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

[Eleven]

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.

[Eleven]

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.

[Eleven]

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.

[Eleven]

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?

[Eleven]

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.

[Eleven]

av185 said:

Very true......the CLs are a major feature of the GTS and unless you are a hardcore trackie beard in reality there is too much bs talked about them. No punctures or problems with mine in over three years road use......if you are not in Porsche Assist big deal....join the AA for c £80 who will recover the car to OPC or garage of your choice in the event of a puncture.

Unfortunately my job, which is in some respects similar to yours, means that sometimes I am out in my own car (as opposed to my business car) and I need to visit places where there are lots of nails, screws and sharp things. I DO get a lot of punctures. I also don't want to have to replace a tyre every time I get a puncture, when it can be quite safely repaired. Unfortunately my OPC believes that Armageddon will result from a repair.

[Eleven]

Do I recall there was some issue about Porsche CLs and track use?

[Eleven]

DiscoColin said:

crystalmethod said:

Eleven said:

Do I recall there was some issue about Porsche CLs and track use?

I think was GT3 CLs, which had to be recalled and inspected if I remember correctly.

There haven't been any such issues with GTS CLs though.

Incorrect - the exact same components are on the GTS as the gen 2 GT3/RS/2RS/Turbo S (though if you mean that there have not yet been any actual catastrophic failures on the GTS this is probably right, but bear in mind that there haven't actually been many on anything else).

All Porsche CLs are subject to a set of requirements including higher torque (600Nm), a special greasing regime with optimal paste and a very short component replacement lifecycle when used under track conditions. If you do not use the car on track then it doesn't matter, but if you do Porsche say that you should record exact track mileage and replace various elements of the corners to a schedule that starts at only every 4200 track miles for the rear hubs and bearings (which is expensive both in parts and labour costs). The intervals vary, but the affected components are the hub, nut, bearings and hub carriers and the labour alone for the jobs is up to 3 hours per corner.

The schedule is different on centre lock 991s as that does use different components, but the hubs even on that are still lifed.

So, the odd track day is OK but regular track use will require a F1 type budget?

[Eleven]

hondansx said:

That looks great, other than the aforementioned weedy wheel offset.

Better with the Carrera Sports? Difficult to compare at a different angle, but I think it is.

[Eleven]

c4sman said:

Carrera Sports look good but are the heaviest 997 wheel which for me doesn't sit well with GTS ethos

How much does the GTS weigh compared to a C2S then?

[Eleven]

Ape50 said:

I've sat in the black one mentioned here and the interior is a bit tatty. Just saying...

That's interesting, thanks. What was tatty specifically?

[Eleven]

Ape50 said:

The car has been well prepped but there's a limit to what you can do with an interior. Nothing major but too much 'wear and tear' for a car of that age - especially given the price(IMO)

Interesting. The steering wheel is a lot shiny for a 26k mile car. I am too far away from it to go see what is probably a waste of time. However a family member lives nearby and I may get him to call in.

I've been to see another car today, at a dealership, that was blatantly a long way from its description. I am starting to wonder whether this is going to be more of a PITA than I can be bothered with.

[Eleven]

hondansx said:

How many miles did the black one have then? My Gen 2 C4S has done just over 50,000 miles and the leather looks new! Yet my Gen 1 GT3's leather looks a bit like a taxi that's done 200,000 miles (it's done 30,000).

26k on the black one.

[Eleven]

Well, PH wisdom has prevailed. Having considered the comments here, I agree that the CLs and alcantara are part of what the GTS is about and that probably outweighs my preference for studs and leather. I have therefore bought one with CLs and alcantara.

[Eleven]

crystalmethod said:

Eleven said:

Well, PH wisdom has prevailed. Having considered the comments here, I agree that the CLs and alcantara are part of what the GTS is about and that probably outweighs my preference for studs and leather. I have therefore bought one with CLs and alcantara.

Congratulations!

Let's have a look at the pictures then.

You'll need to wait until it arrives. The dealer's snaps are awful.

[Eleven]

Shiverman said:

Eleven said:

Well, PH wisdom has prevailed. Having considered the comments here, I agree that the CLs and alcantara are part of what the GTS is about and that probably outweighs my preference for studs and leather. I have therefore bought one with CLs and alcantara.

Hey Congratulations Eleven. What spec and colour did you get and when's pick up? Pics are required. - i hope you enjoy it as from my couple of hours in one they are awesome.

Red one.

Modest spec, but nothing missing that I really need nor anything that offends me.

Should have it Wednesday I hope.

[Eleven]

Thanks for your good wishes guys.

I must confess I am quite excited, it's been some time since I've had a 997.

[Eleven]

MrTickle said:

Eleven said:

Thanks for your good wishes guys.

I must confess I am quite excited, it's been some time since I've had a 997.

Had it got black mirrors and manual 'box?

Yes, but also a black body. It was a Gen 1 Carrera 2S.

[Eleven]

MrTickle said:

LOL typo - i meant 'has it got' ie. the new one

My old GTS was Guards with black mirrors - just wondering its whereabouts now

You know what, it could be yours. This one's side mirrors look like they may have been re-painted (red).

The reg starts NL11 - it's got a rear wiper (would you admit to that?), self-dimming mirrors, paddle shift and some other bits. Sound familiar?

[Eleven]

Well, mine was delivered this afternoon. I've done a few miles in it and got the shiny paint all dirty. Children clambering in and out has done the same for the interior.

It feels good to be back in a 997 again. After a long spell in 991s and then without a 911 of any sort, my first impressions are that the GTS reminds me of my 911s of old.

Oddly, when the GTS was first launched I test drove one and didn't like it particularly. Perhaps at that time I'd spent too much time in 997s and familiarity does breed contempt. It will be interesting to see if I bond with it going forwards.