Option 1 - $47,500
2011 997.2 C2, 49k miles, clean one owner, silver on black, 6spd, base spec. options.

Option 2 - $45,000
2006 997.1 C4S, 45k miles, clean one owner, black on full sand leather, 6spd, Sport Chrono, Sport Exhaust, Full Leather.

Can’t decide on my first Porsche. Not crazy about the sand interior but full leather is one of my most wanted options along with sport exhaust. Sport Chrono is not a must for me in a 6spd but nice to have. Also, I really hate the wheel gap on the base Carreras, it’s atrocious! The S is only 10mm lower but looks a lot better. Not looking to change springs or coilovers.

Both have excellent service records at Porsche dealer and assume equal condition. Which would you go for??

 

Base 997.2 C2 and put some coilovers on it. Done.

I know you said you aren't looking to put coilovers on it, but you really should. It makes the car much better.

 

Option 1 for sure, just for the DFI engine.
I have a base 997.2 and lowered it about 2" all around with H&R springs. $1300.00 total.

 

simple - first one.

 

100%. I put TechArt springs on my 997.2 and it fixed the wheel gap (lower than 10mm you get on the S) and rides better than the stock springs. Highly recommend. Also buy Gundo side exhausts and it will sound great. Both mods can be done for less than $1500 in parts. Oh yeah, throw a short-shift kit on and it’ll be perfect! You will have a better car than the 997.1S with similar HP (only 10 less I think), 300 lbs lighter weight!, same brakes, more reliable engine, updated infotainment and proper stance and sound. You will not regret! I had never modified my cars before but did all of these and a few more on my 997.2 and just absolutely love it!

 

Appreciate the replies. Wow, 10-0 for the 997.2 so far. Certainly thought the 4S 997.1 would get more consideration. I was watching almost the exact same 2006 4S on BaT last week and it sold for $52,500. Maybe the older guys appreciate the classics more?

Anyhow, I think anything short of full coilovers hurts resale value. I don’t like how some lowering springs make the car “bouncy”. I put some Eibach springs on my 335i with the factory struts and regretted it. Hoping good coilovers would not present that problem? What coilovers are highly regarded and typically don’t hurt resale? I hear Bilstein mentioned often. I doubt I will ever see a track. Mostly for aesthetics and the occasional twisty road.

 

No springs or coilovers hurt resale value if you save the stock springs and sell them with the car. My vote is for the 997.2.

 

BAT is a great place to sell cars, but not to buy them. You can find C2S models in your price range if you don't feel like doing mods.

 

Is this a trick question?

 

997.2 for sure. no contest. If you want to, add Techart springs, Bilstein B6 hd shocks, Sharkwerks exhaust, OEM short shift and you are really done. Or also add Fuchs wheels and you are really, really done! Good luck.

 

LOL... Looks like Im in the minority with saying Option 1.... all day long As a 997.1 C4s (RWD) owner, I am definitely, absolutely, 100% bias.

Im huge fan of the widebody rear on the 997, and it is something that cant be added later.

I love my 997.1 engine, and dont feel any desire to upgrade to a 997.2. The 997.1 C4s allows a simple conversion to RWD, if you wanted the widebody and RWD.

My car is manual, and I use SPorts Chrono every time I hop in (except during really bad weather.)

Plus, that 997.1 you listed probably has PASM. Which means you can get the DSC box (and lowering springs if you want) and you have incredible handling and compliance.

All that being said, I have always had a backup plan my engine blows up one day.... To have it rebuilt into a high performance aftermarket one. I have extensively modified my car, so the car I got was really just the starting point for me.

So, if you dont want to take on that risk of engine issues (which realistically, chance of complete engine failure is probably within a few percentage of 997.1 to 997.2) then go for the 997.2.

I would also get the 997.2 if I was the kind of person who likes to change cars more often, as it is newer, and has less of engine issues (see above.) And should be a bit easier to sell.

In any case, I guess this 'love' for the 997.2 is great for us 997.1 fans! Keep those 997.1 prices down !!!!

 

Damn! I knew I was getting OLD !!!

 

always S

 

This is funny.

The objectively better car is being downvoted because of hysteria drummed up online.

Get the widebody c4s; it's a special car with a special build sheet. The only real ding on the 4s is the black exterior IMHO.

 

Honestly, I’m not concerned with engine issues on the 997.1 outside of IMS issues from the 2005 MY. I like the wide body also. However, I don’t keep cars long so I believe the 997.2 will be easier to resell, even though I don’t think the 997.1 C4S is depreciating much more than low $40s, especially this spec with low mileage.