cte430

It's been about a month or so since I sold the beast and bought the 997S. How do I like it? Well, I already have a hair over 3,000 miles on it, and it's not my daily driver!! It is obviously a very different ride than the E55. I bought it thinking I could have more fun with this than the way I owned the benz. So far, I'm happy with my decision. I do miss the E55 and in a perfect world I would have both. Maybe an E63 w/ the P-car will be in my future. A couple of weeks ago my wife asked if I liked it better than the benz and I guess I hesitated a bit. "Idiot", was her only comment.

People are correct in their assessment of the 911. Is it the fastest? NO. Is it the best handler? NO. Is it the most luxurious? NO. BUT, for an overall package it is very hard to beat. Everything about the car is about driving. From the perfect seats and seating position, to that giant tach front and center, (no big silly clock in this cluster LOL) and the feel of moving the short throw shifter thought it's gears is a blast. Best is that Porsche engine wail behind your head. I've never ownd a car where the radio is OFF as much as this car. And the handling is insane. coming from the E55 I often find myself laughing out loud while throwing this thing around a corner. I've taken turns in this at speeds that are unreal.

One of the biggest surprises is I find myself doing triple digit speeds more than when I had the E55. I had figured that this car would make all speeds feel double that of the benz due to it's size, suspension, etc. On the contrary, it is so comfortable at high speeds it's sureal. I've had it up to about 145 a few times and it is much more stable, and confident than the E55 was at those speeds. And like I said, it doesn't feel like you're going that fast. Another pleasant surprise is the complete lack of squeaks and rattles. It is as tight as a drum.

One of my biggest concerns before I got it was how would I cope with so much less power and torque. Well, I gotta say, I'm surviving. Maybe having a stick makes hammering it from every stop light a little less "important". It is not slow by any stretch. In fact, if you're in the right RPM range and hammer it, it pulls extremely hard. If you're cruising at 85 or so in 6th and you floor it, you obvioulsy do not get what the E55 gave you. I can only imagine what the TT feels like with another 100 or so HP!!

Funny thing is that I've yet to develop that "emotional bond" that I had with the E55. Perhaps it's that the E55 was my first "special" car. Seemed to have a more pride of ownership thing vs. just driving the crap out of the porsche and having a blast!

cte430

gotta love those hips!!

Rock

What an awesome car. I know you miss your E55, but like a spouse, it is good to make a periodic change.......................... as long as you can afford it.

An E63 and a 911s in the garage..............Nirvana!!!

Vetluver

Chris, I understand your feelings but I see an E63 in your future. Been there, done that, got the hat. Once you fall in love with a Benz nothing else will suffice. You need both.

newton22

Jesus, that is sexy!

F_Porsche

really nice choice! I love those wheels on the 911.
An E63 with the Porsche would be nice. But I thought more about
a 997 TT with a E55 Wagon!!!! (the wife needs a car!)
How about that combo?

W210

More interior pictures please! I'm thinking of picking up a 997TT and am deciding on the colour. Is yours Atlas silver?

Your car looks great, congratulations!!

BenzoBoi

I want that car so bad...but I love the E55 too much...one day for me I guess...

Congrats on the ride!~!

IanSL55

I almost bit on that as well...!

It was the 911S or the SL55 for me right when the new 911's came out at the end of 2004... but decided to wait on the 997 Turbo or GT3. Somewhat glad I did as I'm now exploring a F430 but have to give you two thumbs up on your choice anyway!

Very nice sled.

~ Ian

Hamann7

cte430,

Imagine how I feel every time I drive the E55 or my GT2 or GT3 back to back... those are some of the best handling cars out there not to mention quick. I have to remind myself to simply stop comparing AMG to Porsche, as I was finding myself cussing out loud every time I take turns or canyon roads in the E55. You can't even properly mod that POS Airmatic suspension either!

What sold me on the E55 was when Arling of Lucent Motors took me for a ride in a Kleeman K1 car... wow!

If I think of my 55 as a really comfortable American muscle car... then I actually do enjoy it. But as a total package for performance, you simply cannot beat the Porsches particularly the GT models... they even make the BMW M cars feel like Cadillacs.

cte430

Thanks! The interior is black (looks more grey in pics), while the exterior is GT Silver. It is a "premium" cost in Porsche's lineup (3K out the window!) vs. $800 for the std. metalic colors. Man, they hammer you on EVERY option. I did not order the car but did a search on cars that were on the water and found this which had most of the options I wanted. The GT silver is a very interesting color, and should be seen in person. It looks more steel like and up close the metallic flakes are much bigger than the regular metalic colors. Also has a bit of a blue hue in certain light. And in the shade looks more grey.

Although I may have spec'd it a little differently had I ordered it, I'm sure I would have spent a LOT more (I know myself too well) had I done so. Probably would have gone full leather (salesman actually talked me out of it), definitely gone with the thicker, sport steering wheel.

If after a two years or so I'm still enjoying the porsche experience a TT would certainly be considered. I can't imagine what that thing must be like! OR, since I don't drive this every day, maybe the GT3?