Why 997s Are the Best New Porsche 911

Setting the Record Straight

The 997 is one of the best Porsches platforms ever made. Actually, it’s one of the best cars of all time. With the launch of the 992, this old but new 911 just might be the best car you can get your hands on today. After working as both a mechanic and a racing coach, I am firmly of the belief that the 997 is the best 911 on sale today. Here’s why.

Performance Performance Performance

Produced from 2004 to 2012, the 997 ushered in a new era of sports cars that decimated the 996. It was a step change for the brand that pushed the 911 into the cutting-edge forefront of performance. Remaining true to the 95-inch wheelbase that gives these rear-engine machines their signature nimbleness, the second phase of these cars would ultimately become known for their world-class handling that embarrasses even the most exotic Italian machinery. Performance comes in spades courtesy of a base horsepower rating of 345 HP @ 6,500rpm with turbo models wolfing down 500 horses for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All it takes is a set of tires and sway bars to turn one of these into a monster on the track.

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Manual Transmissions All Day

You can buy a 997 with a manual transmission without having to hunt around for some special edition model that costs gazillions of dollars. All day, every day, these cars were-cutting edge driver’s cars that didn’t do things for you. Shut off traction control and you’ll feel all kinds of Walter Rohrl as you heel-toe and moderate the pedals wildly to keep the back end in check. These things are so involving for the driver it has to be the best 911 you can buy today and that leads us to the next very objective piece of information.

image courtesy of car-bone.pl

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Prices

A quick search of Craigslist in Los Angeles shows 997 Porsches with manual transmissions in the $30,000 to $50,000 range for standard and S models, with the GT3s just touching the 6 figure bracket. Let’s just say that one more time in another way: you can buy a 992 Carrera S or you can get a 997 GT3. In my experience during my time as a Porsche mechanic, the 997 GT3 will forever go down as one of the best cars I’ve ever driven in my life. Bar none. Something tells me in due time, these models will be going up in value as well, so now might be the best time to snatch one up.

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Geometric Gains

Underneath the beautiful exterior and immaculate interior lies something that makes these cars truly special: the suspension design. Allow me to explain. For the price point these cars fall into, the chassis strength and complexity of suspension geometry are almost second to none. Aluminum knuckles are utilized with Macpherson Struts up front and a multi-link setup in the rear that gives unprecedented control of the tire’s contact patch as the wheel moves over various road surfaces. This is something you feel in the 997 much more than a 996 in my experiences behind the wheels of both machines.

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Goldilocks Zone

In terms of price point and performance, the 997 sits in a Goldilocks zone. Mechanically, they are leaps and bounds beyond the 996 and it’s predecessors, but they aren’t going to break the bank like a 991 or a 992 will. You still get quality German engineering for a fraction of the cost and with a high ceiling. Once you start modifying, you can make this generation Porsche much faster than the current ones with some basic upgrades. It really does slot right into a perfect zone for buyers who are looking to acquire another rear-engine masterpiece or simply buy a new one they don’t want to have to fuss over.  Now is the best time get a hold of a 997. 

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