Porsche 911 (997)
2004–2012 (Carrera GTS 2011–2012) · Porsche 911 (997) — Sports Car, Flat-6, designed by Pinky Lai.
The Story
The 997 is, for many, the Goldilocks 911 — the generation that got everything just right. Launched in 2005, it was hailed as a return to form after the divisive 996: the classic round headlamps came back, the interior was vastly improved, and the chassis was sharpened into one of the best-handling everyday 911s ever. It came in two flavours: the 997.1 (2005, M97 engine — still with the IMS concern) and the much-improved 997.2 (2008), which adopted the new direct-injection 9A1 engine that finally banished the IMS worry and added a slick PDK gearbox. Brilliant to drive, beautifully built and now keenly priced, the 997 — especially a manual 997.2 — is widely regarded as the sweet spot of the modern 911 line.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Sports Car class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Pinky Lai
Born in Hong Kong and trained in Rome and London, Lai is best known for the controversial-but-crucial 996 — the first 911 designed from scratch since 1964 — whose platform-sharing with the Boxster helped save the company.
Studio Motors POV
The ‘Goldilocks 911’ — the return-to-form generation that nailed the balance of feel and usability. A manual 997.2 (a GTS or S if you can) is one of the smartest modern-911 buys; documented history is everything.
The Engine
9A1 / 9A2 flat-six (DI)
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About 911 (997)
Worth Knowing About the 911 (997)
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1) It won evo Car of the Year in 2004 and was universally received as a 'return to form' — the round headlamps were back. 2) The 997.2 (2008) switched to the direct-injection 9A1 engine, ending the IMS-bearing worry and introducing the PDK gearbox. 3) Many enthusiasts call it the 'Goldilocks 911' — the ideal balance of analog feel and modern usability.
5 Fast Facts
- • 2005–2012; the 'return to form' after the 996. • 997.1 (M97, IMS) → 997.2 (2008, 9A1 DI, IMS-free, PDK). • Round headlamps return; superb chassis. • The 'Goldilocks 911' — analog feel, modern usability. • A sweet-spot modern 911 (manual 997.2 leads).
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
FLAG: no documented/citable celebrity owner verified here for the base 997. (Excluded rather than guessed.)
Studio Buyer’s Brief
The 997.2 (2008-on, 9A1 engine) is the one to seek — no IMS worry, more power, optional PDK; a manual is the enthusiast’s choice. On 997.1 cars, verify IMS/engine history. The wide-body Carrera S/4S and the Carrera GTS are the most desirable. A clean, documented 997.2 is among the best all-round used 911s you can buy.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Porsche 911 (997)
- Class
- Sports Car
- Production years
- 2004–2012 (Carrera GTS 2011–2012)
- Units built
- FLAG: ~2,656 (997.2 Carrera GTS coupe per stuttcars; not an official combined total)
- Variants
- Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera 4, Carrera 4S, Targa, GTS; Coupe, Cabriolet
- Engine layout
- Rear
- Engine
- Flat-6
- Engine family
- 9A1 / 9A2 flat-six (DI)
- Displacement
- 3.8L / 3800 cc
- Power
- 408 hp
- Torque
- 310 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 4.2 s
- Top speed
- 190 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 287 hp/tonne · 7.7 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 6-speed manual / 7-speed PDK
- Drivetrain
- RWD (Carrera 4 GTS AWD) · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 3131 lb
Questions
911 (997) FAQ
What is the Porsche 997 Carrera GTS engine specification?
The 997 Carrera GTS (2011-2012) uses a 3.8-litre naturally aspirated 9A1 flat-six producing 408 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, available with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed PDK. It reaches 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and tops 190 mph. The GTS bridges the Carrera S and GT3 in the 997 range.
Why is the Porsche 997 considered the last analog 911?
The 997.1 (2004-2008) retains hydraulic power steering and a naturally aspirated base engine without direct injection, giving it a tactile, linear character that enthusiasts associate with earlier air-cooled 911s. The 997.2 (2009-2012) added direct injection and the 7-speed PDK, moving closer to the modern turbocharged 992 character. The manual 997.1 Carrera S is widely regarded as the last point before the 911 became noticeably more tech-mediated.
What is a Porsche 997 Carrera GTS worth today?
Manual 997 Carrera GTS coupes trade in the $85,000-$110,000 range in 2025-2026 markets and have been appreciating as collectors recognize the model as the last naturally aspirated GTS 911. PDK examples trade at a discount to manual cars. Hagerty publishes condition-based valuations for all 997 variants.
How does the 997 differ from the 996 it replaced?
The 997 (2004-2012) corrected the most criticised aspects of the 996: it received a distinctive round-headlight face replacing the shared-with-Boxster fried-egg lights, a stiffer body, a more powerful engine, an improved interior, and progressive resolution of the IMS bearing concern. It is considered a purer, more resolved 911 and carries a significant used-market premium over equivalent 996 examples.
Can I buy or finance a Porsche 997 through Studio Motors?
Yes. Specialist lenders can structure financing on these modern-classic 911s.
The Porsche Lineup
Explore every Porsche
911 (Original) ’64904 Carrera GTS ’64914 ’69
911 Carrera RS 2.7 ’72911 (G-Series) ’74911 Carrera RS 3.0 ’74911 Turbo (930) ’75924 ’76928 ’77
911 Turbo (964) ’90911 Carrera RS (964) ’91968 ’92911 (993) ’94911 Carrera RS (993) ’95911 Turbo (993) ’95911 GT2 (993) ’95Boxster (986) ’96911 (996) ’97911 GT3 (996) ’99
911 Turbo (996) ’00911 GT2 (996) ’01Cayenne (955) ’02911 (997) ’04Boxster / Cayman (987) ’04Carrera GT ’04911 Turbo (997) ’06911 GT3 (997) ’06911 GT3 RS (997) ’06911 GT2 (997) ’07911 Sport Classic (997) ’09Panamera (970) ’09
911 GT2 RS (997) ’10911 Speedster (997) ’10Cayenne (958) ’10911 (991.1) ’11Boxster / Cayman (981) ’12911 Turbo (991) ’13911 GT3 (991) ’13918 Spyder ’13Macan (95B) ’14911 GT3 RS (991) ’15Cayman GT4 / Boxster Spyder (981) ’15911 (991.2) ’16911 R (991) ’16718 Cayman / Boxster (982) ’16911 GT2 RS (991) ’17Panamera (971) ’17Cayenne (9Y0) ’17911 Speedster (991) ’19911 (992.1) ’19718 Cayman GT4 / Spyder (982) ’19Taycan ’19
911 Turbo (992) ’20911 GT3 (992) ’21Cayenne Turbo GT (9Y0) ’21911 Dakar (992) ’22911 GT3 RS (992) ’22911 Sport Classic (992) ’22718 Cayman GT4 RS / Spyder RS (982) ’22911 S/T (992) ’23911 (992.2) ’24911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid (992.2) ’24Panamera (972) ’24Macan Electric ’24
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