Is the Porsche 997 a good investment?

The thesis

The 997.2 Carrera S manual is the sweet spot of modern-era 911s. The 2009–2012 facelift brought DFI which solved IMS and bore-scoring issues, making it far more reliable than the 997.1. With 385hp from a 3.8L flat-six and hydraulic steering that later 991s abandoned, it delivers genuine analogue feedback. Hagerty data shows modern classics (2000s-built) are the only appreciating segment in the UK right now, and Porsche/Honda were the only marques seeing rising export to the US in 2025, signalling strong international demand. The manual is rarer and commands a premium; enthusiast forums confirm £30–38k for good 997.2 manual cars in late 2025.