I would like your input as owners of these amazing cars on most aspects if you don't mind. I'm considering adding another car for fun, i have a new acura tl awd for a dd, and i have around 50k i'm willing to spend. I'm considering a z06, a 997 carrera, or maybe even selling the acura going for a gtr.

These are all cars that i love, and i can live with, completely different specs and styles of car, but i'm a real car guy, and have love for most cars.

Now my question to those who have the 997.1 non-S model, is this car too tame to be considered a "fun, weekend car" as i want a car that is still relatively quick, and fun to drive. I know it's not the fastest out there (13's and 10X) in the 1/4 mile. But i want a fun car, something that'll put a smile on my face, be relatively reliable, and be somewhat of a DD during the warmer months here in Montreal.

So in short, my main question is, is your car as fun as you thought it was, did it meet your expectations, did you wish you went with an S model?

 

Well you have a good list of cars there ALL different....!
Porsche definitely IS not a quick car BUT will out perform even the BEST drivers skills......
So you have to decide what 'quick' means to you!
Straight-line,cornering...?
I have an 'S' and have never even scratched the cars performance potential on the street.....and I believe that the 'S',with it's upgrades is a great track car...whereas the non 'S' will do JUST fine on the street where you will NOT push the car beyond it's limits....
You may also want to think about "What' the car you buy says about you...kinda like the clothes you wear,I believe you wear your car!
A Porsche speaks 'VOLUMES' about performance,reliability and CLASS,IMO!
The classic design will always be in style,IF you choose to keep the car a long time.
Also keep in mind....
There are a lot of mods to make your Carrera quicker,if you need more power down the road.
TPC builds a great turbo upgrade and VF engineering builds a supercharger.
The turbo IS the easier of the two to install....

I obviously am biased....being a proud Porsche owner and I love what the car says about me when I wear it out,LOL!

GL with your search!
Stacy

 

I think a 997 (any version) is the epitome of a 'fun weekend car'. It all comes down to how you define fun and what you plan on doing with it... To me, 'fun weekend car' is me putting the top down and having the wind in my hair. Going from a comfortable cruise to hanging the back end out with a flip of the wrist and stomp of the foot. Hitting the 'sport' button and feeling the instant throttle response. Or just having some kid yell out 'Nice Car!' as you drive down the road. Cops giving me a thumbs up. To me, that's a fun weekend car.

Sure, there are faster cars (I have the non-s) but this is plenty car for me to have a ton of fun in, and performance wise it'll take a while before I can honestly go to the track and say I was limited by the car.

 

i'm sure i won't ever exceed the potential of the carrera on the track, let alone the street. For me fun is when you're driving, and even at normal speeds the car makes you smile and feel good. A nice sounding engine/exhaust and when you decide to stomp on it, it'll handle most of what you give it.

What are carrera specs in the 1/4 mile? can't seem to find much info on the Non-S

I think if i opted for a porsche, i might sell my acura or trade it in also. not sure yet, my cousin just bought an M3 and i love it, but i want something a bit more "special"

 

justatoy, you're car gives me wood

thanks lol

 

I sold my past two NSX's and can't believe I didn't own a 911 sooner. I'm rockin a base Carrera and love it! Its plenty for weekend or daily drivin fun!

H&R springs and possibly wheel spacers coming soon!

 

Hey hey hey....that will cost you,LOL!!!
No 'FREE' wood allowed.....I built it to 'pimp' it out/sell her,LOL!

I still miss my NSX too though!
H&R coils lower the car quite a bit......great look for minimal $$.

Stacy

 

nice looking car you have there, if you don't mind me asking, what was the ballpark figure you paid?

 

I went from a 2006 M3 to a 2008 M3 (very fast) to a non-S 2007 997 and don't regret it all. The 2008 M3 handled great, but something was missing. I think what makes my 997 different from my past 2 cars is the rear engine layout and tighter ride. The interior is definitely a more intimate space to be in...the M3s felt too big and open. The 997 forces driver involvement if for no other reason, it is very small inside.

Going from a 2008 M3 to a 997 was difficult...the M3 was/felt much faster . But overall fun factor, the M3 couldn't stand a chance.

Just my 2 cents...hope it helps.

 

z06, carrera, and gtr are three different animals.. i would advise u to go test all three (maybe four - u should test drive the S also)

most of the fun in buying a car comes from test driving various cars.. so go knock urself out..

i wouldnt recommend gtr for DD so u might wanna rethink selling ur acura.

however, corvette and carrera (and S) both make great DD, IMO

personally, i dont like the way the vette feels drive-wise and i really hate the interior.

But i want a fun car, something that'll put a smile on my face, be relatively reliable, and be somewhat of a DD during the warmer months here in Montreal.

i think carrera is perfect for u !

 

Are you planning on racing it? Tracking it? Doing anything besides road driving????

If the answer is yes to these questions, then you may want to consider the beefed up version. If the answer is no, there is no need to spend the extra $$$.

I have a base model and the car has never even come close to seeing its potential when I drive it on the street. Not even close. I cannot even imagine how much less of the cars potential would be wasted if I had the S model.

Make sense?

Enjoy! Its an amazing car and it puts a smile on my face every time I get in it and turn the key. I dont think that smile would be any greater with the S.

Good luck! And remember, its a Porsche. There is no substitute.

Steve

 

no tracking whatsoever, my offices are open on weekends, no time for tracking, one day though i will pick up track car to learn on.

 

Then there is your answer!

Good luck and enjoy driving your 997 base model.

Steve

 

You know what, if you search carefully you can get an S model at a good price not very far from the price of a base car especially a 997.1. Good luck!

 

It's a blast.. no regrets at all for not getting an S. It has plenty of power for DD and does not disappoint. I see many more "S" cars so in a way it's more exclusive in my eyes. I would definitely drive one if you have not already. Also I prefer the 18" wheels for daily driving.