otto06

Ok so I posted this in the 996 forum too - so if you saw it there I apologize - but I thought I should get opinions from both...

I am looking at buying a car as my daily driver and have narrowed it down to 2 - an 04 996 4S cab - 45k miles - records from sticker forward - 40k service done - clutch and RMS done about 10k miles. Loaded interior in almost perfect condition OR and 05 997 cab - entry level interior - 62k miles - 60k mile service done - intermittent records ....

Strong opinions one way or the other?

current cars:

- 84 911 Carrera that I have owned since '97 - weekend ride - all stock.

- 09 outback AWD Turbo - lease up - turning it in

- 01 F150 supercrew 4x4 - the beater/dog/ski/beach mobile

cvazquez

Don't know your price point between the P-cars, but I would lean towards the 997 cab.

mal28

IMO not even close! I have owned both and the 997 is vastly better! the 996 c4s will beat you to death, I found it very uncomfortable, the ride is rough and the seats uncomfotable

cpbmd

The old addage comes to mind..."buy the newest Porsche you can afford"
I bought my '07 911 2 years ago with 5k miles on it. It looks and drive better than the 996's that I test drove. I don't like the way the side of the 996 looks or the fried egg head lights for that matter.

For marginally more money you will get exponentially more car. 997 all the way.

BTW what is your budget?

IslandS52

that's a tough one. At the same price (assuming around $45K) point, with the the info given, frankly I'd lean toward the 996 4S. Looks like you are looking at a top line 996 vs. a stripper 997 C2.

otto06

Budget is 35-40k - cars are basically same price

Mike in CA

I previously owned a '99 996 for 8 years and currently have an '09 997.2 S. Between those two it's not close; the 997.2 S is much superior in every way. That said, the 996 was still a very nice car and I enjoyed it a lot. Before I "upgraded" to a very stiff lowered setup for autocrossing, it was equipped with the ROW Porsche M030 sport suspension and I never found it uncomfortable.

In your case, you're comparing a top of the line '04 996 4S Cab with, I believe, the Turbo widebody, brakes, and suspension, not to mention AWD, to a base 997 Cab that's only 1 year newer. Aside from the equipment advantage you describe, the 996 4S has only a 5hp disadvantage to the 997, 17K fewer miles, and a better service record. I know this is a 997 forum, but I'd be inclined to go with the 996.

Waxer

Tough call. IMHO buy the one you like better.

Mike in CA

You might not like the headlights anyway, but strictly speaking the "fried egg" name came from the original clear and yellow combination headlights which were replaced with all clear mid-year '99 to differentiate the car further from the Boxster. The '04 widebody S model that the OP is looking at also goes a long way toward eliminating the slab sided look, IMO.

USMC_DS1

Test drive them both... 2WD is much different from AWD in driving dynamics.

pewter82

The 9964S can be used in winter as a car to replace your Suby...Sounds like the 4S is a very well cared for car, and its a good looking car too.
The 997 cab is a very nice car too, but unless you need a bit more interior space or just like the look of the front better on the 997, I would opt for the 996 4S.

price being very close ofcourse.

gasongasoff

Do you like fried eggs?

IslandS52

Although the adage "buy the newest you can afford" is popular on porsche forums, I have always lived by the equally over used cliche, "buy the seller, not the car" and it has served me well. Of course you have to like the car, but it's history, condition and care under its previous owner is just as important. If you like the 4S and it's been cared for, I'd take it over a mediocre 997 any day.

otto06

Thanks Everyone - I appreciate all the viewpoints. I am going to drive them both again this weekend and will post pics of whatever I end up with (in the appropriate forum!


O

w00tPORSCHE

996C4S for me without a doubt. its a beautiful looking car and a complete service history tells you how well it has been cared in the past. Whichever car you decide on, a thorough PPI is a must.