Is an early 997 911 a realistic option as the only car?

[Scottie - NW]

I have two cars at the moment, a 2007 RX8 Prodrive, covers school run for one junior school age child, supermarket and gym, and a yearly Nurburgring trip, plus the odd trackday.

Weekend/track car is a 1999 200sx, 1200kg, >400bhp, 390 lb/ft, 888's, chassis brake upgrades etc.

The RX8 is due for renewal soon, and I've had the 200sx for 7 years, am fedup of paying two lots of road tax, insurance, MOT's, servicing etc.

I've been looking for one car that does all I need, three obvious contenders are IS-F, RS4V8, M3V8, want something 2005 or newer.

The V8 M3 probably edges it as the best everyday choice, but I've always had an urge for a 911, I really like the 997 shape. I subscribe to EVO and they rate the 997.1 so highly.

Am I being realistic in thinking of running an early 997 as my only car, bearing in mind the above duties it needs to do, I walk to work and in snow the my Dad can do the school run for me.

Thanks.

[SteveM46]

Scottie, how early, and what budget? I'm about to enter the first winter with my 2006 997.1 C2S; it's not my only car, but factors I'm taking into account - and I presume you would have to even more so if it was your only drive - are:

- how comfortable will I be driving it on slippy autumn/winter roads? I'm sure snow would be impossible (and I'm equally sure someone else will tell me it's not!), but I've also noticed some twitching on leaves and general crud lifted out of the road surface by rain recently
- am I going to increase the overall wear and tear on the car by using it every day through the winter (not just mechanical, but corrosion, spray, water, battery impact etc.) and hence increased running costs and increased depreciation
- by the way, that includes mucking up the insides - dirty shoes, wet coats, mucky fingers etc. - in a way that just doesn't seem to happen in the summer
- am I going to do similar damage to the car by NOT driving it regularly through the winter months? I know I can put the battery on a trickle charger, but all cars and especially Porsches like to be driven regularly
- I've got no concerns about reliability (touches wood!); I've got an OPC warranty and a centre up the road. But will you have someone local to turn to in an emergency?

So I think my view is that yes, you can certainly run it as a daily drive, subject to getting a decent and reliable model in the first place, that it might not be so much fun to drive through the autumn/winter in all conditions, and that you will wear out the car more quickly during the winter months. But if you can live with those concerns - and, let's be honest, it wouldn't be much different with most other cars you could put your money into - then go for it.

Steve

[tony russell]

I to will be looking at 997's shortly as an only car so let me know if and how you get on should you take that route. I had a test drive in an ISF when they first came out. The engine is awesome. I did however go the Aston Martin route instead ( wisely)

[Carl_Docklands]

If it helps with the guilt factor, my neighbour does his school run with 3 kids in his 997

[mollytherocker]

In terms of the usage of the car you suggest, I would say that any 911 could manage that easily.

MTR

[Scottie - NW]

Thank you for some excellent answers, what I was hoping to here.

I should of mentioned I do just under 5k private miles per year (get given a random selection of company owned cars for work), plus 1.5k on the annual Ring trip. I've spent the last few weeks solely using the Nissan to put some miles on it, the hassle of climbing in a race seat so tight I have to remove my phone from my pocket, harnesses etc, then contend with an on/off clutch, an OS Giken race box and semi slicks with 400plus bhp arriving all at once gives you some idea of the difficulties of what a normal drive consists of. The car is sideways before you can blink if you don't press the accelerator like an egg is under it on wet roads.

I'm hoping a 997 will be much more like the RX8 in the power delivery in wet weather, where the power is smooth and linear in delivery, but obviously much more power. I'm hoping for the civility of the RX8 with admittedly less rear room, but with closer to the pace of the Nissan in one car.

You mentioned garages, and local help. I've always used a local garage who is a good friend of mine, built my engine for me etc. He has only looked after the odd 911 before, but does a lot of TVR's and a few Ferrari's, Bentley's etc. I'm assuming a 997 is relatively straight forward for a very competent motor engineer.

Budget, I'm only just at the bottom end of the 997 range, but saving quite a bit extra each month, so I'd look for an earlier good car, if it means saving for another 6 months I'd rather do that and get the right car. Is there much performance difference between the C2 and C2S?

[jonamv8]

Admittedly a 996 and C4S but my past car sailed thru winter. Loads of traction unless you were being daft and no more obvios signa of wear and tear, tho more frequent cleaning. Reason why ive just bought a 996TT to see me thru this winter.

I imagine a 2S on winter tyres to be ok

[davek_964]

I'm sure a 997 would be fine - my 996 turbo is a superb all year round daily car. Luggage space is a bit limited, but it copes well and does pretty much whatever I want.

[Carl_Docklands]

In a C2S I can make it go sideways quite easily in the winter if, you want to use a 2WD 997 through the winter with the kids, 18inch wheels and winter tyres are essential IMHO unless, you live in central london.

I, would not worry too much about the C2/C2S performance gap, buy on spec, condition and see what comes about. I, would prefer a C2 in good spec rather than, a C2S in ghetto spec.

There is so much choice out there at the moment, you should be able to find a 997 that ticks all your boxes.

[Nano2nd]

i ran mine for just over a year(last march to this may) as my only car, the car itself peformed brilliantly(except for a duff battery), i used it in the rain, sunshine and even snow(which was interesting!) throughly enjoyed it though, you get a special feeling from driving a 911 everyday

the only downsides really are the cost, well and cleaning the bloody wheels all the time(i hate cleaning wheels LOL). obviously doing 14000 miles a year costs a chunk in depriecation and fuel(23-25MPG), then servicing can be quite a bit, mine had a major(£880) and a brakes fuild(£250) in this time, plus a new clutch(just badly timed) £650 parts only... then add to that £900 warranty per year, plus tyres wear it can soon add up to many ££££. I've weakened an bought a 2009 Scirocco TDI for the daily commute(65-70 mile round trip) and the 911 has been promoted to weekend car... which effectly means i hardly use it

[EVOeng]

Your best bet maybe to try a 996 Turbo S - all the power and still a 4WD!

[EJ911]

It been interesting reading this as I am planning to run my 996 C2 all winter, it’s my daily car although I do have the use of another car but really only as a last resort. I also drive about 14k a year and this will be my first winter in the Porsche.

EJ

[BertBert]

I must be missing the point. In what way could it not be suitable?

[RDMcG]

I think you'll be fine for your usage. If you get snow, get snow tires and rims,though.

[supersport]

Aren't you going to find track days a little less exciting with the 997 though?

[Diesel130]

Yes - go for it. All I'd say is go for a 2WD version (which I assume you will if looking at bottom of 997 price range), as there's more luggage space. You can get over £100 of Waitrose finest in the boot, or more if you use rear seats.

[Scottie - NW]

supersport said:

Aren't you going to find track days a little less exciting with the 997 though?

I'd probably keep the Nissan in the garage just in case I regretted it, and if necessary use a trailer to take the Nissan to trackdays (swap cars for a Saturday with my Dad as his is good for towing), so wouldn't need to tax, MOT and insure the Nissan. Servicing is next to nothing at mates rates very luckily. I started doing some competeting in it recently and loved it, but I'm hoping even if a 997 is slower on track it's still exciting and good fun, plus 99% of my driving is on road where I hope a 997 would be more exciting than a RX8 PZ.

[Scottie - NW]

Ok, I've spent a few hours reading the Porsche section here on Pistonheads, and it's enough to make anyone nervous about buying a Porsche with all the problems listed and disgusting attitude of Porsche themselves.

However, after reading the Hartehc website and realising I live abotu 30 miles from them that makes me feel happier, their maintenance plan looks very good.

[IMI A]

dont buy a blue one with 32k miles from a lexus showroom

[mollytherocker]

IMI A said:

dont buy a blue one with 32k miles from a lexus showroom