YellowC4S

Looking to get back into a 911, the last one being a 96 C4S. I never liked the 996's and feel that the 997 is what the 996 should have been. looking for opinions and/or leads on either in Yellow.

Thank you in advance.

Edgy01

You're thinking is on track w/mine. I bypassed the 996 as well. Spend some time herein to learn which options are worthwhile. Don't jump at the 1st one you see. There are many terrific deals out there. As an old-time Porsche guy seriously consider the S model for the Bi-Xenons, the PSE (like an aircooled sound) and as much leather as you can afford to makr it extra special.

YellowC4S

What I want is either a 997 C4S or another 993 C4S, speed yellow/black, dual pwr/heated seats, a rear window wiper, HID's and as much carbon as I can afford. I don't know too much about the other options like PASM and whatnot. If I end up with a 997 I do want the Turbo wheels though.

Fahrer

I went through the 993 vs. 997 thing. I was looking for a weekend car and hoping to spend about $30K. But as I looked, it went to $40k and $50K. The 993 is a beautiful car. I finally decided on a leftover 2008 C2S. Not the classic 993 but better performance and a warrantee with less than 100 miles for a bit more $$. I know it will depreciate more but my intention is to keep the car for a long time, so........ who cares? I am still breaking it in! 1400 miles and counting.

Mspeedster

I love both the 997 and 993. I agree with you on the 996. It seemed like Porsche tried a new path with the 996 but then returned to where it should have been with the 997.

I really wanted a 993 bad back in the mid '90s, but due to my family situation it wasn't the practical choice. So when looking for my current car, I also thought about getting a 993. I looked at a few 993 cars that were going for really attractive prices. But the thought of owning a 12 year old car worried me. Ultimately, the performance and modern advances in the 997 won me over. I tend to like new or newer cars, but that's me.

Style wise, I still like the classic 993 shape, especially the wide body C4S. But the 997 is a very close second.

BobbyB

If you can, drive them both extensively. Not 20 or 30 minutes but spend a little time in each. The 997 is larger, faster, more comfortable and has a easier to operate alarm system (couldn't resist)among other things. But if you really love the more viscreal offerings of the 993, there are very few choices to compare -but it is an older car and technology has come a long way. Both are rewarding - take your time.

yemenmocha

A lot of folks agree that the 996 is the stepchild in the history of 911's. Just look at the egg yolk front lights or the interior. But, taste is subjective... well for most things anyway.

Fahrer

The 996 is not my favorite but I guess it was the necessary transition model to higher performance, higher reliability, lower emmissions, lower noise and lower costs being required by the market and govs. The 997 is the readjustment phase.

Carrera GT

If you'd not already owned the 993, that would be the way to go, no question. But why not try the newer car? Prices couldn't be lower, so depreciation will be a bit less. If you wanted to try the 996, there's the GT3 (which transforms the 996 is a great, great car that will compare favorably in driving with a 993, if not in appearance, but it does grow on you) or the GT2 which would be an exercise in brute force 911 experiences (and not to be ignored.) Otherwise, get a late build date '05 or '06, get CPO and maybe even a Porsche Financial Services lease if they'll offer a sensible product ... affordable motoring and a lot of fun. Just be careful in any of these cars, the market is deep, so shop for an excellent example with no stories.

YellowC4S

what is the difference between 997.1 and 997.2?

Edgy01

Porsche pumped up the HP ratings on both the S and straight Carrera in version 2. The engine is the big change with a DI engine,--seriously changing a lot there. Also, the introduction of the PDK tranny is significant. Some minor external clues are the larger side mirrors and the LED lights front and aft. The Nav system is reworked and now provides a 3D view (oblique) and gets its data out of firmware,--and not off a DVD. The 997.2 cars are not fully sorted out yet, IMO.

Carrera GT

I agree the 997.2 is still improving. It's certainly a lot better to drive than the 997.1 -- far better handling than I would have believed possible as progress in such similar models.

I'm not clear on why a 993 vs 997 conversation would spread to talking about '09 and '10 cars that are literally twice the price of the early 997 cars which are literally twice the price of 993 cars ... : )

If you can afford and justify an '09 Carrera S with PDK and Sport Chrono (to get Sport Plus mode and Launch mode) then that's the 911 of choice. With more dollars, consider the options, the wide body. With less dollars, consider the '05 cars with 6 spd (god forbid Tiptronic ... just drove it today in a loaner ... shudder ... scrub clean in cold shower with bleach and wire brush ... unclean! unclean!)

Depending upon the driver objectives and intentions, comparing '99 to '09 cars, I'd say the '04 996 GT3 is the very best of them -- bang for the buck. Then the 996 GT2. Then the 997.1 GT3. After that, it's a blur -- the 997.1 RS is still a tad expensive compared to the beaten down state of other 911s, the Turbo is only for a particular driver, the 997.1 GT2 is still expensive and likely to plummet as the 997.2 cars unfold, especially the PDK Turbo. Even further off topic, the 997.1 GT2 is appealing to me and I could well see myself in that car as it goes under $120K if the 997.2 RS market becomes a problem.

johnwb

I had this same debate when I bought my 2005 997 CS a couple of months ago. The 993, being the last of the air-cooled, was compelling. And it looks great. I was coming from a 1972 911S so it was even harder to pass on the air-cooled. The 993 looks like it may begin to appreciate nicely. The 997 is an awesome car and I'm glad I made that choice. I can drive it as a DD and take it on the track and not worry too much about parking lot dings which can be easily repaired without hurting value. That's what I worried about in my 1972 or a 993.

Used 997 cars are pretty cheap now. If you want a Porsche to drive and use the 997 is the way to go. IMO.

ClaylG

I'm looking at 993s VS 997s myself. My current weekend car is an '87 911 which I will sell to make way for the newer one. I've never driven a Porsche made after the 1980s so even a 993 will feel much more refined than what I drive now. Or at least that's what I've read.

ljpviper

Here is my input. I Have owned 86 930, 87 carrera, and 95 993 and now 2005 997 coupe.

sorry to the aircooled lovers. to me this leaps and bounds of any aircooled porsche. I never was into the 996 as I thought it was abortion. I use the 997 daily for 9 month and enjoy every minute, great ac, respone, power

I also had had a 99 BMW M Coupe and 1996 Vipers GTS, best car(997) i have owned, period, and mine is just a stock 05 Carrera