The Porsche 911 is a true icon of the automotive industry, and many people believe the 997 to be the best model made in the modern age.
It will surely become a classic in the future, albeit considering its age, it might take some time before it is actually regarded as one.
Despite the Porsche 997’s present status as a classic car, we still consider it to be a fantastic investment prospect with long-term potential for both enjoyment and value.
In the end, the 997 is a solid choice whether you want to buy a Porsche for yourself or as an investment.
It is a true modern classic in every sense of the term due to its excellent performance and ageless style.
In This Article...
How is the Porsche 997 Turbo market doing?
Google searches for the Porsche 997 Turbo are likely to turn up numerous stories with titles similar to “Get Your Bank Account Ready, the Porsche 997 Turbo Just Got Stupid Cheap,” which appeared in Jalopnik in January 2017. A few months later, Dough DeMuro uploaded a video to YouTube in which he bragged about what a fantastic deal the 997 Turbo was. Five years later, the deals have all but vanished, and some vehicles have even surpassed their original MSRP, the unofficial gauge of collectability, breaking past the six-figure mark. What gives, then?
997 Vehicles with turbos are unique. That is something we have long known. The legendary Mezger engine is still famously powerful, breathtakingly beautiful, and perfectly sized in the 997.1 models. Thus, the quick increase in prices shouldn’t have surprised anyone. Nevertheless, some of us are expressing astonishment over the direction the market has taken in recent months as well as disappointment over the possibility of being priced out of the market. Although not yet completely lost, purchasers with a budget of less than $75,000 will be considering vehicles with two pedals, mileage exceeding 60,000, and/or cabriolets. When it comes to the cost of maintenance, keep in mind that they are exotic cars. Accessibility is a problem for components like coil packs, plugs, and coolant overflow tanks, and many jobs require taking the engine out.
Three-pedal coupes are what collectors desire the most, as is customary in Porscheland, and as is customary, uncommon colors appear to significantly affect values. Although some claim that dot-one cars are more valuable since they are the final Mezger-engined vehicles, purchasers currently seem to be willing to pay a premium for vehicles with extremely low mileage.
A 2008 Turbo Cabriolet with outstanding options recently sold on Bring-a-Trailer with only 1,700 miles on the odometer is a good example. Amazingly, it sold for $171,500 (without the 5% buyers’ premium). That amounts to a $20,000 premium over the initial MSRP with the latter included in.
The 3.6-liter flat-six turbocharged Mezger-based 997.1 Turbo (left) and the 3.8-liter flat-six turbocharged 9A1-based 997.2 Turbo.
While the lack of new cars, the abundance of liquidity provided by low interest rates, and the booming stock market may have contributed to some of the market’s froth, it appears that the 997, both in its Turbo and naturally aspirated forms, has cemented its place in Porsche enthusiasts’ hearts (and wallets). Furthermore, if anyone believes that the 996 Turbo is the place to go for a forced-induction 911 steal, they need to think again. There are rising prices as well, but that is a subject for another day.
Which 911 Turbo has the greatest investment potential, according to sales?
Last year, as the 911 celebrated its 50th birthday, the legendary sports car from Zuffenhausen saw sky-high price increases. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Turbo model, so it might be your last chance to switch to forced induction before it’s too late. But in which model ought to you put your money?
Because there are so many of them, Jamie Tyler, the head of sales at Paragon, says, “It’s challenging.” Tyler thinks it is worthwhile to look at more exotic fare even though the 996 Turbo may be one of the market’s entry-level vehicles.
“Turbo Ss, 964 Turbos, and 993 Turbos are all excellent options. Really, any of the air-cooled ones, as they’re all currently rising, “Tyler carries on.
The issue is that despite having beginning costs of PS150,000 for a 964 Turbo 3.6 (Tyler claims they are more desirable than the 3.3 because to their scarcity), and PS85,000 for 993 variants, examples of the above sell swiftly.
Tyler recalls that a 993 Turbo sold over the phone immediately after being listed on Paragon’s website for just a few hours during the summer.
Porsche Karl Meyer, a Porsche heritage line expert from Bournemouth, concurs that the 964 and 993 Turbos are proving to be popular. He does, however, favor one over the other.
“I believe a 930. Simply insane to not get them “He clarifies. “They remain the most recognizable, but they haven’t grown. In two years, I believe a PS40,000 930 may be worth twice as much.”
That’s a significant return, but Meyer notes that the early or latest 930s offer the best prospects for increasing your odds. The later received the outstanding G50 gearbox, while the former “embodies the complete Seventies era.” In either case, your Turbo should be supplying air to a flat six engine.
Check out our whole collection of sales debates, where we ask the 911 specialists the relevant market questions so you don’t have to, for market guidance on any generation or style of Porsche 911.
GETTING ONE
By most definitions, the “Mezger” 997 Turbo is an outdated vehicle in 2021, a time when generic, mass-produced diesel SUVs and hatchbacks are frequently written aside as being beyond the means of economic repair. Although a Porsche is obviously built to different standards, parts corrode and break down, thus the same warnings that apply to any 997 also apply to its Turbo sibling. The sophisticated suspension of a Porsche wears out struts and dampers after ten years or more, bushes fail, and control arms sag. A properly maintained vehicle’s records should indicate that the majority of the pipework has been changed at least once. Exposed brake pipes and engine coolant pipes rust. The exhaust system is particularly vulnerable to road spray, and if the manifolds are not changed or re-bolted after 15 years, they will become “fused” to the engine.
Although they were a pricey initial investment, 997 Turbos will typically have undergone proper, likely OPC care during their first eight to ten years. However, when prices fell, some cars will have left the OPC or Independent Porsche circuit and missed regular maintenance. The obvious examples to recognize and stay away from are these. Since the 997’s inception, Paul Stacey of Northway has worked on it. He claims that the “Mezger” engine is “bullet-proof.” He is aware of one or two occasions in which timing chains have stretched, but the ensuing rattling is more of a nuisance than a cause for concern. The biggest danger to the engine appears to be corrosion of the turbocharger housing’s centers. If discovered early enough, the housing can be replaced, a time-consuming and costly process. Dismantling becomes impossible if rust progresses past a certain point, and the only option is to purchase an entirely new unit from Porsche for PS3,000. The cylinder head is connected to a mild-steel-bodied tandem suction pump, which can rust through and requires a costly (PS800) replacement.
Both generations of 997s have long since disappeared from OPC showrooms, and for the majority of customers, a reliable Independent is the best source. For instance, Ray Northway had lost count of how many pre-owned Porsches that were offered to him that he had turned down due to their murky history. The same idea guides Mark Sumpter of Paragon. A helpful disclaimer for practically any 911 buyer is that Northway detests aftermarket modifications that are “seldom done properly.” The difference between a Porsche upgrade and others, according to Paul Stacey, is the short shift on the Turbo.
Once more, the key factors in a long-term successful purchase are the item’s condition, its service history, and a high degree of seller trust. The choice to purchase a Turbo 911 also needs to account for a higher maintenance expense than a non-Turbo 911.
Are 997 Turbos trustworthy?
Almost all of the car is trustworthy and has a classic appearance. Prices for the 997 have dropped even further as a result of the introduction of a new 992 platform. This daily supercar offers outstanding value and outstanding dependability.
A supercar, is the 997 Turbo?
While there are many performance vehicles that can be purchased for less than the minimum price of $50,000 that a vehicle like this would command, none can compete with the neck-snapping performance of an early 997 Turbo. Even though it is 10 years old, this car isn’t noticeably slower than contemporary supercars that cost ten times as much. Not only can this car accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds, but it also has the dependability and durability to keep driving for another half million miles or more. With a few minor coolant leak faults, the “Mezger” engines in the 2009 and older 997 Turbo produced roughly 480 horsepower, making them a rather perfect engine overall. Furthermore, these vehicles are quite simple to tune to produce much more power than they do out of the box; we’ve driven versions with over 700 horsepower available from stock internals.
A 997 Turbo might be the right choice for you if you’re looking for a super-fast, enjoyable to drive sports vehicle with all-wheel drive grip and more power than you’ll ever need. Porsche slightly increased the wicks from the 996 generation with the 997 Turbo while somewhat improving everything else. The materials are superior, the layout of the inside is more inviting, and the seats are more comfy. Numerous visual upgrades have been made to the outside, notably the stunning triple-five spoke wheels. Although the 997 is mostly based on a modified 996 chassis, it has the impression of bridging the gap between the comfort of the 991 and the rawness of the 996. In the realm of automobiles, the 997 Turbo is “just right.”
If you still don’t think one can be purchased for that amount, a couple 997 Turbos are now listed on eBay for $50,000 or less. If given the option, we would prefer a cabriolet to a coupe. How are you doing?
Will the Porsche 997 become a classic?
Future collector car status will make the Porsche 997 one, but not at the moment. Naturally, with the exception of the rarest variations.
Although 997 Carreras will always be sought-after automobiles, they could not be regarded as really valuable for some time. Fortunately, they’re still sufficiently advanced to be used frequently, and many people still use them as everyday drives.
The Targa and Carrera S are two further variations that fit this description. However, if we concentrate on the more uncommon models, the picture starts to change.
These are the vehicles that, given their performance traits, rarity, and all-around appeal as hot 911s, are most likely to develop into true collector’s items in the future.
A supercar, is the Porsche 911 Turbo?
Porsche has a long history of producing innovative vehicles. Their cars are always made to an exceptionally high standard, and the 911, their most well-known model, is no exception. But many still ponder whether the Porsche 911 qualifies as a supercar.
Without a doubt, the Porsche 911 qualifies as a supercar. It can compete with some of the best high-performance automobiles in the world and, in certain cases, even win races against them. It’s understandable why the Porsche 911 has long been regarded as one of the best vehicles ever produced.
Porsche succeeded in creating an iconic vehicle with the 911. Since the 911’s birth, the car’s design and appearance have stayed loyal to their originals, resulting in a famous and identifiable supercar. Let’s have a closer look at the Porsche 911.