Monday 11th November 2013

Porsche 911 Carrera 2 S: PH Carpool

A classy realisation of (really) a Will Smith inspired dream car

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Name: Aman Sood
Car: Porsche 911 Carrera 2 S (997, first-gen)
Owned since: April 2013
Previously owned: A bunch of Golfs, two Audi TTs, M3 E46

Bad Boys inspired a teenage dreamer...

Why I bought it:
"The Porsche bug bit me after watching the opening sequence of Bad Boys when I was a teenager. Even though back then I had no real clue as to what Will Smith's car actually was (a 964 Turbo), from that moment on my head would always turn, slowly, each time a 911 drove past me in the flesh. I thought it was a beautiful car, with a unique ability to hold my attention. Although it took 20 years, I was finally in a position to own one. Six months ago, I decided life was way too short and took the plunge."

What I wish I'd known:
"Which model to buy. There are numerous variants of the 911, which caused me to spend a vast amount of time on research, reading magazines, websites/forums, etc. As fun as it was learning, it was quite a burden at times and did cause me some confusion. Overall, it was a very time and effort intensive process, but well worth it in the end."

...who's now living it at the wheel of a 997

Things I love:
"I love the way it sits when parked up, always makes me double-take as I walk away and I'm sure fellow owners know exactly what I'm talking about here! It's a very self-confident and cohesive car, commanding respect in a subtle way without being as ostentatious as its rivals. It oozes class, superior strength and quality, yet it remains remarkably understated - all at the same time. It really has mastered the challenge of everyday life. A great car, and I feel very blessed to have bought one."

Things I hate:
"Nothing to really 'hate', but I do wish I had PCM 3.0 to connect up an iPod. The first-generation's sat-nav is a limited and does not allow full postcode entry and it looks very dated. The key itself is also rather unattractive - it doesn't reflect the quality of the car. There is nowhere to store a large golf umbrella except inside the car itself. And why the lack of electric fold-away mirrors, Porsche? However, these first-world problems are so minor, I really don't lose any sleep over them."

2 S manual correct side of right 911/wrong 911 divide

Costs:
"Owning a fantastic car comes with a price. Be under no illusion a 911 is, by any standard, an expensive car to buy AND run. The servicing costs are high, as are our government's rising fuel prices. Thankfully, there are some really good independent specialists out there, so don't feel handcuffed by having to use OPC for every little thing."

Where I've been:
"London to Bournemouth is the furthest I've driven so far. A remarkable trait of the 911 is the comfort. You can drive for hours, stop for five minutes for juice, and drive again for hours immediately. It's an effortless, satisfying drive which keeps you grinning ear to ear. Planning on attending a few of the Porsche meets as well as a trip to South of France."

What next?
"I'd love a 991 (that interior is beckoning) or a Carrera GTS. That is a long way off though, so I'll be keeping my 997 as long as I possibly can in the meantime. I'm not going to modify it at all, as I'd like to keep it exactly how it left the factory. I've owned and driven many high performance cars, and I can genuinely say the 911 - pound for pound - is the best all rounder I've ever driven."

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Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at [e-mail]!

 

[V8 FOU]

Agree about the research bit. I am going through the same process at the mo. Not really turned on by the 997, or the 996 unless it's a turbo. Going to look at a 964 this week - I think the rawness of the aircooled simpler car will appeal.
Anyway, enjoy your car and keep us updated, eh?

[911AS]

Thanks to Dan and Pistonheads for running this feature; cheers guys, much appreciated.

[911AS]

V8 FOU said:

Agree about the research bit. I am going through the same process at the mo. Not really turned on by the 997, or the 996 unless it's a turbo. Going to look at a 964 this week - I think the rawness of the aircooled simpler car will appeal.
Anyway, enjoy your car and keep us updated, eh?

Thanks pal. Keep us posted too on your chosen car, hope the search proves fruitful.

[sinbad666]

I am considering a 997.1 Carrera 2S but concerned about reliability, especially the engine. Its really turning me off. As an overview, what did you find when you did your research?

[911AS]

sinbad666 said:

I am considering a 997.1 Carrera 2S but concerned about reliability, especially the engine. Its really turning me off. As an overview, what did you find when you did your research?

It is a genuine concern, but I wouldn't let all the horror stories scare you as more often than not, there are thousands of happy owners out there. There is always OPC warranty for added peace of mind.

[Schnellmann]

I owned one almost identical to this for a year. Was very nice but I don't miss it in the same way as I do some of the other cars we've owned over the years. Perhaps my memory is coloured by the fact that it dropped quite a lot in value whilst we owned it.

[Schnellmann]

I should add it was 100% reliable. Just added petrol and checked the tyre pressures during ownership.

[steveb8189]

Article said:

London to Bournemouth is the furthest I've driven so far. A remarkable trait of the 911 is the comfort. You can drive for hours, stop for five minutes for juice, and drive again for hours immediately

Two questions..

1. How slowly do you drive?
2. How do you manage to use so much fuel?



Nice review. I would love a 997 and would probably go for the C2S as well unlessI could convince myself a C4S made a suitable car for driving down to the Alps for a bit of skiing...

Go for a few more road trips!

[alfabadass]

How much do you get paid working for PH or any other car mag?

I though magazine journos and esp internet ones get paid fk all yet all seem to own super cars?

Do they get "discounts" or something!?

[steveb8189]

alfabadass said:

How much do you get paid working for PH or any other car mag?

I though magazine journos and esp internet ones get paid fk all yet all seem to own super cars?

Do they get "discounts" or something!?

Pretty sure 911AS doesn't work for PH - that's the point of the PH Carpool...

[alfabadass]

Oh, I thought these articles were about cars owned by PH staff!

[steveb8189]

alfabadass said:

Oh, I thought these articles were about cars owned by PH staff!

Ah, read the last time of the article "Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at [e-mail]!"

Maybe you could write about your X3... People may find it remotely more interesting than my diesel golf!

[911AS]

You're quite right. I don't work for PH. Carpool is open to any car enthusiast wishing to share some insight of ownership.

I definitely need to do some more Road Trips! And let's not talk about MPG....

[dlockhart]

Schnellmann said:

I should add it was 100% reliable. Just added petrol and checked the tyre pressures during ownership.

The reliabilty and once a year servicing makes this a cheap car to run if you compare it anything thats as fast / exotic. No complete oil change every 3000 miles or any thing like that. the only additional wear and tear over say a golf is the suspension can need replacing due to the etra load thats put through it in order to get the direct sporty feel.

[911AS]

steveb8189 said:

Two questions..

1. How slowly do you drive?
2. How do you manage to use so much fuel?



Nice review. I would love a 997 and would probably go for the C2S as well unlessI could convince myself a C4S made a suitable car for driving down to the Alps for a bit of skiing...

Go for a few more road trips!

RWD over AWD for me personally, although the C4S is still pretty fab.

[j911]

Hi, I've had three C2S's, 2 997.1 and 1 997.2. All 100% reliable and surprising cheap to run and maintain, certainly cheaper than the M3 I had before them. enjoy it!

[Junior Bianno]

Nice car. I had a 997 C2S a few years ago and loved it. Agree in general about not modding it, but the one thing I would highly, highly recommend is swapping the exhaust out for the Carnewal RSR system. Really inexpensive and the sound is just incredible. They basically take a standard exhaust, open it up and sprinkle some fairydust on it. Looks, and to a certain extent is, OEM, but the sound is transformed.

[leon9191]

Loved Porsches from being a boy so last year for my 29th birthday I bought a 996 C2 and have now done over 20k miles in it without batting an eye, as an everyday sports car they are perfect in my opinion.

Servicing and parts are more expensive than normal cars but compared to other cars of this type they aren't to bad and they are brilliant on fuel considering!

I'm looking to change into a 997 C2S or a 996 Turbo in the new year as I've added a second car to the fleet to do the donkey work. Great write up and great car.

[andy_ran]

Looks like a fine choice to me!

I have recently moved into a 997 and I have to agree its the best move i have ever made!

[Caper]

Good article, although I don't recognise the high cost of servicing bit. I owned a C2 Cab for the last five years - sold it earlier this year sadly, and our Golf was far more costly to service. Typically I spent £260 for a minor service and £460 for a major service. Tires were about £150 a corner and a few bits and pieces here and there but otherwise very reliable and an absolute pleasure to drive.