Pondering a 911 - questions and vaildations

[dxbtiger]

I have the usual 2 year itch on my current car, musing over possible replacements, a 911 is pretty close to front of mind.

Currently in a 2 year old, mildly modified Focus ST, was bought as a cheap stop gap whilst we got married, moved house etc, previously used a 2006 Mustang GT as a daily drive for thick end of 10 years.

Fast forward, have a 14 month year old and another due in March so what better time to explore the 911!

The wife has a family bus that we'd use for any significant outings, if you learned chaps and chapettes could assist with the following it may help persuade or dissuade me.

1) 997.2 (with the DFI, so avoiding the RMS/IMS scares) is model year 2009 onwards I believe?
2) Is there much difference in terms of reliability between the S and non S in 997.2 and anything common to look out for?
3) Car seats - currently use maxicosi stuff, will this fit or will I need something different to potentially take the boy to Nursery twice a week?
4) The clock at the top of the dash means Sports Chrono equipped?

I would get anything I was looking at inspected of course (based in Dubai, some absolute horror stories here) but am a way from being that close to purchasing.

Appreciate I could probably google the above for confirmation but would value any input from the masses.

TIA

eta - nice speeeling in the title

Edited by dxbtiger on Monday 17th September 10:38

[Cheib]

dxbtiger said:

1) 997.2 (with the DFI, so avoiding the RMS/IMS scares) is model year 2009 onwards I believe?
2) Is there much difference in terms of reliability between the S and non S in 997.2 and anything common to look out for?
3) Car seats - currently use maxicosi stuff, will this fit or will I need something different to potentially take the boy to Nursery twice a week?
4) The clock at the top of the dash means Sports Chrono equipped?

Edited by dxbtiger on Monday 17th September 10:38

1) That's correct
2) Don't know to be honest but I am sure someone else can help.
3) It was possible to spec ISOFIX as a factory option, quite rare (mine has it), when fitted that means you can also disable the front air bag. If not fitted an OPC can retrofit the switch to disable the front air bag. My kids weren't small enough to need a proper car seat so can't comment on what you would do with the rear seats. There are several thread on kids seats for 911's so have asearch.
4) Yes it does. This option can be retrofitted though which will give you the functionality but not the clock on the dash. It's adesirable option so most cars have it.

They're great cars....there's quite a bit of difference between the 2 and the 4 so try and drive both.

Options you probably would want and may expect to be standard

Universal Audio Interface
Bose
Extended Nav (it's out of date but I would still want a car with it as would hurt if you didn't have come resale)
Park Assist (only rear available)
Cruise if you want it (can be retrofitted)
Automatically dimming mirrors
Heated Seats

[D.no]

dxbtiger said:

1) 997.2 (with the DFI, so avoiding the RMS/IMS scares) is model year 2009 onwards I believe?
2) Is there much difference in terms of reliability between the S and non S in 997.2 and anything common to look out for?
3) Car seats - currently use maxicosi stuff, will this fit or will I need something different to potentially take the boy to Nursery twice a week?
4) The clock at the top of the dash means Sports Chrono equipped?

1) Late 2008 onwards (09 MY- yes, but if you're using a filter to search, include 2008 otherwise you'll miss some early gen2 cars)
2) Not aware of any differences in reliability. Water pump at circa 40k miles is a common issue, as is corrosion to the tandem pump.
3) I use a cheapo Halfords job in mine, and also a Recaro Monza. Both fit better and allow a more comfortable infant seating posture with the rear seat cushion and bolster removed. The Halfords seat is a complete PITA to fit, so removal is done only when absolutely necessary. Seem to remember the official Porsche seat is a re-branded Britax Duo-Fix, but can't confirm - just internet search.
4) Yes - the clock on the topper pad signifies Sport Chrono. Only really of use on a PDK car, but it does also allow a more relaxed setting for the PSM.

[dxbtiger]

Cheib said:

1) That's correct
2) Don't know to be honest but I am sure someone else can help.
3) It was possible to spec ISOFIX as a factory option, quite rare (mine has it), when fitted that means you can also disable the front air bag. If not fitted an OPC can retrofit the switch to disable the front air bag. My kids weren't small enough to need a proper car seat so can't comment on what you would do with the rear seats. There are several thread on kids seats for 911's so have asearch.
4) Yes it does. This option can be retrofitted though which will give you the functionality but not the clock on the dash. It's adesirable option so most cars have it.

They're great cars....there's quite a bit of difference between the 2 and the 4 so try and drive both.

Options you probably would want and may expect to be standard

Universal Audio Interface
Bose
Extended Nav (it's out of date but I would still want a car with it as would hurt if you didn't have come resale)
Park Assist (only rear available)
Cruise if you want it (can be retrofitted)
Automatically dimming mirrors
Heated Seats

Thanks.

Options here can be a funny thing, not sure if it applies to Porsche per say but many dealers will have a 'standard' options list they spec and then the customer gets the choice of blue, black, silver etc.

All the 3.8's I have seen listed today have the clock it seems.

Heated seats shouldn't be necessary, its 41 degrees today

Would be gobsmacked if cruise wasn't specced but noted.

Have just found some rear seat friendly seat options that aren't Porsche ones so that in itself shouldn't be a stumbling block.

[dxbtiger]

D.no said:

1) Late 2008 onwards (09 MY- yes, but if you're using a filter to search, include 2008 otherwise you'll miss some early gen2 cars)
2) Not aware of any differences in reliability. Water pump at circa 40k miles is a common issue, as is corrosion to the tandem pump.
3) I use a cheapo Halfords job in mine, and also a Recaro Monza. Both fit better and allow a more comfortable infant seating posture with the rear seat cushion and bolster removed. The Halfords seat is a complete PITA to fit, so removal is done only when absolutely necessary. Seem to remember the official Porsche seat is a re-branded Britax Duo-Fix, but can't confirm - just internet search.
4) Yes - the clock on the topper pad signifies Sport Chrono. Only really of use on a PDK car, but it does also allow a more relaxed setting for the PSM.

Again, thanks.

Manual cars here are like rocking horse st, although having expanded my filters to include 2008 throws up a white aerokitted manual S that's done very few KMs. Looks to be a 997.1 one though.

[D.no]

dxbtiger said:

Again, thanks.

Manual cars here are like rocking horse st, although having expanded my filters to include 2008 throws up a white aerokitted manual S that's done very few KMs. Looks to be a 997.1 one though.

My gen2 997 is a late 2008 car and I almost missed it because my daily search was filtered on 2009-onwards. Setting the filters for 08-onwards does involve then having to filter the gen1 cars out yourself.

Having had both, I think the .2 is a more rounded proposition but the engine lacks the character of the .1 in my view. Chassis/handling wise, the front-end bob is more -or-less absent from the .2 but I'd argue that this makes it more approachable. They're great fun, once you/they are dialled-in, and they're surprisingly practical.

Good luck in your hunt.