When The Cheapest is Also THE BEST. 2005 Porsche 911 997 Carrera 2: Driven at Last

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Today I drive the car that in its day was considered the best of the range, but is now often overlooked in favour of its bigger brother - the 997 Carrera S.

#Porsche911 #Carrera #sportscar
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[JayEmmOnCars]

CarVertical: The History Checking Service
Use this link or code "JAYEMM" for a discount!

[spookybus]

Many thanks James for reviewing my 997, I still feel so thankful for the win. It was such a pleasure to meet you and drive your fantastic roads. I’m impressed by how efficient you are at reviewing while somehow recounting an immense amount of vehicle data throughout. Again it was a pleasure and thanks for the endless entertaining videos over the years. See you soon, Guy

[jamessheehy]

I think a standard porsche in silver is always a classy affair

[TheSeanMichael]

I have a 2005 3.6L Carrera in black with manual transmission, 19 inch lobster wheels, sport Chrono package, bi-xenon headlights, and a few other nice options. My car now has 38000 miles on it. When I went shopping for a 997 I just looked for a manual coupe in the best condition possible. I found one and could not be more pleased with it. For me it is an ideal Street 911. There are a few really good things in this world and the 911 Carrera is one of them.

[brandonchism]

You’re killing me man!!! Just when the prices of 997s are dropping and people are ignoring them for 991, 981, and sought after examples of 996; you post a video calling the 997 the best. I’m trying to snag another one cheaply before people realize how great they are, lol. Awesome video as always man!!!!

[llanelli]

That’s my car!! I have a 2005 997 gen1 and we have had almost 165, 000 happy miles together. He’s had an engine rebuild, new suspension, brakes, genuine Fuchs alloys. I bloody love my car and we are going to be together forever

[NitroNitrous]

For me a 911 should be an analog, uncomplicated, pure back to basics driving experience. No turbos, no hybrid, no rear wheel steering, no all wheel drive, no PDK, no adaptive dampers, no driving modes... Just a raw NA engine with a manual gearbox and RWD.

[robsmitha]

I think 911s were pretty much always quick enough and today's road conditions mean that less performance is often more fun because you can occasionally rev an engine out in a slower car. Cars are faster than ever but the speed limits are slower than ever and much more effectively enforced.

[petyrkowalski]

I owned a brand new 997 C2S and loved it. It was a lot more than a facelift over the 996. The engine was dramatically improved and the interior completely redesigned.

[joedesi]

It’s much more fun to drive a “slow” car fast than a fast car “slow”. On the road.

[stevensarson]

I’ve owned one for almost 3 years, in that same colour but without the red belts or the exhaust. I paid a fair bit more than you suggested, but it had recently been through the very capable hands of Hartech. Visited their workshops this last summer and was told the engine will outlive me. Perhaps I should start drinking a drop of Mobil One before bedtime and sleep in the driveway. Love the car and the fact it’s unmodified beyond the engine rebuild. It gets driven between Manchester and Porto regularly and is a joy on the roads through Galicia.

[SafeBandicoot]

Despite the risk of being laughed at, I’m here to vouch for the Tiptronic version of this 997.1 C2.
I used to daily drive one in Germany doing mega km per year. Manual is essential if this is your weekend machine and wants the best experience on track.
But for a docile pussycat for the daily grind that roars in to life on Autobahn, Tiptronic works great. It’s also a stout Mercedes transmission.

Whatever version you get I encourage people to keep them bone stock. Porsche knows what they are doing.
For daily mega mile driving, I had PASM dampers with highest springs available and the smallest wheels. It was such a peach to drive even in the depths of European winters.
And yes, always buy with a rebuilt engine or buy to do it ASAP. The old German I bought my one from told me, “you must use it like the way you should be making love to your spouse, regular & vigorous”.

[hensh]

I met the owner of this car at a Porsche event at Brands Hatch. Couldn’t believe it when he told me he’d won it so sold his 996, lucky guy!

[dantonchat]

I rented a 997.2 carrera cab for my dads birthday last year. It was our first Porsche experience for the both of us. It didn’t impressed us on the highway back from the picking point. But then we went in our beaujolais hills home roads and what a utter joy. Chassis is amazing for someone who is used to regular cars. The power is enough to have a lot of fun and you can use all of it and chase the revs.
An eye opener on the whole Porsche cult !

[monkeymagic]

Nice upgrade that owners done with the steering a WORLD of the wheels from that era were a crime scene

[peterrolt]

The same is true with the 981, the base 2.7 singing is so much fun

[clnhunter]

I own one, and I love it. Took care of the supposed ims issue and it’s a dependable fun car. Also upgraded the sound system…great little car

[christophercatto]

James, I've been on a motorway, driving a GT3, and passed a regular 997 C2 at dusk and seen the way the light hits and thought "Damn, that's the prettiest of the two". There is something about the shape that is so pure. Sure the GT3 drives very nicely but the spoilers and air-dams make it look an afterthought. The 997 C2 is really a good car and so is the 996 C2.

[boristabacsplatt]

Great review, Jay. The 997 Carrera 2 is the sweet spot in the 911 range for an everyday driver. If you want a 911 for track use, then go for a 997.2 GT3. These beautiful cars are already seen as classics, and a low mileage examples, in top condition, will set you back the wrong side of £100k, but worth every penny.

[parry]

I remember Guy winning this. I won the next 911 they gave away, a Basalt Black 997 C2S. In fact it’s been to Hartech for a full engine rebuild earlier this year, you featured it in one of your Hartech videos