Driving a 997.2 3.6 - help please

[testdrive]

Guys, I'm driving a 997.2, 3.6 C2 this weekend out of curiosity ( currently own a 981).

I've driven other 997s in the past but not recently and never this particular model, can you give me any pointers of what i'm likely to find in terms of how they drive?

I'm expecting more feel through the steering but a lighter front end but everything else to be business as usual?

Thanks in advance.

Edited by testdrive on Friday 22 February 14:56

[Polome]

Owned that car for 5 years as a daily. First thing you'll notice is the extra weight behind you...a lot more pronounced than the mid engined cars , it makes the car feel slightly less responsive when having fun. The engine is a peach..very rev happy ( with not a lot of torque )that works better in manual form than PDK. It's fast enough , especially on U.K. B roads but is left a bit behind with the newer models. The gbox was the best change I've experience..I think it was made by a third party for Porsche ..so light but direct..you'll never mis a slot it's so good.My car had sports chassis and in sport mode was too hard for our roads...my mate could drive away from me in his Golf R , it being a new car the chassis design showed the old porker up! Brakes ...easy to modulate with good peddle feel on the limit ( on track off course ) , steering was very direct , even around town ...easy for parking and car being dainty sized fits most parking bays. I drove quite a few 997s at the time of ownership and never felt short changed getting back in my own car ...all in a good drivers car....good luck if your buying .

[Corky]

Polome said:

Owned that car for 5 years as a daily. First thing you'll notice is the extra weight behind you...a lot more pronounced than the mid engined cars , it makes the car feel slightly less responsive when having fun. The engine is a peach..very rev happy ( with not a lot of torque )that works better in manual form than PDK. It's fast enough , especially on U.K. B roads but is left a bit behind with the newer models. The gbox was the best change I've experience..I think it was made by a third party for Porsche ..so light but direct..you'll never mis a slot it's so good.My car had sports chassis and in sport mode was too hard for our roads...my mate could drive away from me in his Golf R , it being a new car the chassis design showed the old porker up! Brakes ...easy to modulate with good peddle feel on the limit ( on track off course ) , steering was very direct , even around town ...easy for parking and car being dainty sized fits most parking bays. I drove quite a few 997s at the time of ownership and never felt short changed getting back in my own car ...all in a good drivers car....good luck if your buying .

Plus 1, 997.2 C2, all of the above, bought mine with 62k in 2016, now at 93k, excellent all rounder.

[testdrive]

Thanks guys, the plan is to drive it and make a video of the car in action which is a hobby I have on the side.

I have a Golf R and on the road they are very quick and easy to drive quickly, I'm sure this will be a nicer overall experience though.

The 997.1 I drove had a sort of bounce at the front end, I gather this will be different?

However, it's being traded in at the end of the month so it would be available for sale if I really liked it.

[Polome]

The front end bounce you talk about is 90% eradicated on the gen 2 cars......only noticeable if cornering hard at slow speeds with weight transferred to the front. Because the engine is further back than the mid engine cars it's easy to use weight transfer to effect the car's grip even when driving slowly. These cars show there age now with higher than expected road noise and antiquated satnav, small beer in a sports car..I've yet to drive a car with better control weights ....brakes , clutch ,steering....very feelsome and easy to modulate....all moderns are far too light for my likinng. I look forward to your review and thoughts. Cheers

[testdrive]

Was a very enjoyable morning, car was as you all said. Engine was a peach, mid range and top end both better than my 3.4.

Corner exit and rear end adjustability were magnificent. Steering felt nicely weighted and consistent, and wow I felt the tyres through my hands! Not quite as feelsome as I anticipated but good nonetheless.

It did feel older but i felt it had aged gracefully.

I'll leave the rest for the video ...

[testdrive]

Here it is

https://youtu.be/XHvN2OIiQ8Q