robbp

Hi, new member, first post. Love the site!

I am looking at 2002 C4S with 96,000 km, asking $32K.
Also looking at a 2006 C4 with 86,000 km, asking $40K.

Both have complete service history, and are clean. The 997 has had RMS and clutch done. 996 had a recent PPI by local Porsche dealer and needed nothing major.

Would you recommend doing the IMS in either one? I thought the IMS was not replaceable in the 997, but it appears it is but requires the engine to be ripped apart?

I like the exterior of both, and the interior of the 997. AWD is important as I'm in Canada and plan to use it year round.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you guys might have as to choosing one over the other. Also do the asking prices seem reasonable? The 996 price is firm, I think the 997 seller is willing to move a bit.

Thanks?
Rob

ATLDiver

I'd recommend the 997 even though it's not a 'S' just because I prefer the looks of the 997. It's newer with the 'revised' IMS which greatly reduces any potential problems down the road plus it has slightly less miles.

Which one has the best (to you) options list and color combo? In my case the 'right' car will tell you which one to take. I have just the 'lowly' Carrera but it's a cab and it's 'plenty' for my interests. The GTS would be the only trim I'd be enticed to upgrade to; I've driving a 'S' and wasn't blown away by the performance step up. Then again I've never been behind the wheel of a 4 so take that with a grain of salt.

The '02 would for me be immediately a canidate for the 'IMS fix' by Raby where the '06 doesn't have a simple (or innexpensive,) fix. Just my $0.02...

gotgolf52

997 is a much better car than 996. Don't worry too much about IMS issue, very small percentage suffer the IMS.

ltcjmramos

General advice is to buy the newest car you can afford. Even having been a 996 owner for 10 years (996GT3), I prefer the 997 body style. Assuming both these pass a PPI, the '06 would be my choice.

Para82

The only Porsche series I would consider is 964, 993, or 997. JD Power rated the Porsche 911 as one of the most reliable sports cars ever built.

Edgy01

If you are totally new to Porsche, and the '911' get Randy Leffingwell's book on these things. It explains the differences from year to year. As Jumpin Joe suggests, "Buy the Newest One you can Afford." This has always been good advice because things are constantly improving from year to year. Minor changes, but improvements, nonetheless.

Go to Amazon and check out the books by Randy.

My car is actually in his 2nd edition:
Latest:

ElectricChair

Get the 997. You won't regret it!

Slamuth

+1 for the 997, much better car. The IMS failure potential is very low, so don't fret. If u want, consider an aftermarket warranty, then u can sleep at night.

halo777

Definitely 997

Chaos

Had a 02. Have a 06

sambb

997 and fix the IMS.

OKB

I had a 996 and it was flawless, but buy the newest car you can afford

Para82

Except for those headlights...

(couldn't resist)

myw

997 - u can't change the ims on a 2006 without either splitting the engine case and/or machining. it has the larger one anyways so i wouldn't worry about it.

Hella-Buggin'

If you have the later ims design then fixing it is very costly and not rally necessary. If you happen to get an 06 that had the early design then by all means update it but don't split the case just for that.