It's time to buy the Porsche 997

Looking for an affordable way to get into the Porsche 911 club?

I​ can see you. Yes, you. The bored 45-years old guy (or girl) who has two kids, an easy job (maybe too easy), and a dog named Charlie. You're this big car fan who still brags about the MX-5 you used to own when you were 20, but you had to let it go to make room for a Peugeot 807. Every morning you see Dan, your friend and colleague, coming to work in his bright yellow Porsche Boxster. Yes, he's single, ridiculous, and still thinks he's in college. Yet, you kind of envy him. He's free. Tough reality, my friend, but you're having a midlife crisis.

Nothing bad about that. But you are starting to realize that you want to have fun again. And for petrolheads, it begins with the car you drive. You're "mature" and "wise". Therefore Porsche seems like the logical choice. Also, you know your spouse will never allow you to spend a fortune on your toy. You need to think clear, and analyze the situation calmly. You know she/he will never accept the Boxster, so you turn to the 911. Sounds good. There are even two seats in the back and enough space in the frunk for a weekend getaway.

However, the budget is tight. Just under £30K to spend. You see a bunch of 996s for sale, but you have never been an admirer of those headlights. Yet, suddenly, here you find yourself stumbling upon a 2004 Porsche 911 type 997. Mileage's not too bad, just about 60'000 km and the car looks in good condition. So, here we are facing a tough question... Is the 997 a good buy?

Say what you want, but the 997 hasn't aged a bit. Maybe in the interior, however, we'll get to this later. Unlike the 996 which's design was somehow divisive, the 997 had looks that were unmistakably 911. The 997 also marked the moment Porsche decided to develop as many variants as possible. There was basically a Porsche 911 for every need. Customers could choose from a Coupé or Targa, Cabriolet or Speedster, rear- or all-wheel-drive, narrow or widened bodywork, with water-cooled naturally-aspirated and turbo engines, a GTS or the GT2, GT2 RS or GT3 sport versions, or either of two GT3 RS models. Including special models, the range had a total of 24 model variants – supplemented by a wide range of personalisation options. Some versions, like the GT2 RS have become highly collectible, and are extremely sought after. But if you don't have the means you can still end up with the rather excellent base 911 Carrera.

The Carrera came with a 3.6-litres naturally-aspirated flat-six that made 325 horsepower. Enough to go from 0 to 100 km/h in only 5.2 seconds. But it's not only about great performance. The 997's came with a bulletproof engine that is one of the most robust ever built by the company. Just look out for some leakage from the RMS (Rear Main Oil-Seal), otherwise you're good to go. Usually, servicing costs vary between £300 and £600, so nothing too extreme here. Another big question: Will you be losing money? Unless you're doing some crazy modifications or adding 100K miles every year, the 997 has hit one of the lowest points in its history. The more time passes by, the less good condition 997s with respectable mileage there will be. Therefore, one can expect that prices for these particular cars will stabilize, or maybe rise a little bit.

The 997 is a fantastic sports car that behaves amazingly well on small twisty roads, while still managing to stay comfortable for daily rides. Because, yes, you could drive the 997 every day. We're still struggling to find downsides. Well, the car happens to be everywhere. It's a mainstream sports car that was produced at over 213'000 units, so don't expect to feel unique. OK, maybe the interior feels a bit outdated. In fact, I don't believe that you'll ever use the infotainment system. It's laggy, and the low quality of the display makes it hard to look at. But, hey, it works. Apart from this, that, and the fading knobs on the center console, it's pretty much 911 in there. The only thing you should look out anyway is the road and the speedometer (sometimes).

Our choice

We would be looking for a 911 Carrera S. No need for a 997.2, as they are still quite pricey. The Carrera S came with a larger 3.8-litres engine that made 350 horsepower. Also, pick the manual gearbox over the lame Tiptronic. The manual is way more engaging, fun, and faster. When the 997.2 facelift arrived in 2009, they came with the new optional PDK. Here, it's a tough choice, and it all comes down to what you prefer because both gearboxes are excellent.

I​f you manage to find a car that isn't black, grey or silver... hallelujah! The holy grail would be a PTS car. An option that will obviously come with an extra cost, but that will also help to maintain the overall value of the car. Afterward, just look for the typical electric sunroof, Bose sound system, electric seats, PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management), Sport Chrono Package, and sport exhaust.

Our verdict

We have spent extensive time behind the wheel of this 997.1 Carrera S. Even though this particular car was equipped with a Tiptronic gearbox, we found it quite good, especially in urban areas. If you want to drive quickly on B-roads, forget about it and get the manual. The 997 is a great all-rounder that represents excellent value for money. Moreover, it can be driven any day of the year, and that will get you into the prestigious 911 club for an affordable price. The 997 is proof that y​ou can still find something logical to solve a midlife crisis.

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I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Perego Cars garage located between Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland, for letting me review this car.

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