Thanks so much, Will, for having me in the channel to share my passion for Porsche and specifically my 997.2. I’m confident the video will be helpful for those Rennthusiasts out there interested in these models and wanting an ownership perspective. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t also provide my thanks for you allowing me to get behind the wheel and row through the gears in your amazing 993. Air cooled appreciation indeed.
“Sometimes the right car finds you.” That is SUCH a true statement! It’s all about the process. Thanks for sharing your beautiful 997.2. I’m looking for that same generation but a C4S for all-weather driving to go along with my 981 Boxster S!
Exactly the same for me. The 997 is the sweet spot. I have a 997.2 Turbo cabriolet with manual transmission over eight years now and have driven 58.000 miles and it is here to stay for the next 30 years. I hope I can still get the petrol for it in the future. Have fun with your car!
My Father died a month ago. He left me a 2001 911 carrera 4 with 1400 miles. This video made me smile. While you grew up in the SC targa. My dad was into the 928’s and 964’s when I was a little kid.
@@yongkim777 nice. My post should’ve said 14,000* miles. Sitting at like 22 now. Been driving that thing! Someone told me yesterday that they couldn’t tell if it was a 98 or 2024 lol.
I have a lovely 996. The IMS is a NON ISSUE. Due to the age of 996’s, they have either failed already and been changed, or were changed for peace of mind. It affected about 5% of 996’s in the early days, but we are pushing 20+ years now. Great analog car to drive and I couldn’t be happier. With that said, his 997 is gorgeous and may be my next P car.
@@Triple_A_Dogs How much blue smoke at startup? Better get those cylinder bores checked. I see in the tea leaves a $20K engine rebuild in your near future.
First off, thank you for including some water-cooled content. If you're a 911 enthusiast, the water cooled era is simply another chapter of the 911 story that should be loved and shared. As an owner of an '04 996 C4S, I'm continually surprised by (and personally thankful for) the IMS fear-hype on the 996 and 997.1 generation's m96 /m97 motors. To permanently fix the IMS issue, it's the same ballpark price as getting front brakes and rotors done! (Around $2k depending on where you get it fixed) - It could be looked at as standard maintenance! No doubt both 996 and 997's are awesome machines.
James clearly loves high end German stuff. He's the go to guy for HK firearms training, knew I recognized him from somewhere. Nice car and vid! I've got a 997.1 c2s myself and love the car.
Loved seeing water cooled represented. This is a beautiful car. I appreciate the air-cooled but will never afford one. I own a 996.2 and love it. There is a Porsche for all tastes.
If I’d seen this video a few months ago, I may have stuck with the 997 that I was closing in on……but, ultimately, I opted for a 991 with more of the creature comforts of a modern car. It was close but I could afford the cost difference so I went for it. Great video.
When I picked up my low mileage 2011 C2S 6sp coupe in 2016 the salesman told me to definitely hang on to it. He claimed he was recommending his friends get 997.2s as well. It was my first Porsche and thought it was just sales BS at the time, His claims have proven to be true. I love this car. I also like the fact that it has nearly doubled in value since I bought it.
Took me a while to get to this video but I'm certainly glad that I did. James' analysis of the 997 is spot on and echoes my feelings as well -- it is a modern classic that is thrilling to drive and enjoyable to live with. I have a 2005 Carrera that looks very similar to James's car -- silver with black leather (I do wish I had those ventilated seats - Texas can be hot in the summer). I chose the 2005 specifically because of the IMS issue. Prices are lower than the 997.2 but you are hardly giving up anything in performance and livability. The 2005 model year engine is different than later 997.1's in that the IMS can be easily accessed and replaced at a reasonable cost. I feel I have a great car and I love driving it! Cheers from Round Rock.
Will, great video, great perspective from James. I searched (unsuccessfully) for quite a while for a 997.2, but was always just a “day late”. I have a 991.1 and love it, but have a real soft spot for the 997.2 for all the reasons James mentioned. Thanks again, keep the great content coming!
997.2 x2 here C2S manual and a Turbo S, they are a sweet spot. Feels like the classic 911 still but with modern touches like LED lights, dual clutch option too. Always thought of it as a water cooled reincarnated 993.
Enjoyed the interview and hearing from the owner. Great spec and mods on this 997.2. Seems about as close to GT3 as you can get while retaining all the everyday comforts. I started my Porsche search last year initially fixated on the 997.2 before ultimately deciding to go with a 993. I admit that this is the first 997 video I've seen since then that gave me a couple of second thoughts. The 997 has and will continue to age well. Maybe it has something to do with my car currently being in the shop. The annual service has turned up some gremlins and now it's been there two weeks and counting. Anyways, I think owner interviews are some of my favorite videos on the channel. Cheers to you both!
What a great story! So awesome to hear about your relationship with your Dad and his Porsche history and seeing the old pictures. I bet he wishes he still had some of those old ones. I wish we all could be so lucky as to walk in the dealership and see the exact spec, lovingly pre owned Porsche we wanted. If it couldn’t be me, I’m sure glad it was you, a deserving vet. Thank you for your service and enjoy your reward!
James: Kudos on your 997.2 Carrera S. Beautiful example of what is becoming a modern-day 'classic' Porsche 911. As a fellow 997.2 owner (my 2012 is a white C4S also 6-sp) I noticed the clear side marker lights that replaced the amber OEM lights. In my subjective opinion, they look better on the silver exterior. Switching to the clear side markers was actually the first 'upgrade' I performed on my Carrera White 911. My C4S had about 18k miles on the odometer when I got it back in 2016. Daily drove it, so it now has about 58k miles on the clock. Under my watch, she certainly has not led the life of a Garage Queen. Miles of smiles, indeed. There is an UPGRADE that I would urge you to consider sooner rather than later: Install mesh protection for your front grill. Your car sits low to the ground, and the front openings suck in all sorts of rocks and road debris. Especially since you seem to engage in spirited driving, and you enjoy the 911 the way it was meant to be driven. I bought a metal mesh insert for the center opening from a company in England named Zunsport that was designed for the 997.2 and it fits perfectly. For the two side grill openings, I watched several DIY videos on UA-cam and cut out two metal mesh screen inserts (thank you, Home Depot) to place directly behind the plastic horizontal grills. After a bit of trial and error, the installation was done. The two side grills look great, and along with the center grill from Zunsport, the three grill inserts are now protecting the vulnerable front of my car. Although any aesthetic 'upgrade' could be debated, there is no question about the functional improvement. Where before there were three dangerously vulnerable openings in the front grill, now the lower front of my 911 is protected from rocks and damaging debris. The center grill was not that much, and the two DIY side grill inserts cost me even less. The peace of mind has definitely been worth it.
I wasn’t going to watch this originally because I’m still an air cooled man at heart but… Great video, great backstory regarding James and his father’s massive passion for Porsche and very enlightening to boot. I for one am glad I watched this and look forward to meeting more owners and their cars. Cheers Will 👍🏻
Great buy! Hopes he enjoy it and, as a fellow vet, thank him for his service and for sharing his father/son story. In regards the IMS hysteria, I actually like to thank Porsche for the IMS issue of the M96 engine. It allows DIYer lower-income guys to get their hands on an awesome P car at discounted prices. I was able to get my hands on an 03 C4S with 50k miles for $30K back in 2013. My car was mint and well maintained but the 1st thing I did was buy an EPS IMS kit for around $600. A weekend of labor later, the IMS issue is no more and I'm lucky for it. Unsurprisingly, the OEM IMS was mint as well. There will always be other 'fears' floating around for the M96 engine but many of those are kept in check with proper maintenance and routine inspections. Also, keep in mind that my car was around $99K when new. Just recently, I was offered $47k. I was tempted but politely declined the offer.
Exactly the topics , why I bought my 997 . The newer models are simply to wide and full with electronic items, which can fail anytime. He didn't mention the change of the steering type from the 997 to the 991 and the access to the engine which is very important for me. Good video and I look forward to see more of these .
You are right, the owner is articulate. It's a great story, and I have to agree with him - the right car will find you....eventually. It took me many months and I had honestly stopped searching actively for my 997.2 S. A few months later, I stumbled upon one that had just gone up for sale, I was lucky with timing and was first buyer to the punch, and it had every single box ticked - the right color and options, history and mileage. After a solid PPI, I immediately bought it. I used to own a 718 GT4, and have driven 991 GT3RS and long ago had my turn with 930s and 964s, drove some friend's 996s - for me out of everything, the 997 is the right form factor and size while balancing tech with analog feedback. I will never sell my 997.2 S 6-speed. This guest was excellent and again I have to stress how correct he is - be patient and the right car will happen.
My dad has this Porsche. It’s a 2009 model. whenever I visit home, I definitely like to take the car out on a spin. I phenomenal car. As a car Lover myself, this car certainly brings me joy. My actual car is kind of a cool car too. Lexus ISF. The Porsche however takes the cake in terms to a better driving experience.
WOW, as I get deeper in your video~~ I'm more on your side Marine. But, I still love my 996 Gen 1, and I know you love your 997. Outstanding !! We do Love Porsches !!
My 73 year old mom has the same German spec 2012 Carrera 2S as her daily driver - she is so cool , her first 911 was also an '83 SC cabriolet in silver black roof blue interior - made me fall in love with 911s - even though im more into my Magnum Italian memories now - love your story
i recently bought a 997.2 Targa 4 - also with the FabSport upgrade kit (exhaust and air intake) and I can attest that this upgrade makes a huge difference. Obsolutely love my car. Great video.
Thanks to you both for the video. I am from Spain and I own a 2011 PDK 997.2 Carrera 2S and I cannot agree more with James. Apart from the racing green color in my unit that is not available anymore as a standard option, only as an exclusive option, in the successive 991 and 992 models, I love its simplicity inside, yet its modern infotainment features (touch screen, iPod/USB port, ..), PDK, Sport Plus, PASM, .. And there are so many aftermarket parts to improve it without changing the external looks. My unit has CSF sport aluminum radiators, Bilstein B6 performance shocks, Gyrodisc 350mm rotors front and rear (with front 997.1 GT3 calipers and master cylinder), Goodridge brake lines, GT3 engine mounts, Kline innovation exhaust system, BMC air intake filter, .. Moreover, the widespread view around here amongst 911 enthusiasts is that from the 991.1 version Volkswagen took over the body design, from 991.2 the engine too (Hans Metzger RIP), and the 992 is really a 2-door Panamera. By the way, I like your 993 a lot. Cheers
“992 is really a 2-door Panamera” love it!! That’s the reason I got a 997.1. Saved 100k and the feel is just as sporty with a small car. The moment I test drive it I knew that was it. Might have paid the height of the market but keeping it for the foreseeable future it means nothing.
Great interview. My first 911 was a 997.2 pdk. Handsome cars. Exhaust mod is necessary for these first gen DFI engines coz they are really quiet. I spent a small fortune to retrofit the Porsche sport exhaust and even that wasn’t loud enough.
I put an aftermarket Armytrix valvetronic CAT back system on my 997.2 and it sounds insane, switches over automatically at 3500RPM (or manually via FOB).
Have to perform same-day comparo with 996.1 first year cable throttle, rwd, no traction and a 993 and at least 3 if not 5 qualified/experienced drivers. Lovely car
997.1 4S cab. Great video. Could't find a 997.2 at the time, so I trusted the theory that in later 2007 models the IMS has been solved. There is, however still bore scoring. I love the car so the engine was opened with cooling channels improved (bored) and the barricades were added in the oil pan. I also tried a 997.2. A great machine although with 997.1 the steering wheel seems more responsive. You can't miss with the 997.2 though.
I felt exactly the same way. I have a 2001 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet Lapis Blue with the Aero Package and absolutely love it. I found one with everything I was looking for with low mileage and with all of the potential problems with the 996 already repaired from a reputable shop. It runs and drives beautiful. Do your research and find what works for you. Happy Motoring!
That is sort of what I am looking for... I would LOVE an air cooled 911 but want to find the gap or balance between high priced, high mileage and age with a bit newer tech but not overly complex as you explained. I would totally love a car just as this... Manual, minimal features and lower mileage and a bit newer.
I moved from the Uk 40 years ago and I’ve owned 104 cars….one being a 2002 Porsche Boxster, and my latest car a 2014 Porsche 911, with both cars being Racing Yellow. There is no other car I would rather own other than a Porsche. The M3 and M4 from BMW were nice, but Porsche is such a solid car and vey well made. Living in Scottsdale, AZ there are many folks that have a few 911’s sitting in their garage with hardly any miles. I picked up this naturally aspirated 911 with only 9k miles and Porsche provided a CPO 2 years warranty . Loving this car ! Loving this video And what a beautiful car the 997 is. Congrats !
This man loves his car. James so well said all around. I have to say that is also my dream car, the 997.2 is my goal. I’m not quite there yet but I will get it one day.
Well done Will and James! Will, it’s been a little while but this was a really nice interview and the use of the drone footage took it to the “next level” :). As for James what a tastefully done 997 - thank you for your service - I work in the defense industry as well. This video popped up in my feed as I’m seriously considering the Fabspeed upgrade for my .1 C4. Thank you both - sometimes you never know who your videos may reach.
Porsche is beyond amazing. I take this brand as the best car brands out there. Love everything about it and driving it as well. You are just like me to keep it clean and enjoy it... beautiful.
props to this guy. he gets it. but honestly the 996 is the better "analogue" experience. even if it suffers from the breakfast item issue (purely cosmetic)
Thanks for the great video! Love this guys passion, the emotional connection is spot on. This car, in my mind, is the perfect spec. Keep the 997 videos coming!
Great guy! Really happy with his review. Just got a manual 05 C2S. IMS was done by previous owner possibly just to get it out of the way. So very happy being back with a manual.
What a gorgeous machine!...can only dream of this, I'm in South Africa and cars are ridiculously expensive here. Recently saw an ad for a 2005 911 Carrera S with 136 000km on the clock for R500 000 (+- $34000) which is perhaps a bit of a bargain considering a new VW GTI is priced at R669 000 over here :)
Great job guys. This was an excellent interview and wonderful car. I drive my girlfriends 2011 C4S Cab from time to time and we both love it. Keep up the great content videos Will.
Very nice car! I got myself a 2008 Porsche Carrera 911, 997.1, Gray with gray interior with the turbo rims. Love it. No IMS issues. No bore scoring issues.
Call me crazy, but, I think, in the end, the 997.1 will be considered the last "truly analog" 911. The .1 was created specifically in response to the claims Porsche had "lost its way" with the 996 and was advertised as the "purest expression of who [Porsche] is." The .2, with its DFI and introduction of PDK, will be the noted departure moment. All-in-all the 997 series will be the watershed series to own for purists, outside of the water-cooled generations.
2007 and early 2008 997 S are the best years for the 997. They are the most RAW and do not have the IMS issues as they were enlarged and made non serviceable or something like that. The 997.2 was the beginning of the end of the times for Porsche where you felt like the engine was going to come around and bite you. 2007 year was the best.
Beautiful. I have a 2010 997.2 Carrera base with manual transmission. I was looking for a 997.2 Carrera S but could not find. My car was porsche dealer maintained and had porsche certified. I love it and it has been about 4 months. 68800 miles. I bought when it has 68400.
Will, I say, great job on moving back in the direction of doing some water cooled content. Never bought into the whole air cooled exclusivity thing, although I was around through it all and it was a ride in one way back that had triple throat Webers that got me interested in Porsches. Not against either, I’m just saying you’ll have a much broader appeal if you continue to include Porsches of all types. I really enjoyed the video of this timeless 997.2 and can only wish to have bought one at some point. @oneporschefan.
Great video. I agree, wholeheartedly, with James, especially where he mentions the items closely involved with user interface. The area, I found, needing some attention was the shifter. This relatively minor mod along with sound enhancement, in the form of a cat back replacement, has transformed the experience for me.
It’s the small things that we do that all come together to make the driving experience what I like to call “hand in glove.” My 993 has been so dialed in over the past couple of years that it just fits me perfectly. Shifter, steering wheel, seats, sounds, stance.
Everybody always has their favorite based on what they grew up with. definitely the 996 - 997 generations for me. Although the 930 turbo will always be timeless.
Nice review. My goal is to add a 2012 997.2 PDK to the garage, eventually. I currently have a 2023 Cayman GTS 4.0 that I will keep to scratch my 6sp manual itch.
I have similar specced car but it is a 2008 997.1, coupe, S, 6spd manual, chrono package with the turbo wheels also in arctic white. The only thing missing is mine only has the heated seats and no butt cooling but the prior owner had lowered the car a tad and upgraded the exhaust so it's nice sounding to me a bit to much power but a riot to drive. You can't beat naturally aspirated, analog with hydraulic steering in a high revving 3.8 engine. It's just the perfect combination.
I started driving Porsches in 1972 w/ a 914-6. I'm 70 years young. Awesome car!! Drove it for years~~~ as a daily driver. Then onto a 1980 911 SC, drove it for years~~~ as a daily driver. Now I have a 1999 911 996 Gen 1, built in October 1998 , as a daily driver. 58K on the clock w/ LN IMS retro fit @ 51K. This is the last true analog 911 Porsche ! 997's were not.
Great comments/review. Another sell point on the 997.2, after 2012, Porsche did away with the ease of access to the engine compartment. From there on, you have to remove a lot of pieces to do the simplest of maintenance… Take off the engine trunk piece, remove the rear wheels, remove the rear lower bumper…
I have a 2010 Carrera 4S Cabriolet. I bought it with 14k miles and have put 70k miles on it over the past 9 years. Things I have had to replace are the clutch at 50k miles and the coils at around 70k miles. Other than that the door handle and the trunk switch broke and had to be replaced which I was able to do myself.
I also chose a 997.2 CS manual after much searching and researching. I was also considering a 997.1 Turbo, but ultimately felt the prices were too high and I already had a couple twin-turbo cars and decided that I really wanted the naturally aspirated 911 experience. My primary reason for the 997.2 over the 997.1 was the 9A1 engine which is not nearly as likely to suffer from bore scoring issues and I just didn't want the consequence of that catastrophic failure hanging over my head. In fact, I almost bought a 997.1 before discovering the owner had found significant metal in a previous oil change. Also I live in Colorado and the altitude saps 15%+ of power, so the extra 30hp of the 997.2 was really important to me. And I think the direct injected 9A1 is a bit more responsive. The next major reason is the PCM center stack is much more modern and much better looking that the PCM in the 997.1 cars and it is not realistically retro-fittable. Finally, the tail lights and headlights and a whole host of other small improvements just made the 997.2 a much more compelling choice for me. I found a Meteor Gray one with black interior and relatively high miles, but in mint condition and got quite a good deal on it. One major thing I wanted was the full leather dashboard as I think the stitching and full leather really adds to the feel of the interior. I also got Porsche crests in the head rests, Sports exhaust and Turbo wheels. And a previous owner did the Sharkwerks center muffler bypass adding a few horsepower and really making it sound great. My only complaint is that there is a lot of tire noise and annoying squeaks and rattles in the 997 generation as a whole. I have fixed most of my rattles, but refinement is one area where the 991.1 really wins over the 997.2. But I didn't like the larger size of the 991.1 as much, it didn't give the same vibe as the smaller feel of the 997.2.
@@paulcampbell114 Also, in re-reading my comment I mentioned the PCM. It turns out that Porsche has released new PCMs for 996s and 997s now that feature Car Play and are fully modern, so that fixes another concern of the 997.1 for those interested.
Great car, but “perfect spec” is the one in your garage perhaps? GTS spec with center lock wheels and widebody gets my vote. The Polished wheel with Alcanterra wrap is perfection. Didn’t need mod as sports exhaust and stock intake give 408hp. A nice bump over stock Carerra S. The Sport+ and chrono are magic when engaged. Go GTS manual for the win.
I used to like the idea of center lock wheels until I was on a rally and a guy with a GTS got a flat. The center lock removal socket has a 3/4" drive. There was no shop anywhere in 100 miles that had the ability to remove it. He had to have it flat-bedded to Madison over 250 miles away, and his weekend was done. Because of a flat tire. Dumb. A C4S is the way to go, as you get the widebody but not the center locks. A manual is a must. HATE an alcantara wheel - it feels disgusting to me when you grab that thing with sweaty hands.
Am I the only one that noticed the other price that James paid on his car? His license plate is the purple heart plate. Thank you James, from one vet to another.
New subscriber. Glad I found your channel. Have been interested in a 997.2 for a while. I should have jumped a while back. Now I live in Portugal where they can go for nearly double the price. (because of basically being double taxed) Anyway, thanks for the information, cheers!
Great piece. Although after spending 26 years in a '87 Targa, driving a friends 997.1 felt big. And heavy. And way less connected. The driving experience was so different that it gave me pause.
@@Rennthusiast No. it was a 2007 model that I bought in 2019. Luckily the dealer was cool and issued a full refund. I liked owning a Porsche so much in those 2 weeks that I got a 991.1 4s...and then moved to a 991.1 TurboS. I really want the Cayenne Turbo GT. I'm hoping to get one of those this year.
That’s great comments from someone who knows cause he owns one ! I own one too and totally agree with everything he said. Money well spent and the great experience of owning a fabulous car for not too much money when you look at what else is on the market. Porsche 911 all the way !
Very helpful video I am on the look out now the 997 looks the sweet spot I am struggling with C2 or C4 but definitely going to be manual thanks for sharing
I have a 2009 997.2 911S for sale if interested 😊
Let’s talk
Where can I contact you?
Already sold sorry
Thanks so much, Will, for having me in the channel to share my passion for Porsche and specifically my 997.2. I’m confident the video will be helpful for those Rennthusiasts out there interested in these models and wanting an ownership perspective. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t also provide my thanks for you allowing me to get behind the wheel and row through the gears in your amazing 993. Air cooled appreciation indeed.
My pleasure. Part of the reason I do this is to meet fellow owners who I end up calling friends 🙌🏼
You have a beautiful 997.2, thanks for sharing your story and more importantly, thank you, thank you, for your service.
@@TxGerman Many thanks.
As a fellow 997.2 owner, I couldn't agree more. Thanks for your time and input.
“Sometimes the right car finds you.” That is SUCH a true statement! It’s all about the process. Thanks for sharing your beautiful 997.2. I’m looking for that same generation but a C4S for all-weather driving to go along with my 981 Boxster S!
Exactly the same for me. The 997 is the sweet spot. I have a 997.2 Turbo cabriolet with manual transmission over eight years now and have driven 58.000 miles and it is here to stay for the next 30 years. I hope I can still get the petrol for it in the future. Have fun with your car!
997.2 turbo 500 HP manual? 🧐
My
Father died a month ago. He left me a 2001 911 carrera 4 with 1400 miles. This video made me smile. While you grew up in the SC targa. My dad was into the 928’s and 964’s when I was a little kid.
I have a 2001 C4 with 29k.
And I just love it! Had a 1977 911S that I bought back in the 80's that I just sold! Loved that car too!
@@yongkim777 nice. My post should’ve said 14,000* miles. Sitting at like 22 now. Been driving that thing! Someone told me yesterday that they couldn’t tell if it was a 98 or 2024 lol.
I have a lovely 996. The IMS is a NON ISSUE. Due to the age of 996’s, they have either failed already and been changed, or were changed for peace of mind. It affected about 5% of 996’s in the early days, but we are pushing 20+ years now. Great analog car to drive and I couldn’t be happier.
With that said, his 997 is gorgeous and may be my next P car.
OK then it's lokasil cylinder coating, getting chewed up like angry dog with a toy.
lol, my 07 S going at 82k miles would say otherwise, dont spread BS
@@Triple_A_Dogs How much blue smoke at startup? Better get those cylinder bores checked. I see in the tea leaves a $20K engine rebuild in your near future.
If a non Metzger 996/997 replace the IMS-don't wait.
Greatest regret was selling my 996
Great father and son story, and success story on waiting for the right spec...which sometimes finds you.
First off, thank you for including some water-cooled content. If you're a 911 enthusiast, the water cooled era is simply another chapter of the 911 story that should be loved and shared. As an owner of an '04 996 C4S, I'm continually surprised by (and personally thankful for) the IMS fear-hype on the 996 and 997.1 generation's m96 /m97 motors. To permanently fix the IMS issue, it's the same ballpark price as getting front brakes and rotors done! (Around $2k depending on where you get it fixed) - It could be looked at as standard maintenance! No doubt both 996 and 997's are awesome machines.
997 is the best 911.
James clearly loves high end German stuff. He's the go to guy for HK firearms training, knew I recognized him from somewhere. Nice car and vid! I've got a 997.1 c2s myself and love the car.
Loved seeing water cooled represented. This is a beautiful car. I appreciate the air-cooled but will never afford one. I own a 996.2 and love it. There is a Porsche for all tastes.
I’m basically in the same position
But for me it’s the 997 gts in Carrara white 😍
If I’d seen this video a few months ago, I may have stuck with the 997 that I was closing in on……but, ultimately, I opted for a 991 with more of the creature comforts of a modern car. It was close but I could afford the cost difference so I went for it. Great video.
Thank you for watching. Glad you got the car that works best for you. 👍🏼
That is a beautiful automobile, thanks for the tour guys. I appreciate the background and story behind it. Please keep the posts coming.
When I picked up my low mileage 2011 C2S 6sp coupe in 2016 the salesman told me to definitely hang on to it. He claimed he was recommending his friends get 997.2s as well. It was my first Porsche and thought it was just sales BS at the time, His claims have proven to be true. I love this car. I also like the fact that it has nearly doubled in value since I bought it.
Took me a while to get to this video but I'm certainly glad that I did. James' analysis of the 997 is spot on and echoes my feelings as well -- it is a modern classic that is thrilling to drive and enjoyable to live with. I have a 2005 Carrera that looks very similar to James's car -- silver with black leather (I do wish I had those ventilated seats - Texas can be hot in the summer). I chose the 2005 specifically because of the IMS issue. Prices are lower than the 997.2 but you are hardly giving up anything in performance and livability. The 2005 model year engine is different than later 997.1's in that the IMS can be easily accessed and replaced at a reasonable cost. I feel I have a great car and I love driving it! Cheers from Round Rock.
Beautiful Porsche! I have a 997.2 2009 Carrera S and it's been a fantastic car. It's my first Porsche and was very affordable. Classic styling.
How much did it cost you and at how many miles?
@@KP-uz3nk $39,000.00 with 85,000 miles. I now have 93,000 miles on it. Current Kelly Bluebook value is over $50k
Awesome! Glad you took the leap to expand the content Will. Air Cooled centric but punctuated by other 911 generations is a winning combo 👌🏻💥
Will, great video, great perspective from James. I searched (unsuccessfully) for quite a while for a 997.2, but was always just a “day late”. I have a 991.1 and love it, but have a real soft spot for the 997.2 for all the reasons James mentioned. Thanks again, keep the great content coming!
997.2 x2 here C2S manual and a Turbo S, they are a sweet spot. Feels like the classic 911 still but with modern touches like LED lights, dual clutch option too. Always thought of it as a water cooled reincarnated 993.
99.7 miles on the tank! Great interview. Thanks!
Perfectly timed :)
Nice one! Keeping my 2009 C4S just about turn 130k mileage. Great cars! Thank you for your service.✌❤🙏👍
Enjoyed the interview and hearing from the owner. Great spec and mods on this 997.2. Seems about as close to GT3 as you can get while retaining all the everyday comforts. I started my Porsche search last year initially fixated on the 997.2 before ultimately deciding to go with a 993. I admit that this is the first 997 video I've seen since then that gave me a couple of second thoughts. The 997 has and will continue to age well. Maybe it has something to do with my car currently being in the shop. The annual service has turned up some gremlins and now it's been there two weeks and counting. Anyways, I think owner interviews are some of my favorite videos on the channel. Cheers to you both!
Thank you for watching. I can relate to the 903 gremlins…but the joy is worth the pain.
What a great story! So awesome to hear about your relationship with your Dad and his Porsche history and seeing the old pictures. I bet he wishes he still had some of those old ones. I wish we all could be so lucky as to walk in the dealership and see the exact spec, lovingly pre owned Porsche we wanted. If it couldn’t be me, I’m sure glad it was you, a deserving vet. Thank you for your service and enjoy your reward!
Many thanks. Glad the passion shines through.
I grew up in a family of old Plymouth station wagons and full size Chevy four doors. It's funny that I did not catch that addiction.
Top Gun in real life?! And his parents look like movie stars! Purple Heart 💜
James: Kudos on your 997.2 Carrera S. Beautiful example of what is becoming a modern-day 'classic' Porsche 911. As a fellow 997.2 owner (my 2012 is a white C4S also 6-sp) I noticed the clear side marker lights that replaced the amber OEM lights. In my subjective opinion, they look better on the silver exterior. Switching to the clear side markers was actually the first 'upgrade' I performed on my Carrera White 911. My C4S had about 18k miles on the odometer when I got it back in 2016. Daily drove it, so it now has about 58k miles on the clock. Under my watch, she certainly has not led the life of a Garage Queen. Miles of smiles, indeed.
There is an UPGRADE that I would urge you to consider sooner rather than later: Install mesh protection for your front grill. Your car sits low to the ground, and the front openings suck in all sorts of rocks and road debris. Especially since you seem to engage in spirited driving, and you enjoy the 911 the way it was meant to be driven. I bought a metal mesh insert for the center opening from a company in England named Zunsport that was designed for the 997.2 and it fits perfectly. For the two side grill openings, I watched several DIY videos on UA-cam and cut out two metal mesh screen inserts (thank you, Home Depot) to place directly behind the plastic horizontal grills.
After a bit of trial and error, the installation was done. The two side grills look great, and along with the center grill from Zunsport, the three grill inserts are now protecting the vulnerable front of my car. Although any aesthetic 'upgrade' could be debated, there is no question about the functional improvement. Where before there were three dangerously vulnerable openings in the front grill, now the lower front of my 911 is protected from rocks and damaging debris. The center grill was not that much, and the two DIY side grill inserts cost me even less. The peace of mind has definitely been worth it.
Many thanks. Great recommendation.
I wasn’t going to watch this originally because I’m still an air cooled man at heart but…
Great video, great backstory regarding James and his father’s massive passion for Porsche and very enlightening to boot.
I for one am glad I watched this and look forward to meeting more owners and their cars.
Cheers Will 👍🏻
James thank you for you service and congratulations on finding an amazing car!
Many thanks!
Great buy! Hopes he enjoy it and, as a fellow vet, thank him for his service and for sharing his father/son story. In regards the IMS hysteria, I actually like to thank Porsche for the IMS issue of the M96 engine. It allows DIYer lower-income guys to get their hands on an awesome P car at discounted prices. I was able to get my hands on an 03 C4S with 50k miles for $30K back in 2013. My car was mint and well maintained but the 1st thing I did was buy an EPS IMS kit for around $600. A weekend of labor later, the IMS issue is no more and I'm lucky for it. Unsurprisingly, the OEM IMS was mint as well. There will always be other 'fears' floating around for the M96 engine but many of those are kept in check with proper maintenance and routine inspections. Also, keep in mind that my car was around $99K when new. Just recently, I was offered $47k. I was tempted but politely declined the offer.
Hang onto it!
Exactly the topics , why I bought my 997 . The newer models are simply to wide and full with electronic items, which can fail anytime. He didn't mention the change of the steering type from the 997 to the 991 and the access to the engine which is very important for me. Good video and I look forward to see more of these .
You are right, the owner is articulate. It's a great story, and I have to agree with him - the right car will find you....eventually. It took me many months and I had honestly stopped searching actively for my 997.2 S. A few months later, I stumbled upon one that had just gone up for sale, I was lucky with timing and was first buyer to the punch, and it had every single box ticked - the right color and options, history and mileage. After a solid PPI, I immediately bought it. I used to own a 718 GT4, and have driven 991 GT3RS and long ago had my turn with 930s and 964s, drove some friend's 996s - for me out of everything, the 997 is the right form factor and size while balancing tech with analog feedback. I will never sell my 997.2 S 6-speed. This guest was excellent and again I have to stress how correct he is - be patient and the right car will happen.
Another awesome owner interview! I enjoy the air-cooled awesomeness, but it’s fun to open it up a little bit.
My dad has this Porsche. It’s a 2009 model. whenever I visit home, I definitely like to take the car out on a spin. I phenomenal car. As a car Lover myself, this car certainly brings me joy. My actual car is kind of a cool car too. Lexus ISF. The Porsche however takes the cake in terms to a better driving experience.
997 are such pretty cars they're really good looking
WOW, as I get deeper in your video~~ I'm more on your side Marine. But, I still love my 996 Gen 1, and I know you love your 997. Outstanding !! We do Love Porsches !!
My 73 year old mom has the same German spec 2012 Carrera 2S as her daily driver - she is so cool , her first 911 was also an '83 SC cabriolet in silver black roof blue interior - made me fall in love with 911s - even though im more into my Magnum Italian memories now - love your story
The manual 997 is definitely going to be a future classic. Used to own a 997 C2S, loved that car. Smaller frame, awesome gearbox..
i recently bought a 997.2 Targa 4 - also with the FabSport upgrade kit (exhaust and air intake) and I can attest that this upgrade makes a huge difference. Obsolutely love my car. Great video.
The 997.2 is the perfect blend of modern tech, comfort, performance with the classic look and feel of a 911
Another great informative video. Don't ignore a water cooled Porsche. They are a part of the Porsche experience! Well done.
Thanks to you both for the video. I am from Spain and I own a 2011 PDK 997.2 Carrera 2S and I cannot agree more with James. Apart from the racing green color in my unit that is not available anymore as a standard option, only as an exclusive option, in the successive 991 and 992 models, I love its simplicity inside, yet its modern infotainment features (touch screen, iPod/USB port, ..), PDK, Sport Plus, PASM, ..
And there are so many aftermarket parts to improve it without changing the external looks. My unit has CSF sport aluminum radiators, Bilstein B6 performance shocks, Gyrodisc 350mm rotors front and rear (with front 997.1 GT3 calipers and master cylinder), Goodridge brake lines, GT3 engine mounts, Kline innovation exhaust system, BMC air intake filter, ..
Moreover, the widespread view around here amongst 911 enthusiasts is that from the 991.1 version Volkswagen took over the body design, from 991.2 the engine too (Hans Metzger RIP), and the 992 is really a 2-door Panamera.
By the way, I like your 993 a lot.
Cheers
“992 is really a 2-door Panamera” love it!!
That’s the reason I got a 997.1. Saved 100k and the feel is just as sporty with a small car. The moment I test drive it I knew that was it.
Might have paid the height of the market but keeping it for the foreseeable future it means nothing.
Great interview. My first 911 was a 997.2 pdk. Handsome cars. Exhaust mod is necessary for these first gen DFI engines coz they are really quiet. I spent a small fortune to retrofit the Porsche sport exhaust and even that wasn’t loud enough.
I put an aftermarket Armytrix valvetronic CAT back system on my 997.2 and it sounds insane, switches over automatically at 3500RPM (or manually via FOB).
I went with Fister mufflers and Sharkwerks cross pipes on my 09 Carrera S with PDK. Resulted in the perfect raspy flat 6 sound.
Have to perform same-day comparo with 996.1 first year cable throttle, rwd, no traction and a 993 and at least 3 if not 5 qualified/experienced drivers. Lovely car
997.1 4S cab. Great video. Could't find a 997.2 at the time, so I trusted the theory that in later 2007 models the IMS has been solved. There is, however still bore scoring. I love the car so the engine was opened with cooling channels improved (bored) and the barricades were added in the oil pan. I also tried a 997.2. A great machine although with 997.1 the steering wheel seems more responsive. You can't miss with the 997.2 though.
I felt exactly the same way. I have a 2001 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet Lapis Blue with the Aero Package and absolutely love it. I found one with everything I was looking for with low mileage and with all of the potential problems with the 996 already repaired from a reputable shop. It runs and drives beautiful. Do your research and find what works for you. Happy Motoring!
Lapis blue is one of my favorite Porsche colors. Thanks for watching.
That is sort of what I am looking for... I would LOVE an air cooled 911 but want to find the gap or balance between high priced, high mileage and age with a bit newer tech but not overly complex as you explained. I would totally love a car just as this... Manual, minimal features and lower mileage and a bit newer.
I moved from the Uk 40 years ago and I’ve owned 104 cars….one being a 2002 Porsche Boxster, and my latest car a 2014 Porsche 911, with both cars being Racing Yellow. There is no other car I would rather own other than a Porsche. The M3 and M4 from BMW were nice, but Porsche is such a solid car and vey well made. Living in Scottsdale, AZ there are many folks that have a few 911’s sitting in their garage with hardly any miles. I picked up this naturally aspirated 911 with only 9k miles and Porsche provided a CPO 2 years warranty . Loving this car ! Loving this video And what a beautiful car the 997 is. Congrats !
This man loves his car. James so well said all around. I have to say that is also my dream car, the 997.2 is my goal. I’m not quite there yet but I will get it one day.
Many thanks!
Purple Heart - that is impressive. Thank you for your service.
What a great video, I couldn’t agree more. 997.2 CS is an incredible machine.
Great video. As a 2012 911 Carrera 4S owner, we are in complete agreement. Other than standard maintenance, "0" unexpected cost. Enjoy!
As an owner of a 2008 997.1, Last production off the assembly line, happy to see James's 997.2
Well done Will and James! Will, it’s been a little while but this was a really nice interview and the use of the drone footage took it to the “next level” :).
As for James what a tastefully done 997 - thank you for your service - I work in the defense industry as well. This video popped up in my feed as I’m seriously considering the Fabspeed upgrade for my .1 C4. Thank you both - sometimes you never know who your videos may reach.
Porsche is beyond amazing. I take this brand as the best car brands out there. Love everything about it and driving it as well. You are just like me to keep it clean and enjoy it... beautiful.
James is the man! I had the privilege of taking a Haley Strategic class with him. Great instructor and very knowledgeable.
props to this guy. he gets it. but honestly the 996 is the better "analogue" experience. even if it suffers from the breakfast item issue (purely cosmetic)
Don’t forget the 996 IMS issue (which is really a non-issue at this stage)
Thanks for the great video! Love this guys passion, the emotional connection is spot on. This car, in my mind, is the perfect spec. Keep the 997 videos coming!
Great guy! Really happy with his review. Just got a manual 05 C2S. IMS was done by previous owner possibly just to get it out of the way. So very happy being back with a manual.
I have the 997TT and absolutely love it. Great performance with an old school feeling.
nice video , keep the water and air cooled content coming.
What a gorgeous machine!...can only dream of this, I'm in South Africa and cars are ridiculously expensive here. Recently saw an ad for a 2005 911 Carrera S with 136 000km on the clock for R500 000 (+- $34000) which is perhaps a bit of a bargain considering a new VW GTI is priced at R669 000 over here :)
Great job guys. This was an excellent interview and wonderful car. I drive my girlfriends 2011 C4S Cab from time to time and we both love it. Keep up the great content videos Will.
Very nice car! I got myself a 2008 Porsche Carrera 911, 997.1, Gray with gray interior with the turbo rims. Love it. No IMS issues. No bore scoring issues.
Call me crazy, but, I think, in the end, the 997.1 will be considered the last "truly analog" 911. The .1 was created specifically in response to the claims Porsche had "lost its way" with the 996 and was advertised as the "purest expression of who [Porsche] is." The .2, with its DFI and introduction of PDK, will be the noted departure moment. All-in-all the 997 series will be the watershed series to own for purists, outside of the water-cooled generations.
2007 and early 2008 997 S are the best years for the 997. They are the most RAW and do not have the IMS issues as they were enlarged and made non serviceable or something like that. The 997.2 was the beginning of the end of the times for Porsche where you felt like the engine was going to come around and bite you. 2007 year was the best.
IMS isn't really the issue it's bore scoring for the 997.1 gens
Thank you for you service. God bless you!
Beautiful. I have a 2010 997.2 Carrera base with manual transmission. I was looking for a 997.2 Carrera S but could not find. My car was porsche dealer maintained and had porsche certified. I love it and it has been about 4 months. 68800 miles. I bought when it has 68400.
Watched this many times, James shares personal story, great interview!
Will, I say, great job on moving back in the direction of doing some water cooled content. Never bought into the whole air cooled exclusivity thing, although I was around through it all and it was a ride in one way back that had triple throat Webers that got me interested in Porsches. Not against either, I’m just saying you’ll have a much broader appeal if you continue to include Porsches of all types. I really enjoyed the video of this timeless 997.2 and can only wish to have bought one at some point. @oneporschefan.
Great video. I agree, wholeheartedly, with James, especially where he mentions the items closely involved with user interface. The area, I found, needing some attention was the shifter. This relatively minor mod along with sound enhancement, in the form of a cat back replacement, has transformed the experience for me.
It’s the small things that we do that all come together to make the driving experience what I like to call “hand in glove.” My 993 has been so dialed in over the past couple of years that it just fits me perfectly. Shifter, steering wheel, seats, sounds, stance.
Everybody always has their favorite based on what they grew up with. definitely the 996 - 997 generations for me. Although the 930 turbo will always be timeless.
Bought and sold about twenty 997s used them hard, never had any IMS issues or any other problems except for the serviceable items..
Enjoyed the video. I have a 991.1 and love it
Nice review. I bought one 4 years ago for mostly the same reasons. Great car to drive and very reliable.
I’m 4 min into this video and loving the story! Porsche There is no substitute
Nice review. My goal is to add a 2012 997.2 PDK to the garage, eventually. I currently have a 2023 Cayman GTS 4.0 that I will keep to scratch my 6sp manual itch.
I have similar specced car but it is a 2008 997.1, coupe, S, 6spd manual, chrono package with the turbo wheels also in arctic white. The only thing missing is mine only has the heated seats and no butt cooling but the prior owner had lowered the car a tad and upgraded the exhaust so it's nice sounding to me a bit to much power but a riot to drive. You can't beat naturally aspirated, analog with hydraulic steering in a high revving 3.8 engine. It's just the perfect combination.
"Show me where to sign" Love it.
That guy is ace and the car is a knockout ❤️
I started driving Porsches in 1972 w/ a 914-6. I'm 70 years young. Awesome car!! Drove it for years~~~ as a daily driver. Then onto a 1980 911 SC, drove it for years~~~ as a daily driver. Now I have a 1999 911 996 Gen 1, built in October 1998 , as a daily driver. 58K on the clock w/ LN IMS retro fit @ 51K. This is the last true analog 911 Porsche ! 997's were not.
Great comments/review. Another sell point on the 997.2, after 2012, Porsche did away with the ease of access to the engine compartment. From there on, you have to remove a lot of pieces to do the simplest of maintenance… Take off the engine trunk piece, remove the rear wheels, remove the rear lower bumper…
Correct, you have to take the most of the rear end off and the rear tires to change the air filter……45 mins. to remove per the dealership.
Well articulated review of the Porsche 997 S.
I have a 2010 Carrera 4S Cabriolet. I bought it with 14k miles and have put 70k miles on it over the past 9 years. Things I have had to replace are the clutch at 50k miles and the coils at around 70k miles. Other than that the door handle and the trunk switch broke and had to be replaced which I was able to do myself.
Have a 2009 Carrera Cab .2. Love it, solid, solid, solid!
Super clean 997. I hope I can find one like this with good options for a good deal. 🙏
I also chose a 997.2 CS manual after much searching and researching. I was also considering a 997.1 Turbo, but ultimately felt the prices were too high and I already had a couple twin-turbo cars and decided that I really wanted the naturally aspirated 911 experience. My primary reason for the 997.2 over the 997.1 was the 9A1 engine which is not nearly as likely to suffer from bore scoring issues and I just didn't want the consequence of that catastrophic failure hanging over my head. In fact, I almost bought a 997.1 before discovering the owner had found significant metal in a previous oil change. Also I live in Colorado and the altitude saps 15%+ of power, so the extra 30hp of the 997.2 was really important to me. And I think the direct injected 9A1 is a bit more responsive. The next major reason is the PCM center stack is much more modern and much better looking that the PCM in the 997.1 cars and it is not realistically retro-fittable. Finally, the tail lights and headlights and a whole host of other small improvements just made the 997.2 a much more compelling choice for me. I found a Meteor Gray one with black interior and relatively high miles, but in mint condition and got quite a good deal on it. One major thing I wanted was the full leather dashboard as I think the stitching and full leather really adds to the feel of the interior. I also got Porsche crests in the head rests, Sports exhaust and Turbo wheels. And a previous owner did the Sharkwerks center muffler bypass adding a few horsepower and really making it sound great. My only complaint is that there is a lot of tire noise and annoying squeaks and rattles in the 997 generation as a whole. I have fixed most of my rattles, but refinement is one area where the 991.1 really wins over the 997.2. But I didn't like the larger size of the 991.1 as much, it didn't give the same vibe as the smaller feel of the 997.2.
Agree with a lot of this but the .2 is not more responsive imo
@@paulcampbell114 Also, in re-reading my comment I mentioned the PCM. It turns out that Porsche has released new PCMs for 996s and 997s now that feature Car Play and are fully modern, so that fixes another concern of the 997.1 for those interested.
12:12 this really is a stunningly beatiful 997.2. the rims are great also. it looks so classic but also sporty.
Great car, but “perfect spec” is the one in your garage perhaps? GTS spec with center lock wheels and widebody gets my vote. The Polished wheel with Alcanterra wrap is perfection. Didn’t need mod as sports exhaust and stock intake give 408hp. A nice bump over stock Carerra S. The Sport+ and chrono are magic when engaged. Go GTS manual for the win.
I used to like the idea of center lock wheels until I was on a rally and a guy with a GTS got a flat. The center lock removal socket has a 3/4" drive. There was no shop anywhere in 100 miles that had the ability to remove it. He had to have it flat-bedded to Madison over 250 miles away, and his weekend was done. Because of a flat tire. Dumb. A C4S is the way to go, as you get the widebody but not the center locks. A manual is a must. HATE an alcantara wheel - it feels disgusting to me when you grab that thing with sweaty hands.
Am I the only one that noticed the other price that James paid on his car?
His license plate is the purple heart plate.
Thank you James, from one vet to another.
New subscriber. Glad I found your channel. Have been interested in a 997.2 for a while. I should have jumped a while back. Now I live in Portugal where they can go for nearly double the price. (because of basically being double taxed) Anyway, thanks for the information, cheers!
Great piece. Although after spending 26 years in a '87 Targa, driving a friends 997.1 felt big. And heavy. And way less connected. The driving experience was so different that it gave me pause.
#AirCooled4Life
Proud of and very happy with my 996, but this is the perfect car, the perfect year
great vid. a 9972 c4s is something i've been saving for. Hopefully in a decade i'll be able to afford one :)
My first 911.1 S. I had IMS failure within 2 weeks of ownership. It's VERY real.
Under warranty?
@@Rennthusiast No. it was a 2007 model that I bought in 2019. Luckily the dealer was cool and issued a full refund. I liked owning a Porsche so much in those 2 weeks that I got a 991.1 4s...and then moved to a 991.1 TurboS. I really want the Cayenne Turbo GT. I'm hoping to get one of those this year.
I have HKs, just missing a Porsche...😄Great video!
That’s great comments from someone who knows cause he owns one ! I own one too and totally agree with everything he said. Money well spent and the great experience of owning a fabulous car for not too much money when you look at what else is on the market. Porsche 911 all the way !
total respect, fabulous car, brilliant owner, want that car
Very helpful video I am on the look out now the 997 looks the sweet spot I am struggling with C2 or C4 but definitely going to be manual thanks for sharing
got the 997.2 C4S - just love it!
Thanks for your service James. Simper Fi…!