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I'm casually looking for a C4S and trying to get a handle on the values. My ideal car would be a driver with less than about 80K miles, but certainly not a ton less. I'd want to drive it a lot and not pay for a garage queen. In looking at this, it seems like currently $34k-$35K is about the ballpark for one of these. Curious what folks thoughts are though.
The other thing that's confusing is that there are a number of them in the high $40k -$50K range (see link below). These are listings and my ballpark above is based on auction results. The milage is also not often outrageously low either and there isn't a clear reason why the market would support those prices. It seems like a decent driver turbo can be had for around $60k and I don't see how a C4S with the same motor as the regular 996.2 and all the accompanying risk makes sense at that price. To me the C4S makes sense as a more premium 996.2, but not a direct competitor to the turbo. At $50k, the jump to the turbo isn't much on a percentage basis, so how can a C4S support that kind of value? I'd just save for the turbo if the C4S is really in that kind of price range.
I think the C4S got a bit hyped over the pandemic, thanks mostly to its wide body and the heckblende. Seems as though those inflated prices are here to stay in general, although the market as a whole is still coming down a bit.
If you are looking for pure driving experience I would highly recommend trying to test drive a c2 and compare it to the C4S (and turbo if you're considering that stretch). I was originally searching for a c4s but after comparing it to a c2, found that the c4s really didn't accelerate or handle as nicely and ended up going for a c2 (40th anniversary edition) even though I do much prefer the aesthetic of the c4s
It's a really good point and something I need to do in the search. I just love the look of the wide body and it makes it feel special in a way that the C2 just doesn't grab me. Seems like you may feel similarly, but the drive was the deal sealer. Driving is always the way to go when searching for a car right? The one you think you want may just not be. I'll have to check out both.
Curious if others have opinions about values and the C4S' place in the market.
The c4s is in my opinion about having everything the turbo has ( chassis, body) plus the extra red light strip in the rear, with a much easier to maintain drivetrain. I know there will be others who shout metzger, but turbos are expensive as is the systems to support them. It’s a much more cramped engine bay to complete routine tasks like plugs and coils. Performance wise, In comparison to today’s rocket ships, none of the 996 generation can compete with even the base model 991 and beyond. The 996 turbo is slower than a base model of the newer gen. The 996 turbo is slower than most modern sports cars. Hence, don’t buy a 996 turbo for performance, you will be disappointed. I have a 996 c4s. It’s a very unique car ( think split window vette) looks of a 993, but more modern power train and interior, and at 20 years old, parts are a plenty and they are easy to maintain.
Also NA exhaust is typically a better sound if that matters to you. Turbo exhaust is always gonna be a bit muted.
For me, the c4s scratches a lot of itches. Looks. Sounds. Unique. Enough performance to make me smile. The suspension and brakes of the turbo make a noticeable difference. Very sure footed. Can handle a track day without any special prep. It carves out a special spot in the Porsche catalog.
when comparing to a c2 or a turbo, definitely enough to justify the market value IMHO.
I haven't seen pricing on a good clean Turbo below $70k, and a lot of the really good ones are much higher, i have seen private sale cars mid 60's but they are usually higher mileage with some condition issues, i have never driven the C4s but from reading and some understanding of mechanics, your getting a look rather than a better driving experience, that engine has to drive the extra 4wd system with the same HP as a C2, id put my money in a 40AE before a C4S, of course if you live in a climate that has bad weather, and you want to drive the car in that then i can see a reason to go 4WD, remember the hot thing is to convert the Turbo to 2wd, i'm sure there is a reason for that.
I have a C2 Aerokit, it floats my boat... but just like the C4s its not for everyone but a lot of people like both models....and a lot like the C2 also...
The higher value of the C4S is all about aesthetics.
I know bigger brakes, suspension, yadda yadda yadda……
It’s the wide body and heckblende that make the difference.
Last week my base .1 was parked next to a C4S and they are different cars.
The C4S looks exotic and people are rightfully willing to pay more for that.
It popped up locally for sale, I took one look and said yes. Probably because I was driving around La Jolla and Del Mar in those days when the C4S was new, and I swear that image of the beautiful butt was somehow ingrained in my subconscious
About the looks, it depends on what you value. For example many "guys" dress up in expensive clothes, or wear fancy watches, special shoes while out in public. Perhaps the C4S appearance can fall in this category, nothing wrong with dressing up with a car.
Side note: the front bumper cover has those two large air openings, in my opinion those help the looks at the front since the headlights are then less prominent.
The 996 C4S is the first "S" model that didn't not include an engine performance update -- all the prior 911S models have higher power engines.
The AWD is designed for high speed stability at the cost of weight. Probably most of us aren't driving over 100 mph very much, so to me that isn't so useful. So if you would prefer around-town peppy performance, a C2 will likely be better.
In addition to body structure, suspension, brakes, wider track, wide body. I believe all C4S came with full leather interior and the center oil cooler -- both useful or nice upgrades.
I was willing to pay a small premium for the extra goodies and aesthetics but not 20-30k more which puts you in the 50k+ range and better off with a Turbo... Got mine for 37k shipped to my door with 84k miles, super clean, no accidents, and close enough to the spec I was looking for, etc. Plus I was eager and wanting to get my hands on a car You can still get a clean C4S with lowish miles for <40k$ if you wait for the right car. Some cons I didn't really consider much is that being its a widebody it has its own Aerokit Lip and Wing ($$$), no Sideskirt option, and they don't do it for me like the C2 and gt3 aero do.
If I were to do it again, I would look for the cleanest, well-maintained 40th Jahre and do a few gt3 exterior mods, Ohlins, and e88 wheels. That's just me with what I know now vs 2 years ago when I purchased my C4S.
This is my C4S with some goodies to maybe help your decision. Wide body does look very special in person and you’ll love just staring at it in the garage
Unless you like throwing money away on BaT, dealers are selling off the 996 C4S in the 20s.
This is the 2004 996 C4S Coupe sales#
The 2003 C4S Coupe is lower:
The 2002 C4S Coupe is about the same. These are real auction numbers. With patience, you can snag the same with private sales.
My advice would be to buy the car from an individual that's done plenty of maintenance which can be backed up with a PPI.
Unless you like throwing money away on BaT, dealers are selling off the 996 C4S in the 20s.
This is the 2004 996 C4S Coupe sales#
The 2003 C4S Coupe is lower:
The 2002 C4S Coupe is about the same. These are real auction numbers. With patience, you can snag the same with private sales.
My advice would be to buy the car from an individual that's done plenty of maintenance which can be backed up with a PPI.
Yup. Got mine from a dealership (previous owner traded it in). 6MT, 44K miles, bone stock except for head unit, amp, and speakers. Lots of major services were done by previous owner (IMS, RMS, clutch, pressure plate, brakes, rotors, tires, etc...) Got it for $5K-10K less than what I would have paid on BaT. It's Seal Grey, though. So, no bonus points for color.
Dealer originally wanted BaT money, but on the 29th day on the lot, they sliced like $8K off of the price.
Yup. Got mine from a dealership (previous owner traded it in). 6MT, 44K miles, bone stock except for head unit, amp, and speakers. Lots of major services were done by previous owner (IMS, RMS, clutch, pressure plate, brakes, rotors, tires, etc...) Got it for $5K-10K less than what I would have paid on BaT. It's Seal Grey, though. So, no bonus points for color.
Dealer originally wanted BaT money, but on the 29th day on the lot, they sliced like $8K off of the price.
07-28-2024, 12:06 AM
C4S Values
You can still get a clean C4S with lowish miles for <40k$ if you wait for the right car. Some cons I didn't really consider much is that being its a widebody it has its own Aerokit Lip and Wing ($$$), no Sideskirt option, and they don't do it for me like the C2 and gt3 aero do.
