I guess the primary reason for picking one car over another is going to have to be yours. If I was buying a toy car to have fun on weekends, and maybe drive to work once in a while, I would pick an older - early Porsche. There is a cache' to the sound, feel, smell of those older cars. Driving them is a whole different experience. If you enjoy the history, want to feel like you are repeating that stage of your and your car's life, then go for the older car.

If you are looking for a more sophisticated experience. Quieter, with the modern conveniences and comfort, but with raw horsepower and handling capability, then go for a newer 996 or 997 version.

I'll say that before I drove one, I considered myself a "purist". Porsches were supposed to be air/oil cooled, with all that went along with it. Then I drove my first 996. It's a modern high powered sports car. Different game, but just as much fun.

You makes your pick, and takes your chances.

larry

 

I recently traded in my 1990 964 C4 Cabrio for a 2003 996 Cabrio and eventhough I only got to drive it for a week before winter struck and buried us in snow, I can honestly say that apart from the sound and the looks I don't the 964 one bit...
I think the 996 is a better car in every aspect. period.
Being a 2003 it doesn't sound like a muted washing machine and the looks is really growing on me so, If you are like me, wanting to stay with a 911 but longing for something more modern, then do the swap.
If you do your homework right, you won't regret it...

 

Thanks Peter, I'm busy doing my homework right now!

 

Similar to Ed, for driving...I prefer the older, lighter cars. I like their character. I like going into a curve fast enough that the rear just starts to come around, then glue it on with the throttle. With smaller tires, the car is a lot more engaging as there's a lot more room between traction and losing it....and there's a lot of entertainment in that room. A car where it's more about carrying speed than blinding acceleration.

But....I have an older airplane that's my project vehicle. I still want to drive a Porsche, but I just don't have the bandwidth anymore to have more than one project at a time. The 996 gives me fairly classic styling with some cues going back as far as a 356, corrosion resistance, dependability and parts availabilty. A very nice handling car with capacity that exceeds my enthusiasm for speed these days. I could get in and expect to drive from the West Coast U.S. to the East Coast and expect to get there and back without drama.

But for straight entertainment....older, raspier, lighter, aircooled, no freakin' computers, not an airbag in sight...mechanical not electronic.

It just depends on what fits you.

 

I use the airplane comparison a lot.... seems people "get it" when to use airplanes.

When asked why I like an older car I sometimes say "for the same reasons people like to fly around in old airplanes"

It really is about right - a light plane is fun but loud, cold/hot, gets tossed in incliment weather, leaks oil, and has radio bugs and smells a bit.....but it can take off in less room at a lower speed and fly on the deck - pretty fun if you like that stuff.... pretty cruddy if you dont

 

964 is my favorite porsche in terms of aesthetics but other than that I chose the 996 and have been happy since. The threads were the engine explode scare me though.

 

The 964 and the 996 are very close in weight, and some lower option early 996s are lighter. Of course they're also more aerodynamic, powerful and stiffer.

I like the charm of the earlier cars too, but from a driving dynamics perspective (and I don't mean comfort), the newer chassis is superior.

 

Hey buddy....speak for your own airplane. Mine is quiet, dependable, comfortable, economical, new radios, real-time-weather in the cockpit, no burning or leaking of oil, new interior and elegant.

(Of course, there are others..... )

But keeping it almost like new is why I want a sports car that is less needy.

It seems to me that your car is closer to new than "loud, cold/hot, gets tossed in incliment weather, leaks oil, and has radio bugs and smells a bit."

 

true true

(except the "smells a bit" )

 

I shall go and look at this one when the snow melts.....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2277154.htm

 

I would tend to agree with the above statement.

my 1980 911 SC was a blast, and solid until it left me w/178K miles on her
my 2000 Boxster was an upgrade in technology, handled great, needed *****!!
my 2002 996 C2 is fantastic, I truly love it and have had no problems
my 2008 997 C2S should arrive next weekend (more on that later)

 

Just did exactly what you had contemplated. But kept the 964. Yep is smells of oily gas in the cockpit, and smokes a bit after firing, but it is still pure Porsche air cooled. Which one do I drive now? Well of course the more comfortable one - which is the C4S. The C4S does feel like a new Jap car inside to some extent, but I have to say, once moving, a little pop to the long pedal and this thing simply squirts out from under you - the 964 lugs up to speed with a lot of noise (in part due to an aftermarket air cleaner and U-tube instead of primary muffler). In the end I've kept the 964 for now, having trouble parting with her. But she is stored offsite and the C4S is stored in my garage - just love looking at it from behind when I pull up in my 4x4 truck!