There have been several questions posted on Pistonheads and 911 forums recently querying what their first Porsche 911 should be with a <£30k budget. Continue reading 997 Carrera S or 996 Turbo – Fight
Tag Archives: 997
997 Carrera S Update – 2 Years On
Two years of ownership is a long time for me on any car, especially one that I have purchased from a dealership and kept watch on the depreciation curve.
As many enthusiasts who frequent the online forums are aware, the 996 and generation 1 997 engines have had issues, which is a reason I opted for purchasing an approved used with the 2 year warranty. In the first year alone this covered over £10k worth of parts and labour including a new gear box, new front suspension and some minor interior cosmetics. Along with the service intervals being every 2 years, I have had zero spend to date other than an MOT. So, major service (40k mileage now) booked for July + warranty top up should see at least another years ownership.
Well that’s the man maths and boring stuff covered, we’ve enjoyed a road trip to St Emilion, Sunday breakfast convoys to Goodwood, open top tour of London, many country road hoons and an August road trip planned to Denmark. Only one use of Porsche Assistance required which was when showing a friend the roof mechanism while standing next to the car with the keys in the ignition…
France Road Trip – 997 Carrera S
It’s 1 year on since the purchase of my 997 and on the realisation that I had only covered 1,476 miles between MOT’s, it’s about time a road trip was booked.
There is now a requirement for high vis and breathalisers along with the usual check list but adjustable head lights for driving on the continent saves one cost at least.
The plan was Guildford to Saint-Emilion via the tunnel taking the quickest route possible and enjoy the back roads on the return journey.
1st stop Chateau Grand Barrail, Saint-Emilion
2nd stop Le Manoir Les Minimes, Amboise
Convertible provided more picnic space than a Turbo or GT spoiler.
Chenonceau
Leonardo Di Vinci exhibition at Chateau du Clos Luce
So, a year on with the 997:
Luggage space surprisingly good and the wind deflector kept the cabin quiet at motorway speeds.
Sat Nav never let us down but we did get through the cd changer – ipod/iphone compatibility would make a good addition.
I bought this car for fun, back road blasts and the fact that I’d always wanted a 911. As a long distance cruiser the Panamera would have been much more comfortable but every time we hit a B road I forgot about that.
More details on the 997 Carrera S Cabriolet.
Details:
Out – A28, A10 through Le Mans and Tours, 650 miles, 65 euros tolls.
Return – Back roads, 3 night stop in Amboise (Loire Valley), no tolls and nearly 1000 miles but much more enjoyable.
MPG – 26.7 reported with a real mix of driving.
Porsche 911 Carrera S
After pondering £30k cars for some time now, a change from my usual BMW M3 camp was iminent.
Requirements include hair raisingly fast and exciting through the corners but reliable and well built, a Porsche 911 seemed the way to go! The purchase however, was quite random. Dropping off the M3 to have the rear tyres changes at Guildford tyres, I took a wander to Porsche Centre Guildford while I had an hour to kill. It was this or sit in Frankie and Bennys.
I took an immediate fancy to an Artic Silver 997 Carrera S Cabriolet with a 6 speed manual, 19’s with 295’s on the rear, iconic red calipers, Bose, NAV and a very swish contrasting dark navy interior and canvas roof. With 35k miles (and the same in £’s), 2 owners and 6 years old, there was not a stone chip, scratch or dent in sight. I kept noticing people walk over and look at the price and take a seat in what I was already calling my car, so a test drive was scheduled in straight away.
Setting off very gingerley towards the A3 the first thing I noticed was how planted and solid the car felt and I’m coming from an M3, not a floppy Citroen. The peddles, steering and gearbox all required more pressure and there was nearly no body roll. Turning off the A3 onto the country roads towards Clandon the sales guy pushed the suspension button, which hankers down 10mm and firms everything up. From standstill I floored it in 1st, no traction control lights, no slip, just amazing acceleration and a racing car feel. The M3 wouldn’t do this, maybe 295’s are required on all cars or maybe its the weight over the rear. The power just builds and builds and hitting the limiter in 2nd felt odd as the power wasn’t tailing off. The engine and exhaust note is much better than the M3, it sounds like a supercar, it sounds expensive. I can’t imagine what you have to do to get this car to slide as 50mph around a small rounabout didn’t even produce a tyre squeal. If Top Gear give the M3 15/20 in the new car section, surely this is a 19/20. By far the most accomplished car to drive on the roads. Effortless at low speeds, epic at high speeds and corners, buttons to firm up the suspension when required and roof down blasting when it’s not raining. Boot isn’t bad either but don’t think anyone will be sitting behind me.
The main thing I missed about my old Corrado VR6 was the button that made the spoiler go up and down and the 911 has this also.
By far my favourite automotive purchase.
Stats:
Engine: 3.8L 6 cylinder, 355bhp
Performance: 0-60 in 4.7 and 188 mph
Time owned: 10/2011
Purchase Price: £34,500
Mileage owned: 35,000
Parts/Servicing costs: TBC
Insurance: £890 with 6 year NC
Ruf Porsche 911 Electric
Well the times are a changing as they say, many a Porsche fan will acknowledge the last proper 911 as the 993 model due to the fact it was air cooled. The 996 isn’t that popular in the styling front with the oversized headlights and numb steering but the 997 seems to have pulled back the majority with the original 911 style lights and some improvements on the handling front. Those of you who like your German tuning companies such as Hamann, Dinan and Ruf will know these are the ultimate in performance upgrades. So why on earth have Ruf produced an electric 997?! The name appears to be something along the lines of eRuf Greenster, Bon Choice…
Walking to Tower Bridge, London on 13/10/09 I was suprised to see a dark green 911 with what looked like a cheap, clear plastic convertible roof pinned in place, German plates and a film crew. After a search on the net I’ve found some more info: –
“This isn’t just some farfetched concept as RUF full intends to start selling its electric vehicle as early as next year.
The electric powertrain, called eDrive, was developed by technology company Siemens and consists of an integrated electric motor and generator, electronic control module, and a lithium-ion battery array. In the Greenster, the powertrain is rated at 362hp (270kW) and 700lb-ft (950Nm) of torque and is mated to an automatic gearbox with only forward and reverse gears. The entire vehicles weighs in at 1,695kg and can accelerate to 100km/h from rest in just five seconds. Top speed meanwhile, is a claimed 320km/h.”