Hypercars field notes / The buying guide
Porsche 997 Years to Avoid (and the Best Years to Buy)
Compare 997.1 and 997.2 Carreras, verify engine history and understand what year-by-year sale prices can tell you
The short answer
Start with the 997.1 versus 997.2 Carrera distinction, then inspect the individual car. Early 997.1 engines need their IMS-bearing design verified; a 2005 model-year label does not settle which bearing is installed. The 997.2 Carrera uses a different engine without an intermediate shaft, but that does not make every example a safe buy. This table includes Carrera and Targa sales only. Turbo and GT models are outside the comparison.
The market at a glance
Median completed auction price and the middle 50% of sales. Ranges share one scale; a wider bar means a wider spread of sale prices.
Swipe across for sale counts, trends and mileage →
| Model year | Median Price | Middle 50% | Sales | 12-mo Trend | Avg Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | $44,000 | $34,625 – $51,499 | 90 | +7.1% | 67,108 |
| 2006 | $46,997 | $37,777 – $59,000 | 181 | +5.4% | 60,419 |
| 2007 | $49,500 | $42,000 – $62,001 | 121 | +7.1% | 63,066 |
| 2008 | $56,400 | $41,812 – $67,382 | 90 | +10.1% | 56,458 |
| 2009 | $60,898 | $48,125 – $73,375 | 102 | +6.0% | 62,824 |
| 2010 | $66,000 | $54,250 – $85,000 | 47 | +29.8% | 56,273 |
| 2011 | $72,250 | $62,125 – $89,375 | 58 | +11.8% | 49,766 |
| 2012 | $82,750 | $65,998 – $102,500 | 63 | +5.5% | 40,902 |
A closer look
- 01
2005Median $44,000 12-mo +7.1%n=90 sold997.1 Carrera and Targa sales; the price sample does not measure reliability.
- 02
2006Median $46,997 12-mo +5.4%n=181 sold997.1 Carrera and Targa sales; the price sample does not measure reliability.
- 03
2007Median $49,500 12-mo +7.1%n=121 sold997.1 Carrera and Targa sales; the price sample does not measure reliability.
- 04
2008Median $56,400 12-mo +10.1%n=90 sold997.1 Carrera and Targa sales; the price sample does not measure reliability.
- 05
2009Median $60,898 12-mo +6.0%n=102 sold997.2 Carrera and Targa sales; the price sample does not measure reliability.
- 06
2010Median $66,000 12-mo +29.8%n=47 sold997.2 Carrera and Targa sales; the price sample does not measure reliability.
- 07
2011Median $72,250 12-mo +11.8%n=58 sold997.2 Carrera and Targa sales; the price sample does not measure reliability.
- 08
2012Median $82,750 12-mo +5.5%n=63 sold997.2 Carrera and Targa sales; the price sample does not measure reliability.
Make a better purchase
Before you buy
Have the installed engine identified, including replacement history. Ask the specialist to verify the bearing design rather than relying only on the registration year.
Compare 997.1 and 997.2 cars on the features you want and their complete ownership cost. Removing one engine concern does not remove the need for an inspection.
For prior IMS work, verify the product and invoice and ask about its service requirements. For proposed work, get advice specific to that engine and current available procedures.
Check cylinders, cooling system, leaks, transmission, suspension and accident repairs as part of a specialist pre-purchase inspection.
Compare like-for-like Carrera or Targa sales. The year medians here do not include a Turbo or GT price premium.
Questions, answered.
- Which 997 years have IMS concerns?
- The 997.1 Carrera engine family uses an intermediate shaft. Bearing designs differ, including within the 2005 transition; verify the installed engine rather than assuming the model year identifies it. The 997.2 Carrera engine does not have an intermediate shaft.
- Is a 2005 Porsche 997 a bad buy?
- Not automatically. Require an engine-specific inspection, documented maintenance and a price that leaves room for identified work. A bearing invoice alone does not establish the health of the whole car.
- What year 997 should I buy?
- Shortlist by generation, transmission and body style, then compare inspected examples. A 997.2 may suit a buyer prioritizing its engine and gearbox changes, but no model year is a substitute for condition and records.
- How much does the 997 IMS fix cost?
- Request a quote after the specialist identifies the installed engine and suitable procedure. Product availability and techniques change, so avoid an assumed fixed price or blanket claim that every later bearing needs the same work.
Methodology
Based on 752 completed North American auction sales from the last 2 years on the online auctions and auction houses we track, priced in US or Canadian dollars. Sales in other currencies are left out, since their prices carry other taxes and duties, and so are fixed-price listings, which record an asking price. Canadian prices are converted to USD. Each price is the median sale, the way our valuations work, and typical ranges show the middle half of sales (25th–75th percentile). The sample is refreshed regularly. A change in the cars sold can change the median without any individual car gaining or losing value.
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