Just make sure that your knee surgery is successful. It wouldn't be wise to get a 6 and then find out that was to be hard on your knee. Then you would be stuck with the car.

 

Go with option #1 . You can and will notice a difference in the car versus c2. I just bought a new c2s last month and I drove both cars several times before hand. The c2s is a remarkable car. I have owned vettes for years and still own an 05 convertible c6.(wifes car now) But I would take the porsche over it anyday. The vette has more horsepower but you wouldn't know it. The car is just made perfectly. The 997 is probably the best porsche model ever made.

 

Don't the ceramic brakes reduce unsprung wieght by some considerable ammount? Doesn't that equate to better handling and accelleration on and off the track?

Granted as a first time sports car owner he may not need that, but I wouldn't say that the ceramics have no benefit off the track, unless I am wrong about this. I have been thinking about getting them for my RS4 in order to reduce the unsprung weight.

What say you wise people?

 

I'd recommend the following:
1) Go with the 997 not the 996. Its a better car and more updated, modern and refreshed. I just traded my '99 C2 996 for an '05 C2 997 and am loving it. Didn't really need the extra HP of the 997S as I don't track my car and really unless you frequent European Autobahns or the track with your car you'll likely not really notice or miss the difference during everyday use on the public roads at legal speed limits. Just my 2 cents there.

2) If you need AWD then get the 997 C4 or 997 C2 targa. The styling is much better and if you REALLY need AWD I'd go with those cars at this time. If the cost is too much then try a 1-2 yr lease/Porsche Option and then just refinance it afterwards. It may cost you a lil extra but you'll love the car and be happy with your drive.

3) As a physician, although I am not an orthopedic surgeon; I do have some experience with sports injuries to include ACL and meniscus repairs and usually those guys are back up an around sometimes as early as 6 weeks. So if you don't have too much to be done and have a good surgery and adequate rehab I'd say that your knee surgery should keep you down maybe most 2-3 months. After that IF you can walk okay even with a cane and can weight bear pretty good then you will likely be able to handle the rigors of a straight six. May leave you a lil sore but its not outside reality. My point is talk to your doc/surgeon on this and IF he/she's okay with it then look for and get a 6-speed. For the $$$ you'll spend it's best to get what you want or would want rather than settle for what you can have now. On that note I agree with what the others have said about waiting for a 6-speed 997 or 997S. Good luck and post pics!

 

I have seen weight saving claims on PCCB of 15-25 lbs. per wheel. Assuming the low number, that is a substantial savings in unsprung weight. Having driven both flavors of 997 at PDE and autocrossed my 997S I will admit that I have not developed the skill level to notice the unsprung weight difference, but the larger brakes certainly make a braking difference. (More tire on the 997S helps also.)

All of that being said, I recommend ceramic brakes because I feel the benefits in weight reduction outweigh the costs.

Given the cost of replacement, the PCCB’s on any used 997 should be carefully inspected. A well cared for set should provide years of service without significant maintenance costs.

 

I am going to go against the grain and recommend the 997 C2. IF you find the performance of the 3.6 with the tiptronic acceptable. If not then go with the 997S and the 3.8. The 997 C2 is a splendid car and the tradeoff for lower milage vs. more features tilts toward lower milage. My .02.

The third option is the previously mentioned one to pick up a BMW or Audi with an automatic or sequential shifter and wait until the knee is better. If you know you want a manual down the road, then this is the best option IMHO.

 

We recently purchased an 06 S, Tip, Cab, Red/Blackinterior, Chrono, Power seats, 23,000 miles, No Nav, CPO from a Big miami dealer....$53K...
AND, we love the Tip, will never track the car, and the TIP is a wonder in traffic
I've owned 7 911's over the years and the ONLY thing I miss about the older cars is the AIR cooled engine sounds...everything else is a VAST improvement
I think the cars you are looking at are TOO expensive.
AWD is something overrated unless you are going to be driving in snow..too much extra mechanism.
I would definately go for a 997 however,
YMMV

 

You do not want any of those. For 75k you should be able to find a nice 2009 or newer (997.2) with PDK, which is much better than the Tiptronic.

 

C2S You should be able to find a 2008 C2S with decent options for $75k. Perhaps a Certified Pre-Owned.

 

in 2006 it could indeed be $75K. people, pay attention - it was a thread from 2006. geez.

 

I'm cracking up at all the people replying to a post from 2006. Suffice it to say, a 2008 or 2009 would have been pretty difficult to come by when the OP posted his question...

 

Geez....second time this week. Why wake up these old threads?

 

Ha, ha! The OP most likely bought and sold his first 911 by now. Heck, he may be on his second or third. Maybe, just maybe, he’s even driving the new 991 today. He, he…

Don’t worry; I got caught up in it too. Couldn’t figure out why 2005 prices were so high and the mileage so damn low. Crap, if that were true today, I was ready to sell my ’10 C4S above list price, pocket $10k, and order meself a new 991S. Damn!

 

I just love the rumors flying about the high cost of PCCBs rotors and pads. I'll bet you a Carrera that you're spending more on rotors and pads then I have over the last 65,000 miles. The PCCBs are a long-life brake system, with the added benefit of reduced unstrung weight, virtually no dust and essentially no brake service needs for about 200,000 miles. They also never fade. Just replace the fluid every 24 months and you can call it a day. The pads for the PCCB cars are not expensive at all. But you should use care around the siliconized carbon fiber rotors.

For anyone seeking a Tiptronic tranny in this day in age is nuts! PDK is the only game in town. Clearly, this old thread should be killed off before someone reacts to it.

 

Funny stuff. Those prices weren't too bad in 2006!