997 Gen 1 or Gen 2 - what to buy?

997 Gen 1 or Gen 2 - what to buy?

Author
Discussion

ForzaWhitesGen2

359 posts

151 months

Sunday 4th December 2011
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Wills2 said:
I think the gen2 does offer some significant improvements over the gen1, a clean sheet engine, set lower that is stronger with no IMS and another 30bhp whilst offering better fuel consumption.

The front suspension was completely overhauled giving better front end bite and less bobbing, The centre console unit with PCM3 is much easier on the eye and lifts the cabin, also options like Ipod and bluetooth connectivity help the overall package.

On the outside the front PU looks a tad more agressive to me (gen1's have a very neutral face), and the fancy pants LED's at the back are an improvement over the gen1 light clusters, and look quite cool at night.

As for sound well you do need the PSE as the gen2 engine does sound muted without.

In time the improvements will help residuals IMHO however they still have lots of money to burn.

Have to confess, didn't know the DFI GEN II engines are a clean sheet design? ..and if you have any more info on the front suspension mods/improvements? ..would be much appreciated....... thanks smile

c2mike

Original Poster:

421 posts

150 months

Sunday 4th December 2011
quotequote all
Gen 2 engine is completely new. It is used in the turbo, so that should inspire confidence.
Front suspension was also changed - i remember reading about this when the Gen2 was launched (don't worry, i forget most other things in life rolleyes), but I don't know exactly what they did other than reduce the "bobbing", as stated above. Was it any more than the usual springs and damper facelift stuff?

ForzaWhitesGen2

359 posts

151 months

Sunday 4th December 2011
quotequote all
c2mike said:
Gen 2 engine is completely new. It is used in the turbo, so that should inspire confidence.
Front suspension was also changed - i remember reading about this when the Gen2 was launched (don't worry, i forget most other things in life rolleyes), but I don't know exactly what they did other than reduce the "bobbing", as stated above. Was it any more than the usual springs and damper facelift stuff?
..would love to know what they changed at the front end?.... and if these components/parts can be fitted to a Gen 1....

Wills2

22,894 posts

176 months

Sunday 4th December 2011
quotequote all

I'll try and dig the info out for you.


mollytherocker

14,366 posts

210 months

Sunday 4th December 2011
quotequote all
ForzaWhitesGen2 said:
..would love to know what they changed at the front end?.... and if these components/parts can be fitted to a Gen 1....
I would imagine that it would be cheaper overall to just buy a Gen 2?

MTR

ForzaWhitesGen2

359 posts

151 months

Sunday 4th December 2011
quotequote all
mollytherocker said:
I would imagine that it would be cheaper overall to just buy a Gen 2?

MTR
not looking to retrofit... just interested to know! and maybe if its just a change of springs/dampers?? smile

Wills2

22,894 posts

176 months

Sunday 4th December 2011
quotequote all
ForzaWhitesGen2 said:
mollytherocker said:
I would imagine that it would be cheaper overall to just buy a Gen 2?

MTR
not looking to retrofit... just interested to know! and maybe if its just a change of springs/dampers?? smile
Could be! Can't get anymore detail other than both ends were revised but that could just be springs and dampers as you say.


ForzaWhitesGen2

359 posts

151 months

Sunday 4th December 2011
quotequote all
Wills2 said:
Could be! Can't get anymore detail other than both ends were revised but that could just be springs and dampers as you say.

thanks mate.... again didnt' know .... info I had from OPC's was engine/lights/PU's/nav system.........


v4nnm

104 posts

175 months

Monday 5th December 2011
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imho, OPCs know surprisingly little about the cars they sell (on the sales side, at least). Most of the salespeople are full of it and will try and bullst you when they don't know the answer.

mrobbie79

5 posts

121 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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Sorry for digging up an old post, but I did search and it is exactly the question I am looking to answer.

Looking at a 2008 Gen1 with < 20k miles and a 2008 Gen2 with c.40k miles. Both approximately £36-37k. The Gen1 comes with OPC warranty, the Gen2 with a 3rd party warranty.

Both similar spec, as don't have chrono or PSE. They have PASM and are manual.

Whats the best choice? Lower miles Gen 1 with the OPC backup or the newer Gen2??

Help....

Thanks
Mike

WindyMiller67

438 posts

141 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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I suppose it depends on how long you plan to keep it and how many miles you'll do whilst you own it - might you average out the higher mileage over a few years?
I'm biased because I have a Gen 2 as a DD so the PCM3 swung it for me (eg full postcode search on the nav, iPod integration, Bluetooth phone integration), but if you're looking for a weekend hooner, then PCM2 does the job. The Gen 2 engine is more efficient and arguably more reliable, so factor in this too.
So my vote: Gen 2!

itsybitsy

5,215 posts

186 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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Gen 2 but I would keep looking as I have seen early 2010 c2 for circa £38-9k with low miles

WindyMiller67

438 posts

141 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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Should've mentioned before that the OPC Warranty can be well worth it and you could take it out on the Gen 2 subject to it passing the 111 point check. In less than a year, my 2008 997.2 has been in for Targa blind failing, O2 sensor failure and it's booked in for rear light cluster replacement (due to water ingress), all covered. Just the hassle of taking it in, but usually get a Porsche to borrow and mine is hand-washed and vacuumed when I collect, so I'll definitely break-even, if not being a little up on the deal. It's a gamble of course.

mrobbie79

5 posts

121 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
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How does a gen2 C2 stack up agains a gen1 C2S? On paper, power and performance seems close.


Edit: Google tells me resale may be an issue as the S model will always be more in demand.

Edited by mrobbie79 on Tuesday 29th April 05:52

wilkos

197 posts

239 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
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A Gen2 C2 PDK is quicker than Gen1 C2S. Impromptu drag down a dual carriageway proved it 3 times on the trot.
I just traded my gen2 C2 pdk and got 4-5K less than I would have got for an S, but paid 8-10K less 3 years ago (paid £45k). The dealer sold it with a 8K margin in less than a week, and it was a less desirable color combination. Car lost me £14.5k in depreciation in 32 months and isn't quite 5 years old.
I ran warranty on it the whole time I owned it and it only went in for 1 rear light cluster replacement. No other issues in 30k miles. Still feels and looks like a new car.

Plenty of people looking for non s gen 2's. They are harder to find, and they're lower road tax, more fuel efficient, and more than fast enough for the road.

Replaced mine with a 991C2S PDK. I would happily have had another C2 but the price differential is less than £5k and C2 Pdk's with good spec are hard to find.

csmith319

372 posts

164 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
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Logically the Gen2 is the car to go for, it is subjectively the better car and ownership proposition. I chose gen 1 because I prefer the looks and the slightly more raw character of the car - plus I've bought it as a keeper so not as concerned about potential issues as work will always be required to a greater or lesser extent on any car.

Also, if you want PDK then you don't have a choice - a friend who went from a gen1S to a gen2s PDK funds the newer one much faster day to day, much more refined but lacking some of the sparkle of the Gen1.

mrobbie79

5 posts

121 months

Wednesday 7th May 2014
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Frustrating!

Have now driven both a gen 1 C2S and a gen 2 C2.... Cannot decide.

Money now literally burning a hole in my pocket and my daily searches switch between the 2 models.

Ideal scenario would be a gen 2 C2S but finding one in budget (£35k, £36k at an absolute stretch) is a challenge.

Eleven

26,333 posts

223 months

Wednesday 7th May 2014
quotequote all
mrobbie79 said:
Frustrating!

Have now driven both a gen 1 C2S and a gen 2 C2.... Cannot decide.

Money now literally burning a hole in my pocket and my daily searches switch between the 2 models.

Ideal scenario would be a gen 2 C2S but finding one in budget (£35k, £36k at an absolute stretch) is a challenge.
I struggle to understand how people fret over £1k on a car purchase this magnitude. They aren't cheap to buy or run and £1k is nothing when compared to the all-up cost. It would be better if necessary to go 10% above your target price to get the right car and possibly one that will save you more than the increased price over the time you own it.


mrobbie79

5 posts

121 months

Wednesday 7th May 2014
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...because my budget started at £30k, and increased to £35k to try to buy something newer and avoid the early engine issues. This has brought me to the point of gen 2 models coming into play.

Eleven

26,333 posts

223 months

Wednesday 7th May 2014
quotequote all
mrobbie79 said:
...because my budget started at £30k, and increased to £35k to try to buy something newer and avoid the early engine issues. This has brought me to the point of gen 2 models coming into play.
If you really are at the limit perhaps a late Gen 1 with Porsche warranty is the way to go. I would have thought you'd see better value there than in the cheapest Gen IIs.