996 Turbo S out, 997 GTS in...
Discussion
After a long hunt which seems to have lasted most of the past few months and wondering whether I will ever find the 'next car' that day finally arrived today. 
To be honest I have been all over the place and very nearly strayed to all sorts of other motors, but when push came to shove it had to be another Porsche.
The issue was replacing what I honestly believe is one of, if not the, cleanest and nicest 996 Turbo's (S) in the country. Just 11k miles, original panel and paint and a perfect history. I knew I would never find another and actually wondered whether I was doing the right thing in considering getting rid of it. The car has been an amazing drive and I never tired of that thrust when both blowers spooled up, but ultimately I wanted something a little newer and I figured that there are far too many good cars out there to ever stick to just one.
So there it was in all its glory:
As they usually do the replacement came a bit from leftfield. After thinking that the search was just about over and I would keep the car through the winter I spotted the 997 GTS on 911 Virgin. This was a car that had never even made my shortlist before for some reason, mainly because I was ideally looking for a GT3 Gen I or Gen II. When I looked over the car it just ticked so many boxes for me - it has a spec to die for, reasonably priced, still retained 4 seats, PDK (I've become a little lazy
) and was clearly a lot newer than the equivalent GT3. I picked up the phone to Tom who I had spoken to a few months earlier about the Turbo as a potential SOR and after a 20 minute phone call the deal was done!
I have never bought a car over the phone, nor do I think I would from anyone else, but their reputation on here is unenviable and to be fair Tom was also buying mine unseen too. So today after a final look round each others pieces of Pork (!) one totally original and box fresh 996 was trailered away:
And one beautiful 997 GTS left in it's place (iPhone pics - sorry):
I really can't thank Tom enough, I have had so many 'poor' experiences with dealers recently who didn't seem too bothered or interested with taking my hard earned so it was refreshing to deal with 911 Virgin. I must say that if anyone is in the market for an amazing and original 996 Turbo S then look no further than the one that will hopefully be about to appear on their web site. It truly is a stunner and unlikely to be bettered...
Paul.
To be honest I have been all over the place and very nearly strayed to all sorts of other motors, but when push came to shove it had to be another Porsche.
The issue was replacing what I honestly believe is one of, if not the, cleanest and nicest 996 Turbo's (S) in the country. Just 11k miles, original panel and paint and a perfect history. I knew I would never find another and actually wondered whether I was doing the right thing in considering getting rid of it. The car has been an amazing drive and I never tired of that thrust when both blowers spooled up, but ultimately I wanted something a little newer and I figured that there are far too many good cars out there to ever stick to just one.
So there it was in all its glory:
As they usually do the replacement came a bit from leftfield. After thinking that the search was just about over and I would keep the car through the winter I spotted the 997 GTS on 911 Virgin. This was a car that had never even made my shortlist before for some reason, mainly because I was ideally looking for a GT3 Gen I or Gen II. When I looked over the car it just ticked so many boxes for me - it has a spec to die for, reasonably priced, still retained 4 seats, PDK (I've become a little lazy
) and was clearly a lot newer than the equivalent GT3. I picked up the phone to Tom who I had spoken to a few months earlier about the Turbo as a potential SOR and after a 20 minute phone call the deal was done!I have never bought a car over the phone, nor do I think I would from anyone else, but their reputation on here is unenviable and to be fair Tom was also buying mine unseen too. So today after a final look round each others pieces of Pork (!) one totally original and box fresh 996 was trailered away:
And one beautiful 997 GTS left in it's place (iPhone pics - sorry):
I really can't thank Tom enough, I have had so many 'poor' experiences with dealers recently who didn't seem too bothered or interested with taking my hard earned so it was refreshing to deal with 911 Virgin. I must say that if anyone is in the market for an amazing and original 996 Turbo S then look no further than the one that will hopefully be about to appear on their web site. It truly is a stunner and unlikely to be bettered...
Paul.
Congratulations Pedro!
You now own what I consider to be the best of the true drivers 911s! Having owned a long list of different models of these fantastic cars for years, the 997 GTS is without question the best mix. The 991 C2S has considered by many to have gone a bit "Audi", synthetic and dull, in part due to its electric steering etc. With the GTS you have true character and an appreciating classic as well! The GTS 2 wheel drive is much better than the four.
Good to see yours has the essential Spyder black centre lock wheels which are and look fantastic with the Carrara white!
The car is almost identical to my high spec GTS but mine has the full black leather not alcantara. Whilst I have the new 991 GT3 on order, it will surely pain me to lose the GTS. IF I could I would try and keep both!
Enjoy your new purchase, am sure you will!
You now own what I consider to be the best of the true drivers 911s! Having owned a long list of different models of these fantastic cars for years, the 997 GTS is without question the best mix. The 991 C2S has considered by many to have gone a bit "Audi", synthetic and dull, in part due to its electric steering etc. With the GTS you have true character and an appreciating classic as well! The GTS 2 wheel drive is much better than the four.
Good to see yours has the essential Spyder black centre lock wheels which are and look fantastic with the Carrara white!
The car is almost identical to my high spec GTS but mine has the full black leather not alcantara. Whilst I have the new 991 GT3 on order, it will surely pain me to lose the GTS. IF I could I would try and keep both!
Enjoy your new purchase, am sure you will!
Hi Podro,
Good work dude. I made exactly the same switch 18 months ago, albeit my 4GTS has a proper gearbox
GTS is in a different class as overall package IMO. Run out edition. Parts bin magnet. Whatever. This car is a great swan song for the 997. Whilst lacking ‘that engine’ from the GT3, it does so many things, so very well.
It’s stunning to behold and works really well with bold colours. The chassis is supple and communicative on rough B-roads. You can really lean on it at speed in any weather conditions thanks to the all-wheel drive traction. This combination delivers most of the benefits of a rear engined layout, with none of the twitchiness sometimes felt when pushing on in a two-wheel drive 911. It’s planted, but lets you know what’s going on, unlike the Turbo S, which likes to keep some of that detail to itself.
Turbo S was also a bit of a let down on the sound front, but as you know in the GTS with the sports exhaust on, the sound goes from a deep burble through tuneful baritone to a metallic, old school howl that indicates exactly the right time to upshift. And talking of gearshifts, what a ‘box it is. I’ve heard well-known journalists describe it as a ‘rifle-bolt action’ and to be honest I can’t better that description. It’s a joy to use. It gets under your skin and delivers on every journey. Love it and I reckon so will you!!
Cheers
Slodge
Good work dude. I made exactly the same switch 18 months ago, albeit my 4GTS has a proper gearbox
GTS is in a different class as overall package IMO. Run out edition. Parts bin magnet. Whatever. This car is a great swan song for the 997. Whilst lacking ‘that engine’ from the GT3, it does so many things, so very well.
It’s stunning to behold and works really well with bold colours. The chassis is supple and communicative on rough B-roads. You can really lean on it at speed in any weather conditions thanks to the all-wheel drive traction. This combination delivers most of the benefits of a rear engined layout, with none of the twitchiness sometimes felt when pushing on in a two-wheel drive 911. It’s planted, but lets you know what’s going on, unlike the Turbo S, which likes to keep some of that detail to itself.
Turbo S was also a bit of a let down on the sound front, but as you know in the GTS with the sports exhaust on, the sound goes from a deep burble through tuneful baritone to a metallic, old school howl that indicates exactly the right time to upshift. And talking of gearshifts, what a ‘box it is. I’ve heard well-known journalists describe it as a ‘rifle-bolt action’ and to be honest I can’t better that description. It’s a joy to use. It gets under your skin and delivers on every journey. Love it and I reckon so will you!!
Cheers
Slodge
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