mdrobc1213

Hi there...got a question of sorts...interested in the anwser although I am sure it will be slightly biased. Have a 99 C2 Carerra and a 02 BMW M3 currently in addition to a recent addition of an SUV in addition to my wife's 05 CLK500 coupe. Now the Mrs says I have too many cars for anyones needs oh yeah and our current garage. She's "suggested" that I either sell or trade one or two (i.e. consolidate) and frankly I can see her and my friends points whom I have asked. They say there's no waay I can work 16hr days 5 days a week, be on call for duty (military) and drive each car enough. So I have found a means to consolidate my M3 and 996 and have found a nice CPO 05 997 from a Porsche dealer in my area. It's a 05 997 w/nav, bose, leather, PASM and I can get it probably for equal to a little over what I'll get from the sale/trade of my other two vehicles. I love my 996 and also my M3 but if I have to choose which new model to replace them both then its a 997 over a 05 BMW 645i. Anyway I just wanted to know am I crazy to give up 2 such fine autos for another SINGLE albeit from what I hear and have read VERY much improved 997? Or is the wife swindling me again! LOL

Thoughts anyone?

dstrimbu

Hey, you're working 16 hrs a day and SHE thinks that SHE can tell you how many cars you can have? OK, OK... mine tells me the same thing.


Dude, keep the SUV for snow days and airport parking; sell the 996 and the E46 and get the 997. After a short drive, you won't miss the old cars... promise.

-don

Bullet

Get a 997S.

IMO, the 997 and 996 are very similar except for some styling changes on the inside and outside. The engine and driving experience are much more similar than they are different. Plus, Boxsters now have nearly 300 hp, and the facelift 997 that everyone's talking about coming next year will probably have a pwr upgrade built in. So . . . I would go for the 3.8L 355 hp C2S now, rather than a C2.

-B

Eggplant Cab

If I may add another possible candidate, the Audi RS4. Wicked fast and you can trade all 3 and make your wife a very happy woman. It's AWD so consider it a C4 but faster, as spacious as the M3, surefooted in the snow and V8 roar all in one car. I'd have bought it if it had DSG.

yemenmocha

I would keep both cars for the variety and trade up the 996 to a 997 in the future when you can. Variety is hard to beat.

sullic

I traded an 03 M3 and an 04 VW Touareg V8 to get a C4.

I figure I can rent a pickup if I need something, otherwise, I will always be in a sports car, which is keeps me smiling.

I never did get used to sitting up so high in the SUV. I liked it, but didn't feel connected to the road like in a sports car, and I missed it. While I liked my M3, I do prefer the C4, and would do it all again.

NorthVan

without a doubt I prefer to drive my C2S. I am selling my 05 Audi S4 as it doesn't brake as well, heavier, and although it looks great the Porsche is much nicer.

As for the RS4, nice car but IMO Audi has ruined there looks with that ugly front end, and the V8 is nice but horrible on gas...I am sure that the RS4 will be worse then the S4 (I get about 12 mpg).

Trade the 996 and M3 and buy the 997, judging by your list of cars you seem to like new ones anyway.

tstafford

Get the 997S. RS4 is great too. Totally different cars.

mdrobc1213

Okay have found two worthy candidate locally. Both CPO'd. Both very nice.

Candidate #1 is a 05 997 Carrera coupe 10k miles with PASM, Navigation, Premium Bose sound, Xenon, heated seats, power package, black mats. Dealer is willing to let it go for $69k and throw in 19" Porsche wheels and tires of my choice.

Candidate #2 is an 06 997 Carrera S coupe 1800 miles (I believe). Its a demo vehicle and the sales manager neglected to give me a full detailed price and options but I am sure I can get it.

What are your thoughts? If I traded the M3 AND the 996 I'd get roughly $55k on trade and close to $60k via private sale. I drove the 997 and it does drive alot better than my 996. Seemed to have more room and be more refined especially the interior. Anyway additional thoughts and comparisons as well as alternatives are welcome as always.

frayed

I've had 4 996 variants, multiple BMWs and have to say that the M3 and 996 trade for the 997 is worth it. The S rocks big time. Refined yet visceral (I know, banned word) at the same time. Sorta like a marriage b/t Lexus build quality and Lotus feel.

I'm sensitive to suspension calibration and think that the Audi RS4 is OK, but has poor rebound valving resulting in weirdness. It also feels slower than it is, although has a rocking interior and great presence.

Eggplant Cab

Weirdness? I did find the RS4 a bit wiggly during hard braking from 130mph. It was more an unsettled feeling. I think it's more an issue with the weight at the front. It was never dangerous or unnerving but you feel it.
Apparently my friend has changed the springs on the car and it's gone, but I'll find out next year.

Back to the original poster's query. I would definitely recommend the S over the base car. Just the brakes and 29hp is worth the money. Remember to buy the wheel/tire insurance.

Deven

Is Candidate #1 a 'S' or base? Though not much difference on paper, the engine will be the same as latter year 996 if it is base, in which case I would keep the M3 and 996. (heck if buying used, trade for a 996 Turbo with X-51 now that will give you something different and for a similar price (plus it is AWD.......)

mdrobc1213

Candidate #1 is a base Carrera. Dealer has even offered to add on 19 tire and wheels of my choice to the deal. Maybe I can get a sports exhaust out of the deal too. I just got myself dusted by the looks of an 06 Corvette C6 yesterday in my early 996 so eventhough I don't condone racing...ahh I have to rectify that condition this weekend! LOL I mean the back end of the dual pipes of that C6 vette are still burning in my memory...even with my Dinan chipped M3.

Deven

One thing to keep in mind is that the early 996's had smaller engines/less HP but that was significantly made up by being lighter. Performance wise I doubt you are going to see much improvement with a 997 (base or S) and a vette (straight line that is). You would have to step up in the 911 line up to give the vette a good run. Similarly, apart from forced induction, your M3 will have the same problem (unless you can shed 3-400 pounds or so). But at this level, driver skill will make the biggest difference between cars.

steve775

dstrimbu, did you get your 997 up to 186 mph? Could you have gone faster?
Was that at the track - you don't have to answer that if you don't want to. What is that white arrow did you add that in the photo?