Just picked up a Porsche 911

German any and all
#1

Up until last December, I had been driving my 02 C5 S6 wagon, while I awaited the return of my v10 S6. The v10 S6 project had it’s scope grow and grow, and was a bit delayed due to a major accident that I had downhill mountain biking. Subsequently, the ETA for completion has been adjusted a few times.

Despite a close friend warning me I would regret selling the JHM tuned wagon, I sold the C5 S6 and purchased a Toyota FJ Cruiser, intentionally buying a car that I could not spend money modding. The FJ was chosen as a reliable vehicle that would maintain its resale value, and could be easily sold when the v10 S6 was ready.

However, even though the FJ was a solid vehicle, I immediately found that I really missed driving something sporty and engaging. I found driving the car very boring, and became frustrated on highway trips, as other cars whipped around me like a sitting duck. The Toyota could get you from point A to B, but wasnt any fun along the way. The truck was designed for offroading, where I am sure it would have been an absolute blast, but in the city, not so much and hard to park.

So, I started looking around for a replacement, and noticed that Porsche 997 prices were coming down to an acceptable level. I found a very nice white base model 911. I am not always a fan of white cars, but on the 911 it is one of my favorite colours, when combined with a black interior.

That particular car deal fell through due to shady Dealer practices, but in the meantime I found an 08 911 C4s loaded with options, and configured almost exactly as I would have ordered from the factory. 6 speed, sport seats, PASM suspension, Sports Chrono package, sport steering wheel, carbon package, factory short shift kit. aftermarket painted seatbacks, among other stuff.

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So, I purchased the car, threw on some snow tires and dropped baby seat in the back. It has been a real blast to drive around. This is the first Porsche I have really driven, and was very surprised to find how raw and engaging it is. For some reason I assumed that in the factory setup it would be pretty tame. But with sport mode engaged, it feels a lot like an old Audi A6 4.2 that I had, that had been heavily modded. Very responsive, lots of torque, tight suspension, precise steering, and amazing handling. I am really looking forward to getting the summer wheels on, and driving it a bit harder.

Surprisingly, the 997 with AWD and snow tires is amazing in the winter. The weight of the engine over the rear wheels really seems to help, and it feels rock solid. Not what I was expecting out of a sports car at all.

The other good thing about 911s, is that they seem to hold their value pretty well. With the manual transmissions becoming more and more rare, I am hoping that this 6speed car wont depreciate much further, and I can get a good price for it down the road, if I need to sell it off.

Driving this car around in the meantime has made the wait for the v10 S6 just a bit easier. Although, with the v10 S6 project coming closer to completion, I am really excited when I think about getting the car back. It will be interesting to see how the 911 stacks up to the v10 Audi. In some ways, I think they will probably compliment each other pretty well, although I bet the v10 header car is going to make the Porsche sound like a scared hyena.

#2

Damn, nice daily. Lol!

#3

Damn, nice daily. Lol!

#4

Awesome job!

I bought a 997 last summer, great choice.

#5

Nice…

Sometimes I feel like I have car issues…then I think of v8a6 and everything is ok.

#6

Haaahahaa

Well, I have one buddy (who purchased my old C5 A6 4.2) who has eight different Audis, and some other cars on top of that. Every time he finds a deal on one, he snatches it up. He is my ‘go to’ guy when I have to explain to my wife that my car problem is not that serious.

So far, no mods on the Porsche. However, that will probably change once the S6 project is complete.

#7

Awesome pick up! your gonna have 2 kickass cars to choose from. im pretty jelly

#8

Thanks guys ;D

#9

I want to see a S6 vs 4S battle in the near future. Lookin good.

#10

Lets make it happen !!!

;D

#11

997 C4S is about as smart and as solid a car purchase as there exists on earth. Well done.

There is literally nothing anyone can say to fault it as an overall decision. I dare anyone to.

#12

It will be interesting. I raced a friend’s c4s and he’s pretty much equal with the Rs4 under 100 mph but up top he pulls.

I literally have 6 friends with that exact car. Thats not a misprint. And it used to be 7.

#13

Gorgeous car. I do like the white!

Keeping it stock?

#14

Thanks guys!

That was the original plan. But, it didnt last too long LOL.

Ill start another build thread after the S6 project is done.

#15

I’ll play, cabin space? Think I read the baby seat was in the back already but can’t be ideal. Then again, who gets a c4s not fully aware of that?

#16

I’ll play, cabin space? Think I read the baby seat was in the back already but can’t be ideal. Then again, who gets a c4s not fully aware of that?

#17

Surprisingly, my four year old daughter climbs into the car and gets into the booster seat in the back, entirely on her own. She loves it, because there is a window that she can easily see out, and if she looks up she can see out the rear window.

With the seat installed, she is not cramped, and my Wife who is 5’10" is still comfortable in the front.

The FJ Cruiser was quite high up, so I had to help her get in. Once in, there was very little to see as the windows in the rear were not at her eye level.

That being said, there are only a couple of booster seats that will work in the 911, and same with the front facing seats. The limitation is the narrow seats. I did research when I got the car, and had to buy a new $49 seat from Walmart. No big deal.

A rear facing is going to be a problem apparently. Porsche sells a kit that provides anchors for the seat in the front, and disables the front air bag. Big bucks though.

Cabin is definitely snug. But that is what the 911 is all about. Apparently the 991s are more roomy, but at the same time, people are saying they are more GT and less sports car, more refined and less raw than the 997.

That is one of the things about the 911s, the enthusiasts always seem to find numerous reasons why the previous versions were better in certain ways when compared to the new ones. Except for the 996s. Not a lot of love for those, but at the same time they represent an awesome deal in some cases (996 C4s, Turbo, or GT3).

The attitude is great for resale, as depreciation after a certain time seems to flatline, and in some cases even goes back up. I specifically purchased a manual as I think they are going to become more and more in demand in the future, which means less depreciation if I ever want to sell. You can already see it in the used Porsche market, with the 6speed 997s going for more than the PDKs (which were an expensive option).

Plus, the manuals are a lot of fun to drive, without having to reach license-losing speeds. Lots of people swear by the PDK though, and they are supposedly incredibly fast on the track.

#18

Not my kids ;D

http://www.eroyphotography.ca/webphotos/carseats.JPG

http://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum/706673-how-to-remove-the-rear-seats-from-a-997-install-car-seats.html

Actually, the rear seats on the 911 are pretty much only good for kids. Not a lot of room for even a smaller adult. You remove the seat bottoms (and sometimes the back) and they install perfectly.

#19

If I’ve got it right, the one on the right is a Britax Marathon. I have 2 of these. Great seat.

When I had my B6 S4 Avant, I got destroyed by a 997 C4S in Toronto. I said to my wife, “well at least I can get my kid in the back”. I caught up to him at the lights, gave a thumbs up, then his 3/4yo waved at me from the back. Doh!

#20

LOL