As you know, I’ve been looking for a new sports car to add to the Spies arsenal.
There are a lot of good ones on the market but only one in my opinion that does it all.
If there is only one sports car you can have in your lifetime and you don't want to compromise, I'll make the choice easy for you.
It's not a Ferrari
It’s not a BMW
It's not a Corvette
It's not a Lotus
It's not a Lamborghini
Plain and simple, the best sports car on earth today is the Porsche Carrera S.
The only thing more perfect than the 997 is Gisele Bundchen in a thong.
OK, I already know what you’re thinking…
001, prove to me why it’s the best!
Alrighty then.
I will.
AND, I’ll tell you why I didn’t pick the others…
The Carrera S is the total package.
Style, substance, sublime, iconic, practical and just right are just some of the thoughts that come to mind when I think of the 997S.
Practical?
Well, not practical in the sense of a Honda Civic.
But compared to the others on the list, except the Corvette and BMW, you don’t have to prepare yourself for a lifetime of service headaches, arrogant dealers and horrendous manufacturer support.
Did I include arrogant dealers and horrendous manufacturer support?
Any Ferrari or Lamborghini owners want to chime in here about their dealings with their local dealers and corporate support?
I’ll net it out for you.
Most of them are just plain DICKS, including the execs.
Forget the DaVinci code…They should write the book, ‘The Ferrari code’.
I bet somewhere there are one or two Silas’s in that headquarters!
Yes their cars are FANTASTIC, but who needs the aggravation.
And if they aren’t good to me knowing full well what I do and what effect our opinions can have, trust me, they won’t be good to you.
Don’t believe me?
Go to their booth at the next auto show and speak to the employees there.
You’ll get a free clinic in how to be arrogant.
Back to the 911…
What’s its best attribute?
You can just go and drive the thing with ZERO stress!
You don’t have to worry that at 5,000 miles you need have the transmission re-jiggered, or that you need to take out a second loan on your home for your scheduled maintenance.
How about NO oil changes for 20,000 miles on a 997?
But none of this matters if the driving experience isn’t phenomenal…and it is!
We’re talking performance only tenths of a second away from F430 for less than half the price.
AND, you have a back seat in case you need it.
It’s small, but it’s there.
It’s not as pretty as the F430, but the 997 design is classic and timeless.
The transmission (with sport shifter) could be the best ever.
It will make you forget automatics exist.
The more you drive it the more you realize there is no better sports car solution that is as well, balanced, well built and as drivable on a day to day basis as the Carrera S.
And yes, we think there is a BIG difference between the Carrera and the Carrera S.
Most importantly the suspension.
The PASM is wonderful and allows a comfortable ride when you want it.
The interior (outfitted with cocoa special leather) is what you EXPECT from a German car manufacturer.
It’s like riding inside of a Chanel handbag.
The look, the smell and the feel lets you know you did the right thing choosing the upgraded interior.
Any downside?
No car is perfect and neither is the 997S.
But the good news is the downside has nothing to do with the drive or performance.
The upgraded BOSE stereo is mediocre at best, there is no Bluetooth solution yet and no integrated satellite radio…We hear it’s coming in 2008.
Other reasons why I bought the 997S vs. the competitors:
1. Corvette- The fastest piece of crap on earth. I just can’t get past the interior quality.
2. BMW- The M3 is too small and I don’t like its around town manners, M5 is great but the exterior design is not supermodel material and smg needs help, 6-series is the best of the bunch but it ended up a distant second behind the 997S.
3. Ferrari- I’m not a fan of high maintenance whiny women and the Ferrari is the high maintenance whiny woman of the bunch.
4. Lamborghini- The high maintenance whiny winger to the Ferrari.
5. Audi S4- The most underrated of the bunch but it doesn’t make the cut amongst these superstars.
Congratulations Porsche!
The Carrera S is now officially in the AutoSpies.com arsenal AND in the AutoSpies.com sports car hall of fame.
Plus, it’s the highest rated car we’ve ever reviewed.
Rating:
*****Five stars +
I bought my 997S at Stevens Creek Porsche in San Jose…Give Marc Wood a call or email him if you’re in the market and want to experience their first class selection and service.
(408) 247-1655
http://stevens-creek.porschedealer.com/
mwood@unitedauto.com
And check out their new dealership.
It’s gorgeous!
More 997S photos below...