Looking for a 997 GTS, but with leather and studs.

Looking for a 997 GTS, but with leather and studs.

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Discussion

Eleven

Original Poster:

26,271 posts

221 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all

As per the title, I am going to buy a GTS as soon as I find the right one. However I want alcantara delete and the 5-stud Carrera Sport wheels instead of CLs. My preference is also for Guards red and PDK.

Is this likely to be a wild goose chase, or will there be cars of that spec out there?

If I cannot find what I want I'll have to compromise, possibly even to a Carrera S.



rudester

656 posts

151 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
It could be a wild goose chase. I think you will have to compromise. I've only seen 2 or 3 with studs in the year or so i've been watching the market and one of those was a cab.

Good luck in your search

hondansx

4,562 posts

224 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
Just after Christmas there was a 5 stud car, complete with buckets and in a PTS colour. It was sublime.

As said, this is difficult task. For what it's worth, i see no sense in wanting leather; the alcantara is the link to the 'proper' GT models and makes the interior feel more special.

Sleeping911

242 posts

283 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
They do exist. I have alcantara delete, studs, PDK, but in White. However before you ask mine is not for sale.

Since I bought in Sept 14 I've not seen another without centre-locks.

m33ufo

4,959 posts

230 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
They're more hassle it's true, but surely centre locks are the way to go purely for how good they look. The 5 stud cars I've seen seem to hang around and be cheaper - or is that my imagination?

hondansx

4,562 posts

224 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
I think an enthusiast may take a view on the 5 stud as an advantage, but general public will certainly prefer CLs because they look cool.

Personally, i'm a perfectionist and hate the offset of the wheels on the centre lock cars. I'd have to get either GT3 wheels or aftermarket to fill the arches.

m33ufo

4,959 posts

230 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
Is the centre lock that much of an issue? Seems pretty straightforward once you have a bloody huge torque wrench. Mine's in the post smile

jander1

79 posts

108 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
They seem to be few and far between. There's a guards red GTS in the OPC network but with the alcantera and the CLs.

I get mine on Saturday, although happy with the CLs and found one with full leather.

Eleven

Original Poster:

26,271 posts

221 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
hondansx said:
I think an enthusiast may take a view on the 5 stud as an advantage, but general public will certainly prefer CLs because they look cool.

Personally, i'm a perfectionist and hate the offset of the wheels on the centre lock cars. I'd have to get either GT3 wheels or aftermarket to fill the arches.
The offset of the CLs is one of my major gripes. I saw the GTS video when it was first released and immediately spotted that the rear wheels were too inboard.

DiscoColin

3,328 posts

213 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
m33ufo said:
Is the centre lock that much of an issue? Seems pretty straightforward once you have a bloody huge torque wrench. Mine's in the post smile
Obviously we will assume no track use (then we have to open the replacement schedule can of worms)...

If you get a flat tyre it is foam or a recovery truck and if you want anyone other than an OPC or specialist independent garage to change your tyres you will need to do the wheels yourself for the fitter. You also obviously need either a brake pedal depressor or an extra person to take the wheels off and refit. So a pain in the backside, but if you invest in the tools for it: not unworkable. The big deal is that you have a number of downsides and the single positive is aesthetic. Even replacement centre caps are daft money. And alternate wheels are of course limited choice, scarce and more expensive.

But at the right price it shouldn't be a deal breaker : it and the turbo are the only cars that Porsche officially supports retrofits between CL and 5 bolt hubs (and vice versa).

To be perfectly honest - the rarest and most desirable option on a GTS IMHO is the folding bucket seats. Those can also be retrofitted, but the cost is equally mind boggling.

Eleven

Original Poster:

26,271 posts

221 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
Here's one sans CLs and alcantara:

http://www.paragongb.com/cars/porsche-carrera-2-gt...

But being from an indie I couldn't get Porsche warranty and that steering wheel looks very shiny for a 26k miles car. I also think it was for sale, then vanished, and is now back again... and it's not red. But I could probably compromise on that.

nigestar

67 posts

110 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
wild goose chase. I have just purchased myself - it was hard to find all the requirements on one car - had to compromise somewhere

personal taste but for me CLs are way better and more GTS


m33ufo

4,959 posts

230 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
I agree. If I was in the market for a GTS I wouldn't buy a car without them.

pete a

3,799 posts

183 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
Your spec is just a power kitted Carrea S, easy to find.

Your taking out all the good bits that make it a GTS?

Eleven

Original Poster:

26,271 posts

221 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
pete a said:
Your spec is just a power kitted Carrea S, easy to find.

Your taking out all the good bits that make it a GTS?
Are they easy to find?


pete a

3,799 posts

183 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
Well maybe the power kit bit might be a bit tricky

Eleven

Original Poster:

26,271 posts

221 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
pete a said:
Well maybe the power kit bit might be a bit tricky
That's one of the main reasons I want a GTS.

Though if an S came up with the right spec I'd consider it. All of which said there are as many GTSs in the OPC network as Carrera Ss at present.

gl20

1,121 posts

148 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
Each of the 4 bits you want is easy enough to find, it's trying to tick all 4 in one go that is the problem. I would say popularity ranks as follows on GTS with most popular first

- PDK
- delete alcantara
- red
- studs

Or otherwise red ahead of the leather. Either way both are more popular than studs. If it's really important to you to have studs then I think you'll need to be flexible on seat trim and colour.

PorscheGT4

21,146 posts

264 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
pete a said:
Your spec is just a power kitted Carrea S, easy to find.

Your taking out all the good bits that make it a GTS?
Just what I thought, the op's spec would be the last thing on earth I would want, no wonder it's rare no one speced any like that lol

nigestar

67 posts

110 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
quotequote all
I'm pretty sure this Guards Red GTS4 was up for sale at OPC Mid Sussex last month.
http://www.paragongb.com/cars/porsche-carrera-4-gt...
Now seems to be at Paragon. It had the upgraded painted red seat backs, same miles and was 11 plate like this one.
FWIW I think the red seat backs with red belts works great in Red and with Alcantara differentiates from bog std 997 interior

I started off not wanting alcantara but in the end I got to rather like it.