pissedpuppy

I've actually grown to love my headlights - way more than a boxster, panamera, mkI 996 OR 997

I hate the dash wart on the 997, but other than that the interior is nice

not sure if the RMS / IMS issues are as prevalent in the 997

by the most you can afford (997.2 over 997.1 - or 997.1 S over 996)

BTW - the 993 guys might trash talk both the 996 and 997

kennyPride

Hey guys a little love for all P car owners. 997 vs 996 is a debate but when we are so superior to not even give a courtesy thumbs up on the road, I think we got our 997 noses out of joint.

mal28

I've owned both, a 2004 C4S and now a '07 997S, the 997S is so much better that i would not even consider the 996

Larry Cable

I would definitely buy an '04 996 GT3 ... but not a 996 Carerra car over a 997

technology wise (not too mention looks) a 997 is a much better car ... and the S variant a hands down winner ...

but I would still buy a 6GT3 over a 997 ...

911FM

I was facing the same basic choice last year (with 997 being a bit higher cost and 996 even lower). I tried both. I think it depends what you plan to do with it.

- If primarily street driving, you will be better off with 997, even with the price premium. Much better interior, handling, looks, modern feel, etc. Maintenance and breakdown risks are also probably lower.

- If you plan to track it (my case), a 996 might make more sense. Basically same power (non S), similar handling, etc. Headlight shape matters less than driver's skills. Keep the extra 10k of your budget for preventive maintenance and upgrades (e.g. LN IMS, clutch, suspension, brakes, etc.). Keep in mind that these cars are pretty expensive new and maintenance costs do not change because you are buying a used car at a heavily discounted price. You will probably still spend thousands if you drive the car really hard. (I think I am getting close to 8k now in less than a year, and not done yet...).

Good luck with your purchase. No matter which model, you'll enjoy it.

FM

Larry Cable

I believe the 3.6/3.8 9A1 DFI engine in the 997 is a better powerplant than the 3.4/6 in the 996's

utkinpol

3.6l base m97 is almost same as 996 m96 but it has very important internal updates, i discussed i with mike levitas from tpc when i was considering putting turbo on my car. m97 engine is very durable. m96 can also be rebuilt to be same and even better than stock m97 but it will cost some $.

Larry Cable

I recall also the early 3.4L units had an oil starvation problem at high cornering speeds on the track, not sure if they cured this in either the 3.6L or 9A1 variants

honestly having driven the 997S variants with sports suspension I think they are a tremendous driving platform

ELUSIVE

Even the nice photos of the 996 are still ugly.

chago996

Well, allow me to intervene: although beautiful on many angles, the 997's rear grill doesn't work for me compared to the 996. And on a convertible 997, that rear hump above the rear decklid is just ugly, no hump on the 996. I think the 997's wheelbase stayed the same, but the overhangs got tucked-in better. But still somewhat awkward. The 998 will improve on this further, since it has a new longer wheelbase, and thus improving on that look on profile. It looks like that rear hump will be gone too. My impression when I drove a 997S back in 06 when my lease was up, was that it didn't feel as fast as my well broken 996, or sporty. Felt heavier, and brakes didn't feel as connected either. Of course, this 997S was not broken-in yet. Yes, the interior was an improvement, but the feel of the road on the steering wheel felt better and more connected on mine , true sports car feel. Neighbor's 997 gt3 regained and improved that feel. Yes, I kept the 996. But, like many say, get the newest and less mileage 911 u can afford. Me, Im waiting for 998, whose driving feel hopefully doesn't get further diluted. So, 997's design is not truly perfect either

roadsession

As I quote Rally Jon:

"I like that as I get older and fatter and less aggressive, Porsche is updating the 911 line to suit."

There's probably some truth to this. To keep brand loyalty Porsche has to keep up with the aging owner.
The 997 is a cushier car for the cushier tush.

I am however surprised at how unbelievably arrogant some of the comments are here about how much they "hate" the 996...Didn't think that's what the brand was all about ?

Oh well, if that's one way you get to feel good about yourself - then who am I to take that away

jumper5836

I agree. I actually like the 997's front, but the things you mentioned are my biggest dislikes. With a GT3 or RS wing it hides the ugliness.

I assume that the since new M9A1 engine is smaller and the fits in the engine compartment a lot lower that they will redesign the hump or as I like to call it the basket ball rear end and make it disappear. No need to have that much empty space in the engine compartment with the new engine.
Here's to hoping the 998 will be an improvement in weight reduction, feel and l looks. Don't even need anymore hp if they just concentrate on those things.

Psycho Sid

You know you can always take the best styling elements from the 997 line up (GT2 + Turbo), some Techart and custom stuff and add them to a 996.

With that said (and after reading some of the earlier comments) I can't help myself... I just have to show you guys what a 996 can look like.

If it's between a stock 997 (turbo's and GT2's excluded) and my P. I like my Frankenstein 996 ride better.

There's always going to be something newer, bigger, better and faster so unless you lease your ride (which is basically a rental so it's not "your" ride) you're always going to be chasing the proverbial carrot and loose tenths of thousands of dollars every time you trade "up" without ever forming that bond between man and machine.
just wait till the 998 comes out (which won't be long)... and the guy who kept his 996 decides it's time to upgrade!

Oh yes the marketing machine is hard at work and we are eating it up!

But hey that's just me... and I'm crazy

Quadcammer

please, this is the way its been forever. Everybody will defend what they have to the death.

997 owners will stretch how much better it is than a 996, and 996 owners will shrink how much worse it is compared to a 997.

the Truth is somewhere in the middle.

I own neither, but based on the original question, I would spend the $40k for the 997.

Nugget

I guess this further demonstrates that there's no accounting for taste. I think the Turbo/GT2 are by far the ugliest cars Porsche makes and look like little batmobiles all covered in ugly fins and scoops and grills and crap. I also that Techart kits ought to void your warranty they're so awful.

Bottom line -- get what thrills ya and if anyone hates it they can go pound sand. I'm sure that my day-glo orange wheels and stickers aren't universally liked either. All that matters is what makes you happy.

There's nothing arrogant about having and voicing an opinion.