All,

I know there have been threads on this in the past, but I wanted to open it up... Just had an interesting comment from Yrralis1 on another thread regarding Bose. He says he wouldn't buy a used 997 without it.

For people who DON'T have Bose, do you miss it?

I realized I've driven several 997's recently, and haven't once turned on the radio. Maybe that would change if I owned one, but is the stock stereo that horrible?

 

I would not buy a used 911 with Bose. The std stereo is just fine and the Bose sub adds weight and robs shelf space.

 

I have had the Bose system on both my 996 C4S and my current Carrera S. Now, I've heard a 2001 996 without the Bose and you probably won't miss it in your car as the one on the 996 was fine without it and I suppose the 997 base system should be even better. If I were to keep the car for a while, then it wouldn't matter much. Nevertheless, it is a good option to have when it comes time for a resale. The mere fact that you have this question answers it, doesn't it?

If you really like the car and are keeping it for a while, don't worry much about it.

 

As part of my recent search for a 997.2, Bose was a requirement for me. Some other options I knew I could retrofit without a huge expense (like the UAI and short shifter). I think the Bose sounds worlds better than the stock system and that's important to me.

 

Bose or no Bose. My car has it but it is not that important to me. The rest of the car is what matters. My car also has nav and a cd changer also but I really don't care. I bought the car off the lot ( leftover) and these items are nice to have, I guess, but I would never have ordered these options.

Listen to the engine instead!

 

I enjoy my music, wouldn't buy it without bose. Stock sucks.

 

Thanks guys... interesting thought about shelf space. How much space does the SW consume?

I realize it's ultimately my decision, but it's nice to hear that people don't say "I don't have Bose, and it kills me every time I turn on the stereo." Interestingly, the car I'm looking at has Nav, but not Bose. I can't really figure out why someone would order it that way, but everyone has an option list in their head I guess.

 

If you're thinking of a cab, the Bose would be more important. With the top down, you definitely need more power. I personally don't listen to music much on short trips, but I do appreciate the Bose and try to have cars with the upgrade. As someone wrote, I think for resale, it's a plus.

 

Standard sounds better than BOSE !!!!
It is also plenty loud enough !!!
Save your money and put it toward a Home Theater System !!!

 

The loaner I had waiting for my car to finally get here (slow ship) had Bose. The one I ordered does not. Just as glad I saved the money after experiencing both versions.

 

Wouldn't bother me in the least. I have Bose in my Cab and not only could I live without it I frankly don't understand what all the fuss is about. Maybe in a coupe you can hear a differnce but it's no better than the stock unit that was in My '01 Boxster in my opinion and frankly the stock unit was fine for my purposes. I drive my car with the top down 95% of the time so sound quality of the stereo system is kind of a non-issue given all the ambient noise in an open ****pit car. It might make a difference at resale time but no one will pay you more for it if your car has Bose.
As for a car with the Nav but no Bose, if the Bose had not already been in my car, I would have optioned the car with the Nav but without the Bose. Frankly, I buy cars optioned the way I want them and don't pay much attention to what some future buyer may or may not like or feel is "required" before they'll purchase the car if and when I go to sell it.

 

I wouldn't consider it a deal-breaker if the car was to your liking otherwise. However, I have the Bose system in my '09 and it is the best sounding system I've had in any car, including other vehicles that also had Bose systems installed (i.e. Corvette). Remember, the system may say Bose, but it's built to meet the car manufacturer's specifications and nothing else, which probably explains why the Porsche systems sounds better than the GM systems.

 

Also, with a cab, or a Targa, the subwoofer is in the passenger footwell so doesn't impact storage space like it does in the coupes.

 

I have had Sound plus and Bose in my last 2 911s. One GT3 did not. I dont think it matters. In my opinion if you are buying this type of sports car, the LAST thing that should make or break the deal is the stereo. If you are buying a Camry, THEN maybe the stereo should be on the make or break list. The things a 911 buyer should be worried about are, S or non-S. Sports Chrono or no. PCCBs or not. The Stereo is such a small part of what this car does it doesnt warrant being on the list. If you are ordering the 997 and have time to list things THEN you need to put some thought into it. But if you have a C2S with and a C2S without then it goes to the bottom of the list of important details. I listen to the exhaust. I listen to the wife (Slow DOWN!!!) But typically, I have on sports talk or political talk or a good CD. But really with a bottom line of $100K the stereo is just not important AND it can be changed later.

Bose is just not and important issue with this car.

 

I have the Bose and it sucks anyway (IMO). All Bose products suck. If you want to listen to good quality music, you're starting with the wrong car. Porsches are loud - they skimp on sound deadening panels because they add weight, and I'm glad they did so - it's the way it should be. The flat six is the best stereo money could buy anyway.

If you want great audio, Bose won't do it for you anyway. So there's no point in paying for upgraded equipment if you'll replace it anyway.

just my two cents.