who likes/hates the 997

d.s · 07-20-2004, 05:23 AM

hi there guys

so what do u think of the 997?? do u prefer it to the 996??

who would buy it?or at least think about changing after it hits the 2nd hand market??

i will be waiting for the turbo

Jgordon · 07-20-2004, 05:27 AM

I'd buy a 993 first, but it's miles ahead of the 996

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Well, it's not as ugly as the 996. But I'll have to hold off on passing judgement until I see what kind of people buy these cars. 996 folks tend to not be Porsche enthusiasts. If I see a bunch of 997 drivers with cell phones to their ears and lattes in their cupholders, and they don't give the wave or flash, then I'll probably dislike the car as much as the 996 and Boxster.

BGCarrera32 · 07-20-2004, 05:44 AM

The curves are better than the 996, the headlights look much better, the instrument cluster is better than the 996, the steering wheel looks like it got stolen from a Cayenne and is out of place, too much crap jammed in the center console (i.e. navigation unit). Overall looks like less of a late 90's Ford Taurus turd and is a step in the right direction.

Just my 2 cents...

JNadal · JNadal's Garage

It looks great, cant wait to see the RSR version

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

My order of preference

1) 993
2) impact bumper cars
3) 997
4) 964
5) early cars
6) 996

I LOVE the 997

kcf7z · kcf7z's Garage

I like the 997. I think Porsche is really trying to recapture the feeling of the non-996 911's. The new Road and Track has a discussion of their use of an acoustic sound booth used to fine-tune and modify engine noise created by the 997 engine. While I have not heard the engine more than through internet sound-bytes, the article suggests that the engine is reminescent of the air-cooled type. This may not have been their intent, but it is reasonable to give them the benefit of the doubt.

I think a 997 will be in my future.

trader220 · 07-20-2004, 05:59 AM

I like it, and I would never own a 996. The problem I have is that in 2 years its worth 40% less then what you pay. I never buy brandnew cars. Go buy a 993 and see what it costs to drive for 2 years.

Paul Franssen · Paul Franssen's Garage

I like the 997 to the extent that it looks better than the 996, of which I understand the car ...moves... i.e. it is not a bad car.

Which is not to say that it moves ME like the early Porsches have, in their time, or even now, moved me. In fact, the only Porsches that have (literally) moved me, were older than 1989... (The looks of the 993 moves me intensely, though, but I've only been a passenger in one).

But I have to agree that there is a time of coming, and one of going (and Porsches are ...going...)(which you can interpret either which way).

Richard LeSchander, (not to criticize your statement, I don't like "snobs" either), but I am a bit wondering about the wisehood (hmmmm...) of having your appraisal of a particular car depend from the attitude(s) of their owners. This might leave you short of one or more fabulous cars, no?

JmuRiz · JmuRiz's Garage

I like it alot...however I HATE the wheels on the S model, WTF is up w/ that crazy swisscheese looking 5 spoke?

07-20-2004, 06:48 AM

Just a facelifted 996, but it does indeed look much better than the 996. I agree that the wheels are ugly.

ken_xman · 07-20-2004, 06:58 AM

I am planning on dropping some coin on the 997 to be the new daily driver. It is the same feeling of the old 911's when I was 16.
I want a S-Cab silver/ black ...if possible.
The best part is the wife is all for it. .....AND keeping 87 which is about a 9.5 concours.

Wrecked944 · 07-20-2004, 08:23 AM

The 997 S goes from 0-100 kmh in 4.8 seconds. End of discussion.

Jgordon · 07-20-2004, 09:11 AM

Richard,

Who do you think was driving your 993 8 years ago? Or the Carrera 17 years ago? Same people who are gonna drive these off the lots (except Ken) and some other people. Reaganomics of the automotive world.

rcwaldo · 07-20-2004, 09:18 AM

I myself will have to wait and see it in person before forming my opinion.. I do think its a step in the right direction though..

Chris

aigel · aigel's Garage

Talking to people in Germany, the folks there seem to see the 997 as the "going back to the 911". It will be a HUGE success. Details like the cooling of the engine and the weight etc. isn't in the scope of the average buyer.

George

FenderGuy · 07-20-2004, 10:04 AM

Many people like the 997 due its apperance is kind " of" like a 993, but the thing is its still water cooled. The car looks bullky compared to the 996, I still prefer the 996 over the 997. But things change and we all know Porsche has changed

Grady Clay · 07-20-2004, 10:54 AM

Some of my friends are giving me a hard time.

I am actually talking to my dealer about a 997S! A nice plain Carrera S Coupe (no S/R) with a different (read Factory custom expensive) interior. Dark gray or dark blue exterior. Of course some mods and spares.

My friends want me to get a GT-3. If I were to go that route, I would buy a used Cup car and find a legal way to occasionally have it on the street.

No matter what I do, the 911 will have more miles on track than on the street. It is the prime way to enjoy safely. I only drive about 4K/year on the street as it is.

My lame old bod is the limiting factor.

Best,
Grady

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Jgordon
Richard,

Who do you think was driving your 993 8 years ago? Or the Carrera 17 years ago? Same people who are gonna drive these off the lots (except Ken) and some other people. Reaganomics of the automotive world.

Funny you should ask. PO of my car was as die-hard a Porsche nut as any of us on here. He had plenty of Porsches and this 993 was never a lease! He did tasteful mods to it and called me the day after I took it home and begged me to sell it back to him. That's the kind of PO I like.

KTL · 07-20-2004, 11:05 AM

I give it a thumbs up.

Much more character than a 996. And even more grunt. What's wrong with that?

As much as I might not like some of the 996 owners, or simply those that buy the new ones, I can't dislike them altogether. Without those well-to-do folks, a schlep like me would never be able to have a used one years down the road! So, I hope the 997 is a huge hit. Then in 17 yrs. i'll be able to own one quite easily.

Just to expand on what CJ listed, I agree the 993 seems to blend the old look and the new look just about right. I'd have to put the 997 near the top of the list along with the 993 and early cars. Dead last? Impact bumpered cars. The longer I own mine, the less I like the appearance. All that black rubber trim crap is just too much anymore. Still, the fun to drive factor and feel of the car is quite good. If I didn't dump so much work into my own car, i'd opt for a 964 these days.