I have narrowed down my choices to two 06 used cars, a c2 and a c2s at the dealer. The s model is only $5k more than the base model but it has a few things I do not want.

1. It has a Sycamore wood package, I can deal with wood in the dash but the shift **** and possibly the brake lever would have to be changed. How much would this cost?

2. I am going to ask the salesman to exchange the 19" wheels for some 18's. The smaller tires are sooo much cheaper.

This car is going to be a daily driver. The c2s would stretch my budget a bit but seems to be so much more car than the base model. Any negatives jumping from the base to the S-model?

 

Or a third option may be to wait and/or keep looking for more 997S's?

I don't see any negatives jumping from the base to the S except maybe for cost. Insurance rates are still the same I think.

After market mods are always a pain and expensive, if I were to do everything over again I would have ordered the sport/short shifter. After market I saw a quote for a little over $900 parts/labor.

 

I don't think you will find any negatives going to an S model or anyone who has an S that would prefer a non S. I have a non S and am very happy with it. I would have got an S model but got a deal on mine that I could not pass up plus it has all the options and color I wanted. After adding an after market exhaust I'm very happy with the sound and performance of my car, plus I have a slightly modded 996TT so I don't feel left out of the HP game. I actually prefer the 997 for daily driving. For $5K I would get the S however. I hate not having big reds on my 997!!

 

Figure $750 for new shift **** and brake lever (not cheap). Get the S...well worth the premium.

 

if you would like to spend even less for an almost new and immaculate car, send me a PM.

arctic silver/black leather, 2006 997 c2, manual.

 

I had a C2S and went to a non S and prefer the C2. initially cost was a consideration, but now I can honestly say I prefer the C2 regardless of cost, which is now just a bonus.
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum/337047-interesting-comment-may-07-excellence.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum/335394-new-07-c2-atlas-sand.html

 

andi i prefer an f350 to an f430...and an e300 to an e65...etc..

 

What do you prefer on the C2 that is better then the C2S, the brakes? the HP/Tq? I know that the there are a lot of C2 owners here and they are all 997's but let's face it, the "S" is the better car. Sure it cost more, but the value in the upgrades are well worth the extra $ if you can afford it.

As for JimG, if you don't like the wood interior ask the dealer to switch it out as part of the sale, or find another S. These cars are expensive items, you may as well find exactly what you wanted, even if you spend a little more.

Good Luck.

 

robbonds and edward-generation -
you're both entitled to your opinions, but that doesn't make you right. I had a C2S with many options and now have a C2 with very few options. I prefer the C2. I'm not alone though, read the F77 article in the May 07 Excellence and the C2 Cab article in the April 07 Excellence.
Read the two threads I cite above. They contain sections of the two articles.

4-07 Excellence on the C2 cab 997 "noticeably keener through the revs than the .. 997S. To get a 997S that revs as cleanly as the base 997 does, you have to order ... X51" Article goes on to point out the better steering and chassis response of the 997 vs the 997S.

5-07 Excellence on the F77 - points to the GT3 997 and the "bum-basic" 997 as their favorites on the Loop (I'm excluding non-factory models they mention).

They due mention the torque is better on the 997S but that seems too obvious to discuss here. I'm only pointing out their subjective opinions because discussing cold hard facts is boring. I know the S has more hp & torque, we all do. You don't need to read that.

"[i]f you appreciate the way a flat six winds out as much as what it puts out, then the base Carrera is worth careful consideration." Apr 07 Excellence

 

Agreed. I love my C4S, but - the 3.6 revs faster and more effortlessly...

A base C2 would be a fine choice.

 

I actually prefer the non-PASM C2, but really enjoy the 3.8 over the 3.6

regardless- you will not lose with either choice! Go with your gut and then start enjoying your car!

 

Totally agree, further, we are all completely overpaying for transportation (P-car owners), the idea the 997 is showing restraint or purity void of unnecessary advancements is always an amusing thread for me.

If one is satisfied with the 997 I would think that saving $15-$20k and getting a clean 996 is all the same to that buyer.

Considering it is a relatively minor adjustment (the 5k) for larger engine, bigger breaks...I think that you will find that in the world of Porsche this is a very reasonable price for upgrades.

Good luck in the search...

 

The "S is a better car" is an opinion. It is only a better car if you want / will use more brakes and a different engine. For most, the C2 is more than enough and with the stock suspension and 18" wheels, rides better. The C2S has many things I didn't want, but got stuck with because I needed / wanted the larger brakes and larger engine for track duty. I didn't want Xenons, 19s, or PASM, but had to take them as part of the S package.

 

RonCT is right on target!

 

Both the C2 and C2S are great sports cars. Don't be hasty and buy the CS2 just based on opinions on this board. Do some research and buy what you think would best please you.

I've got a C2 on order and will be the first to say that the C2S looks a heck of a lot better on paper. The C2 is kind of treated like a red-headed stepchild on this and other Porsche enthusiast boards. I personally think the Cayman is a great car as well, but a lot of folks think that it's a POS compared to 997 models. I think some of that attitude bleeds over to C2 vs. C2S. Check out the specs between the two models and go test drive both. If the C2 is/feels too slow to you then the answer is clearly to buy a C2S.

In the end, you need to consider the ROI. On paper, the GT3 blows all the NA cars out of the water. But is the extra premium really going to be worth it for you over the C2S considering how you will use it? The answer may clearly be yes or no. Apply the same question to C2S vs. C2.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you end up buying!