Carrera or an S? I've driven a few 2007 911's and 911 s cars and boy howdy liking the extra umph. I'm really dead set on a 2009 for the warranty and the engine, it is a fantastic engine Since the HP is bumped up to 345 on the "normal" Carrera I'm not seeing a good reason to spend for the S. I've done quite a bit of homework and reading here helps. Some of the comments you gents have could help me decide. TIA.

SUPER excited. I just love these Carreras.

 

Here's my 2 cents. In 2012 I spent a great deal of time researching before purchasing my 911. I originally started out looking for a 2005 - 2007 base 911 thinking I could limit my spend. After numerous conversations with a local dealer's service technicians they convinced me that a 2009 or newer was the way to go. After considerable more time test driving and looking at various cars I opted into a 2009 C2S. While it may have exceeded my budget by a few $$$'s I am eternally grateful to the saleman who sold me on the idea. The S car has 385 HP, 19" wheels, and what appears to me to be a wider rear end although I am not sure about that aspect. If you can afford to go the S route I would recommend it. Had I gotten a base Carerra I can't help but think that I would be longing for the S. BTW I bought mine in September 2012, a 2009 C2S CPO car with 19K miles, manual trans and all of the options with the exception of the Sport Chrono package. Next week I am taking her to a performance shop and getting the center muffler bypass done for a few more ponies and an increase in exhaust tone. Good luck with your decision, regardless of what you decide you will not be disappointed with your purchase.

 

I would definitely buy 2009 and up, if you can afford it. The 997.2 has better interior, electronics, more HP, upgraded LED lights, etc.

 

There are 40+ reasons to go for the S, as in extra HP (+ bigger brakes and PASM, etc)

Obviously, not all non-S buyers regret their decision... but there are plenty of non-S buyers with buyers remorse, wishing they bought the S to begin with...

but I've never heard S drivers saying "i should have bought the non-S"

(Man, i am gonna get flamed by the non-S owners.. haha)

In the end, Too Tall, its your car and your money. Choose wisely.

here is another link to help u out. https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...-vs-non-s.html

 

Bought a 997.2 S new in 2009. It was by far the best automotive decision I ever made. Was it an emotional decision? Absolutely. Solely based on the "Oh My F*cking God!!!" feeling I get every time I pull past 3K rpm on a full bore run up the highway.

 

2009 and up S model for sure. I started off wanting to spend max of $60K so I was comparing the new Boxster to a 997.1. After doing a ton of research and test drives I change my budget and bought a 2010 911-S with 3000 miles, I do not regret it at all,I would bet if I stayed on budget I would have much regret.

 

"S" all the way!!!

 

I'll caution you on one thing, don't EVER test drive a turbo. If you do, you'll know what i mean. The S is definitely worth the extra money. Every day you walk up to it and see the red calipers, you'll know you made the right decision.

 

I bought a 2009 C2 Cab 6-speed in the spring with 7000 miles. It now has 9000 miles. 345 HP is plenty to work with. The direct injection power plant is infinitely superior to the previous 996/997.1 design (I owned a 2005 997.1 C2 with its inherent IMS bearing design flaw and CONSTANT fear of sudden failure).

There is plenty of umph in the standard 997.2 C2. I drove a 2009 and 2010 "S" before the final buying decision and did appreciate the more rapid acceleration off the line and a bit more mid-range torque. But I only noticed the difference on a back-to-back test. A couple of friends have commented that the difference between the C2 and C2S is more marked with the PDK, but I hated that device, so it wasn't a factor for me.

The C2 is plenty of car and then some. My driving is mostly moderate to fast weekend blasts through southern New England back country two-lanes and twisties. I never yearn for more power. No regrets at all. The car exhibits perfect balance between clutch take-up, shifter action, throttle response and steering feedback; all are perfectly matched to the power band. I did not experience this seamless, harmonious driving experience in the manual "S" cars I test drove. They were certainly a bit faster, but I did not like the 19" wheels with the PASM. Too much artificial feel/intervention and weird flat cornering feel. For me (and it's all down to the individual driver, isn't it?), the base C2 is a purer, more engaging, rawer, "shift the **** out of it" drive.

So there's one more opinion for you to throw in the mix. For me, this 997.2 C2 Cab is a keeper. It's my fourth P-car with a clutch and by far the best of the bunch.

Whatever you choose, pick any 997.2 with a 6MT and I am absolutely certain you'll be way, way more than satisfied.

 

Just go with the S, get exactly what you want, i waited tiil i found an S with Chrono Pkg + full leather & bose when i decided to get one- Prices are high rite now, insurance paid me 54K for my 2005 S Launch edition w 30k miles, there wasn't one on the west coast less than 42

 

Someone asked what my budget is and we are on the same game plan After doing quite a bit of looking the 09' are what I can afford and if I shop wisely it will be the S Carnut you were fortunate to find that deal, I bet I would have taken it as well. There is a little more to the story. My wife went thru a very tough medical period in her life last year and is now in BEAMING health so I'm taking the initiative to sell a very impractical project car and buy a Porsche that we can drive the sn0t out of (can I say that if I misspell it?) on long roadtrips and such. It is the perfect car to give back some smiles the old lady lost last year. She is a driver, handles big power and stick cars real real well not to mention so this is a win win.

 

good luck, I m very happy with my 09 C2S, 6 speed, coupe.... agree with the above comments!

 

New engine 997 and you will never feel you made a mistake. Getting the s will ensure also no regrets because you got the higher version. Mt vs pdk ...well shifting through the gears will always be fun. But the pdk gives so much more performance that its also fun in a different way. Paddle shifting somewhat give the same as rowing throguh the gears, somewhat as it gives you some semblance of control. Fuel economy pdk wins, traffic pdk wins....as we get older pdk wins... im almost 50 and got the pdk..disclosure.

 

Too Tall, I was in the exact same position as you a few months ago. I was dead set on the S, but most were within the high end of my budget. During my search, a 2009 C2 popped up with every option that made it pretty appealing (PDK, Sport Chrono +, PASM, 19" Turbo Wheels), at a price where I could add some nice mods immediately to make it more of my own (Tubi exhaust that brings a smile to my face, and the paddle shift steering wheel for PDK). After those mods adding to my final price, I was close to the S price.

I was coming from an '08 BMW M3 coupe with the monster V8. I researched extensively the s vs non-s with the DFI engine (09+) because I was worried about feeling under-powered. Let me tell you, with the hp bump that the DFIs recieved in 2009, the base carrera is plenty powerful... It feels quicker than the M3 (which literally was a dream car; seriously for those of you haven't driven one, please go before they all become FI engines next year).

I'm more than happy with my non-s 997. However, its my first 911 and I know in 2 years I now will have something to look forward to on my next "upgrade."

All of that said, do I wish I had an S? yeah, but I still have a quick 911 that I can take to the track, the money I saved is going to track wheels/tires and DE equipment. And I digress...

 

I'll give a slightly different perspective. I have a 997.1 c4 with pasm. I think having pasm is more important than the larger power. It allows me to take my wife on long trips on the freeway. Since the s comes with this you would be ok. When I drive the 997.2c2s it feels faster to me in a straight line. Coming out of a corner I actually appreciate more the awd and for me is faster. Also, I'm not sure what the dfi engine gives for you, other than a few more ponies. So I would not rule out the .1. I have had my car for 3 years and I am still exploring its envelope. It's more car than I need.

But as others had said, I've never heard of anyone regretting that they bought an s.