997.2: Experiences and choices

I had a 95 993 carrera then a 997.2 base.

All the 997 did is make me miss the 993.

It wasn't super smooth at low rpm, especially when cold. IMO due to the direct injection.

Not sure if the oil separator was failing but would occasionally billow a plume of oil smoke on start up.

Not a fan of the "integrated dry sump" (wet sump) oiling compared to the dry sump 993.

It seems the S cars are more prone to bore scoring. I would have the bores scoped during PPI.

I believe bore scoring is the standout issue, and it can be a big one. I've read of some high pressure fuel pump failures as well.

Not a bad car overall but much happier back in a 993.

 

Hi Jack - I’ve had a 997.2 of some sort in my garage for almost a dozen years now, and I’m happy to share what I know. My biggest question for your is: what do you plan to do with the car? Is it going to be a weekend driver? Daily? Will it see the track? Autocross? A lot of the answer in comparing the base/S/GTS comes down to what you would like to do with the car.

In terms of model years to avoid: I know a few folks, including myself, that had their ‘09 Carrera S motors drink oil. So I tend to avoid the first year (09) cars. Not a hard and fast rule, but I can tell you that the ‘10 and ‘11 I’ve had did not burn a drop.

My cars have been very robust: really it has been “add gas, change oil and brakes” for most of the cars’ lifetimes. So I don’t think there’s anything super-special to watch out for on a PPI. People like to look at the Over-Rev report, I think it gives a good idea of how the car has been treated — although don’t be scared if you see a few Range 1s and maybe some Range 2s, unless they’re very recent (Porsche likes 50 hours since an overrev before they say it didn’t damage the engine).

In terms of options, a lot will go back to ‘what do you want to use this car for’ — so what are you thinking?

 

I think Porsche now offers the PCCM updated head unit for the 997, so I wouldn’t worry about the old audio/navigation options.

I did this for my 964, which had an aftermarket CD player when I bought it. Easy decision.


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I don’t believe so, although the 5 lug wheels were an option on the GTS. I’ll say this: center locks are a bit of a PITA. I’ve been told the 2nd and 3rd gen are better, but if you do your own maintenance, the CLs may quickly become the bane of your existence. (This is based on the need for either an expensive torque gun or a very long wrench to torque the wheels to spec. Which, per Porsche, on 1st gen should be done with the wheel off the ground.)

 

Last I knew - and it is worth double-checking - the PCCM upgrade was only available for the 997.1 version of PCM. PCM 3.0, which the 997.2s run, should be up next. I’ve heard 2025 rumored, but I’m not holding my breath there!

 

I think an ‘S’ is a good specification, though I woudn’t sleep on a nice Carrera. If I remember correctly the 0-60 times weren’t worlds different (0.2 or so seconds different) between the models.

If yours is going to be a tourer/pleasure driver, I’d look for either the “power comfort” seat (which I think is 10 or 12 way adjustable) or the Adaptive Sport Seats as an option. The difference between the two seats is mostly the side bolstering. Sport seats will “hug” you more. Whether that’s comfortable or not will depend on how they fit you. I’d recommend trying both.

I shy away from the base seats, at least in their standard “bucket” form. They had, to my mind, far too “flat” a bottom, which meant you slid around more than you do with the “power” seats. The easiest way to know which seats a car has is the “sport bucket” seats have a silver height adjustment lever (it’s not powered) next to them. They weren’t my favorite seats.

If you can find the Power comfort seats that are also ventilated, go for it. I liked the ventilation for road trips.

And if you can find one with the “leather option” - that makes the cockpit a particularly nice place to sit.

In terms of performance: With the “S” you will get PASM - Porsche’s adjustable shocks. I wouldn’t shy away from a base car that doesn’t have it. In my experience Porsche’s suspensions are very well-judged. However, PASM will give you the ability to run a DSC unit with coilovers. It’s something track folks have done a lot in the past decade, and many people who primarily street drive are doing it with their cars, too. People rave about the improvement on what is already a very good setup. This isn’t something I’d run out and do immediately, but something that’s good to keep in mind if you feel the handling needs modification.

PSE (Porsche Sport Exhaust) - this is really personal taste. A lot of people like the extra aggressive note that comes with Porsche’s valved exhaust. Others think it, like the stock exhaust, is too quiet. It’s worth listening to cars with and without PSE to see what you think. If PSE isn’t for you, there are LOTS of options to make the car sound louder / sportier / give it a different sound. (Note: the 997.2 stock is a pretty quiet exhaust). Generally speaking, this option has good re-sale.

In terms of handling, it sounds like the sports suspension isn’t high on your list. No big deal there, really. If you can find a GTS it might be worth trying just to see what you think of it. It is stiffer, but - and again this is my opinion - I didn’t think it was too terrible for longer drives. Note that the Sports PASM (terrible acronym) comes with a mechanical limited slip differential. That won’t make much difference for road tripping, but it will give you bragging rights.

And, finally, Sport Chrono / Sport / Sport +. My take on these is that they’re largely marketing “fluff” on a manual car. Sport + doesn’t really do anything for manual cars (it does however really change the way the PDK responds). Sport just makes the throttle “touchier” — that is you get a greater “opening” with less pedal movement. Some folks will tell you it makes the engine make more power. It doesn’t. You just think it does because you’re getting more response for less pedal travel. The biggest argument I’ve heard for Sport/Sport + is that they make heel/toe shifting easier. This is true, but I did plenty of track days in a 997 without Sport/Sport + and it heel/toe shifted just fine. As for the “wart” (the chrono clock), I found I really didn’t much use it for anything except occasionally timing myself on my way to work. I’d say if you like the look, go for it, but I wouldn’t pay a premium for any of these options. (Note: Sport Chrono probably will help resale. I got a few $K off one car because it didn’t have it)

The one option I might pay extra for, if I could find it, would be x51 power kit. This is standard on the GTS. You don’t get a lot of additional power (+23hp) but you get a slightly higher redline and (what felt to me) like a broader torque plateau. The issue here: it is VERY rare to see an “S” with the x51.

Above all, the 997 is a really solid platform - enjoy yours!

 

My thoughts exactly on the base car. Nearly as fast and powerful as a .1S, which I had and found to be more than enough car, especially for what you describe as your intended use.

I also wouldn’t shy away from a .1S. A good PPI will likely reveal all you need to know, and if you go ‘07-08 (even ‘06, really) there’s little to worry about. They can be had for, in many cases, 1/3 less than a comparable 997.2S, too. Unless of course you are willing to go PDK, which makes all of the .2 cars a lot easier on the wallet.[/QUOTE]

 

My 2 cents…

Sport Chrono plus is the way to go. The “fun” button makes the power instantaneous. Noticeably so. In my opinion, it’s makes it a different car. More fun.

Good luck. Enjoy your car.

 

Sport Chrono is vital for a PDK or turbo car, but if you're shopping manual transmissions I don't think it really matters much. It's nothing more than a throttle remap to make the accelerator pedal more twitchy in a manual transmission car. It adds no power or actual performance benefit.

You can even add it after the fact without the goofy chrono dial on the dashboard if you find a car you otherwise like which lacks the feature. https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/9X7SM.html

 

My biggest concern is the seats. I'm looking for a touring car. I don't want any side boosters. You probably need to salesman to decipher the Porsche code, but I believe you want the 18-way sport seats.

I also drives me nuts when people lower a car. I'm more concerned about dead skunks in the middle of the road.

 

Sport Chrono also allows the PSM (stability control) to be put into sport mode, which loosens up the parameters and allows a little more slip. Definitely best to find a car without and add through the dealership, so you don't get the "dash wart" timer.

I highly recommend a car with PASM and full leather interior. Those were two must haves when I was shopping.

 

This thread makes me miss my 997.1. I miss that car. Love love my 991.. but the 997 (.1 or .2) has a certain end of era je ne sais quoi. Manual with attention to bore scoring..

 

I know what you mean. Wish I could keep them all.

I drove a 991.1 Targa 4S manual not long ago. At one point, I looked at the salesman and said, “I know it is NOT…but it feels slow.” His response was, “You’re the second person to say that.”

 

My take is that the extra weight, both from the AWD and the top of course, is certainly something you feel, and when coupled with the enhanced (overkill, IMO) NVH reductions in the 991, it just makes the car seem sluggish. I suppose a software tune could help; throttle response is particularly uninspiring to me and the clutch, as with most newer cars, is too damn light.

Regarding VrSurgeon’s 997 take, I’ll allow him to expound…but for me, the post-997 cars, non-GT at least, have become too comfort oriented and have left some excitement behind. Beautiful, capable, great cars, no doubt. I’m not saying I wouldnt have one, but if you are coming from a more classic Porsche mindset, the 997 is probably going to be peak watercooled for you.

 

I had a 2010 4S as a daily driver and quite liked it. It was a highly optioned car and I would push to find a car with full leather interior. It looks a lot more upscale than the stock interior which can look cheap. The 997.2 is holding its value because of how rare they are. Production was quite low for Porsche during this period and the rarity is what is keeping prices strong.

 

I’ll second the full leather. It is a nice option, though somewhat tough to find in an already limited selection. In my 996TT, it makes a HUGE difference. 9x7 interiors are already better, and the full leather puts it over the top.

Full leather in coco = YES.

 

I kind of want a 997 Carrera 4 with a 6-speed manual. My thought is to put a ski rack and winter tires on it and use it as a winter daily driver.

At one point, I wanted to order a 992 and configure it for that purpose, but the waiting lists were just too much, so I gave up. However, I think I could make what I want out of a 997 and probably be happier.

The only issue is the interior. Porsche interiors were (and to some extent still are) too darn monochromatic! I want tan seats and a black dash and steering wheel, is that too much to ask? Apparently it is.

 

I completely agree with you and Porsche Sonderwunsch (Special Wishes) is your answer. Bring your checkbook.

I was happy to find a car with a full leather black/gray two-tone interior as a factory option on my 987.2. Lower dash, seat middles, center console in gray, the rest in black. That's still not a big difference in color, but the gray is light enough to eliminate the cavern feeling of all black. My old 944 S2 was black/linen which was also nice.



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