Tuesday 29th December 2015

Porsche 911 (997) Carrera GTS: Spotted

The most desirable non-GT 911 of recent times?

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The Porsche 997 Carrera GTS is one of those cars that many believed would be collectable as soon as it was announced. It was introduced at the end of the 997 run, a generation of 911 that had arguably melded modernity with classic 911 traits better than any model before or since. It would be the last 911 with hydraulic power steering and a six-speed manual, both immediate bones of contention once the 991 was introduced. And it looked magnificent, the 44mm wider rear arches sitting on those lovely centre-lock wheels just so. It wasn't even that expensive, relatively speaking...

Just a blue 911 to most...

In a Porsche range where even the Macan has a GTS derivative, the change from S to GTS has become a familiar one. A smidge more power here, a suspension drop there, a new set of wheels and job's a good'n. But back when the GTS first arrived it was less common and the changes arguably of greater significance. The wider arches meant a 32mm wider rear track as well, for example. The power kit was a very expensive option on 997, with extra inlets that opened on each cylinder beyond 6,200rpm for a noise described in the PH review as a 'genuinely lovely racing yowl'. Those two changes were on top of the standard sports exhaust, stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, plentiful Alcantara and slightly tweaked styling we've now come to expect from GTS Porsches.

With the car's reputation almost sealed before the first drives - they all returned gushing - it's little surprise to find the 997 CGTS is pretty damn desirable on the used market. No doubt they will continue to be as purists are scared off by turbos in their 911s too. How desirable? This late 997 Carrera 2 PDK with just 10,000 miles is £52,490; this Carrera 4 GTS PDK, a newer car but with more miles, is £64,750. That's quite a big difference.

So the GTS was and remains a very good car, but this one could well be the best. Why? As with so many Porsches, it's in the minutiae of the spec. It begins well as a two-wheel drive, manual GTS coupe. There was the option of a cabrio GTS, plus of course PDK and four-wheel drive, but basic is very often best as far as PH is concerned. It also has the optional - and very expensive - carbon ceramic brakes, because basic isn't always best. Oh look, and the Sport Chassis (passive dampers in place of the standard PASM) with limited-slip diff. All GTS 997s should be very good to drive, but this one promises to be superb.

Yet it's disguised in a very subtle - dare it be said, even quite classy - paint and upholstery combo, meaning the typically brash exterior of the best driving 911s isn't an issue. The standard Alcantara has been swapped for leather, the dark blue paint is very restrained and the impression is of an owner who wants a driver-focused 911 but without shouting too loudly about it. Very nice job, whoever settled on this spec.

Can't be many with such an ideal spec!

To the housekeeping. The mileage on this GTS is just below average, the service record is flawless and it's being sold at a specialist with a pair of 2.7 RS Tourings for sale. Two of them! They would appear to know their 911s.

Then we're onto the sticky and ever entertaining issue of 911 values. This Carrera GTS is for sale at £58,995, which is a lot of money but far from the most you will pay for one with low-mileage cars still nudging £70K. Whether it will retain that value is another matter, but we would hedge our bets and say a specification like this will always be in demand. Or it could be bought just to enjoy and not with one eye on future values. Sound a good idea?

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PORSCHE 911 (997) CARRERA GTS
Engine: 3,800cc flat-six
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 408@7,300rpm
Torque (lb ft): 310@4,300rpm
MPG: 26.6 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 250g/km
First registered: 2011
Recorded mileage: 38,900
Price new: £76,758 (standard Carrera 2 GTS manual Coupe)
Yours for: £58,995

See the original advert here.

[GT3-RS]

A Cracking car all the Porsche you'll ever really need it covers all the bases so well and this particular Blue car is well spec'd buy it now as values will only going in one direction......gets the thumbs up from me

[tuffer]

GT3-RS said:

A Cracking car all the Porsche you'll ever really need it covers all the bases so well and this particular Blue car is well spec'd buy it now as values will only going in one direction......gets the thumbs up from me

One direction, I take it that's down. I have just sold mine and was very happy with the price I received but I cannot see these appreciating in value.

[smithyithy]

lovely example though. I think if I were in the market for a 997 GTS (which, given the budget, I certainly would be) - this would be my choice.

The dark blue looks great with the black wheels and yellow CC calipers, and I like the full leather trim.

[kambites]

About as desirable as 997s get for me but I don't think I could justify the extra over a "normal" C2 for less than half the price and I'd rather have a 996 anyway.

[anthonysjb]

Ultimate daily driver 911. So perfect

[tosh.brice]

The article says passive suspension in place of PASM, but the advert says PASM

[Krikkit]

tuffer said:

GT3-RS said:

A Cracking car all the Porsche you'll ever really need it covers all the bases so well and this particular Blue car is well spec'd buy it now as values will only going in one direction......gets the thumbs up from me

One direction, I take it that's down. I have just sold mine and was very happy with the price I received but I cannot see these appreciating in value.

Really? Last of the NA, hydraulic 911's, should be pretty set to be a firm favourite, although not necessarily going upwards of its value for a long time I would bet the residuals being firm for a long time to come.

[Magic919]

tosh.brice said:

The article says passive suspension in place of PASM, but the advert says PASM

It's the PASM Sports Chassis, A.K.A SPASM. Clearly causes confusion.

[405dogvan]

LOVELY spec but a slightly odd history (tho full of OPC stamps apparently)

1 year with Porsche GB (staff or press car?), 2-3 years owned by a specialist (but serviced at an OPC!!), 18 months with a private owner (again still with OPCs) and now being resold by the specialist - likely all because it's Porsche Warranted but that's about to end (tho it's renewable - I'd say that and the market are reasons to get out of it)

LOVELY spec tho - it's rare to see a car someone with the aesthetic of a dunghead hasn't ruined with crass stitching or cream carpetting or pink wheelnuts ;0

[SidewaysSi]

Not a bad old thing but no GT3. And wouldn't a properly sorted 996 C2 be more fun?

[patch5674]

In terms of drivability then the spec is great (LSD, PCCB, Passive Dampers etc) but in the outright desirability and future collectability terms I think the alcantara delete would be a contentious issue when it comes to GTS's.

[gstubbs010893]

Been spying this in the classifieds for weeks whole procrastinating for exams, can't think of a better coupe to use day to day and in this spec is just puuurfect.

[13m]

I think the price of the 997 GTS will remain fairly solid and the 991 GTS will pass them on the way down.

[39H]

A few years time the 991 Targa GTS would be perfect and tick all the boxes for one of the last non GT NA cars if it reaches similar prices.

[tuffer]

Krikkit said:

tuffer said:

GT3-RS said:

A Cracking car all the Porsche you'll ever really need it covers all the bases so well and this particular Blue car is well spec'd buy it now as values will only going in one direction......gets the thumbs up from me

One direction, I take it that's down. I have just sold mine and was very happy with the price I received but I cannot see these appreciating in value.

Really? Last of the NA, hydraulic 911's, should be pretty set to be a firm favourite, although not necessarily going upwards of its value for a long time I would bet the residuals being firm for a long time to come.

I agree, they will stay firm but I do not see them increasing.....so the only direction is down.

[DiscoColin]

...yet like almost all other 997 GTSs brought into the UK - this one lacks the (cost option) folding bucket seats. Spec still not perfect...

[highway]

I've got a very nice well specced 993. Air con, hardback seats, hollowspokes, extended leather and some other nice bits. It's surged in value the past 5 years and whilst not a seminal drive, it's a nice thing to have. I'm approaching price parity with one of these. Many will want a 991. When prices reach that happy place I may swap out the 994 for one of these. I'd want manual and I fancy the less popular cab

[g7jhp]

Being a GTS (2wd) manual it's good, but it does need the folding buckets and I'm not convinced that's the best colour to show off the 997's curves.

[Cheib]

patch5674 said:

In terms of drivability then the spec is great (LSD, PCCB, Passive Dampers etc) but in the outright desirability and future collectability terms I think the alcantara delete would be a contentious issue when it comes to GTS's.

I agree...that said it's bloody lovely and am sorely tempted. Very,very tempted....

[Clivey]

The car in the advert is exactly what I'd look for in a 911; I know that some people use GT2/3s as daily drivers but I think the GTS is a better blend of comfort and performance for those of us that don't live on the Evo Triangle. The new cars seem too far the other way; it almost seems like Porsche are trying to turn the 911 into a Merc SL rival for the portly, middle-aged golfer types.

It's the unique driving experience that separates the 911 from your average eurobox; if they're all going to become electronically-controlled, 2-pedal, turbocharged, AWD cars then you might as well let the VW group do it's worst and build the next one on an Audi chassis! As it is, it seems like every time Porsche updates one of it's models they remove a desirable choice / feature or unique selling point (I'm not interested in a 4-pot Boxster).

patch5674 said:

In terms of drivability then the spec is great (LSD, PCCB, Passive Dampers etc) but in the outright desirability and future collectability terms I think the alcantara delete would be a contentious issue when it comes to GTS's.

Alcantara is lovely when it's factory fresh but wears a lot faster than leather and ends-up looking scabby as a result. It's rare to see an older car with it still untarnished unless it's been a rarely-driven garage queen. It's a shame because if I could keep it that way, I'd love to have some parts of my own cars retried.