997 vs 991 - 18 month old baby?
997 vs 991 - 18 month old baby?
Author
Discussion

kbf1981

Original Poster:

2,346 posts

229 months

Saturday 5th July 2014
quotequote all
So I've had a lot of sports cars before and loved them. When I found out I was having my first child I switched to an ML63 which is a lovely car, but now that I've got my gf something larger, her car *could* become the family vehicle and I'm free to go back into something smaller and more of a country road car!

Anyway, I'm considering going back to a 911 of some sort as what I'm after is:
- A very enjoyable car, lots of feel, lots of charisma
- That can still be used every day
- That I can take my 18 month son in, with gf, and pram, for short trips when needed.

Neither of us are very tall - I'm 5'10, she's 5'4 so no need for massive space in the front seats. He's 12mo now, but will be a 18mo when I plan to change around Christmas.

- The 991 has isofix in the back so I expect I can just buy a proper nice seat for an 18 month old that fit that in the back.
- The 997 doesn't have isofix... I've seen people post pics of seats for 3yr olds etc. but never seen an 18 mo old in the back? Is this just a ball ache?

Looking at M3's, the new C63, old C63 etc.... but I do like "smaller cars" and loved my Cayman and 997s, and really liked the feel and the fact they're a bit rarer than conventional mass market saloons that are turned into sports cars (like the M3 etc.).

So:
- Can you get decent 18mo seats in the back of a 997?
- If you can't... that means defo 991.... if you can, then that moves onto the next question...

Spend £50k and get a late 997S, spend £60k and get a 997 GTS - both options probably likely to lose less money.
Or spend £70k, get a C2 / C2s 991 - probably lose lots of money.
Spend £70k and get a late 997 Turbo, lose less than the 991, and have arguably a faster car.

There is no set budget, I just don't fancy wasting lots of money, so if I could get the same level of enjoyment and cover the bases spending £50k I'd rather do that as I can invest the rest in something else that turns a profit.

Anyone gone through the same thought process before?

kbf1981

Original Poster:

2,346 posts

229 months

Saturday 5th July 2014
quotequote all
This is the seat we presently use, it's a wicked seat, very safe and get's excellent ratings. I'd be after fitting something equally comfy and safe for my son in the 911: http://www.which.co.uk/baby-and-child/baby-transpo...

RB_987s

134 posts

230 months

Saturday 5th July 2014
quotequote all
Something to bear in mind is the best 12 months to 4 yrs car seats are rearward facing and are isofix only.

Here's a link to the seat we use. http://www.besafe.com/en/car-seat-products/toddler...


pete a

3,799 posts

213 months

Saturday 5th July 2014
quotequote all
With your requirements for four seats I'd go 997GTS manual or 997 Turbo s PDK.

I prefer the manual shift personally but I think the PDK box works on the Turbo S.

Either car is great.

braddo

12,288 posts

217 months

Saturday 5th July 2014
quotequote all
Don't get fixated on isofix - it's more about making seat installation fool-proof rather than adding greater safety in a crash.

edo

16,699 posts

294 months

Saturday 5th July 2014
quotequote all
Cant comment on isofix, will leave that to others, but know plenty of people with kiddie seats in the back of 997s.

I just went through a process of 997/991, ended up in a 981 Cayman as I dont need the rear seats. I think the newer interiors/nav/styling sold the newer car to me - 991 S are down into mid 60's now, so if you arent in a hurry I would hold out for a 991 myself.

I think a 50k 997 is going to drop more in the next 12 months than a 991.

IREvans

1,126 posts

151 months

Saturday 5th July 2014
quotequote all
kbf1981 said:
So I've had a lot of sports cars before and loved them. When I found out I was having my first child I switched to an ML63 which is a lovely car, but now that I've got my gf something larger, her car *could* become the family vehicle and I'm free to go back into something smaller and more of a country road car!

Anyway, I'm considering going back to a 911 of some sort as what I'm after is:
- A very enjoyable car, lots of feel, lots of charisma
- That can still be used every day
- That I can take my 18 month son in, with gf, and pram, for short trips when needed.

Neither of us are very tall - I'm 5'10, she's 5'4 so no need for massive space in the front seats. He's 12mo now, but will be a 18mo when I plan to change around Christmas.

- The 991 has isofix in the back so I expect I can just buy a proper nice seat for an 18 month old that fit that in the back.
- The 997 doesn't have isofix... I've seen people post pics of seats for 3yr olds etc. but never seen an 18 mo old in the back? Is this just a ball ache?

Looking at M3's, the new C63, old C63 etc.... but I do like "smaller cars" and loved my Cayman and 997s, and really liked the feel and the fact they're a bit rarer than conventional mass market saloons that are turned into sports cars (like the M3 etc.).

So:
- Can you get decent 18mo seats in the back of a 997?
- If you can't... that means defo 991.... if you can, then that moves onto the next question...

Spend £50k and get a late 997S, spend £60k and get a 997 GTS - both options probably likely to lose less money.
Or spend £70k, get a C2 / C2s 991 - probably lose lots of money.
Spend £70k and get a late 997 Turbo, lose less than the 991, and have arguably a faster car.

There is no set budget, I just don't fancy wasting lots of money, so if I could get the same level of enjoyment and cover the bases spending £50k I'd rather do that as I can invest the rest in something else that turns a profit.

Anyone gone through the same thought process before?
I've got a 991, and there's no isofix mounts in the back. An isofix mount is available for the front seat though, but I believe you need to get a Porsche adapter to isolate the passenger airbag.

I've got 3 children, and I find the 911 back seats hopeless. I have seen a variety of baby and child seats that appear to fit in the back, but it all seems a bit compromised, and doesn't ever look particularly safe. I did get a pair of Recaro Young Sport seats in the back, but despite them being a reasonable fit, the children seemed rather close to the front seat backs. If i put the front passenger seat all the way back, a single child seat fits perfectly fine in the front.

As for fitting a pram in the car too....all the best with that...!

The new M3 saloon looks a decent proposition...? Loads of room in the back, isofix mounts, decent boot. Get that, and a used 911, and you'll still be within budget...!

anonymous-user

83 months

Saturday 5th July 2014
quotequote all
We've got a 997 and to be honest the rear seats are marginal for fitting child seats and a right ball ache to install with belts. But it can be done if you really have to. We also had the front passenger seat ISOFIX kit fitted by the Porsche main dealer, including the airbag deactivation switch. Our 18 month old now goes in the front and our 4 year old in the back, directly behind on the passenger side. We rarely travel 4 up in this car, but when we do my wife goes in the back behind me. I'm 6'1" so it's far from ideal!

The 991 looks like a slightly better "family car" proposition with the option of rear ISOFIX (the ones I've seen in the showroom have had rear ISOFIX anyway) and it looks like there is a bit more room in the back too.

Adam B

29,710 posts

283 months

Sunday 6th July 2014
quotequote all
Cannot see how this is going to work.

I had a similar conundrum with only one young child and gave up on any level of 911 comfort, got an RS4, now daughter is 7 and fits perfectly in the back with no car seat required, rear seats are perfect for 7-10 year olds for any distance trip, and rubbish for anyone else IMHO

kbf1981

Original Poster:

2,346 posts

229 months

Sunday 6th July 2014
quotequote all
Adam B said:
Cannot see how this is going to work.

I had a similar conundrum with only one young child and gave up on any level of 911 comfort, got an RS4, now daughter is 7 and fits perfectly in the back with no car seat required, rear seats are perfect for 7-10 year olds for any distance trip, and rubbish for anyone else IMHO
How are you finding the RS4?

I thought about getting a second car but tbh with work and spending time with family wouldn't get time. When I kept the Lambo I found I was driving 100 miles a month at the end in it. The objective really is to find a single car that will do occasional family trips, picking my son up from nursury etc, whilst also able to do a track day if I wanted and be fun for me to take the long way home.

2 cars would be a better solution but I know I won't use it, and tbh I do miss having the smaller stuff that I used to find interesting little routes to commute on.

wilkos

197 posts

267 months

Sunday 6th July 2014
quotequote all
Rear isofix is standard in a 991. You have to remove the lower rear seat base to access it.
My 6 and 8 year old sit in the back of mine without any boosters. Seat belt sits perfectly.
My 8 year old has 10 inches from her head to the roof, and 5 inches from her knees to the front seat. She's was a bit more snug in my 997. (Changed 3 months ago)
I'm confident the kids will be fine in the back for another 3-4 years and possibly longer

fastgerman

2,001 posts

224 months

Sunday 6th July 2014
quotequote all
If you do go with a 997; I would take a GTS 2wd coupe. This is likely to depreciate the slowest out of your options. The 2wd cars have wider front boots so you can fit more luggage. Coupe rear seats are at a better angle than convertibles so don't consider that option. Try and get the skinny seats i.e. not the hard backed sports seats for more room in the back. I've had 3 people in mine several times and 4 once, so don't see what the problem.

Adam B

29,710 posts

283 months

Sunday 6th July 2014
quotequote all
kbf1981 said:
How are you finding the RS4?

I thought about getting a second car but tbh with work and spending time with family wouldn't get time. When I kept the Lambo I found I was driving 100 miles a month at the end in it. The objective really is to find a single car that will do occasional family trips, picking my son up from nursury etc, whilst also able to do a track day if I wanted and be fun for me to take the long way home.

2 cars would be a better solution but I know I won't use it, and tbh I do miss having the smaller stuff that I used to find interesting little routes to commute on.
Now returned to plan A and in a 997 turbo as daughter is now 7 so no buggies and crap. I actual had a deposit down on a 996 turbo when her conception was announced - that was a mixed emotions day!

Found RS4 excellent, dirt cheap to run apart from fuel but I do low mileage. Only issue I had was early DRC but this was replaced under warranty. Sold for 50% of purchase price after 7 years. It was fast, fun and practical.

Edited by Adam B on Monday 7th July 13:04

David W.

1,950 posts

238 months

Sunday 6th July 2014
quotequote all
Before getting into a 911 of some type and compromising fitting in the child/ren which will be a ball ache take a test drive in a Panamera and Cayenne with V8 engines, yes very differnt but both great vehicles and terffic drives. I get as much fun from my Cayenne as I do my 997, seriously try one of the others before you tell me I'm mad.
dw

Callughan

6,313 posts

221 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
There's a couple of guys on here who added baby seats to their 997 gt3's. Opc sell a pram that fits in the bonnet. Ideally you need one sports car and one practical car, IMO regardless of power if the car is too big and heavy it's not really hoonable. Practical sports cars that come to mind are Ferrari 612 and Maserati granturismo although above would apply.

Carl_Docklands

15,831 posts

291 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Neither cars are all that safe for young kids in the back. Discuss this with missus first before jumping in.

No crash tests, no airbag it's all a bit compromised safety wise back there.

Keep the ML and get a 987 instead with isofix and airbag deactivator until the kid reaches 4 or 5 then get a 911.


chriscoates81

482 posts

161 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Carl_Docklands said:
Neither cars are all that safe for young kids in the back. Discuss this with missus first before jumping in.

No crash tests, no airbag it's all a bit compromised safety wise back there.

Keep the ML and get a 987 instead with isofix and airbag deactivator until the kid reaches 4 or 5 then get a 911.
It think many cars have air bags in the back? Plus youve got an engine in the way if somebody slams into your rear (smile).

Carl_Docklands

15,831 posts

291 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Eventhough the engine is closer, The 987 has ample front and rear crumple zones. The 911 only has the front one.

For an 18 month old the airbag thing is more symbolic than a requirement as you need to turn them off any way. It's symbolic as there are no published crash tests of a 911. Safety is a secondary design concern for rear passengers in a 911.

The way I used to work the 987 is pram in back, baby box in front, klunk click the baby seat straight out of the isofix base straight onto the pram. Hell, even the rear boot is a perfect nappy changing table.

Sports exhaust humming on a 7th gear burble at 30, puts a child to sleep quicker than anything else I know.

Fast forward 4 years and I got me a 911 with a roofbox for family trips but even the little one goes on about the 987. There is just something about those cars.



supersport

4,630 posts

256 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Make sure you get a 2 wheel drive so that bonnet has space for buggy and enjoy.

r1flyguy1

1,574 posts

205 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Never had an issue with my little boy in my car!

Had the Maxi Cosi Tobi which easily fitted & very secure albeit it's not ISOFIX, until he was no longer 'legal' and now sits in a normal 2 piece seat backed booster.

He's a big lad for his age but as I say never had a problem in the 997 with baby seat, etc. it's just a case of finding the 'right seat' and getting adept to fitting it and with confidence.

Edited by r1flyguy1 on Monday 7th July 09:26