997 Carrera & Carrera S (esp. '05-'07)

[Exigent]

Who has experience with these cars? Have you been pleased? Disappointed? What's your opinion? What known issues exist?

Thanks.


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[mcoupe]

My 997 C2S was one of my old time favorite car. It was a 2006. Great car and no issues while I owned it. Days I regret selling for my Lotus but it was a garage queen.

997 was a great leap forward compared to the 996. Much better interior, better design, handled much better than 996 at limits, 997 C2S got the turbo brakes (amazing).

Couple of nice to have: Performance exhaust, sports chrono pack

There are some great deals on these cars now.

[qball]

I have an 05 997S. No issues, except the Michelin Pilotsports are LOUD. I have Bridgestone's now and much better.

Some of the soft-touch surfaces have worn, but were replaced under warranty.

I have had no mechanical issues.

The one issue that I have found is that the undercarriage is covered with a plastic panel (aerodynamics), and the A/C condenser tents to built up moisture and not drain properly. In a humid environment (aka Florida) this can lead to a musty smell from the A/C.

I get about 19.6mph average gas mileage.

Accelerations and handling are great.

I have the sport pack (chrono, PSM), and you can feel the car lower, suspension tighten, and the back end push down when the wing comes up.

[elisesile]

My wife drives our '06 997 S Coupe as a daily driver. Very easy to live with for her. We have two car seats in the back for the kids, and trunk space is adequate for weekend getaways.

I recently drove it up to Laguna Seca from LA. It was equally good on the long highway stretches and the twisties of PCH. Then also excelled on the Skip Barber auto-cross and the LS big track.

Excellent all round car. Simply great at everything.

- just get ready for $800 oil changes -

[Reno Elise]

Why are the oil changes $800?

[Bavarian Motorist]

Originally Posted by Reno Elise

Why are the oil changes $800?

Because they rip you off big time. Fortunately it doesn't need to be changed often.

I remember the 20k service on my Boxster being $800 which included an oil change...But just an oil change for $800?

[geezer]

Had an 06 Carerra S for awhile - best car, on the whole, I've ever had. Very good at everything - touring, track, commuting.

[deddie]

I own a 07 Carrera S. 11,000 miles with zero problems. Comfortable car, fun to drive. Best car I have ever owned.

[Val]

997S is a fantastic car

[Exigent]

I'm trading my Exige for a Certified '06 Carrera S (8k miles) tomorrow. I feel sick and excited at the same time.

The MINI Cooper S left last month.
The Lotus is leaving tomorrow.
and the Land Rover is going sometime before May.

All the Brits are being thrown out.
& 3 cars should be enough.

[EVEiland]

Congrats in advance! The Carrera S is a terrific choice IMHO. Looking forward to the pics and driving impressions.

[elisesile]

Originally Posted by Exigent

I'm trading my Exige for a Certified '06 Carrera S (8k miles) tomorrow.

What are you paying, if I might ask? (Tells me about how much my '06 is worth now days at 12k miles)

[Exigent]

Originally Posted by EVEiland

Congrats in advance! The Carrera S is a terrific choice IMHO. Looking forward to the pics and driving impressions.

Thanks. & Congrats on the sale of your M Coupe! I still really like that car, but I came to the conclusion that anything without a back seat doesn't serve my needs.

I think I'll really enjoy the first 29 days of Porsche ownership. The first payment is due on the 30th day. That'll suck....A LOT.

[Exigent]

Originally Posted by elisesile

What are you paying, if I might ask? (Tells me about how much my '06 is worth now days at 12k miles)

It really depends so much on options and equipment. I think it would be more useful to check edmunds or autotrader. But I'll tell ya privately after I get it home if you still want to know.

[Exigent]

Trade Completed. The deed is done.

Details Here: My Last Day With The Lotus :(

[Ol'Racer]

Originally Posted by Exigent

Who has experience with these cars? Have you been pleased? Disappointed? What's your opinion? What known issues exist?

Thanks.

We have a '05 Carrera. And have extended coverage until '11 and was just informed that I can increase it to at least 2013.

Big dilemma: Could I be wasting $$$$ since I haven't used the coverage to date. Sort of complaining about no problems?

My son drives it more than I do, so I guess it's more like his car, especially when I said that he could do exhaust, wheels, etc. to it.

My opinion: Imagine an Elise on steroids. With the PSM on you can feel every bump in the road and the car has an aggresive feel.

Off: A tennis player. ON: A lineman who plays tennis, and is wearing full football pads and a helmet. Hard to describe, but it just feels heftier.

Don't forget some ZDDP, in the oil after the change.

SAFETY: I was rear ended in one of my previous ones, I saw it before it happened, woman in a wagon was turned around hollering at her kids. I was dead stopped and she hit me at about 25-30 with no braking. Wow! As a result of that, I feel safer in heavy, crazy traffic, as far as it being able to take a nastier crunch than the Elise.

It was over 30 years ago that I got my first one, that pretty much says it all. You'll love it...good luck!

[Exigent]

I washed it again today even though it was raining.

[Certified Lotus]

I own a 2007 997 C4S and really like it for sports car daily driving. My 2007 Lotus Exige S is far more fun and is very much a hard core high performance race car on the street. If I were to sell one.........the Porsche would go first. That being said, these are not daily drivers.

[Exigent]

Getting this car was the right move for me. I now get to enjoy my fun drives with my 2 year old son.

[mjf]

Originally Posted by Exigent

Who has experience with these cars? Have you been pleased? Disappointed? What's your opinion? What known issues exist?

Thanks.


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Interesting. The Porsche won on that track by 0.1 of a second, though it looked really close on camera, beat it by inches. The question is though, with a price difference of 20,000 pounds (approx $30,000) you have to wonder if it was worth it. Seems what you're really buying for the extra cash is creature comforts, not extra performance.

That said, I think it's a beautiful car.