I bought a 997. Don't taze me bro!

[porschenut]

Don't taze me! I did it. I bought a 997 Carrera S. Picked it up last March 31.

For those of you who have never driven one, or have entertained the notion of buying one, I have some impressions I'd like to share.

First, it's just like you would expect. It's comfortable. The A/C works like a regular car. It feels new. It's refined. The interior materials are exquisite. It feels heavy and bulky. And, it takes no more effort to drive than a Taurus. Well, maybe a little more effort.

But, it is one HELL of a car. It is FAST. Like our mid-year 911's, it feels completely solid and totally planted on the road. The handling is an order of magnitude better than my '86. It corners with such confidence you wouldn't believe it. The sound of the loud sport exhaust is sumptuous and mesmerizing. And it makes you feel like you're the king of the road. Other drivers see you coming, and instead of cutting you off like usual, instead they get out of your way (usually). When you return home from a nice drive thru the twisties, you sit there in the car for 30 seconds or so in disbelief, shaking your head at Porsche for producing yet another miracle of automotive performance.

But.....it is NOT a replacement for your earlier 911! It lacks the primal go-kart feel of your earlier car. It lacks the smells and sounds of the "race car" experience. My '86 911 is every bit as much fun to drive as the 997, and sometimes more so. The 997 is more awe-inspiring, and would run circles around the 911, but the 911 is more exciting, more dramatic in some way. When I finish a drive in the 911, I feel like I just got off a roller coaster ride. When I finish a drive in the 997, I feel like I rode the space shuttle to the moon and back. Different feelings altogether.

Until a year or so ago, I hated the idea of a heavy, water-cooled 911. But I have to tell you, I have seen the light. After having been on both sides now, I can assure you the 997 is 100% 911. The pedigree has not been lost. It's okay to like Porsche again, if you want to. They and I are back on speaking terms. I won't give up my '86, and you shouldn't either. But if you get a chance to drive a 997 someday, you might be surprised that it changes your mind about a lot of things. The 997 is an utterly superb machine.

[speedracer]

Cool, any pics? Are you keeping the 86?

[herman maire]

Nice write up. Thanks.

I would for sure buy one if I could afford one.... What is the Hp on the "S"?

[craigyirush]

And let's not forget the 997s are beautiful, too, a perfect combination of the classic and the modern.

I only wish I could afford one.

[Jeff Alton]

I have a buddy with a 997 S, I had it for a weekend a while back. Every since I have been trying to figure out how much of stuff I need to sell so I can get one..... It rocked


Cheers

[RWebb]

IF you sell the '86 and buy a '66, then the average age of your cars should stay about the same...

Thanks for your impressions... maybe post again in a month and tell us if there are any changes.

[Komenda Fan]

Porschenut - while the 997 is certainly different in many respects to "our" cars, I don't think you'll find many here that don't like it, its a terrific car, as you well know. I've never driven one, but one thing that did surprise me was swapping cars with a 996 owner at a PCA autocross. I say surprised because the 996 was very much like my car, understeer into the corner, oversteer out, just more civilized. A 911 is still a 911. Good choice and why don't you post some pics?

[rattlsnak]

and you waited 10 months to tell us? and no pics???

[LakeCleElum]

Dave - Thanks for the frank review.....Don't we all wish the newer P=cars weighted under about 2,800 lbs or so? that's what it would take to get me in the new car market?

[911Rob]

Good write up Dave, but where are the pics man?
Congrats on your purchase and joy!

[Harlan Chinn]

Congratulations! What did you like better, PSM On or Off? I almost bought an S myself.

[jwetering]

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

I have a buddy with a 997 S, I had it for a weekend a while back. Every since I have been trying to figure out how much of stuff I need to sell so I can get one..... It rocked
Cheers

I too have seen the light in my 996. I've stated exactly as much in this forum before.

BUT....I have to sell my 996 because I'm moving to England..perhaps you want to take a closer look Jeff. I'm not lookig for a lot of money because I'm leaving in four weeks. (damn).

[Jeff Alton]

I think Tony is hot for it, I am doing a top end on his 3.2 so he can sell it.....

I just can't afford it right now, I would need to unload the carrera and I just put 350k on it two days last week breaking the motor in, it is too addictive at this point!

Cheers

[jwetering]

I hope he doesn't plan to sell his 3.2 *before* he buys mine...that might take a while. I'd better call him...

Did I miss the post where you got your own car back on the road ?? That's cool.

[Jeff Alton]

No, I think he knows I will not be done, or maybe not started before he needs to step up to the plate on yours.

I have put a couple permits on it. Just passed through 850k total on it. Hoping to hit the dyno for more tuning on the 8th of feb......

Hijack over,

I love 997s despite being a hardcore crazed modified aircooled junkie!!

Cheers

[EarlyPorsche]

I too have a 997. What can't they do? Well I'll tell you, they don't have front flipper windows and rear pop out windows like my 1966 has. With the 997 you can't have your gas past 40% throttle for very long at all, if at all on many roads because you will hit 170MPH otherwise. With the 1966 you can floor that thing through all the gears and you're still only doing like 100MPH!

Given the choice, believe it or not, a good SWB 911/912 in excellent condition like mine is in is worth more real world dollars because for me to find another SWB in the condition of mine would be near impossible. Take this with a grain of salt but: having a 997 is easier than having an amazing SWB 1965-1967 (aluminum block) Porsche.

[dd74]

Note to self: drive a 997 before making anymore critical comments about water-cooled 911s.

Good review, BTW.

[ZAMIRZ]

Originally Posted by dd74

Note to self: drive a 997 before making anymore critical comments about water-cooled 911s.

WTF? Hell just froze over, David gave the water-cooled cars some credit.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by ZAMIRZ

WTF? Hell just froze over, David gave the water-cooled cars some credit.

LOL!

[jwetering]

Originally Posted by ZAMIRZ

WTF? Hell just froze over, David gave the water-cooled cars some credit.

Yep - we're chipping away at him. I'm convinced the 996 & 997 are the enthusiast 911 of the future. If the 996 is good, then I agree the 997 is gooder.

Sorry for the hijack earlier. Congrats on the 997. Damn I'm going to hate being Porscheless