I'm looking to pick up a Porsche 911 to replace my 2010 S4. I have a summer car, so the Porsche needs to do winter and track duty (crazy I know).

Seriously considering two cars. Both would be great. Both are good value (I have rethought a great 2006 4S with x51, factory aero kit, but it was too expensive and snow on a rear wing feels strange).

Choices are:
2007 Carrera S
30,000 miles, clean history, chrono, sport exhaust, 6 speed

2009 Carrera 4S
21,000 miles, 3 years warranty, chrono, PDK

I know the 2009 is the better car, but is it really 20k better?

What is the PDK like to drive and track? My other car is a six speed. Slower shifting, but fun. Will it be more or less like the Audi? How is it on the track?

Can there really be $20k between these two cars?
Is the 2009 , that much better? I have a later Aston Vantage and they ARE that much better than the early ones.

The idle and exhaust note of the 997.2, how does it stack up to my 2008 Boxtser S? That car was so beautiful sounding.

It's important to note, I like a car that is exciting. I like direct steering and gear noise etc. the 2006 with the x51 had a great, raw feel to it, that I liked. I want to ensure the 2009 hasn't removed too much character.

Mods for the 2007 would be possible too.

Lots of stupid questions, but any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

yes its better

 

Surprisingly, there is only a $5k difference between the 2006 4s with the aero kit and x51 and the 2009 4s. Same mileage. No aero kit on the 2009.

The 2007 2s, is the car that is $20k less.

 

When I was looking for my current car, 09 CS2, I looked at a few 07s and 08s. The 08s asking prices were about 5-$6k more than the 07s. The 09s were $7-$9k more than the 08s. A lot of dealers will try to get an $2-$3k extra for the PDK. And a 4S will be higher than a 2S.

It sounds like you have found a couple of cars that you like. Now you need to decide how you will drive the car and how long you will keep it. To me an 09 4S with PDK and 3 years of warranty remaining might be worth the extra $20k. That said I'd still be trying to get a few more $k off the 09's price.

If you plan to drive the car in the winter the 4S will be a bonus in Toronto.

I found that a PDK equipped car was just as quick as an equally drive 6 speed on track. The thing I really liked was not worrying about the money shift from 5-2. Also no over revs showing in the DME.

Here's my call:

07-08 S. + $5000.00
08-09 S. + $7000.00
09 2S-09 4S + $4000.00
PDK. +$3000.00

Others can add or subtract to the numbers above.

Good luck with the hunt

 

I found the same thing when I purchased my 2006 C2S. The aerokit, for those that love it (and I most certainly do), is an absolute game changer. The factory ones aren't very common and command a premium.

 

I would think the pdk is more fun on the track and faster but in general a 4s would probably be less fun than a c2, all things being equal. If it is going to be a winter car, the 4s would seem to be the better choice. As to value, I would think the 09 is worth $20k more, it is a 4 vs a 2, a higher MSRP, is two years newer and has a warranty, all of which increases its resale value for you. It also has a much improved engine with more power, less ims rms issues and better mpg.

 

Damn it, I spent ten minutes describing all the ways the 2009 is better and the server lost my response when I posted it.

No time now to repeat all that detail, but I tested 07's and 08's before buying this '09 and I do believe the cost was about that much more. Definitely worth the difference. I love it for daily driving and at... no time. Let's just summarize: I was running down 930's and in the time trial it posted a faster time than a GT3 driven by a fellow race driver. Definitely a more ferocious car than the '07. And I like the exhaust note, but you can mod the 2009 as many ways as you can the '07.

Gotta run. Sorry the original reply evaporated.

Gary

 

All things being equal, I would hazard the 2009 is worth $7-10K more than the 2007 based on DFI and other changes alone. Add in the fact that it's a C4S vs. C2S, has 10K less miles, has PDK/sports chrono, and has 3 years of warranty adds another $7-10K. So you are looking at a delta of $15-20K. IMO focus on the 2009 C4S and try knock off a couple grand or add another 2 years of warranty.

 

It would be a wash except for the miles which tilt it slightly in favor of the 09.

But then again, buying a Porsche is not a rational decision. ( I borrowed than line from someone.) So, only you can know which is right for you.

The 09 C4S will be faster than 07 mostly because of the PDK but a little from the AWD and better engine. The 07 would be no less fun, however. If fact if you are looking for the pure enjoyment some might say that the manual transmission with the challenge of heel-toe-ing into a corner is more fun. That debate continues.

A lot of it depends on how much $20k is for you.

I will also say that there are days when I just don't feel like driving a stick.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

Thanks for the replies.
I'm kinda leaning toward the 2007. Mostly because I only drive around 4000 miles a year, so I just won't get the additional value from the car. I drive the Vantage in the summer.

This car needs to be one I don't mind taking to a track and scraping frost off of it.
If I love it, I'm sure there will be a replacement (GTS) in a couple of years.