kennyPride

Is a 04 996 for 30K a better choice over a 06 997 for 40K (all things being equal ie condition miles)? I bet the 997 guys have strong opinions, but how about the 996 guys standing up to big brother.

jumper5836

06 997 is heavier and slower then the 04 996.
The 997 has a larger track, bigger brakes and a better standard suspension.

rpm's S2

The 997 benefits from 10 years of advances in design, materials, and technology. The 997 interior is fabulous. The overall ergonomic design along with the integration of options like nav are light years ahead of the 996.

A reason to spend another 10 grand? Maybe.

balefire

2006 997 pros
headlights
IMS change
stiffer chassis (esp if you want cabriolet)
improved interior
decreased drag

996 pros
cheaper
lighter

kennyPride

Does the increased weight make the 997 a little sluggist compared to the 996? And is the ride any different from a DD standpoint. We can't kid ourselves as looks do matter, but for 10K premium??

roadsession

all depends on what $10K means to you as a percentage of your budget you've set aside for a new car.
If it will make no impact on your budget then the rule is always buy the newest car you can afford.

If it does make an impact and this is your first P car the 996 is a great inexpensive way to get into the porsche experience

jumper5836

Yes 10 year of advances in design, materials, and technology. Look forward to plastic coolant pipes cracking in the future and having to replace it with aluminum.

The 06 Nav system is light years ahead, yah ok. I prefer a newer Kennwood or Pioneer unit then even the MY10 nav system. 06 Nav system reminds my of a color gameboy.

Standard interior does look nicer but it doesn't come close to a 996 with full leather.

Van

They say, buy the newest Porsche in your budget.

ivangene

are you looking for luxury or performance because they both have strong points in each catagory

I know plenty of 996 owners (including C2, C4, GT3) that will say its not enough gain for the money - that said porsche sells brand new cars everyday for 2.5x what the 06' is listed at... is that "worth it"?

ivangene

in MY group THEY say buy the oldest Porsche you can afford

jumper5836

That saying is only for Air cooled.

Pac996

Navigation? Is somebody lost? You can always use an after market pop up screen stereo with nav. The nav would be fun a few time on the autobahn seeing arrival times change doing 100 or 150. Other than that nav is kind of as silly as the term social networking. Although social networking, blogs and forum opinions are rumored to of taken over the mob and mafia hehehe. Seems you have to pay to get away from bs and into one of the GT models. I guess my attitude towards nav isn't too super.

I didn't know the 997 is slower. Try finding a turbo and that should improve things

chsu74

No one mentioned that it is the same 3.6 M96 engine. Or does it only apply to 05 year only?

Marc Gelefsky

Says who?

Seems more appropriate for the modern cars now.

oMenRC51

After a PPI, buy the newest and 911 you can afford. If you can swing the 997.1 or even the 997.2, PULL THE TRIGGER!