Month: March 2019

Overview

The 997 is fairly new, but it proves the old truth that every 911 generation is easier to drive than the one preceding it. It also proves that the Porsche company is a world champion in creating stripped-down cars which cost less to build, but bring in enormous amounts of revenue, with pries for the GT3, GT3 RS and similar cars reaching stratospheric heights.

The first 997 cars were already a big improvement over the outgoing 996, but the first-generation four-wheel drive was not a great success with experienced Porsche customers: in extreme situations and the PSM stability control off, the car would not react in an intuitive fashion. The early cars are better had with two-wheel drive. This was corrected after the 2009 facelift. Every 997 is an everyday supercar and can be driven in any weather. Later cars with direct-injection engines and the PDK gearbox are very frugal, and, when staying within speed limits, an average fuel consumption figure of 9-10 l/100 km is realistic. The Targa is the least pleasant to drive, markedly top-heavy. The Turbo is explosive, but manageable. Normally aspirated GTS, to be had for 70-90k euros, probably the best choice.

Engine

All engines are very reliable if properly maintained. Insist on a full service history, preferably from a Porsche dealer or an independent specialist. Check what was done recently. Cars with higher real-world mileages may be more reliable, as no Porsche likes being stored for long periods.

The engine in the GT3 is still stronger, and a real marvel, especially the 4.0 unit in the RS special series.

Check the condition of the fron radiators and coolers. They may be damaged by stones and other road debris, and leaves often rot in the openings if the owners do not remove them in a timely fashion.

Gearbox

The manual gearboxes are extremely reliable, and so is the PDK twin-clutch unit. Make sure their maintenance is up to date, and that the car has not suffered undisclosed accident damage which may have resulted in gearbox failure or damage. Test drive the car and look for any problems with the gearshift.

Bodywork

There should be no rust on the car, period. If there is any, the car has been crashed, perhaps heavily, and repaired away from authorized Porsche Centers. Crashed cars are unfortunately often offered at attractive prices, but the polyester filler and the paint will not save your life in case of an accident. Avoid cars with any gaps in their history, if in any doubt, buy only from Porsche Centers or from marque specialists who you trust. Check for damage to front spoiler and the sills from speed bumps and underground/multi-story parking lot ramps. Check for stone damage on windshields and headlights.

Chassis

Any untoward sounds from the suspension mean that it needs immediate work, and that also means that somebody had skimped on maintenance. This is a seriously rapid car with a powerful engine, whatever the version, and the suspension needs to be perfect in order to be able to keep you alive. Ditto for brakes. Cars left sitting for a long time may develop seized brakes, among other problems.

Interior

Good quality materials wear well, unlike on early 996s, but still check that everything works, including a full range of seat adjustment. Check if the wear on the steering wheel, driver’s seat and the pedal rubbers matches the claimed mileage. Misaligned interior panels may hint at hidden accident damage. Do not buy a suspiciously cheap car, as there are no bargains in this business!

History

2004: 997 introduced
2005: four-wheel drive versions introduced
2006: GT3 and Turbo launched
2009: range updated, direct injection engines and PDK transmissions introduced
2010: 408-hp normally-aspirated versions introduced
2011: Speedster and GT3 RS 4.0 introduced
2012: end of production

Specifications

Porsche 911 GTS 2010 with PDK
Power: 408 hp
Top speed: 302 km/h
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 4.4 s

The DRIVERSHALL Verdict

The best 997 cars are the late ones. The early Carrera 4 has a very unpleasant algorithm controlling the AWD system, it makes the car unpredictable with the PSM off. Later cars had new software which was designed to mimic the behavior of the viscous coupling of the 996 Carrera 4. As an investment, the RS 4.0 prices have reached a crazy level, but there may be a drop coming soon. The GT3 is fantastic to drive, and the later Turbo can survive many launch control starts without any damage to the PDK gearbox, which means you can challenge motorbikes to a traffic light Grand Prix.

All 997 versions are practical to drive and to own, and will not lose value over time, if maintained and cherished. The only 911 superior to a late 997 is the normally-aspirated 991 which succeeded it. The best 997? For everyday driving, the Sport Classic or a GTS with 2wd and a manual transmission.

Overview

As the 993 is the last of the air-cooled Porsches, it carries the cachet of the most purist 911, and the last “true one”. It was produced only for five years, and the number of units made is 69,000. A short production span and limited numbers, plus real-life qualities mean that the 993 will never be cheap. The very sophisticated rear axle layout made it easier to control than previous 911 iterations, but the essential rawness of the iconic Porsche is still present.

The better suspension and better steering make the car more exploitable in various conditions than its predecessor. The engine likes to rev, and above 4000 rpm the exhaust note hardens to a metallic rasp. Very addictive. Make sure the maintenance records are gapless, and that all invoices are present, as well as the records of previous ownership. A car with gaps in its history will bring less money at resale.

Contrary to opinions expressed in online reviews by “experts:, the all-wheel-drive Turbo will also slide under power in the dry, albeit the slide is rather shallow. You simply have to be going fast enough for it to work.

The newer, liquid-cooled 911 models are easier to drive for a novice, but the 993 remains a benchmark for all Porsche aficionados. They claim that the disappearance of the metal dash, the left-hand side fuel filler, and the standing pedals made all the newer models a form of sacrilege, but this is a very extreme view. Test drive a 993 to see if it is really the car for you.

Engine

Almost all 993 Porsches are powered by two-valve-per-cylinder air-cooled flat six engines with a capacity of 3.6 or 3.8 liters, reaching an output of 450 in the top turbocharged version. Almost, because unofficially the factory built 14 Turbo Cabriolets powered by the turbocharged engine of the 964.

Generally, the engine is very strong and vice-free, and with proper maintenance and correct warming up procedures (11.5 liters of engine oil need time to warm up fully) engines last up to 300,000 km before an overhaul is needed. Engines like to leak oil in the area around the timing chain, and timing chains plus tensioners must be replaced at least every 150,000 km. The engine maintenance is less labor-intensive than on earlier models due to the introduction of hydraulic tappets in the valvetrain. Exhaust systems must be examined, and special induction control flaps on VarioRam engines cause uneven running when faulty. When looking at a car you wish to buy, start the engine from cold, looking for smoke and expensive noises. After warming up, run the car through the gears, the engine should pull cleanly and register 5 bar oil pressure when hot. After the drive check the engine at idle for smoke and leaks. Turbo engines have to cope with higher thermal loads, and display symptoms of wear more quickly.

Gearbox

The manual gearbox is based on the very robust G50 transmission, but has six speeds instead of five and requires less effort when shifting. Due to the engine’s flexibility, the 4-speed Tiptronic also acquits itself well, but was not available with AWD, and robs the engine of some of its spontaneous edge. The four-wheel drive system divides the torque with 31% going to the front and 69% to the rear and is much superior to the one on the 964. Clutch assemblies weaken with age and use, and replacements are expensive. A clonking sound may mean that the dual-mass flywheel needs replacement.

Chassis

Cars built before 1996 should not have 18-inch wheels (although owners often install them!), as they lack a special strengthening member next to the steering gear: if it is not installed, and such wheels are used, the steering will be expensively damaged. All parts, especially bushes and shock absorbers, must be replaced periodically even if the car is not driven. Check the condition of front wishbone bushes, balljoints, shocks, top mounts, as an overhaul can cost several thousand euros. The same applies to the rear suspension, and driving the powerful 993 with worn-out suspension means asking for trouble. Lack of use can cause pistons to seize inside brake calipers.

Bodywork

Zinc-coated body usually rusts only when non-Porsche-approved crash repairs have been performed. If there is major rust and no written record of crash repairs, walk away. Somebody isn’t telling you the truth. Japanese-market cars, reimported to Europe, are usually very badly repaired if damaged. The only area which tends to rust by itself is the windshield surround, and the rear window surround. Soft tops on Cabriolets must be checked in minute detail (check the electric operation!), the same applies to the glass-topped Targas. None of them should permit water ingress in an automatic car wash, at least that is how the Germans test them. Door limiter straps may corrode around their mounting points, and fail.

Interior

Check the electrics, as things begin to go wrong due to age, including electric window lifters, and the motors of the Targa roof. Most parts are available, but at a high price. Check for interior wear (seats, pedals, steering wheel, handles, switches) that does not match the declared mileage. Find the best interior you possibly can. Some parts can be sourced via owners’ clubs. Check that the correct tools and the tire inflator are present in the front baggage compartment.

The Story

1993: The 993 series launched in Frankfurt
1994: Cabriolet available, later the AWD Carrera 4
1995: the flat six now produces 285, and not 272 horsepower, Carrera 4S launched, RS launched, GT2 with 430 hp launched, novel Targ introduced
1996: Carrera S supplements the Carrera 4S, the RS model no longer available
1997: the water-cooled 996 is launched, but the 993 Turbo, Carrera 4S, Carrera S and Targa remain in production; Porsche Exclusive builds 345 examples of the 993 Turbo S with 450 hp
1998: in March the last air-cooled Porsche leaves the Zuffenhausen production line

Specifications

Porsche 911 Turbo WLS
Power: 430 hp
Top speed: 297 km/h
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 4.3 s

The DRIVERSHALL Verdict

The 993, without a doubt, is one of the best investments in the world of classic cars. Not only can it be expected to keep rising in value, but it is also intensely satisfying and entertaining to drive. It is less critical on the limit than both the G-series and the 964, due to its sophisticated rear suspension, but of course it has no electronic aids like the later models. To keep it in good shape, it must be regularly exercised, and not just kept in a garage.

Air-cooled Porsches deteriorate quickly when parked for long periods of time! Just starting the engine is not sufficient, the car has to be driven, and the drivetrain has to go through several heat cycles to remain healthy. American and Japanese cars differ from European cars in detail, and may prove more expensive to repair when faulty. My favorite model remains the 911 Carrera 4S, with its Turbo-wide body, Turbo suspension and brakes, but the 285 hp normally aspirated engine. The prices of this model are rising, but it is also immensely enjoyable to drive!

Goodwood has announced that the theme for the 2019 Festival of Speed presented by MasterCard, which takes place from 4-7 July, will be “Speed Kings – Motorsport’s Record Breakers”.

Motorsport has always been about pushing man and machine to the very limit, and this year, Goodwood will celebrate the people and machinery that set the benchmark or raise the bar. The focus will not just be on the Land Speed Record, but on every area of record breaking in motorsport, from the most consecutive wins, to most championships, fastest laps, most poles set by a manufacturer and many more. This year marks 20 years since Nick Heidfeld took the outright record up the Goodwood Hill, covering the 1.16-mile course in 41.6 seconds at the wheel of a McLaren MP4/13. In 2018, the electric Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak car came close to taking the crown; 2019 could be the year we celebrate a new record holder.

Staged every summer since 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by MasterCard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motor sport take part with some of the most legendary figures from the sport as well as international celebrities regularly attending. Highlights include FoS Future Lab, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 paddock, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance, Aviation Exhibition and Bonhams Auction.

Head of Motorsport Content, Will Kinsman said “We are delighted with this year’s theme, as it offers an opportunity to celebrate the ultimate heroes of motorsport past, present and future. The team are working hard to ensure the paddocks are bursting with the most talented drivers and riders alongside the most iconic road and race machines in the world. They are also delving into the more obscure corners of the motorsport world to ensure the Festival of Speed maintains and enhances its reputation as the greatest motorsport show on earth.”

Away from the Hill, there will be several changes made to the event this year, with the relocation of some attractions, and the introduction of new ones. These changes, and the Central Feature, will be announced over the coming weeks and months.

Tickets for the Festival of Speed are available from www.goodwood.com