What do you have to do to find a 997.2 ?

[Deschodt]

I'm about to sell my 912 which will help fund a 997.2 purchase (thank you classic car appreciation). I started looking for cars and I'm shocked at the scarcity of second gen 997s - and I live in the SF Bay area which isn't known for its lack of porsches...

Did porsche make like 5 of the things between 2008 and 2011 without PDK ? ;-)

Admittedly I'm not the standard buyer because I want a stick shift... a coupe... I'd prefer white or silver and it needs to be a black interior... I don't even care too much whether it's an S or not (coming from a 912, ya know).

I find it crazy that I've been looking for a couple weeks and found... 2 cars. Period. One from a shady strip mall dealer and another one a little too high on miles... If you wanta black car, or a convertible, or PDK - Bob's your uncle... but...

Are people just not selling those ? ;-) If you have tips of where, and what to look for, let me know. Those things seem pretty robust and I only plan on asking to check overrevs at a dealer... Are they solid enough you'd consider along distance purchase without putting your eyeballs on it ? (from a Porsche dealer)

[Hunt3R]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

Did porsche make like 5 of the things between 2008 and 2011 without PDK ? ;-)

Unfortunately that number might not be too far off from being accurate. Probably anyone with a manual is holding on to it before there's none left! If I found a CPO'd car from a dealer and it had everything I wanted for the right price then yeah I would probably buy it sight unseen.

[firstorbit84]

Maybe be willing to travel and expand your search area

[Deschodt]

Definitely looks that way. Also increase my mileage tolerance, way more cars int he 50K mi range than in the 30 or less... And AFAIK it's a good engine so it shouldn't be a big deal. I had no idea those cars were so rare in stick shift..

[firstorbit84]

Why not consider pdk?

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by firstorbit84

Why not consider pdk?

It's not for me.
I respect PDK's technical prowess and I don't judge PDK owner's choices

For me though, this car is going to be the last "analog" 911 I own (before we all go electric or whatever). I want the hydraulic power steering, the "normally spaced" 6 speed manual, the old wheelbase... It's going to bookend my 1972 911 nicely. I enjoy driving and shifting gears is a big part of my enjoyment.

I had a PDK like car before (B8 S4) and I was impressed by it even though DSG is not as good as PDK. But it reduces my involvement and I'm buying that car for the experience. I don't even mind it in traffic. I'm old school for my toys.

[Hunt3R]

Originally Posted by firstorbit84

Why not consider pdk?

If you need to ask then you probably won't understand. Porsche doesn't seem to anymore.

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by Hunt3R

If you need to ask then you probably won't understand. Porsche doesn't seem to anymore.

The appeal of the Cayman GT4 and 911R seem to have surprised even Porsche, though! They even put in a 6 speed in it instead of the unpopular 991 7 speed box! There's hope!!!

[KNS]

In 2009 the economy was in the tank and Porsche just didn't sell that many cars. Also, PDK was introduced and they sold even fewer manuals in the following years.

You're not alone, if I was looking for a 997 it would the same - C2 coupe, manual trans. Those are more sought after (now) than when they were new.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Hey everyone...as some of you already know, we have an amazing Classified section where you can find your dream car (or project car ). I've included a link below! Let us know what beauts you find!

Porsche Classifieds - 4- Classified Ads - Pelican Parts Technical BBS


-Dmitry

[bheit1]

I live in Minnesota and recently purchased a CPO, 2011 Carrera S, manual, from Isringhausen Porsche in Springfield, IL, sight unseen. I am not recommending this practice, but felt they treated me well. They usually charge $1k for delivery to the coasts, but combined my delivery with another bound for Chicago for $500. The salesman pointed out that there may have been as few as 100 Carrera Ss with manuals sold in the US that year. According to a Porsche press release, here are the total US 911 sales for:

2011 6012 units

2012 8528 units

The financial crises of 2007-2008 cut Porsche sales considerably in the years following.

[Deschodt]

Yup I hear that... Few cars, mostly PDK, apparently 90% black (as far as the ones for sale anyway - what is up with that?), lots of cabs, etc...

I've found a few worth investigating but the carfax on them always shows either a lot of owners (?) or electrical issues, or ECU flags... I need patience, which is pretty far from my strong suit... my 69 is sold so I'm chomping at the bit but making an effort to find what I want (Coupé, stick, white, Ok miles and clean report).

Side note: passed by the local dealer and was totally ignored the entire 15 minutes I looked around. 718 looks very nice, but no cayman flavor... I don't know how those people make a living... last time I went there they laughed at me when I asked if they had any stick CPO.

[Deschodt]

Test drove a decent black 2011 C4S today. Not what I wanted (white C2 or S) but decent price and a wide butt... noticed so oil drips on each cat, any idea if that' s 997.2 thing ?

I'm super confused now... I've owned a few modern Porsche (996.2, 2x boxsters, Cayman S) and I instantly felt at home, like wearing a comfy pair of jeans. And the 4WD aspect was unintrusive... My big shock was how damn slow it felt in "normal use".. OK, sure, after 4500 rpm it goes like stink, but until then I felt like my mini cooper on boost would kick its ass ;-) It has been 4+ years since I sold my Cayman S and while I remember Porsche are about dynamics more than oomph, those 3.8L felt very low on torque. But I had an Audi S4 in between that spoiled me for "Let's go, now, immediately, boom"... Not a great track car though, that audi...

So I'm very confused... I really wanted a white C2 as my last analog car, now after driving a C4S, in some ways that is validated (stick, steering feel, the at-home feeling) but now I'm thinking a base Carrera is gonna feel even slower unless they rev quicker or something. 50K+ is a lot of $ for ho-hum and I felt decidedly ho-hum after driving... The ****e trade in on my car made walking away easy... Gonna keep looking for exactly the car I want, all I've learned is that a compromise (at that price) is not going to work for me...

[Deschodt]

Well, I'll tell you what I did. I gave up and bought a 991 instead. ;-) or is it ;-( ?

Don't get me wrong I love the 997 but it seems there is a premium on them at the moment, under the impression that they're the last cool power-steering 6-speed cars, analog cars if you will, which they kinda are.... Kinda.

As a result I found it extremely hard to find good ones with low miles in the range I thought they should be (black or PDK all day, but white 6MT? nope - 5K premium minimum). Case in point a 2009S in the color I wanted with nice options was $55K with 55K miles.
At that point I gave up. I bought a 2013 991 instead with 1/4 the miles, 4 years newer for barely a few thousands more !

Yes I know, it's not the same... But it looks great, I love the duck on it as opposed to a moveable wing, and honestly the power steering felt A-Ok to me. The 7 speed not as good but I can fix that, I think... I was amused because sellers would push that "last classic 911" angle to me to justify gouging... I own a 72 911, so If I want true steering feel, I'm all set, thanks ! I'll post pics when she gets in ! I tried. I truly tried, sorry 997 ;-)

[bheit1]

Rennlist.com has an article from NADA about value retention in the luxury sports car category. The Porsche 997 is no. 1, the 991 is no. 3. Both holding their values well. May explain the 997 premium. I was on a PCA ride this weekend with a 2013 Cab. owner. He loves it. I think you'll be happy with your decision.

[Deschodt]

Of that I have no doubt... I don't think the 991.1 I bought will be as collectible as the 997, although you never know - it is the last naturally aspirated 911 ever, probably... But the jump in performance, decrease in road noise, amenities, handling, is phenomenal for very little extra $... I'm not regretting a thing (except learning about overrev codes and having to pull those so I can sleep better)

[don911]

congrats! I had a similar journey when looking for a 997.2 and ended up with a manual 991.1.

[Deschodt]

Here it is next to my 72T... They've grown ;-)





And no, that is not my garage - just a storage warehouse I rent a space at!

[Vintage Racer]

Nice 991.1.

I bought mine to drive. I doubt the 996/997/991 will ever be be collectible over the next 20 years. They are German luxury (sports) cars and will depreciate.

Nonetheless, I enjoy mine. It will be 3 years old soon:

[edgemar]

how was buying at carmax?

Porsches seem to be priced reasonably there...