BRUTALLY HONEST REVIEW OF THE PORSCHE 911 C4S CABRIOLET (997.2)

[@itsjoel]

What do you think about the 997? Most beautiful modern 911?

[@johanveenstra7097]

that will be the 996 c4s for me :)

[@stuntcar]

Hi Jo I have a black 2004 997 for sale £10.000 but the engine needs a rebuild due to bore scoring. Iv had it for 10 years, best car iv had said to see it go. Get back to me.if Ur interested.

[@itsjoel]

@@johanveenstra7097 stay tuned, video on that exact car coming soon!

[@johanveenstra7097]

@@itsjoel I saw your IG post, looking forward to your brutally honest review of it haha.

[@robcookson7559]

The 996 C4s has a better looking rear end but the 997’s is better from the front.

[@finleypdoherty]

997.2 is arguably peak 911. Hydraulic steering, compact size, naturally aspirated, 996 engine issues sorted. Plus great quality and modern enough. Great review

[@itsjoel]

Thank you for watching

[@pjay3028]

I have a 997. A couple of weeks ago I did the Porsche Experience Day at Silverstone where I got to drive a 992 C2S flat out around their handling circuit for 90 minutes, so you get a very good feel for the car. There is absolutely no doubt about the class of the new car, but there is equally no doubt at all that I would choose my 997 over the 992 every time. The 997 steering is better, the brakes have more weight and feel, the 992 insulates you from what's happening way too much. It doesn't even feel faster because you don't get the instant punch from the engine that you get with a naturally aspirated 997 engine. My 997 just has way more feel and immediacy of response in everything that it does, absolutely no doubt. The 992 would be a more comfortable daily driver, but that's it's only advantage. To be honest I was amazed.

[@Rednospunk]

997.2 C4 owner here. I could actually get a 991 as budget was not a problem, but I was really attracted by the more modest size of the 997 (as my last car was a 993).

[@HermandenBlijhoofd]

Nobody cares.

[@Rednospunk]

@@HermandenBlijhoofd 8 people did though.

[@I999-g2s]

@@HermandenBlijhoofdget a life buddy

[@alanwayte432]

@@HermandenBlijhoofdcertainly nobody cares about anything you have to say when your shift at McDonald’s is over You envious little Nissan Micra owner.

[@None-vg1qw]

@@HermandenBlijhoofd26 did now 😈😈😈

[@997werks]

You can open the armrest on the door card ;)

[@ChrisDixon-jk6wp]

And folding back seats that become 4 shelfs also in being a lucky boy and also having the branded luggage set that fit in on the back folding storage option seats and that is a very nice look and completely suits the fabrication of this application to make it a little easier to use daily and the excuse that I now only have room for me and 1 female plus people know that you have a 911 when you are checking in the hotel 😂😅

[@jonwarshawsky5288]

Nicely done. However, I suspect that if you’re interested in a 997 it’s likely because the 991 is a bigger car. The 997 retains the basic proportions of the 964/993, but with water cooling and more modern ergonomics.

[@Sussexfauns]

Great video Joel. The 997 is stunning 😍. Never driven one but would love to.

[@brianiswrong]

There is something about how porsche keep the canvas roof sleek and in shape with the cars coupe silhouette on the 911

[@benpenagonzales6014]

Doh! The doors do have a pocket. Lift up the elbow rest!

[@116bg]

exactly. deep storage area in door panels

[@hoggravyandchitlins]

Was about to comment that, a lot of folks miss that, and it is a nice sized compartment.

[@staha]

fantastic review, thoroughly enjoyed it! and as a Porsche owner (996 and 991) your subtle observations are spot on.

[@itsjoel]

@@staha thank you so much for watching, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@alanwayte432]

The steering on 997.2 is much nicer being hydraulic than a early 991 with early electric rack, I own a 2011 GTS which is certainly the sweet spot, also I purchased my 1 owner car in 2018 it has done 33.000 miles, and last year I was offered £8000 more than I paid for, so I have experienced zero Depreciation in six years of ownership..❤

[@geoffclarke3796]

Like you Joel, I quite liked the 'fried egg' headlights on the 996 & loved my 996 GT3 which I owned for more than 10 years.

[@rcclassicgarage]

Great video Joel, I am thinking this is a great car to join the garage!

[@calle1434]

Buy the Boxster Joel! We need more Boxster Content, such a great car.

[@chrisreadman4282]

Currently own a 997.2 c2s pdk. Nothing drives like them. Not the fastest car but Once got the 911 bug nothing else compares.

[@TheRaven.]

Great review as always

[@watchman2263]

Great and insightful review, had a few Porsches and think the 997 is a perfect bridge between a more classic (last of...), Porsche experience and the souless modern era Audi influenced Porsche range.

[@Baconroll699]

Initially when I saw these videos I thought you were walking down dog piss lane but now I see that these videos are great. Well done Joel

[@itsjoel]

@@Baconroll699 appreciated

[@Birmingham_racing]

Only Porsche I've driven is a 997.1 Carrera 4s. Loved how solid and stable it felt but best thing about it was that engine noise

[@itsjoel]

The engine noise is addictive

[@anstroth]

Sadly just sold my Carrera C4S and loved it to bits but really did not use it enough, but I’ve gone big with a Macan GTS as it’s more usable for grandchildren and a big dog🙂 - - - still miss the 997.2 tho😢

[@guss2099]

You do have door compartments. Just lift the arm rest. It’s a reasonable size for wallet and phone.

[@itsjoel]

@@guss2099 thanks for clarifying! I missed that!

[@atociekawe5827]

steering wheel with normal paddles you shown on the photo was an option from factory on 997.2, standard on 997.2 GTS for example

[@jf9601]

Hey Joel, you’ve come a long way from the days when you had the Z4. Question for you, how do you think the 997 compares to the Z4MR? Interesting perspective on the 997.2 vs 991.1.

[@itsjoel]

It’s been a while since I drove a Z4M. The BM definitely has a harder, more spikey edge to it. From what I remember that car is only really happy when it’s being driven within an inch of it’s life, whereas the Porsche can do it all relatively well.

[@rolandgeorges960]

Best review, keep up the good work.

[@alanwayte432]

The 997.2 PCM with Apple car play and latest software is due out next month, The aftermarket option in that car is nasty looking, also the next generation steering wheel is certainly worth fitting

[@jimgraves665]

with the PKD 997 you HAVE to have the sport steering wheel with the paddles... no question.

[@razorworks111]

Agreed. Very easy to retrofit

[@markjordan6318]

I would say that the 997 range offers buyers so much, whether it be .1 or .2. Perhaps the later .2 gives a little bit more peace of mind around potential engine favours. I am somewhat biased since for the last 4 years I have been running a 997.2 GTS - which offers incredible kit & is the perfect roadtrip car. Perhaps the sweet spot 911?

[@itsjoel]

Yes you could be right. I would like to try a 997 GTS

[@markjordan6318]

@@itsjoel you are more than welcome to try mine - just let me know

[@41Forethought]

I own a 2009 997.2 4S Cab PDK with just under 40,000 miles in Ruby Red Metallic over Sand Beige and absolutely love it. I've driven 996s, 991s, and 992s quite extensively. The 996 just doesn't do it for me - the interior is too low rent and the car doesn't feel solid. The later 911s are just too large and isolate the driver too much from the driving experience. The 997.2 hits the sweet spot for design, chassis stifness and driving dynamics. It's the perfect car for the narrow, winding mountain roads here in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. Nothing matches the joy of a fast, top down drive on a warm Spring day!💕

[@philtaylor5053]

12:17 The main problem I have with these cup holders is they're not deep enough, so any cup you use is excessively top heavy. They look great & they're great if you're not moving but on the move & you'll find your cup tipping from side to side. Good design but poor in the real world.

[@philtaylor5053]

Next time you test a Porsche with these cup holders try putting a filled cup in & taking some corners. 🙂

[@HollieKelly1998]

Sadly over here in Ireland we don't have a huge amount of 2nd hand porsches for sale so unfortunately trying to get a good spec anything porsche wise is tricky. I have that exact car except mine is manual. Absolutely love it. Your right it is fast enough for modern driving/speed limits. Anyone thinking of buying a 997 my advice is to go for it.

[@PointNemo9]

Why can't you just buy them in England and import them?

[@aaronobrien7821]

​@@PointNemo9 crazy high import tax

[@ToCoKe-g5s]

I never understood why one would want a fabric roof on a 911. The boxter is there for any one that wants a cabrio... And btw i l prefer the fied egg lights on the 996 they have much more character

[@SlayerEddy]

Another great review!

[@HiddenWen]

Joel, wouldn't mind seeing your brutally honest take on the new Aston Martin Vantage, whenever you get your hands on one.

[@grande_007]

They’re great cars, as is the view of anyone… until bore scoring hits their bank account. It’s far more common than is comfortable. Buy a Hartech rebuild or buy very, very carefully.

[@TiptronicSS]

It's Joel!

[@Captain-KTS]

Beautiful car! Thx for sharing Joel ! Cheers Kirk

[@colin-hanlon]

7:50 don’t the armrests lift up on the doors to reveal storage?

[@BenB91]

Paddles were available from 2009 at launch but it was an optional extra.

[@PointNemo9]

How much extra?

[@BenB91]

@@PointNemo9 around 1,000 from memory

[@MrBarrydice]

Joel, you helped me 4 years ago with the selection of my recent dailly driver E85 3.0 from 2003. Do you think the 997.2 could be a proper upgrade for the E85 3.0?

[@Matt-go7ss]

Can you retro fit the paddle shift steering wheel?

[@razorworks111]

Yes, very easily

[@41Forethought]

Yes, I fitted a 2011 paddle shift sport wheel to my 2009 997.2 4S. I reused the original '09 airbag - it was a very easy plug and play swap.

[@malikabey]

There is a huge point spot at the rear ! What are you seeing?

[@ANNIESI1]

What make of wheels are those ?

[@gen4lifemusic633]

Second gen yes...first gen nah

[@flazzo88]

Love my 997.2 Carrera S

[@edword7195]

no memory seats in his Porsche, my dads Porsche 928 he had in the 80s had 3 memory settings

[@MrRoyck10]

Hopefully your next P car will have a flat 4/6 BoxEngine!

[@PointNemo9]

I wouldn't wish a flat 4 engine on anyone

[@robcookson7559]

Don’t you think the 991 is taking the 911 concept a bit far dimensionally?

[@Fozzymandeus]

The button gearshift on the wheel was standard on all 997 PDK and was carried over into the 991.1 If anyone has a blue paddle shift wheel for sale for a 991 let me know! 😂

[@davidstorm4015]

Looks like there could be the start of cylinder bore scoring on that car, the two left exhaust pipes look a little sooty. The seller should get a scope down the bores to check it

[@Shyted]

Hey Joel, would be great to see you on the STG’s podcast to talk about your journey with him.

[@rivaterrier]

Door bins are under the arms.

[@itsjoel]

Thanks, yes I missed that!

[@Pahakyy]

Divs have the spoiler up.

[@speedyben]

Shame its not got PSE

[@Mr_DXB-kt5di]

Put the rear wing down. It looks ridiculous.

[@andygtv]

Rattles a lot

[@lamarrharris3539]

911 997 is Not gorgeous unless it has the manual shift‼️

[@jamescameron314]

Jaguars are much, much,much better value and in every way better cars. The XK and F Type are so much prettier and better handling.

[@sp7873]

if that were the case, that would have gone viral in the car community and everyone would only buy jags. maybe better value but in every way better cars? better handling? i doubt it profoundly! obviously you have never driven one..

[@robcookson7559]

Having owned an XKR and a C4S, the jaguar is less money, but the jury’s out on maintenance and residual value. They are both “pretty” , but in different ways. Handling…you’re having a laugh! On an even mildly damp road, it’s the Porsche every time, and not just because it’s AWD!

[@ianhortonplant]

I'd go with you on looks but handling? You're talking utter nonsense. Both the XK and F type have a strong GT leaning while the 911, Boxster and Cayman are sports cars. They are far more taught in corners and give way more driver feedback. I love my XKR but it simply does not handle anywhere near as well a my old Boxster. If that was trolling then well done, you got me!

[@PointNemo9]

You are comparing a true GT car to a pure sports car.

[@odinikita4821]

I have an F-Type V6s convertible and a 981 Boxster s convertible they're both great cars with their individual strengths and weaknesses each to their own

[@terryogrady5361]

Please please please can you have that huge mole removed…. I find it intimidating!