knfeparty

My dad got an 18k mile cream puff speed yellow 05 997 C2S for $40k...they are out there and I would definitely, DEFINITELY take one over a 996 C4S. Only 996 I would consider for $40k is the TT. Maybe a GT3 if you could fine one that wasn't totally beat.

Tippy

Ok, I would love to own an aero 996 again or a 996 C4S but I would take a base 997 over both any day!

The interior of the 997 is so much nicer and the hips are really wide for a narrow-body.

AndyK

Am I the only one who likes our "dated" classic Porsche interiors better than the overly modern 997 interiors? Our interiors are rounded, darker, and more like the older Porsches compared to the fake aluminum and angled dashes of the 997.

peavynation

I say take the GT3!!! Oh wait, was that even an option? Lol!!!
Honestly, you can't go wrong with either; it's deep inside you which one YOU'LL be happiest with.

touque

[QUOTE=smackboy1;7047858]Try asking the same question on the 997 forum.

In the meantime, I would say that the differences between the 996 Mk II and 997 Mk I are not huge. Especially from the viewpoint of the layman.
QUOTE]

already planned to ask there too! thanks for the Top Gear link

Marc Gelefsky

I think you might be!
Not sure I consider the 996 interior classic, 993 and older.. that classic!

Thats said, If I was buying right now I think my choices would be in this order.

6GT3 , 996 Turbo, 997S, 996C4S

RallyJon

I don't mind my interior--the leather helps.

The seats, on the other hand, are really pretty bad. Porsche's last quality seat was the <'95 sport seat, and even that wasn't as good as the mid-'80s sport seats.

I've heard the 997 seats are much improved, and I'm surprised this board is so silent on the topic of adapting the newer seats to 996s.

soverystout

Like Marc said. I think you are the only one who prefers the 996interior over the 997's.

The 996 interior is just to darth vaderish for me. Especially in the darker colors.
And no offense to anyone who has it but the Savanna Beige makes me a little sick.

Edgy01

Narrow Body

* 996 - width 69.70"
* 997 - width 71.18"



Wide Body

* 996 - width 72.00"
* 997 - width 72.91"

Mabuhay

Touque, I have driven both 996 and 997 "at speed". I've been doing driving schools for 15 years and I can't tell the darn difference. But I CAN tell you that my 987 Boxster S outhandles them both.

I just bought a 2004 C4S CPO'ed with the 345 hp power kit. Comparing that to a 997 "regular" Carrera with 325 hp, then difference is actually pronounced. My choice for the $40k-ish price point was the 996 C4S, the 2005 997 and the 996 40th Anniversary which has the 345hp power kit as "stock".

C4S Pros and Cons:
Pro - sexiest body style. The red strip that goes alone the entire rear of the car accentuates the wider rear end - even though it's only like 1.5 inches wider or something like that...
Con - slowest out of the three (if you care about the small difference)
Con - can't be a "hooligan" as easily since you can't break the tires loose that easily
Pro - "old interior" - this wasn't a con for me as it would for most since I have the 987 Boxster S already. If I bought the 997, it would feel like I had the same exact car interior-wise.
Pro - it's an "S" and I know I go the top of the line of a line (sans turbo).
Pro - sexiest body style - did I say that already?

997 Pros and Cons:
Pro - nicest headlights that look like "Snoopy" as my wife says
Pro - RWD makes it a bit more fun to toss around
Pro - latest electronic gadgets
Con - interior is same as my Boxster S
Con - it's not an "S" and I would forever feel like I want "more"

996 40th Anniversary Pros and Cons:
Pro - half sexy body style. It has the same front as the C4S, but not the wide rear stance.
Con - faster out of the three (if you care about the small difference) with 345 hp
Pro - "old interior" - this wasn't a con for me as it would for most since I have the 987 Boxster S already. If I bought the 997, it would feel like I had the same exact car interior-wise.
Pro - they only made 1963 of them
Con - I can't stand those chrome wheels!!!
Pro - RWD makes it a bit more fun to toss around

So for me, it really came down to the 40th or the C4S. When I found a C4S with the power kit, then that sealed the decision...

Hope it helps...

touque

Edgy and Mabuhay - thanks! Definitely helps...

I don't want to get something and 'wish' I had bought another, in the feeling like I wanted more. The S I guess is sounding like it's more and more important, so maybe the C4S will fit the bill better $$-wise.

Lysoleverywhere

I may sell my 996 Turbo. 45k takes it. I just installed new Recaro seats though. I'd have to put the stockers back in. Doh!

Edgy01

For the money, I suspect you'll get more car with the 996. Many more choices. With the 997s, you will have to settle with a stripped, and higher mileage car.

himself

Keep in mind that the 996 C4S isn't "more" in many places except weight and width. The "S" only gets you something when you are talking 997s.

Also, I would guess that the 997 (base) and the 996 C4S with X51 be equal in terms of speed, but the C4S with X51 would be more expensive than the base 997 (I think X51 option was around $10,000). And good luck finding a C4S with an X51 kit on it, as they are few and far between.


-td

Mabuhay

Not true. I believe the 996 C4S gives you more than 997 basic Carrera:
1) Same body style and width as 996 Turbo
2) Same suspension as 996 Turbo
3) Same bigger red brakes as 996 Turbo (997 comes with "less robust 4 piston black calipers and smaller rotor diameter per brochure than "S" version)
4) Same radiator / cooling system as 996 Turbo
5) AWD vs RWD
6) Essentially a 996 turbo without the turbo

If that isn't "more", then I don't know what is.

The fact that I have the X51 is a bigger bonus. Otherwise, the C4S comes with 320hp/273tq vs. 325hp/273tq for the basic 997.

X51 option was... yikes! $14k...