn’t waste my time on the valuation forum, it’s the same 5 guys arguing away. I can tell you what it’s worth in a phone call.

That would seem about right for that car, cabs are a bit cheaper than coupes. Good ones are creeping up in price but that would not apply to yours. :)

Perfect.

I’ll call tomorrow.

Best.

I hate to dis this site, but try the Rennlist forum, the 997 section is very active

It’s a manual right? If so they do seem to command a premium in the coupes.

I am a bit biased as I love my 997.2 but it’s a much different beast than the S cab you are considering. I think the color is great and I enjoyed by 3.2 cab for what it was.

I agree with Denis on the valuation forum, you are better off going to the other site.

They really are good cars, so was the 996. Except everyone hated the lights so much and general shape that is was the cool thing to rip on. Porsche fixed that with the 997 in the looks department and there are folks who think the 997 is much better than the 991, etc.

Do you know how to get the frunk open to replace the battery as it’s electronic not a pull handle like the air cooled ones....

I too can help out with general 997 questions as well, and my grandfather was class of ‘44 (graduated in ‘43) at the Academy as an interesting side note,

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum-113/

prices of all 997's are starting to rise, including the 997.1's. I don't think anyone will see a $28k 997.1 cab these days unless it's completely trashed; The proverbial expensive cheap car. See BAT for some loose price guidelines.

Bore scoring is a serious issue and should be bore scoped to see if scoring has started.

The larger IMS bearings seem to be holding up well over the years. But there will always be those that have failed larger IMS bearings. If deep pockets are available, a 4.0 Raby motor seems to be the route to take.

A gundo hack makes the exhaust sound better. (inexpensive) Eliminating the Helmholtz resonator with a cheap plastic cap brings back the induction sound.

Engine mounts seem to be a wear item that should be changed if they haven't been already.

Water pumps seem to be a good thing to replace as a PM measure.

997's are relatively easy cars to wrench on. A bit of help from a good diag tool and you're golden.

Everyone hates the fiber optic Bose PCCM entertainment system. Very dated in appearance now, but sometime in 2022, a PCCM+ is coming for a direct replacement.

Please be advised that there is a lot of internet banter of the 996 and 997 being potential expensive cars due to the engine. But there are also a bunch of unknown cars like this cab in question that have been abused yet continue to reliable and run well until some other unfortunate event takes them off the road.

Good luck. Hopefully, this is a great car underneath that'll be easy to bring back to tip top shape to enjoy.

I've seen 997 coupes for less than $28k, much less. The market favors nice cars with records and equipped right. And BaT prices bear no resemblance to normal street prices but for really nice cars, it's a great place to sell.

I pay a lot of attention to the used 911 market.

Terrific info from all. I really appreciate the input. I did get the frunk open and will be ordering a new battery. It has been a ongoing issue. It is also a manual.

The key is getting it here for an evaluation both mechanically and ergonomically. I am also not really sure about the Cab part but I need to spend some time with it. It looks great with the top up so there's that. I will also detail it..."detail" may be too strong a word: I'll clean it up. :)

The goal is to drive the car once a week taking Steve on his errands, which I do anyway. That appeals to both of us.

I'll also do the minor sleuth work and DYI what I can. I work on farm equipment and haven't really worked on a car in years.

Again, thank you all. It may work, it may not.

Perhaps an obvious consideration....mixing business with friendship. I wonder if you might save yourself some grief by cleaning it up and helping him sell it rather than buying it from him. I’m sure you’ve already thought about that.

Thought of something else yesterday/ perhaps already mentioned.
If the car has been sitting, the tires could have permanent flat spots on them needing replacement. Sometimes you can drive them out, sometimes not. Also, if he's tough on cars, make sure the rims aren't bent from hitting potholes or something. In my experience, that larger diameter rim/low profile tire is very finicky about these things compared to p-cars of old. You'll feel it in the steering wheel bigtime when driving.

Something to look into on the inspection/ potentially factor into overall cost (you might already have)

Good luck,
Ron

Seahawk I would suggest as part of your maintenance plan get an oil sample analyzed . It is just part of the puzzle pieces to figure out what you have as a baseline . A borescope can be very effective for bore scoring analysis but a trained eye is very important . Plenty of good shops/mechanics miss bore scoring even though they are looking for it .

To my untrained eyes that car should clean up well . A good PDR guy/gal can perform miracles on dents . Do all the basic maintenance , put some fresh gas in with some Seafoam and run her hard like it was designed to be run . Good luck with this adventure 😁