What some consider to be peak Porsche engineering, the 997 generation of the 911 Turbo is set to be a future classic and a worthy investment.
BY SAM MAIN
VIA HOTCARS
PUBLISHED APR 30, 2023
There have been many great Porsches to come out of Stuttgart. The original 911, the V8 powered 928, and the stunning Carrera GT. It’s safe to say Porsche has always pushed the boundaries on what was mechanically possible to create the ultimate motorcar. However, out of its incredible legacy of amazing cars, one stands out as the peak – the ultimate – in Porsche engineering: the 997 generation Porsche 911 Turbo.
The 997 Turbo, first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2006, took the world by storm as it demonstrated the last of the conventional sports car era for the 911. A manual gearbox, hydraulic steering, a true sports car, and the pinnacle of driver-focused engineering from Porsche. The car has aged incredibly well compared to its predecessor, the 996-generation, and thanks to certain valuable characteristics of the 997 Turbo, it looks as if it is a future classic that is worth investing in.
What Makes The 997 Porsche 911 Turbo So Special?
One of the many things the 997 generation of the 911 Turbo got right was its powertrain. Though its predecessor, the 996 era, was hugely controversial upon launch, having switched from the classic air-cooled engine to a new water-cooled design (something Porsche purists were not too happy about), the 997 Turbo blew all criticism out of the water.
Under the hood of the 997 Turbo was a 3.6-liter flat-six engine equipped with a then-radical innovation of a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. In essence, it was an engine with twin turbochargers that reduced turbo lag at the low end. This meant that power was consistent and always readily available. The result: the 997 Turbo produced 473 hp at 6000 RPM and a staggering torque output of 502 ft-lbs.
With supercar-like power that top-trumped a Ferrari 360 Modena, this era of 911 Turbo could go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 193 mph. A truly staggering performance from a car that weighed just 3,400 lbs. To increase performance and downforce, Porsche even developed aerodynamic technology in the form of a deployable rear spoiler to keep the car hunkered down to the road. Coupled with its four-wheel drive system, the 997 Turbo became a sports car not to be messed with.
Why Is The 997 Turbo Considered The Best 911 Ever Made?
Clearly, this era of the 911 Turbo was fast (to say the least). It could astonishingly go from 40 to 60 mph – in second gear – in just a single second; another prime factor as to why the 997 is a future classic is down to its gearbox. Though a 5-speed Tiptronic transmission was offered, buyers could have spec’d their 997 Turbo with a 6-speed manual transmission. Not only did this strengthen the driving dynamics of the car, but it also unknowingly gave the 997 an award for being the final 911 Turbo to be available with a manual gearbox. From then on, only PDK automatics were available in 911 Turbo models.
Further evidence of the 997 Turbo being the last of the pure driver-focussed 911s can be found with its steering and handling feel. Unlike its successor, the 991 generation, the 997 kept hydraulic steering instead of switching to electric. This resulted in the 997 having incredible handling capabilities, as the driver could feel the bumps and dips and the front wheels tracking the camber of the road. It provided a more precise driving sensation, something later generations of 911 lacked.
So, not only did it have an incredibly powerful engine, but the 997 Turbo also placed emphasis on driving dynamics. It masterfully blended the old (with a conventional manual and hydraulic steering) with the new (thanks to its water-cooled twin-turbo powertrain). This merger made the 997-gen 911 Turbo even more desirable as it marked the last hurrah of the ‘conventional’ Porsche sports car.
How Much Is A 997 Porsche 911 Turbo Worth Today?
It’s clear that the 997 Turbo was masterfully engineered, thanks to reports of 911 Turbos from this era amassing over 150,000 miles and still going strong. It has achieved bulletproof reliability and maintained mechanical excellence. So, the question some may be asking right now is: how much does a 997 generation Turbo cost today?
The 2006 to 2009 era of the 911 Turbo originally cost around $130,000. Like most cars on the market, depreciation has occurred, but prices of the 997 have been on the up recently. As per Classic.com, the average sale price of a 997 Turbo is around $100,000, with the most expensive sold at auction for a staggering $285,000. The latter is, of course, an extreme example, but what’s evident is that the 997 Porsche 911 Turbo is now an appreciating asset, increasing in value as the days go by.
Truth be told, though the market deems the 997 Turbo to be worth $100,000, its sentimental value knows no bounds as this era of 911 is truly unmatched and is peak engineering from Porsche themselves. Its timeless design makes the 997 Porsche Generation a classic, and because it’s a super fast, reliable, well-engineered, and driver-focussed machine, it’s the ultimate sports car for the enthusiast who is looking for a dynamic driving experience. By that measure, the 997 Turbo has an immeasurable value, for cars such as these are becoming a thing of the past. Our advice? Get one now before it’s too late and more expensive.
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