Thoughts on buying a 997 GTS

[PhantomPH]

I'm looking st s number of options st the minute (991 C2S in ut I have always had a real soft spot for the 997GTS.

I've noticed that there seems to be very few up for sale in the classifieds at the minute (single digits out of the over 400 997s for sale on here). Does this mean they have become 'the model to have and hold', or were they really just built in small numbers?

I've not been completely sold on the 991 yet, which is really making me have a long hard think about the GTS, but the older a car I go for, the more I worry about values and reliability and warranty and....etc.

Any thoughts or tips on what to look out for in finding the right car?

Thanks

[Magic919]

Gen 2 cars are generally more scarce, GTS a bit more so. Prices haven't changed much in the last three years.

You can apply a Porsche warranty if you are concerned.

[PhantomPH]

Thanks for the reply. The cars for sale at the minute seem to be 11-plate cars. Anything to watch out for on that era of car?

[Magic919]

Nothing specific for any Gen 2, IMO. There's all the normal stuff for a five year old car, all the 911 (water cooled) era bits but no real Gen 2 woes to look for, thankfully.

I'd probably say you should make sure you like the interior. They have varying degrees of plastic/alcantara/leather, depending on the options. It's not really practical to change afterwards.

[PhantomPH]

Yeah, I've seen some that have the alcantara seemingly covering the whole dash and some where it's 'bare'. I like the look of the 'sports plus' style seats with part leather/part alcantara.

The thing is, there's not much choice atm!

[Magic919]

Deciding what you'd like is the easy bit. Finding such a car is not always easy. If you don't mind white and/or PDK it will be easier. If you want manual, GT silver, bucket seats, sports chassis and aerokit, you might have an eternal wait.

[PhantomPH]

True story!

[ORD]

I would say this: don't buy a GTS with a spec you don't want if you can get an S with the spec you do want. I've heard people say they wanted a manual GTS but could only find a PDK so bought that, which is just crazy.

[Cheib]

Bought mine three months ago...sodding brilliant car. As a tool for real world driving on UK roads you really don't need anything else. Sure a Turbo will be quicker but you just don't need that power or 4wd.

More than 50% of cars that come up for sale are black or white
If you want a manual I reckon maybe 10% of cars that come up for sale have three pedals (though much higher % of production)
Maybe 50% of cars have the Alcantara delete
Probably 50% of cars have the leather dash.
Probably 70% of cars are Carrera 2's rather than 4's
5% of cars have buckets

Mine is a silver manual Carrera 2, alcantara, leather dash,

The must have's for me were manual not black or white and the Alcantara. Bought it before the dealer had pictures taken, There have maybe been four manual cars for sale since Xmas, all except the stupidly priced Hexagon car have sold in days.

If you want PDK and black or white you can be patient, the right car will come along relatively quickly.

[Nimerino]

I had one in GT silver for 3 years, gratuitous pic enclosed. And you should buy it. I remember reading the Autocar review before getting mine, where they remarked that it had a bit more grunt than an S, as well as a slightly better controlled rear axle (due to the wider wheels), but with the delicacy at the front axle retained. And that was honestly my experience as well. I loved everything about the GTS. It had everything that made the 997 S fantastic, but the interior feels more special and it looks meaner with the wide rear added to which I still consider the RS Spyder wheels to be the best looking fitted to a modern Porsche. I have very little time for the C4GTS, which is simply an optioned-up C4S with the Power Pack (as opposed to offering something unique in the range, which I consider the C4 body in a 2WD car to be).

I replaced it with a 991 GT3, and I have remarked on here before that for most uses, most of the time, I still believe the GTS to have been the more enjoyable car. 6 months on, that remains true.

One should, of course, rarely be absolute when giving advice. But allow me the indulgence in this case: get one, you won't regret it.

[andyc11]

Another pic to convince. Yes it's white and has a plastic dash but trying to find my ideal colour and spec was impossible. I waited 4 months so in the end had to make some sacrifices. Amazing cars, you won't regret it.

[chrisABP]

Absolutely love my GTS and the only compromise I made was that it wasn't a 997.2 GT3 but in reality 90% of the time it's the better (and more affordable) choice.

Needing the 4 seats (2 young petrol-head boys) the GTS was a perfect choice and I love the white and the PDK box is also great. I personally wouldn't buy one 'without' any of the following:
Alcantara trim as it makes the interior special
Centre-locks
Leather dash

Other than that options are very personal and I like the coloured seat backs, centre console, BOSE but we all have different tastes.

Dynamically to drive they are awesome and nobody will say different.

I've modded mine slightly with the addition of a Sharkwerks bypass pipe (now sounds like a proper 911), H&R springs, GT3 centre locks (RS ones on the rear), Michelin Pilot Cup 2's, Porsche Aerokit front splitter and just fitted the black stone guards which have made a good visual change.

Pics to encourage your purchase...

[tuffer]

^^^^ Whats with the stripes in the Alcantara?

[tuffer]

I had a 997 GTS for 4 years, fantastic car. Now on a 991 GTS and even more impressed with it, tough choice but you will not be disappointed with either.

[chrisABP]

tuffer said:

^^^^ Whats with the stripes in the Alcantara?

Fresh back from being detailed before I took delivery. Looked epic until I sat my arse on it!

[rds1]

Had mine for 3 years and it has been excellent. I read every review I could find before buying and really could not find a bad one. The car is fun to drive and plenty quick enough you won't be disappointed. It's been on track at Goodwood and blasted round the IOM (which is well worth a trip).

Hard to find different colours as others have said - here is a pic of mine - love or loathe the aerokit but I like it

[btchudson]

PhantomPH said:

I'm looking st s number of options st the minute (991 C2S in ut I have always had a real soft spot for the 997GTS.

I've noticed that there seems to be very few up for sale in the classifieds at the minute (single digits out of the over 400 997s for sale on here). Does this mean they have become 'the model to have and hold', or were they really just built in small numbers?

I've not been completely sold on the 991 yet, which is really making me have a long hard think about the GTS, but the older a car I go for, the more I worry about values and reliability and warranty and....etc.

Any thoughts or tips on what to look out for in finding the right car?

Thanks

GO FOR IT!!

I picked up my lil beaut at the start of the year, I actually originally wanted one back in April 2012 but I foolishly went for a V8 R8 instead. Back in 2012 GTS C2 manuals (the only spec i'd ever consider) where trading for £60 - 70k with sub 10k miles.

I picked up my C2 manual GTS with 33k on the clock for 60k, so depending how you look at it they have held / gone up in value.

I've owned a 06 Gallardo coupe and also a M3 CSL, for me the GTS just may be the only car i've owned that i've connected more with than the CSL, however the CSL I adored straight away, the GTS took me a good 3 months to truly appreciate its charms and talents, my sharkwerks exhaust helps too

Pics below (click the image to see more)

[ORD]

Gorgeous car. The dark blue is stunning on these.

[PhantomPH]

Thanks for the replies, all. Been watching YouTube reviews and they're all good! Was this close to pulling the trigger yesterday, when my other half urinated on my bonfire by suggesting it was impractical so we'd have to change her car and keep my S3 as well - which screws up my monthly budget royally. The real truth is she's just not a 911 fan and knows I've been looking at the Range Rover Sport as well....

Watch this space - the battle is not over....

[RSVP911]

PhantomPH said:

Thanks for the replies, all. Been watching YouTube reviews and they're all good! Was this close to pulling the trigger yesterday, when my other half urinated on my bonfire by suggesting it was impractical so we'd have to change her car and keep my S3 as well - which screws up my monthly budget royally. The real truth is she's just not a 911 fan and knows I've been looking at the Range Rover Sport as well....

Watch this space - the battle is not over....

I guess you could just buy it and get a divorce - they are very nice cars after all