question: choice between a 996 C4S or 997?

touque · 11-04-2009, 04:57 PM

I realize this is the 996 forum, but I have been contemplating picking up a 911-variant next spring and am torn between a 996 C4S and a 997. Looking at coupes only.

My budget will be approx $40k and I would be buying this car as my daily driver. I currently own a 1968 912 and have owned 2 928's and do all the wrenching on my cars. I know the 'buy the best car you can afford' mantra, but am torn between the two.

A buddy of mine had a 2003 C4S and I loved it. The wide hips and agressive turbo look is why I would choose that over a regular Carrera and really wouldn't want a regular narrow-bodied 996 version. I would be looking at las ow miles as possible as I drive 10k to 15k per year.

Now for the same price, I would be able to get into a 2005 or so 997 which of course is an entirely new model with stiffer this and more efficient that, etc. My big question is what would be the pro's and con's of getting each one? Would it be a no-brainer to get one vs. the other? Any major problems on the 997 to consider vs. the 996's? I just don't know enough about either model YET, as I do with the 912's and 928's.

thanks in advance!

Whitey||C4S · 11-04-2009, 05:52 PM

Be ready for people to tell you to buy a Turbo or a GT3 [ZOMG!]; lots of that going 'round these days.

Drive both?

- 997 could be CPO'd; 996 cannot
- Both have the M96 (I think)

All I have quickly off the top of my head. I love my C4S, but have not driven a 997

Receiver · 11-04-2009, 05:54 PM

Can't speak to the 997's but I love my C4S, especially the wide hips. It went through a Cdn winter with snows on it and I have had 0 issues. I'm thinking of upgrading to a 996TT next year when the C4S comes off warranty. The power is intoxicating.

redridge · 11-04-2009, 06:04 PM

I wouldnt get a 997 carrera.... get the 997 S instead. If not opt for the 996 C4S.

Dennis C · 11-04-2009, 06:23 PM

I think I would drive both, as Whitey suggested. The 997 has a much more refined interior, and it will have a little more horsepower. Depending on the options, it will probably have a softer ride than the 996 C4S. I prefer the look of the wide body cars myself, but you're the one buying it. Have fun with the selection process.

Oh, and... what about a 996 turbo?

himself · 11-04-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redridge

I wouldnt get a 997 carrera.... get the 997 S instead. If not opt for the 996 C4S.

+1 on passing up the base 997 if possible. The S is a much better choice, IMO. However, you are probably not going to find many low mileage 997S below $40K. You might see a number with 30K+ miles though.

Personally I would not get a 996 (C2, C4S, etc) for the same money as a 997 (S or otherwise). The 996 is a great car, but it is getting old, and the interior is pretty dated. If you are planning on keeping the car a while, you should seriously consider a 997 as a daily driver if you find one within your budget.

Are you in an area where 4WD makes a difference? I am not keen on extra weight and extra driven wheels.

I haven't been in the market lately, but I would guess that it will be just as hard to find a low mileage 996 C4S as a low mileage 997 at/under $40,000.

-td

touque · 11-04-2009, 06:29 PM

thanks guys - I have driven the C4S but not yet the 997, but of course will do. Definitely like the wide-bodied cars. Stoopid question, but I can't seem to find the rear width of a C4S vs a 997 to compare? I guess I'm an ass-man

Slight increase in HP isn't that important (wouldn't turn it down of course!). And Red, why not the standard Carrera?

Oh, and thanks for the Turbo suggestion Dennis

touque · 11-04-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by himself

+1 on passing up the base 997 if possible. The S is a much better choice, IMO. However, you are probably not going to find many low mileage 997S below $40K. You might see a number with 30K+ miles though.

Personally I would not get a 996 (C2, C4S, etc) for the same money as a 997 (S or otherwise). The 996 is a great car, but it is getting old, and the interior is pretty dated. If you are planning on keeping the car a while, you should seriously consider a 997 as a daily driver if you find one within your budget.

Are you in an area where 4WD makes a difference? I am not keen on extra weight and extra driven wheels.

I haven't been in the market lately, but I would guess that it will be just as hard to find a low mileage 996 C4S as a low mileage 997 at/under $40,000.

-td

I am in Houston so no, don't need the 4WD at all. Plan to keep the car for a while actually - warranty would be nice as well and that means 997.

There are a few low-mile C4S's out there on Autotrader, but I'm picky about colour so it might be a challenge or at least a wait to get the right combination (same applies for the 997). Not sure if the 997S fits in the budget from what i've seen either...

oh, and as an edit, 30k miles is still a fairly low mileage in my mind, at least for a 996...

RallyJon · 11-04-2009, 06:33 PM

If you can find a nice, well optioned, moderate mile, CPOed 997 for <$40k? That's pretty good.

But $40k buys the top 10% of 996 C4Ss out there.

himself · 11-04-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by touque

I am in Houston so no, don't need the 4WD at all. Plan to keep the car for a while actually - warranty would be nice as well and that means 997.

FWIW, you can get a decent aftermarket warranty for any low mileage car (including a Porsche) for $2,000-$3,000. Some have a bad opinion of these types of warranties, but I have only good things to say about them. Just as good as a CPO in my opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by touque

Stoopid question, but I can't seem to find the rear width of a C4S vs a 997 to compare? I guess I'm an ass-man

This is from my old research, which may or may not be perfect:
996 widths: C2 69.7" / C4S 72"
997 widths: C2 71.2" / C4S 72.9"

-td

soverystout · 11-04-2009, 07:00 PM

I love my car but I would would go 997 just based on the interior upgrade alone.

pissedpuppy · 11-04-2009, 07:22 PM

don't think you can get into a 997 for $40K

not a 996 Turbo or GT3 either

himself · 11-04-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pissedpuppy

don't think you can get into a 997 for $40K

not a 996 Turbo or GT3 either

2004 GT3, sold at 42K

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsc...item4a9bdd5032

-td

roadsession · 11-04-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by himself

FWIW, you can get a decent aftermarket warranty for any low mileage car (including a Porsche) for $2,000-$3,000. Some have a bad opinion of these types of warranties, but I have only good things to say about them. Just as good as a CPO in my opinion.

This is from my old research, which may or may not be perfect:
996 widths: C2 69.7" / C4S 72"
997 widths: C2 71.2" / C4S 72.9"

-td

What aftermarket warranty did you buy?

smackboy1 · 11-04-2009, 11:16 PM

Try asking the same question on the 997 forum.

In the meantime, I would say that the differences between the 996 Mk II and 997 Mk I are not huge. Especially from the viewpoint of the layman.

11-04-2009, 04:57 PM	#1
touque Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 583	question: choice between a 996 C4S or 997? I realize this is the 996 forum, but I have been contemplating picking up a 911-variant next spring and am torn between a 996 C4S and a 997. Looking at coupes only. My budget will be approx $40k and I would be buying this car as my daily driver. I currently own a 1968 912 and have owned 2 928's and do all the wrenching on my cars. I know the 'buy the best car you can afford' mantra, but am torn between the two. A buddy of mine had a 2003 C4S and I loved it. The wide hips and agressive turbo look is why I would choose that over a regular Carrera and really wouldn't want a regular narrow-bodied 996 version. I would be looking at las ow miles as possible as I drive 10k to 15k per year. Now for the same price, I would be able to get into a 2005 or so 997 which of course is an entirely new model with stiffer this and more efficient that, etc. My big question is what would be the pro's and con's of getting each one? Would it be a no-brainer to get one vs. the other? Any major problems on the 997 to consider vs. the 996's? I just don't know enough about either model YET, as I do with the 912's and 928's. thanks in advance! __________________ Troy B. '89 Shark '68 912 Coupe "Judging by the car you have chosen, you are a motorist of a special breed, and you are probably no novice when it comes to automobiles" (928 Owners Manual)

11-04-2009, 05:52 PM	#2
Whitey\|\|C4S Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wake Zone Coffee House in Apex, NC Posts: 1,003	Be ready for people to tell you to buy a Turbo or a GT3 [*ZOMG!*]; lots of that going 'round these days. Drive both? - 997 could be CPO'd; 996 cannot - Both have the M96 (I think) All I have quickly off the top of my head. I love my C4S, but have not driven a 997 __________________

11-04-2009, 05:54 PM	#3
Receiver Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hamilton Can Posts: 347	Can't speak to the 997's but I love my C4S, especially the wide hips. It went through a Cdn winter with snows on it and I have had 0 issues. I'm thinking of upgrading to a 996TT next year when the C4S comes off warranty. The power is intoxicating. __________________ Receiver 02 C4S DD silver stock 96 993 TT midnight blue stock 95 993 guards stock ( sold to a good home) 67 MB 250SL 42k miles ( sold and missed)

11-04-2009, 06:04 PM	#4
redridge Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3,425	I wouldnt get a 997 carrera.... get the 997 S instead. If not opt for the 996 C4S. __________________

11-04-2009, 06:23 PM	#5
Dennis C A Texan Hoosier Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 2,624	I think I would drive both, as Whitey suggested. The 997 has a much more refined interior, and it will have a little more horsepower. Depending on the options, it will probably have a softer ride than the 996 C4S. I prefer the look of the wide body cars myself, but you're the one buying it. Have fun with the selection process. Oh, and... what about a 996 turbo? __________________ Dennis 2004 Porsche Cayenne S 2002 Porsche Carrera 4S 1995 Volvo 850 GLT PCA Member

11-04-2009, 06:29 PM	#7
touque Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 583	thanks guys - I have driven the C4S but not yet the 997, but of course will do. Definitely like the wide-bodied cars. Stoopid question, but I can't seem to find the rear width of a C4S vs a 997 to compare? I guess I'm an ass-man Slight increase in HP isn't that important (wouldn't turn it down of course!). And Red, why not the standard Carrera? Oh, and thanks for the Turbo suggestion Dennis __________________ Troy B. '89 Shark '68 912 Coupe "Judging by the car you have chosen, you are a motorist of a special breed, and you are probably no novice when it comes to automobiles" (928 Owners Manual)

11-04-2009, 06:33 PM	#9
RallyJon Weathergirl Rennlist Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: SE PA Posts: 4,528	If you can find a nice, well optioned, moderate mile, CPOed 997 for <$40k? That's pretty good. But $40k buys the top 10% of 996 C4Ss out there. __________________ 02 996 C4S · 95 993 C4 · 911 RS look · STI · S4 · rally car

11-04-2009, 07:00 PM	#11
soverystout Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: The First State Posts: 131	I love my car but I would would go 997 just based on the interior upgrade alone. __________________ 03 996 6spd Cpe satin silver/metropol blue w PSE,Sport Design wheels, Alum/lthr shifter and parking brk,power comfort seats with heat,lumbar and supple leather,Bose,colored crests,Bi-xenons and PSM DD - 06 Mazdaspeed6 GT Titanium Grey/Black

11-04-2009, 07:22 PM	#12
pissedpuppy User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 261	don't think you can get into a 997 for $40K not a 996 Turbo or GT3 either

11-04-2009, 11:16 PM	#15
smackboy1 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 627	Try asking the same question on the 997 forum. In the meantime, I would say that the differences between the 996 Mk II and 997 Mk I are not huge. Especially from the viewpoint of the layman. __________________ 2003 Carrera Coupe Arctic Silver/Black 28+K miles X74, PSE, SSK, GT3 Seats 235/40R18 285/30R18 Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07 Renewable Lubricants, Inc. Biosyn 5W40 Disclaimer: nothing written here should be taken as legal advice, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night[/size][/font]