Hello to you all,
Been a 964C2 CAB owner for the last eight years, but unfortunately had a bit of an accident in it recently.
Have just come to a settlement with my insurance and I'm interested in a C4S 02/03.
I'm In the process of searching and reading up on potential problems and things to look out for on these cars.
It would be great help to me if any owners of these cars could pass on they're advice about owning and running these cars.
Cheers,
Viv.

 

Good choice

It took me 5 or 6 months to find the rare pearl. Finally got a 2002 C4S with low mileage in perfect condition. Be very picky, C4S keep good value because they look 'special' and the 997 is not that special in term of look (the 996 has these grids on bumpers like the turbo, while 997 S don't). You can find a beautiful and sane car for 35-40K and less if you are OK with more miles on it. These cars take 100K easy before you need to spend more money on service.

Good luck hunting !

 

get any 997 insted

 

i believe that 996 4s is special but 997 is better car

 

any reason you're going from a cab to a coupe? In '04-05 you could get the C4S in a cab.

 

You will have a better car for sure, but less special and will lose more money.
A 997 at 40K now will drop quickly to 30K while a 996 4S will keep 35-40K. Look at the 993 C4S...

my two cents

 

I think the debate over the value of a 996 C4S vs. a 997 is a difficult one. I think it's better to choose based on what you want vs. what the value will be. They are both great cars. I'd take a 996 C4S over a "plain Jane" 997, but if they were optioned similarly, I'd probably choose a 997. A 997 C4S would be even better!

 

Agree 100%.
4 years ago when I bought my 996C4S, the prices for good C4S and base 2005 997 were the same. Drove many of both back to back and it was a no brainer: 996 C4S is way more car for $ than a stripper 997.

 

Like many people, I would happily drive a 997 C4S instead of a 996 C4S, all else being equal.

But prices and position on the depreciation curve are very far apart. Early 997 C4Ss are $55k-65k and are still depreciating fast. $30-35k buys a very, very nice, moderate mileage 996 C4S, which is depreciating much more slowly. Saving $20-30k up front, and losing much less per year, makes up for losing the incremental improvement in styling and performance.

One thing I love about Porsches is how they seem to reach a sweet spot where tremendous value can be had. The 996 C4S is there now. The 997 C4S will be there in a couple of years.

 

996 tt?

 

s993cup is selling his 996 C4S low mileage for something like $37K !
This car was worth $42K 2 years ago... do the maths. My Bimmer in 4 months has lost more value than his C4S in 2 years because it's new.

I have never seen his car but that seems to be a good opportunity.

 

I'd take (actually took!) a 996 C4S all day over an early model plain jane 997. Better brakes, wider stance, all wheel drive, same engine - no comparison, IMHO.

...now if you move up to an S2 or C4S, different story.

 

Love my car! I had the choice of a simple early year 997 as well, but for some reason I chose a 03 C4S. Looks much better!

Regardless, I will stick with Porsche forever by the looks of it... Next car will prob be a 997 Targa 4S or Carrera 4S or maybe a white or blue turbo 997... No rush yet! I've always wanted the GranTurismo S... or upgrade the second car to a G55 wagon.

 

Thanks guys, already made my mind up, any advice about things I should look out for, lot of 02 cars in the UK at the moment but high mileage, 90K+.
Are there any nightmares that I should be aware of, my 964 had 143K miles on the clock with only a top end rebuild at about 85K.
Bought it with 58K on it, so as you can see it's not going to be a garage queen, what ever I buy will be used.

Viv.

 

There are tons of things to be warned of with the 964, the 993 was much better, and the 996 is simply easy to go with as long as it's well serviced. The door switch is the most annoying thing on the 996 I believe (the only annoying thing that happened to me so far). My advice would be to get a serious inspection (you+somebody else even if you are tech savvy) but it's right with any car right?