touque

I realize this is the 996 forum, but I have been contemplating picking up a 911-variant next spring and am torn between a 996 C4S and a 997. Looking at coupes only.

My budget will be approx $40k and I would be buying this car as my daily driver. I currently own a 1968 912 and have owned 2 928's and do all the wrenching on my cars. I know the 'buy the best car you can afford' mantra, but am torn between the two.

A buddy of mine had a 2003 C4S and I loved it. The wide hips and agressive turbo look is why I would choose that over a regular Carrera and really wouldn't want a regular narrow-bodied 996 version. I would be looking at las ow miles as possible as I drive 10k to 15k per year.

Now for the same price, I would be able to get into a 2005 or so 997 which of course is an entirely new model with stiffer this and more efficient that, etc. My big question is what would be the pro's and con's of getting each one? Would it be a no-brainer to get one vs. the other? Any major problems on the 997 to consider vs. the 996's? I just don't know enough about either model YET, as I do with the 912's and 928's.

thanks in advance!

SH || NC

Be ready for people to tell you to buy a Turbo or a GT3 [ZOMG!]; lots of that going 'round these days.

Drive both?

- 997 could be CPO'd; 996 cannot
- Both have the M96 (I think)

All I have quickly off the top of my head. I love my C4S, but have not driven a 997

Receiver

Can't speak to the 997's but I love my C4S, especially the wide hips. It went through a Cdn winter with snows on it and I have had 0 issues. I'm thinking of upgrading to a 996TT next year when the C4S comes off warranty. The power is intoxicating.

redridge

I wouldnt get a 997 carrera.... get the 997 S instead. If not opt for the 996 C4S.

Dennis C

I think I would drive both, as Whitey suggested. The 997 has a much more refined interior, and it will have a little more horsepower. Depending on the options, it will probably have a softer ride than the 996 C4S. I prefer the look of the wide body cars myself, but you're the one buying it. Have fun with the selection process.

Oh, and... what about a 996 turbo?

himself

+1 on passing up the base 997 if possible. The S is a much better choice, IMO. However, you are probably not going to find many low mileage 997S below $40K. You might see a number with 30K+ miles though.

Personally I would not get a 996 (C2, C4S, etc) for the same money as a 997 (S or otherwise). The 996 is a great car, but it is getting old, and the interior is pretty dated. If you are planning on keeping the car a while, you should seriously consider a 997 as a daily driver if you find one within your budget.

Are you in an area where 4WD makes a difference? I am not keen on extra weight and extra driven wheels.

I haven't been in the market lately, but I would guess that it will be just as hard to find a low mileage 996 C4S as a low mileage 997 at/under $40,000.

-td

touque

thanks guys - I have driven the C4S but not yet the 997, but of course will do. Definitely like the wide-bodied cars. Stoopid question, but I can't seem to find the rear width of a C4S vs a 997 to compare? I guess I'm an ***-man

Slight increase in HP isn't that important (wouldn't turn it down of course!). And Red, why not the standard Carrera?

Oh, and thanks for the Turbo suggestion Dennis

touque

I am in Houston so no, don't need the 4WD at all. Plan to keep the car for a while actually - warranty would be nice as well and that means 997.

There are a few low-mile C4S's out there on Autotrader, but I'm picky about colour so it might be a challenge or at least a wait to get the right combination (same applies for the 997). Not sure if the 997S fits in the budget from what i've seen either...

oh, and as an edit, 30k miles is still a fairly low mileage in my mind, at least for a 996...

RallyJon

If you can find a nice, well optioned, moderate mile, CPOed 997 for <$40k? That's pretty good.

But $40k buys the top 10% of 996 C4Ss out there.

himself

FWIW, you can get a decent aftermarket warranty for any low mileage car (including a Porsche) for $2,000-$3,000. Some have a bad opinion of these types of warranties, but I have only good things to say about them. Just as good as a CPO in my opinion.

This is from my old research, which may or may not be perfect:
996 widths: C2 69.7" / C4S 72"
997 widths: C2 71.2" / C4S 72.9"

-td

soverystout

I love my car but I would would go 997 just based on the interior upgrade alone.

pissedpuppy

don't think you can get into a 997 for $40K

not a 996 Turbo or GT3 either

himself

2004 GT3, sold at 42K

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsc...item4a9bdd5032

-td

roadsession

What aftermarket warranty did you buy?

smackboy1

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.