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Porsche 911 Carrera 997 S

Carrera S / 4S (997.1 / 997.2)2005–2011

The everyday 911 — rear-engined flat-six, and still the yardstick every sports car gets measured against.

21 reviewers · 36 videos · 7 hours watched

Generations
9641989–19949931995–19989961999–2004996 C4S2002–20049972005–2011997 S2005–2011997 GTS2011–20129912012–2019991 S2012–2019991 GTS2015–20199922020–present992 S2020–present992 GTS2022–present
// 00 the verdict

Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on value.

across 21 reviewers

// where reviewers split
Value
17 say · liveable

"the 911 remains by far the best way to spend 60 grand on a car."

CarsForSales.com · ▶ 6:19
1 say · critical

"Porsche was the lowest value just because maybe it's a more common driving experience and they're slightly overpriced."

Tedward · ▶ 26:07
// the categories
// 01

Performance

4.5/521 of 21 reviewersstrong consensus

“Man, this 911 comes alive in the top of the tack. Oh, it sounds so good.”

positive · The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 0:12

“The S makes 355 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. And in this coupe form, the lightweight form of the 997's compact shape, it's also incredibly lightweight.”

positive · Jalopy Jeff · ▶ 2:23

“385 horsepower doesn't sound like the sort of thing that should be canonical but as I arrived at our test track I hadn't just matched the plate 27 miles per gallon won't blow these away by achieving 31.2”

positive · Fifth Gear · ▶ 2:33
// 02

Handling

4.5/521 of 21 reviewersstrong consensus

“coming out of corners I can get on the power so much earlier and so much harder”

positive · Zygrene · ▶ 6:51

“I think the steering is definitely better on this car. One thing I love about this car is that it does everything you want it to do on a twisty road.”

positive · The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 2:36

“the steering is better oh turn it in the front end just talks”

positive · Throttle House · ▶ 19:36
// 03

Fun to drive

5.0/521 of 21 reviewersconsensus

“from a driving experience, it dumps all over the Aston. Like I love my car so much, but this is just so much more. It's more fun is what it is.”

positive · The Fast Lane Car · ▶ 2:42

“it feels more 911”

positive · Throttle House · ▶ 19:48

“It truly is a really raw driving experience. The gear changes are so mechanical feeling, it's lovely.”

positive · Car Culture Club · ▶ 9:08
// 04

Daily drivability

4.0/521 of 21 reviewersstrong consensus

“I think that proves beyond doubt that this truly is the greatest all-rounder”

positive · Fifth Gear · ▶ 3:31

“as far as manual transmission cars it's pretty easy to live with”

positive · TheSmokingTire · ▶ 13:51

“The beauty of a Porsche 911 is just how practical it is for usability. I showed you earlier how it's a 2 + 2 car. It's got more room for luggage than you would expect.”

positive · Jalopy Jeff · ▶ 24:00
// 05

Value

4.0/521 of 21 reviewerssplit

“the 911 remains by far the best way to spend 60 grand on a car.”

positive · CarsForSales.com · ▶ 6:19

“it's currently up at Paragon for 47 just half its original value”

positive · 9WERKS TV · ▶ 6:01

“Porsche was the lowest value just because maybe it's a more common driving experience and they're slightly overpriced.”

critical · Tedward · ▶ 26:07

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

Car Culture Club
Posted Feb 22, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Jalopy Jeff
Posted Oct 17, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Shift Society
Posted Mar 20, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
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Head to head
From the press · 0 articles

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EngineM97 (997.1) / MA1 (997.2)
Power385 hp
Torque310 lb-ft
TX6-speed manual; Tiptronic S (997.1) or 7-speed PDK (997.2)
Curb3,075 lb
Manual✓ available