997 Turbo, do I, don't I?

[Dogbash]

Hi everyone, my name is Andrew and I currently drive an E46 M3 which I have owned for the past couple of years.

Business has been good to me recently and I am now looking for a change of car. I have been considering a Mercedes C63 AMG which I have driven and I liked a lot. However, I have always looked in awe at 997 turbo's and it has been my dream to own one since they were released. I haven't started a family yet and I kind of think that the 4 door uber saloon may be something I should have later in life when I will actually make use of the 4 doors. I also think I should have the Porsche now whilst I can afford it and whilst the lack of space won't bother me too much.

It would be a stretch for me to buy one and I am currently in the process of trying to convince myself its the right thing to do (I have reservations about spending 50k on a car when the most I have spent previously is 15k).

I haven't even driven one yet so I have no idea what to expect, I may not even like it! The problem is that I live in Norfolk and all decent cars seem to be about 150 miles away! There has been a car come onto the market recently which looks the perfect spec for me- Manual, black, ruffled leather, 08 plate with low mileage. See here: http://www.tomhartley.com/usedcar/PORSCHE/911_Turb...

Does this look like a decent spec? I don't really know what to look out for or what to spec for on one of these.

Sorry for all the pointless waffle, I suppose I am unsure whether to go for it or not and I am looking for some kind of divine inspiration!

Many thanks,
Andrew

[RiccardoG]

If its your dream, and you can afford it without the dream becoming a nightmare (£££), then go for it! The 997 Turbo is a great car, as are all 911s. Fast, safe, good looking and quite practical too all considered.

In terms of spec I am sure that actual Turbo owners can give you a better feedback on the technical options (for instance, you NEED the sports Chrono as it increases performance/boost on the Turbo). One thing to note is that the ruffled leather is usually frowned upon as it looks creased/old.

A little vid to inspire you further

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QstV4FFKIdQ

[Crimp a Length!]

Just do it as the Nike commercial says.
Its been my moto in Porsche ownership!

Its not a rehearsal

[jonamv8]

Buy it, you can always sell it so dont worry about the dough

[cayman-black]

Very nice looking, but no chrono and no sport seats would put me off.

[davek_964]

jonamv8 said:

Buy it, you can always sell it so dont worry about the dough

Depends on how much the cost stretches you. Of course you can always sell it, but the 997 turbo is still noticeably depreciating.

[mosbo]

Do it!

I just did and I wish I had done it earlier...

[Dogbash]

Hi everyone and thanks for the replies. Ok, so that one doesn't look like the best spec by the sounds of things!

What options should I be looking for? I've heard bose is a good option to look out for. Also, I have heard reports of the 997 being boring, is this rubbish?

Thanks,
Andrew

[Walter Sobchak]

Looks good value for an 08.

[OggyDJ]

Hi Andrew,

+1 for "Just do it"

I would recommend minimum spec as sports chrono pack, manual sports shift, sports seats + a warranty

Ensure :-

- no over-revs in range 4 or above
- rads are ok (a well known weak spot...mine has had 2 replaced already)
- discs are ok (no hairline cracks from drill holes....£££)
- FSH preferably all from OPC

Other than that, they are very durable / usable and only boring if you believe what some people write on the Internet (make your own mind up I would say). Then again, some people write that all Porsches are rubbish, the engines always blow-up and all the owners are t*ssers....

Here's a couple of pics to whet your appetite :







Right, time for a w*nk

Edited by OggyDJ on Saturday 1st December 16:33

[s3nick]

I've had a 997tt for 3.5 years and before that I had a 996tt for 3 years!

Just get one they are the nutz!!!

[Zanderman]

I bought a Jag XFR e few months ago and although I love it and it is a superb car in every way I cannot stop looking at 997 Turbos.

I honestly think that in the new year I will be seriously looking for one, the itch just wont go away.........

[mm450exc]

Dogbash said:

Hi everyone and thanks for the replies. Ok, so that one doesn't look like the best spec by the sounds of things!

What options should I be looking for? I've heard bose is a good option to look out for. Also, I have heard reports of the 997 being boring, is this rubbish?

Thanks,
Andrew

PCCB
Rear diff lock
Sports Chrono Package Plus
Sport Shifter
Adaptive Sports Seats
6-speed
Thicker 3-spoke steering wheel

[Walter Sobchak]

I'm looking at 997 Turbos at the moment too, just out of interest what is this 'over rev' I've heard about and how do you check for it?, I'm going to get one with OPC warranty though, I might not need it but would rather have it than not just in case.

[s3nick]

Walter Sobchak said:

I'm looking at 997 Turbos at the moment too, just out of interest what is this 'over rev' I've heard about and how do you check for it?, I'm going to get one with OPC warranty though, I might not need it but would rather have it than not just in case.

It's just Porsche's way of getting out of giving you a warranty!

I would not take it to seriously unless you care about warranty!

[OggyDJ]

Hi Walter, this can happen on manual cars when aggressively downshifting and vehicle is still travelling too fast for the lower gear ratio. This then mechanically "pushes" the engine beyond the point at which rev-limiter would otherwise protect it.

Can't remember the exact rev-ranges for each but quick search on here or Google will no doubt locate these.

Rev range 4 basically means cylinders need to be pressure tested and oil analysed before Porsche will issue a warranty. This check alone can cost several hundred quid (tell me about it !!). Rev range 4 is not necessarily a problem and having discussed this same issue on Porsche club forum, never heard of anyone with a 4 who subsequently had warranty refused.

5 means Porsche will not warranty it and OPC (or Indy) will not buy it.

6 means it's toast !

[OggyDJ]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

I read too of the Over revs and 911 concerns.
Surely you have to be a bit of a dick / crap driver to for e that scenario (downchange / over revs)

Agree, or unlucky and hit 3rd from 4th instead of 5th

Mine had a couple of ignitions in range 4 from before I owned it (according operating hrs....cos I'm an ace driver and would never do this )

Of course this can't happen on a PDK or Tip.

Here they are (for a Gen 1 997 Turbo) :-

Range 1 - 6800-7000
Range 2 - 7000-7200
Range 3 - 7200-7400
Range 4 - 7400-7900
Range 5 - 7900-9000
Range 6 - 9000+

Edited by OggyDJ on Sunday 2nd December 20:03

[mrdemon]

Thought Porsche now have also stopped selling rev range 3 cars.

[Walter Sobchak]

OggyDJ said:

Hi Walter, this can happen on manual cars when aggressively downshifting and vehicle is still travelling too fast for the lower gear ratio. This then mechanically "pushes" the engine beyond the point at which rev-limiter would otherwise protect it.

Can't remember the exact rev-ranges for each but quick search on here or Google will no doubt locate these.

Rev range 4 basically means cylinders need to be pressure tested and oil analysed before Porsche will issue a warranty. This check alone can cost several hundred quid (tell me about it !!). Rev range 4 is not necessarily a problem and having discussed this same issue on Porsche club forum, never heard of anyone with a 4 who subsequently had warranty refused.

5 means Porsche will not warranty it and OPC (or Indy) will not buy it.

6 means it's toast !

Thanks for this Oggy, I had no idea about this one!!, is it quite common? or not really?, it does sound like somewhat of a schoolboy error thing to do, more likely to happen on 1.2 Corsas than 911 Turbos!!, is this easily checked for in either the 111 point check or a decent independent inspection?, a couple I have my eye on are private but still have OPC warranty remaining and the last thing I want to do is drop a clanger on a car that expensive.

[mrdemon]

Any one can miss a shift , corsa 1.2 or a 400bhp Porsche.

Just Porsche and now all indy,s won,t buy a car from you if you have them.

People say don,t worry which is true if you keep the car for ever, but come sale time you cannot shift it or part ex it.

There was a thread where Porsche will now not renew a rev range 3 car , but not sure how true that is.