Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hello Everyone.

After some good advice please.

This is a car i have promised myself for many a year.

I have managed to get together £25000 for this car and have driven a few in recent weeks and now i have to make a decision.

Which is the best car to go for ?

997 Carerra 3.6.
997 Carerra S 3.8
997 Carerra 4S 4WD.

I have driven all of the above and am favouring the 2wd version in manual.
These forums are full of horror story's about engine problems with the 997 so need to get this right first time.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Kind Regards

Tony.

If you're not bothered about the S or non S, buy the best one youcan afford.
Engine wise, both have plenty of power

if you're at all worried about engine issues, buy from a good specialist
Not sure where you are based but Northway near Reading has a nice Silver S in at the moment
http://www.northwayporscheltd.co.uk/use ... e/15632238

Thanks for reply.
I'm based in North Wales so Reading is a bit to far away. Having said that it does look good on the website although I'm not keen on silver, I would prefer a dark colour.
I drove one yesterday which was a manual box for the first time and I preferred it to the tiptronic.
What's your view on manual or tiptronic, are they both reliable units?

I own a black '05 997 Carrera S with tiptronic 'box so I am probably qualified to comment.

Tiptronic ain't bad, but it takes a while to learn how to get the best from them. I don't have a choice because of a disability, but if I could still use a clutch, I would.

Now that these earlier (& better looking) cars have dropped out of the official network you have a choice of private sale, ordinary used dealer or specialist dealer.

If buying privately I'd get a good inspection done and have a few quid spare for later... just in case.
Same goes for a used car dealer car I suppose but you'll get a short warranty of sorts. If it was me I'd be looking at specialist dealer stock with a good warranty for 12 months, RSJ, 911Virgin etc.

They're great cars but can be a bit pricey to run, especially if you use them fairly hard. Tyres on the back don't last for ever, neither do suspension components. However, they're a proper 911 and rather glorious to own and enjoy. I'm very fond of mine.

I am also a 997 owner (C2S manual). Honestly a fantastic car! The gen 1 gear box can be difficult at first on cold days, but once the engine is warmed up no problem I have never driven a gen 2 so can't comment. I think the difference between the 2 and the 4 is only preference, and for most daily drivers the missing S badge wont make the drive less enjoyable. I just went for the 2S because I just think its the coolest.

With regards to engine failure and the horror stories you read about online, do not let these worry you. I also was terrified of this when I first bought mine, but what you need to think is there were thousands of 997 built and sold and only a handful you hear about on the web. You wont be reading articles about people telling you their cars work fine and have no problems which is the case for most people. The only way a garage can get an idea of if the car will suffer engine failure is if they drain the oil and there is metal glitter from bore scoring in the oil. My local garage (shout out for Jaz Porsche Wembley) said do not worry about these horror stories, just enjoy the car.

I bought my car for around the price you looking at for yours, and the amount of bang for your buck is mind boggling. My advice, DO IT!

Good luck! and if you do get it then don't forget to post pics.

I wouldn't entertain a plain Carrera. S has more power, better brakes and an 's' badge Same with a Boxster, you don't want the poverty spec car...

For me, 911 should be a 2wd coupe, so that's what I went for. In a 997 you still get a lot of steering feel and feedback. You can still feel that engine out back settling into the corners and pushing the outside rear corner of the car into the road whilst cornering. You can still feel the front getting light over crests. You need to learn and work to get the best out of 'em.

Rear parking sensors are useful. You don't need a sunroof. HID lights as standard on an S. PCM sat nav is old fashioned but still useful. Most people like Michelin tyres but I like Bridgestones. Generally Pirelli's can be a bit unnerving in the wet.

I know you perfer a manual but there is a Carrera S Tiptronic with a Hartech rebuilt engine for sale for £25000.

As Richard posted you need to get used to the car and tip box. Having seen Richard's car it is quick!!

No idea about the reseller, the car or the rebuild although I'm sure Hartech will tell you if you ask.

As Jason pointed out Northway are well respected.

Be prepared to travel for the right car.

Good luck.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/911-carrera-997/porsche-911-997-carrera-2s----------------2005/1998079

That red car is a lovely looking thing.

I have just had my 977 engine rebuilt by Hartech top people who know what there doing an earlier post commented that the only way to know if there's an engine problem is to drain the oil and look at the filter not the case most specialists will use a camera 'scope' into the internal engine which will give them a view of the bores etc as a first look.