3.2 Carrera vs. 997

[89911]

Originally Posted by trader220

Having owned just about every model of air cooled 911 and recently quit my old career of 20 years as an options trader to do what I have always wanted, sell Porsches, I have a unique perspective on this question. I am a die hard air cooled guy but the virtues of the 997 are undeniable. Its a fantastic car, I would not even consider a used 996 having driven a 997. I have also spent a decent amount of time in the new 2009 PDK ( new double clutch tranny ) and yes its a fantastic box. I am amazed at the things you can do in it, that being said I am a manual guy. No matter what you're like eventually most people end up putting it in drive and leaving it there.

The bigger news in the 2009 is the motor. The DFI motor is all new and its lighter, more powerful and even has lower emissions if you car about that. Whether you look at the 3.6 or the 3.8 any way you slice the pie its a better motor. I am staring at a 2009 Porsche Racing Green Carrera S not 25 feet away from me on the floor its a fantastic looking car and I know what a fantastic machine it is to drive. They made some subtle styling changes too.

I really suggest taking your time and driving a 993 and a 997, IMHO you can skip the 996. Yes the 993 has more modern technology compared to your 3.2 but the jump in pure comfort and convince and modernity in the 997 is light years ahead. You're also right the 05 and 06's are starting to come off lease and up for resale at very attractive prices.

Good luck

I agree with all that you have said, but I would bet the chances of any of the regular posters going out and buying a new 997 are in the .01% or less or about the same percentage of a person close to buying a 997 changing their mind then buying an old 911. The new M3, Audi RS4, and even the GTR are in the 997 price range and each would be my pick over the 997. The cars looks just aren't doin it for me either.

[ToddM]

Originally Posted by glenndeweirdt

Interesting thread as I am looking to trade my daily driver 996 for an '06 or '07 997 ($50K for an '05 997 Carrera with 25,000miles or less is typical). I won't shed a tear about tossing the 996 but it would kill me to part with my '83!

Because your 83 has soul.

Everybody knows and wont argue that the 996/997 is a much more competant platform, but is it any more fun to drive? Hardly. In fact, it feels and sounds like driving a lot of other things. There's just so many other other cars on the new market that deliver the goods at the same price point as a 997.

I just don't see the reason to own one of each, either. I daily drive my 82 100 miles round trip every weekday to work. I prefer having no car payment, $90 yearly registration costs, and dirt cheap insurance. When something does break, the parts are signifigantly cheaper than a 993, even and FAR chaper than an out of warranty 996. I can adhere to my own maintenance schedues and I enjoy putting upgrades into the car because I know it's going to be suiting me just fine up to 300K miles.

As others mentiond, the verdict is still out on these new models... when they prove themselves (durability, long-term reliability, ability to stand abuse), only then, would I consider buying one for the long haul.

To each his own, its YOUR money, but I would only lease one inside it's warranty period then trade it in before the warranty expires.

[Wildcat96]

My opinion is to determine how the car will be used and follow your heart. My first P Car was a Boxster S that was alot of fun to drive, but I kept eyeing the air cooled 911's at local PCA events. Like alot of you on this board I had the 80's 911posters as a kid and always admired the look and sounds of the cars. One day a friend decided to sell his 930 and I sold the Boxster to buy it. The new cars are more comfortable to drive with the handling, AC, etc. but the air cooled cars have a unique "charactor" about them. If I was looking for a daily driver I'd probably go for a more modern model, but a weekend toy would be the air cooled cars. Either way you'll have alot of fun.

[ToddM]

+1 What Wildcat said

I guess I really don't understand these type of threads. Isn't it kind apparent when you drive the two what your preference is?

[450knotOffice]

Personally, I love having both cars. However, unlike some here (Todd), I would grow very tired of using my beloved '84 as a daily driver - stuck in the 57 mile 405 freeway commute each way every day would grow miserable over time. My 996, however, is a very worthy daily driver AND a fun and very capable back country road car as well. Would I prefer the 997 over the 996? Heck yea! However, if I'm going to spend 50K on another Porsche, it'll probably be on a used '02 -'03 996 Turbo. The black car, of course, is here to stay. It's my weekend "fun" car and track toy.

[ToddM]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

Personally, I love having both cars. However, unlike some here (Todd), I would grow very tired of using my beloved '84 as a daily driver - stuck in the 57 mile 405 freeway commute each way every day would grow miserable over time. My 996, however, is a very worthy daily driver AND a fun and very capable back country road car as well. Would I prefer the 997 over the 996? Heck yea! However, if I'm going to spend 50K on another Porsche, it'll probably be on a used '02 -'03 996 Turbo. The black car, of course, is here to stay. It's my weekend "fun" car and track toy.

Yep, I am "stuck" in the 911 between 2 and 3 hours per day commuting on 680/sunol grade, 237 and 101. I don't find it miserable at all.

One of these days when my mangina develops, I'll buy something that isn't 25 years old in which to sit motionless in traffic.

[450knotOffice]

(I hope you were being sarcastic, Todd)

My '84 is modded, light, loud, harsh, and has no air conditioning. It would be a lousy daily driver.

[RWebb]

n.b age affects you choice of optimum car -- Bruce Anderson (not to mention others) has driven all sorts of stock & hot rod Pcars. he sold them and started driving a boxster several years ago.

so, traffic conditions, trip length & age all play a part

[ToddM]

Scott

Being sarcastic about...?

My AC hasnt been functioning all year. There was one 110 degree day where I was traffic was motionless on the way home. I made it half way, I had already drank my water, had windows down, and I had stripped down to boxers which was of little help since there was no airflow. It SUCKED... but thats a small price to pay as my 82 has never done me wrong, always starts, always stops and never runs hot. It is what I trust on a daily basis. I've had much newer and more expensive Porsches that I could never make the same comment about.

Bruce Andersen's def fully developed. I stopped subscribing to his bias, special interest driven publication about 8 years ago.

Im sorry, but I have already instructed my wife get rid of me and make it look like an accident the day I drive something based off of creature comforts like cup holders and back up warning sensors that weighs as much as a forest elephant.

[450knotOffice]

Sarcastic about? The "mangina" comment implies that any one of us who craves anything NOT from the stone age must be less than a real man. If that's what you meant, then I have to wonder why you find it necessary to insult others who may not have the same opinions about cars as you might.

What's wrong with being comfortable when you can have the loud, raucous, lightweight go-cart car also parked in your garage? I have both types of car in my garage for that very reason. I like the choice.

To each his own (as it should be).

[ToddM]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

Sarcastic about? The "mangina" comment implies that any one of us who craves anything NOT from the stone age must be less than a real man. If that's what you meant, then I have to wonder why you find it necessary to insult others who may not have the same opinions about cars as you might.

What's wrong with being comfortable when you can have the loud, raucous, lightweight go-cart car also parked in your garage? I have both types of car in my garage for that very reason. I like the choice.

To each his own (as it should be).

Hahah, Scott... How many times have we've gone through this in different threads? I was wondering when you were going to figure out that I've been taking cheap jabs at ya ...and I am sure its a perfectly good mangina! Ok, I kid, I kid. I just don't know when to stop.

I agree, to each his own... I'll just take the go-cart any time, all the time; it's just what I feel comfortable in.

[450knotOffice]

Okee Dokee, then. Cheap jabs I can take.

[Wickd89]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

Personally, I love having both cars. However, unlike some here (Todd), I would grow very tired of using my beloved '84 as a daily driver - stuck in the 57 mile 405 freeway commute each way every day would grow miserable over time. My 996, however, is a very worthy daily driver AND a fun and very capable back country road car as well. Would I prefer the 997 over the 996? Heck yea! However, if I'm going to spend 50K on another Porsche, it'll probably be on a used '02 -'03 996 Turbo. The black car, of course, is here to stay. It's my weekend "fun" car and track toy.

Hi Scott,
I also look at used 996 turbos. Why not gthe '01??
Not first year 996, and sold in europe prior to the US?
Should be as nice as an 02-03.

I have been contemplating this as a daily driver, but would have to give up my comfy A6 2.7T which is great to go to lunch with friends...:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/850559341.html

It has everything I would want to add (although I could live without the wood trim, but it actually does not look that bad since it was the same turbo wheel...

Considering the economy, I should not even be considering this but this one seem like a great deal. Would cost me Wickd89 as well, but who knows....

[450knotOffice]

Luis! That car is sweet!

As for the '01's, I see nothing wrong with them, but given the choice, I'd rather have one with a glove box (I think '02 was the first year for that). For the price he has listed though, I can do without.

I'll be looking again in earnest when the economy shows signs of improvement. Blue, red, or yellow are my preferred colors.

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by trader220

Having owned just about every model of air cooled 911 and recently quit my old career of 20 years as an options trader to do what I have always wanted, sell Porsches, I have a unique perspective on this question. I am a die hard air cooled guy but the virtues of the 997 are undeniable. Its a fantastic car, I would not even consider a used 996 having driven a 997. I have also spent a decent amount of time in the new 2009 PDK ( new double clutch tranny ) and yes its a fantastic box. I am amazed at the things you can do in it, that being said I am a manual guy. No matter what you're like eventually most people end up putting it in drive and leaving it there.

The bigger news in the 2009 is the motor. The DFI motor is all new and its lighter, more powerful and even has lower emissions if you car about that. Whether you look at the 3.6 or the 3.8 any way you slice the pie its a better motor. I am staring at a 2009 Porsche Racing Green Carrera S not 25 feet away from me on the floor its a fantastic looking car and I know what a fantastic machine it is to drive. They made some subtle styling changes too.

I really suggest taking your time and driving a 993 and a 997, IMHO you can skip the 996. Yes the 993 has more modern technology compared to your 3.2 but the jump in pure comfort and convince and modernity in the 997 is light years ahead. You're also right the 05 and 06's are starting to come off lease and up for resale at very attractive prices.

Good luck

trader - congrats on the career change, something I have always wanted to do as well. Are you at a local dealer, indy or on your own?

[trader220]

I am at Don Rosen Imports we're the largest Seller of new and used Porsche in the area. Let me know if there is something I can do for you.

Those interested we have a sweet 96 cab, adventure green 41k miles in stock.

I am still feeling my way around the business. I am fortunate that I am in a position that my former career allowed me to take a good shot at something I really want to do. The downside is that after basically 20 years of working market hours and most of them working for myself its quite a change working for someone else on their hours.

[glenndeweirdt]

Trader 220,

This may be slightly off-topic.

Can you (or anyone else) give me a little profesional insight on the current used market for the 997? I am considering trading my daily driver '99 996 (55K miles, tip, Ocean Blue/Savannah Beige, very good condition) for a 997. I am seeing 997s listed at $50-70K for '05-'07. I cannot help but think the market for these cars parallels the collapsing luxury home market. A few questions please:

Is $24K realistic for trade value on my 996?
Are actual sale prices 20-25% lower than asking price for 997s?
Am I likely to have more bargaining room without the trade?
Is it realistic to find a '07 997 with 20K or less miles for under $55K
with an extended warranty or certified?

Thanks, Glenn

[jpahemi]

trader 220,
I envy your new life venture. Being that your in the business, is this the last year for the GT2? Are the dealers taking orders for the '09 run?
Regards,
jp
NY