a 997 as a daily, long commuter and only car?

[dsgrnmcm]

Anyone use these:

https://www.revolution-porsche.co.uk/protection-pl...

[T1547]

Andyoz said:

I think you will need something to look forward to every week doing that commute. I wouldn't exactly be jumping out of bed a 3.30am to drive a 320d...

As long as you have the necessary funds set aside for repairs then why not?

Your engine will love that long 4 to 5 hour duty cycle too...

I think this nails it - getting up on those early starts and jumping into the 997 for a long, (partially) fuel-expensed journey with not much traffic on the roads for the first few hours of the journey. Just for these few hours alone each week the 997 will be worth it!

Only thing I'd definitely go manual over auto, but that's just personal choice.

[DoubleSix]

dsgrnmcm said:

Afternoon all,

(long winded, so have a Brew ready)

Having read all the threads about using a 997 as a daily driver and only car, has me thinking about taking the plunge now as opposed to waiting t0 leave my current role, currently I commute to work on a Monday morning at 0400 ish then back on Thursday PM.

Journey: Plymouth to London, park at work (central London) then during the week secure underground car park, then on drive/garage at Plymouth.
(Previous thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I did look at 320d and 330d, as a just a commuter, for the next 20 months while i'm in this role. Currently this will be my commute until March 2022. After that I will leave this employer, get a hefty pay out / savings accessible and intend to purchase a 997.

So currently using a GTD DSG which is quite good, £50 a week in fuel, but I get £227 a month from work for this commuting a month.

So my question is: Do I stop waiting for the "right" time to get a 997 and start enjoying it, while my employer is paying £227 towards fuel (I estimate my fuel cost will be £400 pm roughly), get in to 997 ownership 20 months early and enjoy the "Porsche life style!

Will doing 2000 miles per month kill the 997, and make me resent it?
Do I keep the GTD and get the 997 for weekends (extra running costs of 2nd car (even though insurance is cheaper than the GTD!)
Will 4 to 5 hours in an Auto 997 break my spine!

Thanks for your thoughts in advance!

My thoughts? You better be getting paid deep for that s**t. I did a stint Bristol to London for a while an a 997 wasn’t about to mask the fact it was a st gig...

[braddo]

Andyoz said:

I think you will need something to look forward to every week doing that commute. I wouldn't exactly be jumping out of bed a 3.30am to drive a 320d...

For me it would make the early-Monday and late-Thursday driving worth it, having something that's actually enjoyable for the West Country part.

Make sure the car has cruise control!

[Andyoz]

sealtt said:

Very nice sports car but if I was doing 2k miles a month no way would I look at a 997, if I’m travelling that much I want something properly comfy. I wouldn’t go any sportier than a Mercedes SL.

BUT if that’s your dream, then you need to make it happen!

As the OP mentioned auto only I did think nice Merc AMG from the same era as 997 could be worth a look if vehicle dynamics aren't top of your list... Many are undervalued IMO and the price differential would buy alot of fuel and servicing.....mint CLK55 AMG....cost more than a 911 new but 20mpg at best could get tyresome really fast

Edited by Andyoz on Tuesday 21st July 00:11

[dsgrnmcm]

Some good views.

Normally I commute Plymouth to Portsmouth, 3 hours at 178 miles, easy. This is a bit worse, others do Manchester to Plymouth or Cornwall. So I feel a little better.

Found this near work, looks like a lot of work has already been carried out.



Also looks like the street from Layer Cake



From this topic:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...


Not that, that is reason to buy it...

[sealtt]

Andyoz said:

As the OP mentioned auto only I did think nice Merc AMG from the same era as 997 could be worth a look if vehicle dynamics aren't top of your list... Many are undervalued IMO and the price differential would buy alot of fuel and servicing.....mint CLK55 AMG....cost more than a 911 new but 20mpg at best could get tyresome really fast

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10609499

For around the same money as the 997 he could get a 10 year younger SL! Still the current generation, albeit pre-facelift. As opposed to a 3 generation old 911 (although I do think the 997 is the sweet spot for a 911, just modern is almost always better when it comes to long distance commuting).

Not only that but he could get an SL500 which has a ridiculously smooth V8. Makes a lovely purr, kicks out 435bhp and loads of torque for rapid 0-60 dash and unbeatable motorway surge. Or if he wants to keep running costs down then an SL350 would be fine, though I think that engine is not smooth enough for an SL, it's still a good vehicle.

Also would be possible to get from a main dealer with full warranty, etc.

The R231 is also not a terrible drivers car, OK it's not a 997, but with a decent engine it's fun enough, especially with the roof down.

@OP, I bought my dream car 10-15 years ago which was a 996 Turbo. It was a great vehicle, but in less than 6 months I switched it for an SL55 AMG. Since then I've had 2 more SL's and not a single Porsche...

[Andyoz]

^^^ It does always amaze me when I look away from Porsche and see what the same money can buy...I bet they get half decent MPG out of that v8 too with some trickery.

Maybe a Merc and 987.2 Boxster for the garage and weekend fun (and the odd summer run to London) as you get half decent weather down there...

Combined tax and insurance probably similar to a 997S. Just comes down to storage space and whether OP wants the hassle factor.
I run a Cayman S and big engine E Class estate for the longer stuff. Means I get a sense of relief each time I sit in each so neither gets stale.

I hadn't looked at the newer Merc stuff but the newer SL is lighter for a start and will do 30mpg apparently.
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/mercedes-benz/...

Don't discount the Jaguar F-Type too...One of the few newish cars that turns my head when I see them and first year models are looking good value.

Edited by Andyoz on Tuesday 21st July 12:36

[dsgrnmcm]

Hi all,

Never had a Merc, I get the feeling that the 996/997 have teh same demand as Transporters and Defenders do, quite expensive in comparison to their counterparts.

Also part of it is owning a "Porsche" not just a set of stats on paper. (He says now...)

[SFO]

Or an R231 SL400 with bi turbo V6 ..

I have one. Love it. Plenty quick. Cruises well. Does Scottish hoons with aplomb. Rides well. Feel free steering is only real criticism.

Overall excellent machine. Great value.

It’s super high tech construction means it’s light and feels nimble. Cruising at 70mph will easily get you more than 35mpg

[dsgrnmcm]

The more I look the more I find:

next one is on teh FB 996 page:

14k, engine re build, roof overhaul (Targa), all brakes. carried oyt at OPC, but it is a 996 and needs to be purchased by Monday. Bit of a rush.

[g7jhp]

You may want to aim for a 997.2 Carrera or Carrera S from 2009 onwards as the engine is more reliable.

[carcrazypop]

Not sure if I've missed it, but has the OP said what his budget is as this will narrow down any recommendations that people make, unless it's open ended !!

[dsgrnmcm]

Evening,

I was going to pop and see the 997 above, but could not get away from work in time. I did speak with the garage that have looked after it for 8 years or so.

Loads of good info on the 996 and 997, and almost £8k of work in the last 3 years.

My budget is £20k, originally I was after a good 996 with some spare cash just in case, now I have seen some at the top of my budget with a lot of major work done, either repair or remedial.

[PushedDover]

I ran a 997.1 Targa for a few years as a DD

Loved the Targa and flexibility in the practicality, light and fresh air.
The beards hate them. Who cares.

The roof (or something) did develop weep / leak at the end, I never found the source of.

Regarding your Math. You are missing out the fact that Porkers seem to deteriorate / at a faster rate over conventional. The brake pipes for example. Not in your math, but one way or another cost the arse end of £1.5k over two years at the age of ten yrs old. (one pipe need the engine dropped ffs)
Condensors - yeah another £1k.... Clutch ? Round number £1k.
Everything, every year gave a £1k bill over and above the basics you have calculated

I recall driving from central London to Southampton one summers afternoon.
In 8 Miles, I managed 8mpg in one hour.
I never ever saw 30mpg even driving like a fanny

I agree with others too that in reality - comfort / toys, a Golf GTD wins.

I have no regrets. Would love to have pockets to run an in warranty 911 as I think they are something else. - but your numbers dont' betray the true cost IMHO

[braddo]

PushedDover said:

I never ever saw 30mpg even driving like a fanny

Really? 997 GT3 can do 32mpg at around 65mph in traffic on the M3.

But...

PushedDover said:

Everything, every year gave a £1k bill over and above the basics you have calculated

There will always be something that means services are £1-2k...

[PushedDover]

braddo said:

PushedDover said:

I never ever saw 30mpg even driving like a fanny

Really? 997 GT3 can do 32mpg at around 65mph in traffic on the M3.

I said driving

But in sincerity - I saw it pop up once in the ave during a journey up the A1 but in reality the whole journey was likely 28ish mpg

Perhaps some drag in the Targas 4wd ?? Or gearing ??

On the other side of the coin - high speed Europe dashes at ave. 100mph saw 25 - 27 or so.

Of which OP it was epic for. But for a crawl from central London ..... I’m uncertain sadly

[jonno_]

Find a good 997.2 pdk, get inspection done, find good indy near home. (Check Sid @ Porsche Torque for London end - he's Ruislip)
Sorted.

[carcrazypop]

jonno_ said:

Find a good 997.2 pdk, get inspection done, find good indy near home. (Check Sid @ Porsche Torque for London end - he's Ruislip)
Sorted.

Op's budget is £20k, so 997.2 not possible.

[Gixer968CS]

I've had a '06 C2S for 5 years. It's my only car and it gets used for all my needs. Trips to the tip, IKEA, whatever. I've had 200kgs of ceramic floor tiles on the back shelf, flat pack book shelves in it, even a rolled up double mattress. It's almost always wearing roof bars which usually carry 2-3 bikes but I've also had a lawn mower up there and a drinks fridge. I've been away on holiday for a week with my partner and 12 year old daughter and all our luggage and three bikes. Driven it to Italy and frequently to Sainsburys! What I can tell you is that Porsche's don't respond well to sitting around. The bills are usually relatively smaller if you use them frequently - you'll wear the brakes out, but they won't corrode etc. Don't buy one as a garage queen would be my tip as £'s per miles it'll be expensive to keep. Long trips on a motorway it'll get 27-29mpg, pottering around town about 22. It's a very comfortable car too. My girlfriend has a late model Z4 and the 997 is much roomier inside and easier to get in and out of with much comfier seats. I wouldn't hesitate if I were you, get in there and do it. Every commute will feel like an occasion. Like the man said though, keep £2000 handy for when something does go pop.