Do all 997's come with a tracking device as standard?

[Bubba Zanetti]

As above.

Thanks in advance.

[Ekona]

I believe in the UK they did, yes. Certainly the gen2 cars definitely did.

[M3RMS]

Not to my knowledge. My gen1 didn't (unless the OPC were bumming by installing one for me!)

I think it was called VTS and was an option from new.

[Bubba Zanetti]

Seems like a split decision.

I will double check with the dealer tomorrow. I assume if I have to have one fitted (for insurance purposes) it needs to be done through Porsche to maintain the warranty?

[DSM2]

Certainly in 2007 when I bought mine they were all fitted with the VTS. I think maybe it was standard from sometime in 06?

[RiccardoG]

My 06 997 (Gen 1) came with the Porsche VTS. Most of the insurers I spoke with didn't require it anymore at this age/value of car, the threshold seemingly being £45k value.

[Bubba Zanetti]

The car I'm looking at is an 09 around £46K, a quick phone call to my insurance company before said they would require one to be fitted.

[rob.kellock]

Try Porsche insurance. They were surprisingly competitive and didn't used to require a tracker on cars valued under £50k.

[Bubba Zanetti]

I've got 6 months left on my insurance policy, is it easy to change halfway through a policy to another provider? I'm thinking that the previous 6 months "no claims" accrued on this policy will be lost?

[mankey]

Of course the VTS may not actually be activated on some cars. Subsequent owners could (easily) have decided not to subscribe.

I'm not sure installation of a genuine Porsche VTS is feasible, but there are others such as Cobra. I know the VTS is a Cobra-managed device, but I had a third party Cobra fitted on a previous Boxster and the OPC tolerated it on a car I bought from them.

[rob.kellock]

Bubba Zanetti said:

I've got 6 months left on my insurance policy, is it easy to change halfway through a policy to another provider? I'm thinking that the previous 6 months "no claims" accrued on this policy will be lost?

You would lose the 6 months NCB but may not need it depending how many years you are up to. Switching insurers may still be cheaper than a tracker subscription though.

Personally, if my car was stolen I would rather bank the insurer's cheque then see it again once some scrotes had smoked around in it. Trackers are for insurers not owners unless you have a very rare car.

[Jd27]

Hi, VTS does not come as on 997's. At some point all models were fitted with VTS but were a delete only option. As a general rule most gen 2s will have it.

You can get VTS retro fitted which is about £1200, which is a rebadged cobra system which would cost 700 if you remove the Porsche sticker from it. However if you want to extend the warranty you have to retrofit the VTS and basically pay double the cost for the same thing with a Porsche sticker on it. However I'll save the issue for another thread entitled "should I buy an extended warranty on a 997 gt3?"

[DSM2]

Jd27 said:

Hi, VTS does not come as on 997's. At some point all models were fitted with VTS but were a delete only option. As a general rule most gen 2s will have it.

Pretty sure this is wrong, though not sure what is actually being said! Also pretty sure that VTS was standard on all UK 911s from MY 07, ie August 06. You couldn't not have it and most insurers insisted on it for new cars anyway.

[Adam B]

VTS always seemed a con as it seemed to be a standard fit item in the UK which then charged as a cost option, and quite expensive too. Always thought you could de-select as you can with 3rd year warranty.

[IanHug]

I don't think it was std back in Jan 07. As I recall it was a £985 option + £200 per annum subscription.

I suspect you will find that most / nearly all have it though because most insurance companies required it based on the new car value.

I wouldn't have it retro fitted to an older car - cheaper to change your insurance company. Even if you have VTS fitted the insurance discount is less than the annual subscription so no point having it unless it's a rare car you're attached to.

[anonymous-user]

IanHug said:

I don't think it was std back in Jan 07. As I recall it was a £985 option + £200 per annum subscription.

I suspect you will find that most / nearly all have it though because most insurance companies required it based on the new car value.

I wouldn't have it retro fitted to an older car - cheaper to change your insurance company. Even if you have VTS fitted the insurance discount is less than the annual subscription so no point having it unless it's a rare car you're attached to.

You're right that you had to pay for it but in April '07, when I ordered my car, it wasn't possible to delete it. And the insurers I spoke to wouldn't even offer cover without it, as you say.