This week on Full Throttle Talk, we’re diving deep into one of the most loved generations of the 911—the Porsche 997. Whether you're eyeing a 997.1 Carrera or dreaming of a 997.2 GTS, this episode is your ultimate buyer’s guide. We break down trims, tech, reliability, pricing, and which models are poised to become future classics.

But that’s not all...

What We Did in Cars This Week

Automotive News Breakdown

PDK Problems?

997 Buyer’s Guide Highlights:

997.1 vs 997.2 – What really changed and what’s worth your money?

IMS bearings, bore scoring, and how to shop smart with a PPI

Manual vs PDK: Which one will age better?

Best 997 for your budget, your driveway, and your long-term smile

Pricing insights with real data from Classic.com

Whether you're buying, dreaming, or just here for the banter, this episode is packed with info, laughs, and sharp takes on the state of the automotive world. Buckle up. It’s Full Throttle Talk.

997 Buyer’s Guide

Porsche 997 Overview

What is the 997? Where it fits in 911 history

Key features: return to classic 911 design, hydraulic steering, analog feel

Trim types: C2, C2S, C4S, Targa, GTS, Turbo, GT3, GT2

Turbo changes: 2007–2008, 2009–2012, 2013 Turbo S (918 special edition)

997.1 vs 997.2 – What's the Real Difference?

Engine changes: M96/M97 vs DFI (Direct Fuel Injection) 9A1 – shorter stroke in .2

IMS bearing — fact vs myth

Transmission evolution: Tiptronic to PDK

Interior and tech upgrades in 997.2 (997.2 4/4S always had LSD)

Why values differ in today’s market

Reliability & Common Issues

IMS bearing (only certain 997.1s affected)

Bore scoring – what it is and why it matters

Leaky rear main seals

PDK vs manual maintenance

Expert take: “Here’s what you should always ask for during a pre-purchase inspection.”

What’s the Right 997 for You?

Best value today: 2008 Carrera S Coupe

Best daily driver: 997.2 Carrera S PDK

Best future classic: 997 GTS or GT3

AWD vs RWD — do you really need a C4S?

Decision-making based on budget and use case

Pricing & Market Trends (2025 Snapshot)

997.1: $40K–$55K

997.2: $60K–$90K depending on model and mileage

Turbo and GTS premiums

Collector picks and future appreciation

North American vs European market differences

Ownership Costs & Maintenance

Annual cost expectations

DIY-friendly? (oil changes, plugs, brakes)

Insurance tips

What’s expensive to fix vs what isn’t

Recommended Porsche specialists (shoutout local shops)

Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

Why the 997 is the sweet spot between analog and modern

Top 3 buyer tips in 30 seconds

What we’d buy with $70K today

Paul Kramer: 714-335-4911 | ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Casey Parkin: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

David Van Epps: 704-799-7680⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram and FB is @sonderwerks

Tim Harris: 512-758-0206 (text only) | [email protected]

This week on Full Throttle Talk, we’re calling it like we see it:

– Has Ferrari officially become a fashion brand? Are the cars still built for drivers—or for influencers with leased watches and TikTok egos?
– Is Porsche heading the same way? Chasing lifestyle over lap times?
– And let’s talk new car pricing insanity—why are enthusiast cars now $300K tech pods with fake engine sounds?

We also dive into:
– The real impact of tariffs on new and used car values—and how it’s warping buyer perception
– This or That: What’s the best daily driver under $75K? (Hint: If you said “Tesla,” stop listening.)
– What we did this week in cars—including garage updates, auction picks, and what’s breaking next

Finally, we ask the big one:
As new cars get heavier, pricier, and more soulless… does that make older analog cars even more valuable—or are they peaking?

No fluff. No filters. Just real car talk, the way it should be.

Paul Kramer: 714-335-4911 | ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

This Week on the Podcast: Homologation Specials, Porsche 996 Sales, and Wagon Controversies

With Tim off in the boonies, Paul takes the wheel for this week's episode. Topics include our favorite homologation specials, why each host is about to sell a different Porsche 996, and a heated debate on when a wagon isn't the best answer. Plus, more automotive hot takes and a listener suggested "this or that".

Fasten your 5-points. This one’s loud, weird, and all throttle.

This week on Full Throttle Talk, the guys fire up the mics for a classic round of car chaos, caffeine, and controversy.

Tim reveals the official route for his “Hillbilly Car Guy Tour” in the RS6 Avant — a pilgrimage through Porsche sanctuaries, Corvette HQ, and a visit to his 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder that is FINALLY being assembled.. Paul recaps a C&C frenzy with an F40/F50 showdown in SoCal, Dave shares shop stories and new project madness, and Casey mixes Vespas, 968s, Land Cruisers, and backroom Porsche deals. The guys go deep with the popular segment called 'This or That' where they give you the option of 2 cars for the same price and you decide,...this our that. 

We also dive into:

 Homologation legends: 911 GT1, CLK GTR, 924 GTS Clubsport, and a Porsche 917 with no drivetrain

 Spoiler Wars: from the iconic (992 RS, Spyder RS) to the cringe (rubber 930, 2020 Civic Type R)

 Market madness: Terracotta Warrior, 996 Turbo X50, and a $134K 997.1 vs. 996 GT3 face-off

 Automotive news: Horner out, Max to Mercedes? Speedhunters gone? PCA 911 Club Coupe drops

 Listener Q&A and “This or That” decisions that’ll start arguments in your group chat

Fasten your 5-points. This one’s loud, weird, and all throttle.

Paul Kramer: 714-335-4911 | ⁠[email protected]⁠

Casey Parkin: ⁠[email protected]⁠

This week on Full Throttle Talk, we hit redline on controversy. Tim Harris, Paul Kramer, Casey Parkin, and Dave Van Epps dive headfirst into the rumored Nürburgring lap time of the upcoming Corvette ZR1X—reportedly a mind-melting 6:28. That’s faster than the AMG One. So what happens when a Chevy, built in Bowling Green, becomes the fastest production car on Earth… on Germany’s home turf? Let’s just say: Enzo’s ghost may need a stiff drink.

We also break down the do’s and don’ts of car rallies (spoiler: there’s a correct way to sticker a supercar), plus another round of “This or That,” where two Bring-a-Trailer finds under $30K battle for budget brilliance.

Then, Dave throws playful shade at 997 GT3s while we ask: is the 996 GT3 secretly the king of all GT3s? (Did you know it was seam-welded from the factory while the 997 used a 997S chassis? Yeah. It’s a thing.)

Finally, it’s the $700,000 question: if you could only pick one—911 ST, 458 Speciale, or Ford GT—what’s your play? The fact that all four hosts unanimously agreed is either a miracle… or a sign of the apocalypse.

It’s loud, it’s nerdy, it’s chaotic—and it’s Full Throttle Talk. Buckle up.

Full Throttle Talk IG @fullthrottletalkftt

Paul Kramer: 714-335-4911 | ⁠[email protected]⁠

This isn’t just another episode—it’s a Porsche enthusiast’s fantasy come to life.

Buckle up for a high-octane episode of Full Throttle Talk! Join host Paul Kramer, alongside his legendary dad, Ed, as they live out their ultimate car enthusiast dream in Germany. Broadcasting live from the iconic Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Paul takes us on a thrilling ride through his bucket-list adventure. From tearing up the legendary Nürburgring to going flat-out on the no-limits Autobahn, Paul shares every heart-pounding moment. We dive deep into German car culture, debate the timeless charm of vintage rides versus the cutting-edge tech of modern machines, and, of course, geek out over everyone’s favorite obsession—Porsche! Whether you’re a gearhead or just love a good adventure, this episode is a full-throttle joyride you won’t want to miss!

Paul Kramer: 714-335-4911 | ⁠[email protected]⁠

Casey Parkin: ⁠[email protected]⁠

David Van Epps: 704-799-7680⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠[email protected]⁠ |

Strap in for Full Throttle Talk, the podcast where car nuts floor it with wit and wisdom! Join hosts Tim Harris, the all-knowing car nerd; Paul Kramer, the Porsche-dealing showman; Dave Van Epps, the vintage Porsche sage; and Casey Parkin, the automotive collection caretaker who polishes cars like they’re museum pieces. This episode takes you on a high-octane spin through Paul’s upcoming Germany trip, hitting the Porsche factory, Sunderwerks, and the country’s most epic driving roads. We debate the perfect rental car for autobahn domination, choke on the $300K starting price for a Porsche AG 911 restoration, and wrestle with whether a recommissioned Porsche can still be "original." We also geek out over Harry Metcalfe’s brilliant Harry’s Garage video, chronicling his 1989 Porsche 930 S tearing through Germany, and Jason Cammisa’s unreal Hagerty Corvette ZR1 feature. The show wraps with a gut-busting "Two-Car Garage" segment, where we pick two cars under $100K to match a hilarious story, delivering laughs and horsepower in equal measure. From Porsche purists to tire-smoking thrill-seekers, Full Throttle Talk is your front-row seat to automotive chaos!

Paul Kramer: 714-335-4911 | [email protected]

Casey Parkin: [email protected]

David Van Epps: 704-799-7680⁠ | [email protected] | Instagram and FB is @sonderwerks

This week’s Full Throttle Talk is a no-holds-barred Porsche deep dive, and it’s one of our most opinion-packed episodes yet. Tim Harris, Paul Kramer, Casey Parkin, and Dave Van Epps fire up the mics to tackle the questions that Porsche owners argue over in garages, group chats, and concours lawns worldwide.

Why are Porsche fanatics willing to spend $20,000+ just to get the exact shade of green last seen on a '74 Carrera RS? We unpack the psychology, the scarcity, and the resale math behind Paint to Sample. Is it emotional vanity, smart investment—or both? You'll never look at a pastel orange GT3 the same way again.

We put the spotlight on the most undervalued and overhyped modern Porsche RS models. Some are tracking quietly under the radar… others are riding high on reputation alone. Which RS is still a steal—and which one is about to get a market correction?

Think rebuilding your stock 911 SC motor is a $10K weekend project? Think again. We walk you through the true cost of a standard rebuild—and why even a no-frills, numbers-matching engine refresh could set you back $30K–$40K. No mods. No tuning. Just reality.

Which delivers the better drive: the ultra-refined, perfectly balanced 911 R, or the raw, analog grit of the legendary 964 RS? We compare notes, impressions, and real-world experiences to help you pick your dream garage weapon.

And if that’s not enough? We couldn’t resist a few detours into Italian territory—with some spicy Pagani talk and Ferrari market insight to round out the ride.

This episode is a love letter to car obsession—where color choices spark bidding wars, and a rebuilt flat-six becomes a six-figure affair. Strap in. It's Full Throttle time.

 PTS: Paint or Prestige? RS Market Madness Engine Reality Check 911 R vs. 964 RS: The Purist’s Dilemma

On this week’s Full Throttle Talk, the gloves come off in a cross-generational showdown: Is the juice still worth the squeeze on classic 911 restorations—or have Porsche’s new RS models made old-school collecting obsolete?

Tim Harris, Greg Stanley, and Paul Kramer are joined by special guest Dave Van Epps, owner of Sunderwerks in North Carolina, for a raw, wrench-turning look at what it really costs to resurrect a vintage Porsche 911. From hidden bodywork disasters to six-figure rebuilds, this episode is a must-listen for anyone considering a restoration.

Then we fast-forward to today’s modern heroes: the 911 ST, 718 Spyder RS, and the incoming 911 RS. Are these turn-key, limited-run legends the smarter, safer bet? Or are they just tomorrow’s overpriced auction fodder?

We also break down the latest auction results—what’s selling, what’s stalling, and what might be heading for a correction. Whether you’re eyeing a barn find or a Bring-a-Trailer bidding war, this episode gives you the edge.

 Real talk. No fluff. All throttle.