The affordable 997 thread

[Paul K]

All:

Since I just can't bring myself to own a 996, I've been looking at 997's. Saw this one recently & it really got me thinking. If I can find a C4 for similar $ in a couple of years, I'm in!

2005 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe 2D 6-Speed Manual Bose Sunroof



2005 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe 2D 6-Speed Manual Bose Sunroof - $29900 (Portland, OR)

VIN: WP0AA29975S715531

Title status : clean

2005 Porsche 911 997 Carrera Coupe with 77k miles. 6-Speed manual transmission. Drives great and very smooth! Extra clean and in excellent condition. Finished in Arctic Silver exterior on Black leather interior. Well taken care of, always serviced. Must See!! Included with the following options: 6-Speed Gearbox, Power Rear Spoiler, Sunroof, Dual Power Seats, Memory Seats, Bose Premium Surround Sound, Leather Interior, Privacy Glass, 19" Wheels, Climate Control, CD Player, Power Window/Mirrors/Door Locks, Homelink, Cruise Control, Remote Keyless Entry and more. Clean Title, Carfax Guaranteed! Visit Grand Prix Motors Inc. | - Used Cars - Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Jaguar, Rover - Portland, Oregon- or call 503-954-3431 for more details. Trades Welcome. Financing Available!

Make: Porsche
Year: 2005
Interior Color: Black
Stock #: 2868
Drivetrain: RWD
Mileage: 77610
Engine: 3.6L 6 Cylinder Engine
Trim: Carrera Coupe 2D
VIN: WP0AA29975S715531
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Model: 911
Exterior Color: Arctic Silver

Cheers,

Paul.

[CalPersFatCat]

subscribed.

[KNS]

I've been toying with the idea of a 997 daily for a year or two (prices are slowly dropping). My only concern is I put about 25,000 miles a year on my daily. I'll have to go in knowing full well that tires will be expensive and Porsche parts prices in general are going to be more than your typical Honda. My current DD is an 11 year old 325i so not a huge leap in the price of upkeep (mostly).

I wonder how a 997 will hold up going 150,000 miles or more in six years.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by KNS

I've been toying with the idea of a 997 daily for a year or two (prices are slowly dropping). My only concern is I put about 25,000 miles a year on my daily. I'll have to go in knowing full well that tires will be expensive and Porsche parts prices in general are going to be more than your typical Honda. My current DD is an 11 year old 325i so not a huge leap in the price of upkeep (mostly).

I wonder how a 997 will hold up going 150,000 miles or more in six years.

I predict that a 997 would hold up extremely well but obviously tires, brake jobs and oil changes will cost a lot more than an appliance car.

[Paul K]

I've heard that by the 2nd Gen ('09?) Porsche had finally solved the IMS issues, but for $30k I'd be tempted to take a gamble. With SC/Carrera & 993 prices so strong, I reckon the 997 is going to be the clear option.

[onewhippedpuppy]

The 997 up to late 2005 had the 996 style IMS that was replaceable. After that point IMS replacement requires a case split. 2009+ is the second gen car with the 9A1 motor that doesn't have an IMS. On the upside, the later style 997 IMS has proven to be much more reliable. They are great cars and should last a long time. Lots of 996s are now over 100k and still going strong.

[Nostril Cheese]

You could get a 996 Turbo for that money and not worry about the engine.

[BReif61]

You could get a 996 Turbo for that money and not worry about the engine.

$30k does not get a 996 Turbo, at least not anywhere I've found.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by BReif61

$30k does not get a 996 Turbo, at least not anywhere I've found.

Put a few more coins in the piggy bank:

Porsche 911 996 Twin Turbo | eBay

[Schumi]

The fact that you can find 997's for the same price as 964 C2's is ridiculous.

I've put lots of miles down in both and I don't care how nostalgic you feel about the aircooled cars, the 997 is twice the car in almost every way.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Put a few more coins in the piggy bank:

Porsche 911 996 Twin Turbo | eBay

OH DEAR... "IF" I lived in the US this would be the one.
I can't think of anything else for 35k Id' rather own.

Same car in Aus would is well over $100,000!

[dyusem]

Originally Posted by Schumi

The fact that you can find 997's for the same price as 964 C2's is ridiculous.

I've put lots of miles down in both and I don't care how nostalgic you feel about the aircooled cars, the 997 is twice the car in almost every way.

Bingo!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Schumi

The fact that you can find 997's for the same price as 964 C2's is ridiculous.

I've put lots of miles down in both and I don't care how nostalgic you feel about the aircooled cars, the 997 is twice the car in almost every way.

You can honestly make this same argument with the 996, which is significantly less money than a 964. The 997 is just a restyled 996 with marginally better performance.

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

The 997 is just a restyled 996 with marginally better performance.

Agree, but the changes were enough to make it an option for me, whereas the 996 isn't. Much nicer interior, better front end styling, and a whole different feel when you sit in it.

[KNS]

I really like the 996 for a few reasons: dipstick, spare tire and voltmeter, all of which are missing in the 997 and a lot of newer German cars (yet you can still find spares and dipsticks in everything from Hondas to Hyundais).

The interior is a huge deal breaker for me in the 996, it's awful. That's where I have to sit.
So the 997's improved interior and exterior make the decision easier.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by KNS

I really like the 996 for a few reasons: dipstick, spare tire and voltmeter, all of which are missing in the 997 and a lot of newer German cars (yet you can still find spares and dipsticks in everything from Hondas to Hyundais).

The interior is a huge deal breaker for me in the 996, it's awful. That's where I have to sit.
So the 997's improved interior and exterior make the decision easier.

+1 ... The interior is very important

What's with the dipstick? That would have to be one of the most practical inventions ever.

So how do you check the oil on a 997?

[mikester]

Check the oil on the computer. My cayman is the same way.

[JavaBrewer]

I really dislike the water cooled 911 interiors - the colors offered are offensive to me. That said I am very happy with the black/carbon interior of my '03. The car has 145K miles and is squeak/rattle free. The seats are in very good shape and all materials are in like new condition. No fancy screens, GPS, or DVD players thanks. If I could change one thing it would be to have a leather covered dash. The 997 interior is definitely a step up in luxury but has too much technology and bling for my taste. YMMV.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Paul K

Agree, but the changes were enough to make it an option for me, whereas the 996 isn't. Much nicer interior, better front end styling, and a whole different feel when you sit in it.

True, just acknowledging that underneath the pretty new styling, a 2005 997 is basically a 2004 996.2.

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

The 997 up to late 2005 had the 996 style IMS that was replaceable. After that point IMS replacement requires a case split.

I had read/heard/inquired about that and was told that it was the same deal with the 997 as for the 987. There was no way to tell FOR SURE when Porsche switched from the old to the new IMS until you pulled the tranny off the engine and looked. For the 987 the lawsuit has some VIN ranges in it but even that has proven not 100% accurate per the posts on forums... Do you know that cutoff is "for sure" ? Because if so, a 997 will be mine shortly ;-)