997.2 C2 S PDK / 997.1 Turbo / 991 C2S Decisions...

[funtimee]

Might sound like a fairly random set of options but here goes.

Having sold my 997.1 GT3 about 18 months ago (let's not go there with values!) to move to London, the time has come to get back into something nice.

Difference is this time, it's for me and my girlfriend so something like the GT3 is out. It'll be me driving it most of the time but got to be usable enough for her to drive it if she needs to.

Budget was about 40k which got us looking at late 997 C2 S PDK's with PCM 3 etc As I love the PDK and it would be a doddle for her to drive. Worried that it might be boring or a complete let down having had the Gt3, I have started looking at 997.1 Turbos. At 45/50k for a good one, I can't help thinking that these look like exceptional value and if we had it a few years I can't see it loosing any money. I'm not sure the same could be said for a 40k C2 PDK?!

Then, lastly I know they're a lot more (seem to start at 60k) but we both love the 991. In some senses I think this would be the nicest to own but obviously drop the most money in 2 years of ownership.

I say we'll have whatever we get now for a few years because I want to get into an F430 eventually but only just getting back on my feet having moved house etc.

Also worth mentioning that I don't want this to be a discussion around what would be worth the most in 2 years time, more which would be the best to own and why. We'd probably only put about 4k miles PA on it though so value is definitely something we want to consider!

Sorry for the ramble, any opinions appreciated!

Thanks,
James

[Paul-M]

A lovely decision to have to make! I was in a similar position recently and ended up buying a gen 1 manual 997 turbo with 26k on the clock. The decision was made the very second I took it for a test drive and floored the accelerator. It really is amazing! Jumped back into my old c4s afterwords and it felt pedestrian. Had the car 6 weeks now and it's beautiful to drive. Take them all for a drive and see which feels right for you. Enjoy searching.

[crystalmethod]

997 GTS?

As post above, enjoy driving a few different models and making up your minds.

[IMIA]

I think if your other half is going to be driving it the 991 C2S with PDK is the car to go for. Manual turbo ( i assume tips not on the cards after a GT3!) I doubt she will enjoy just because whilst they are brill the manual turbo can be chore in London relatively speaking when compared with good tip or PDK. The 991 has a more plush interior, is easier to drive and i found it an absolute blast to drive - they're super quick by the way and with PDCC amzingling flat through corners which allows you to keep your foot down in away you'd never dare in a 7 turbo. the 997 C2S PDK is lovely but the 991 is better imo. My wife loved the 991 even more than I did which is why I'm suggesting it for you plus GF. Also I think you may struggle to find good turbo for £45k. You missed good one that Cridfords bought off a 911UK member probably for around £40k-£45k and marked up for £53k - shame as it looked a minter and you could have bought the GF a Golf DSG with Cridfords mark up lol.

Edited by IMIA on Saturday 28th February 21:01

[funtimee]

Thanks for the replies! So three votes, all for different cars... I suppose it's all just down to going out and driving them, although we're both quite impulsive so want to try and narrow it down before we start looking I case we buy the first thing we see.

With regard to the Turbo, I would rather have manual but really need to drive a tip to see what they're like. Is it anything like the CSL SMG boxes? I'm not sure whether people don't rate them because they're not as quick as a modern double clutch or because they're not sporty at all in their operation and more like an auto box?

I want to go and have a look at this Turbo but haven't had the chance this weekend: http://www.bossmotor.co.uk/used-car-porsche-911-tu...

At £46,500 with one owner and a major service I thought it looked like a good buy?

Hadn't looked at the GTS', but they are all 60k upwards, which is the same price as an early 991 - surely not as good? And presumably the residues wouldn't be much different? Or better because they're a newer model?

[Nimerino]

funtimee said:

Hadn't looked at the GTS', but they are all 60k upwards, which is the same price as an early 991 - surely not as good? And presumably the residues wouldn't be much different? Or better because they're a newer model?

Having been in a similar situation to yourself, I chose a 997 GTS for the very reason that I found it to be significantly better to drive than the 991. As for residuals, 997 and 991 Carreras all seem to be on a downward slope, whereas the GTS has held its value or increased in the last year.

I won't give you advice about which one to buy as I'm biased, but at least you have some more info now.

[CGJJ]

I chose a 997 turbo gen1 with 45K to spend.
A daily driver for an M25 commute as well as weekend sports car so I went tiptronic.

Haven't regretted it once and I'm glad for the tip about 3 or 4 times every week when I get caught in
an M25 jam.

[funtimee]

Thanks for the replies.

Interesting on the GTS - only really kept an eye on GT3 prices in the last few years so didn't know whether the GTS' were so expensive because they were the newest 997 models or because they're half way between a Carrera and a GT3 so have broader appeal?

Go on then, what GTS did you go for? I would have thought the 2wd was the one to go for?

With regards to the Turbo, how do you find the Tip for enthusiastic weekend driving? Does it not take some of the fun out of it? And does it have a manual mode with paddles?

Thanks again!

[Nimerino]

funtimee said:

Go on then, what GTS did you go for? I would have thought the 2wd was the one to go for?

RWD was a non-negotiable for me, I have no interest in the 4WD models. More to the point, a 2GTS is a C2S with a wider rear, a slightly different chassis and tangible dynamic benefits. A 4GTS is a C4S with a nice spec.

I got the PDK. I would have preferred a manual, but the need for the gf to drive it and the market here in Sweden meant that wasn't really an option. However, hand on heart, I've not found the PDK to impede enjoyment, and rather makes the most of the engine's reach. 6th gear on the manual is slightly higher than 7th on the PDK, meaning you get an extra ratio in the same space, rather than 6 and an overdrive.

[krallicious]

I test drone a 2GTS with my GF and she loved driving it, as did I. I went for a turbo after test driving one and the GF really dislikes driving it as she finds all of the controls far too heavy. Both cars were manuals.

I also had a 991C2S PDK for a week and it was really good fun for the first couple of days but afterwards it was left in auto mode as I found the PDK very boring. It did ride better than the 997s and was easier to drive faster but I found that it felt more like my old M3 than a 911. As a daily driver in London though it would make more sense.

[CGJJ]

CGJJ said:

I chose a 997 turbo gen1 with 45K to spend.
A daily driver for an M25 commute as well as weekend sports car so I went tiptronic.

Haven't regretted it once and I'm glad for the tip about 3 or 4 times every week when I get caught in
an M25 jam.

The thing is so damn quick i like being able to keep my hands on the steering wheel.
Chrono sport engaged and using my thumbs to change up and down on the buttons
is fantastic fun.I would obviously prefer PDK but not instead of a turbo and i wouldn't want the manual.

My next car will eventually be a 977.2 Turbo PDK but the price differential at present is approx 25K

[nwates]

997 gen 1 Turbo check the Rev ranges carefully . Pulled out of mine for that .

[g7jhp]

OP are you driving it daily in London or will it be occasional and weekends? What route in traffic or commuting out?

[funtimee]

Thanks for the replies again. Just to be clear, the car won't be used at all for commuting as we walk to work. Inevitably, we will sometimes be sittingn in London traffic but it's not too bad as we're usually heading out of London on the A13 or A2.

Sounds like the tip isn't as bad as I'd thought then, can't afford a PDK turbo so that's out. Thing is a good PDK C2 997 is 40-45k which is early 997 turbo money. I don't believe that a late PDK 997 C2 will hold its money anywhere near as well as an early Turbo which has pretty much bottomed out?

I would have thought that manual was more desirable though? I'm aware of the over revs having looked for my GT3 for a while though.

Also, what's peoples views on mapping the turbos? Not many people seem to have them mapped but surely it is a performance bargain in the 997 turbo? I'm surprised most cars aren't mapped!

Thanks!

[krallicious]

Warranty is main reason for not mapping the turbos. A new engine is around £25k!

[funtimee]

Do people still tend to have warranties on early 997's? And I'm assuming you mean an OPC warranty and not an AA Gold or equivalent third party warranty?

What sort of money are OPC warranties on a 2007 plate Turbo then?

Thanks

[krallicious]

I pay around £1200 per year I think. Renewal is due at the end of May.

[CGJJ]

I bought my 997.1 turbo tip from OPC with a warranty last year.
No over Rev worries with a tip.
No bore scoring worries with the mezger engine.

I

[funtimee]

Thanks for all the replies, looking at a few turbos on Friday now. Also looking at PDK Cayman R's and S's as I'd completely overlooked them but they might fit the bill perfectly!

Thanks

[IMIA]

^ great cars whatever you go for. I think you may struggle to walk away from the performance a 997.1 turbo has!