Sales debate
Manual 997.2 Turbo v 997 Turbo S: which is the better long-term investment?
There can be little question the 997 Turbo S has a very bright future ahead of it: a genuine run-out special, its unique spec, allconquering power and relatively low build numbers (approximately 2,000 worldwide) make it a bona fide future classic. Costing from £123,263 new in 2010, prices of this forced-induction special sank to as low as £75,000 around three years ago – the cost of a new 911 Carrera – before steadily rising. Today, a 997 Turbo S is chasing down values of the 991.1 Turbo, and Total 911 predicts it won’t be long before the 997 leapfrogs its younger Turbo brother.
The 997 Turbo S may well represent a solid investment for the future, but is there a Turbo rival to be found within that 997 generation? The 997.2 Turbo, released in 2009, heralded the start of the PDK gearbox era, with most customers speccing this superquick, twin-clutch transmission to marry up to its 500hp flat six engine. Some stuck with good, old-fashioned stick shift though, and it’s these cars that could yet prove a better investment than that aforementioned Turbo S. Why? Not only are manual examples rare (especially in the context that the Gen2 Turbo was released during the last world financial crisis and, as such, numbers generally are low), but more importantly for enthusiasts is the fact the 997.2 represents Porsche’s last ever manual Turbo. So, in the investment stakes, can the manual 997.2 Turbo hold a candle to the special edition – yet PDK only – 997 Turbo S?
“The 997 Turbo S marks the end of the 997 era, which is well thought of among enthusiasts, so prices are holding really well. A manual 997.2 Turbo, however, is a very rare car, with PDK specified on most cars. It could be one of those rare unicorn cars that’s destined for the history books,” says Richard Eniffer, sales manager at Porsche Centre Colchester. “I think with the resurgence in manual cars – think 911 R, Boxster Spyder, GT4 and Carrera T – it would not surprise me if the manual 997.2 turns out to be a great bet… if you can find one.”
Before you trawl the classifieds though, it’s worth hearing from the independent specialists network – especially as Paragon Porsche’s Jamie Tyler thinks otherwise. “The 997 Turbo S would be the best long term investment of the two,” he says. “Like the RS and GTS models compared to their GT3 and Carrera understudies, we think the Turbo S boasts so much more over and above the standard Turbo: the highest performance, ceramic brakes, centre lock wheels. It’s just a very special car.”
It’s clearly an issue that divides our experts then but, really, both cars could end up as winners in the long run. Last manual Turbo or high-spec Turbo S? Choose your poison!