New 996 only getting better (is 991 worth it?)
03-31-2017, 01:05 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
New 996 only getting better (is 991 worth it?)
So, it's been about a month with the '02 C4S. And loving every minute, the whole car so solid and wonderful handling. We went up in the mountains again this week, and my wife went in the "other car", so I could get on it alone. And just fantastic handling, enough power for me, some practice with the Tip is improving my abilities.
No new problems after a month, still need to do engine mounts and get the $10,000 2nd key from the dealer. Yeah, I bought it from a "used car dealer", he got it at auction with essentially no records, -- against all advice and past experience. That was uncomfortable and risky, but, maybe somehow I happened on a good one after all. At the time the excitement overwhelmed the risks. Correction: new problem is the sunroof switch almost disappeared into the housing, but there are good DIY stuff here to fix it easy enough.
There was a crotch rocket behind me for a longer stretch. We passed a group of 4 ricers, one was crashed after spinning into a ditch, 2 CHP cars attending. So, that means no CHP ahead! So me and the motorcycle "played", I really got on it the best my confidence would let me. He could have passed any time, but he had a passenger so maybe he held off a bit. What fun!
Anyway, last week I went to the Porsche web site and selected the new C4S, and corresponding options. It came up with $140K MSRP. I've never driven a 991, and certainly couldn't afford it, but how can it be worth another $115K compared to the cars we have? Anybody driven one? How much better it could possibly be?
No new problems after a month, still need to do engine mounts and get the $10,000 2nd key from the dealer. Yeah, I bought it from a "used car dealer", he got it at auction with essentially no records, -- against all advice and past experience. That was uncomfortable and risky, but, maybe somehow I happened on a good one after all. At the time the excitement overwhelmed the risks. Correction: new problem is the sunroof switch almost disappeared into the housing, but there are good DIY stuff here to fix it easy enough.
There was a crotch rocket behind me for a longer stretch. We passed a group of 4 ricers, one was crashed after spinning into a ditch, 2 CHP cars attending. So, that means no CHP ahead! So me and the motorcycle "played", I really got on it the best my confidence would let me. He could have passed any time, but he had a passenger so maybe he held off a bit. What fun!
Anyway, last week I went to the Porsche web site and selected the new C4S, and corresponding options. It came up with $140K MSRP. I've never driven a 991, and certainly couldn't afford it, but how can it be worth another $115K compared to the cars we have? Anybody driven one? How much better it could possibly be?
Last edited by 911Syncro; 03-31-2017 at 03:02 PM.
03-31-2017, 04:58 PM
#3
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I've owned a 996 C4S, a 997 Turbo, and a 991 Turbo S. I've driven many variants of the 996, 997, and 991. They are all excellent. The answer to your question is simple: It depends on what you value in a car. You'll find that people will argue passionately for their preferred choice, and no amount of logic or counter argument will change their mind. I've enjoyed owning a variety of 911s over the years, and I appreciate them all. For me personally, the 991 is that much better. For someone else, it may not be better at all.
03-31-2017, 05:42 PM
#4
Race Director
1) Had to double-check that this wasn't a Johnny Irish post.
2) While it seems hard to imagine that a new 911 is worth $115K more than my 996, it's also hard to imagine that my 996 was worth 60K more to the original owner than it was to me.
If you happen to be one of those people who derive a great deal of pleasure from buying NEW cars, it's worth the price to be the owner of the butt that makes the first semi-permanent impressions in the driver's seat. I've purchased both ways, and in my case, I'm happier to have an awesome car AND money left in the bank.
I will never beat anyone up for buying a new 911. For every used 911 that one of us buys, someone else had to buy first and pay down the depreciation. I may not be a 1%er, but I'm happy to buy 1%er lovingly-used Porsches and grateful that they're out there doing their parts to create an AWESOME used-car market.
2) While it seems hard to imagine that a new 911 is worth $115K more than my 996, it's also hard to imagine that my 996 was worth 60K more to the original owner than it was to me.
If you happen to be one of those people who derive a great deal of pleasure from buying NEW cars, it's worth the price to be the owner of the butt that makes the first semi-permanent impressions in the driver's seat. I've purchased both ways, and in my case, I'm happier to have an awesome car AND money left in the bank.
I will never beat anyone up for buying a new 911. For every used 911 that one of us buys, someone else had to buy first and pay down the depreciation. I may not be a 1%er, but I'm happy to buy 1%er lovingly-used Porsches and grateful that they're out there doing their parts to create an AWESOME used-car market.
03-31-2017, 07:02 PM
#5
Pro
Thread Starter
Oops, hope I didn't do something wrong, I haven't yet learned what that might mean. Only wanted to share my continuing excitement and make the point that it is a great car and can't imagine needing anything more right now.
03-31-2017, 08:08 PM
#6
Three Wheelin'
Do you own a pair of driving gloves made from fine Corinthian leather? How about driving shoes worn by late Ayrton Senna? Do you wear your dapper checkered slacks you were gifted by Hemingway before setting off on a spirited ride? Have you ever wore a bespoke pilot's jacket formerly owned by Howard Hughes while driving your 911? Do you believe that 997 interior is tasteless and crude?
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03-31-2017, 08:54 PM
#8
Race Director
No, not at all. The subject was spot on for a JI post (or a brilliant parody). But you're all good. Sorry for the confusion.
03-31-2017, 09:37 PM
#9
The sticker on my 996 was 97,500...Every time I get in the car I can't believe in 02 the original owner paid that much for the car. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love it, all the world is beautiful when I am driving it, top down, wind blowing, etc. but wow.
The 991's are beautiful, but yeah, 115K is a lot.
The 991's are beautiful, but yeah, 115K is a lot.
03-31-2017, 09:58 PM
#10
To me, they feel a LOT different. The 996 feels kind of 'old school' in a really good way - kind of a rowdy boy, that's tons of fun. While the 991 is sleek and modern and smooth, in a really good way - kind of a gymnast that thrills. I don't have a 991 (I've got generous friends that do), but I have a 981 Cayman S. Both are tremendously exciting and NEVER get old!
03-31-2017, 10:56 PM
#12
Let me just be clear.... I love about the 996 compared to the 991 even thought the 991 really sets the standard. There is almost nothing to improve because all of the known technology is embedded in the car. The same is true for my Italian mistress. However, what I absolutely love about my Aero (besides the looks) is I can always tinker with the car to make it better...put my own personal spin on what the car can be. Whether it is wheels, suspension, brakes, additional radiators, seats and the list goes on and on. To me that is the fun about owning a 996. You play with it, and it rewards you. You can't do that with latest 911s. There is nothing to improve it to. Even with PDK it shifts better then you could ever yourself and why would you shift your self if the ideal shifting is available. Now, with the 996, I shift my self and I am not tempted to let the car do it because it is not even and option. I really came to the realization that I loved my 996 when I went off the track and the car sustained minor damage but was sidelined. My friend felt sorry for me and let me take the his 991 GT3 out on the track...it was fast, the shifts were fast, but I missed the satisfaction of heal and toeing and hitting the shifts perfectly. That is so rewarding. So the 991 is a by the numbers much better. But the 996 is the one I just love to drive cause everything about it is what I personalized. And isn't that what car ownership is all about.
10-07-2017, 09:24 AM
#13
Rennlist Member
Let me just be clear.... I love about the 996 compared to the 991 even thought the 991 really sets the standard. There is almost nothing to improve because all of the known technology is embedded in the car. The same is true for my Italian mistress. However, what I absolutely love about my Aero (besides the looks) is I can always tinker with the car to make it better...put my own personal spin on what the car can be. Whether it is wheels, suspension, brakes, additional radiators, seats and the list goes on and on. To me that is the fun about owning a 996. You play with it, and it rewards you. You can't do that with latest 911s. There is nothing to improve it to. Even with PDK it shifts better then you could ever yourself and why would you shift your self if the ideal shifting is available. Now, with the 996, I shift my self and I am not tempted to let the car do it because it is not even and option. I really came to the realization that I loved my 996 when I went off the track and the car sustained minor damage but was sidelined. My friend felt sorry for me and let me take the his 991 GT3 out on the track...it was fast, the shifts were fast, but I missed the satisfaction of heal and toeing and hitting the shifts perfectly. That is so rewarding. So the 991 is a by the numbers much better. But the 996 is the one I just love to drive cause everything about it is what I personalized. And isn't that what car ownership is all about.
10-07-2017, 11:13 AM
#14
Lowpue's comments often remind me how good we have it 
Yes
No
I WISH! Papa was cool
No
No
Do you own a pair of driving gloves made from fine Corinthian leather? How about driving shoes worn by late Ayrton Senna? Do you wear your dapper checkered slacks you were gifted by Hemingway before setting off on a spirited ride? Have you ever wore a bespoke pilot's jacket formerly owned by Howard Hughes while driving your 911? Do you believe that 997 interior is tasteless and crude?
No
I WISH! Papa was cool
No
No
