996 C4S vs 997 2S

[Shaoxter]

Pommygranite said:

LeeE60M5 said:

Has exactly the same choice recently.

I went for the 996 c4s because I could afford to buy the best condition available with low miles where as the 997 I would not have been able to. Even then that said I have always liked the look for the c4s 996 and do actually believe it's one of the best looking 911's so it would have been my choice anyway.

I know it's subjective but the 996 turbo body with none of the spoilers , air grills and the wrap around reflector is in my opinion a real winner.

I see you had an E60 M5 - how does the 996C4S compare as a daily driver?

Hmmm I can answer that question...
If your daily drive involves mostly traffic then the SMG is going to be too tiresome to use (as you have to drive it in manual mode). But having said that a manual C4S won't be much fun either.

If there's a lot of narrow country lanes I'd take the C4S, the M5 will be too much of a barge.

Any other situation and it's the M5 all the way, engine is in a completely different league.

[pete a]

harleywilma said:

MMmmmmm

Lovely interior in the 997 except for that hideous Triangle steering wheel.

This is the ONE




So there you have it. they are both nice in the right trim and steering wheel. The 997 is more modern that's all.

[Pommygranite]

Shaoxter said:

Pommygranite said:

LeeE60M5 said:

Has exactly the same choice recently.

I went for the 996 c4s because I could afford to buy the best condition available with low miles where as the 997 I would not have been able to. Even then that said I have always liked the look for the c4s 996 and do actually believe it's one of the best looking 911's so it would have been my choice anyway.

I know it's subjective but the 996 turbo body with none of the spoilers , air grills and the wrap around reflector is in my opinion a real winner.

I see you had an E60 M5 - how does the 996C4S compare as a daily driver?

Hmmm I can answer that question...
If your daily drive involves mostly traffic then the SMG is going to be too tiresome to use (as you have to drive it in manual mode). But having said that a manual C4S won't be much fun either.

If there's a lot of narrow country lanes I'd take the C4S, the M5 will be too much of a barge.

Any other situation and it's the M5 all the way, engine is in a completely different league.

Thanks for the response.

I'd get an Auto C4S as I'm always in traffic/motorway at a steady crawl.

I love the M5 but it's wasted here in Oz due to low speed limits and tight policing which means 99% of the time id be at 60mph and would never really explore the capability.

I figure the 996 has that much more 'soul' so even when you're not pressing in it will feel special.

I am thinking the 996 is a pleasurable daily cruiser that won't bankrupt me with running costs - is this correct?

[anonymous-user]

Shaoxter said:

If your daily drive involves mostly traffic then the SMG is going to be too tiresome to use (as you have to drive it in manual mode). But having said that a manual C4S won't be much fun either.

Sorry to bump for possible an OT question, but why would a manual C4 be bad in traffic? Are they particularly heavy on the clutch?

I ask because I'm going to treat myself at some point soon and was planning on the manual. It would be used 50% on the commute (2/3 days/week) and 50% for fun at weekends.

[Magic919]

The C4S clutch is fine. They only get heavy when knackered.

[Shaoxter]

Pommygranite said:

I figure the 996 has that much more 'soul' so even when you're not pressing in it will feel special.

Dunno about more soul but you definitely feel like you're in a sports car rather than a barge. The seating is lower, the whole car feels wrapped around you and you can see those wide hips from your wing mirrors

However above 6k rpm the S85 V10 is very very special, you get a "holy crap" feeling which isn't there in the C4S as you rev to the red line. But it's horses for courses, I wouldn't be able to put up with 12mpg and fear of wearing the clutch out in traffic.

OpulentBob said:

Shaoxter said:

If your daily drive involves mostly traffic then the SMG is going to be too tiresome to use (as you have to drive it in manual mode). But having said that a manual C4S won't be much fun either.

Sorry to bump for possible an OT question, but why would a manual C4 be bad in traffic? Are they particularly heavy on the clutch?

I was referring to manual cars in general, don't know how the clutch is on manuals because mine's a Tip. If I'm driving into central London I always take the auto car!

[ELROR]

I have a C2S which is a superior car in every respect to the 996 C4S (having tried both). Forget the scare monger stories. At the mileages you are looking at, if you have the car inspected on purchase and no bore scoring is found, you would be very very unlucky to have engine problems (IMS failures are rarer still).

If you are looking at any porsche 911, regardless of age, and are worried about a potential £8k engine rebuild, perhaps think about whether you can afford to run a 911 (or if you can afford it, whether the potential costs of running such a car are worth it for you personally). £2k or £3k bills are not unusual come service time for cars like this. Don't get me wrong, I would not be celebrating if I had to pay £8k for a rebuild, but I would not lose any sleep over it, and the risk of it happening does nothing to diminish my enjoyment of the car.

[Innowaybored]

I had exactly the same dilema. Here were my thoughts on what to go for:

The 996 C4S is has the prettiest backside of just about any Porsche 911.
The 997 has a prettier front end
The 997 interior is nicer (just) than the 996 however sort the centre console out for a after market touch screen and get rid of the CD holder thing and it looks incredibly good.
The 996 C4S residuals are now solid if not climbing

After much thought I went for the C4S and I love it

Good luck with the search - lots of ropey ones out there

[LeeE60M5]

Sorry only just logged in and seen the M5 question.

I am one of the few people who actually liked the SMG and if you drive it like a manual (lift of throttle and back on etc) it is a great box. If you drive it in auto around town it is rubbish so always drive in manual all the time and it is perfect.

Also the M5 really shrinks in size when you start to motor down country roads and the V10 in the right rev range is beyond epic. I actually remember a few country road runs with cars that are circa 350-400 BHP and smaller and if you drive the M5 right it gives them all a run for there money.

Over all the 911 is great but if you can live with the running costs I would pick the M5 over a 911 all day for a daily driver. I have the 911 in a garage and it is hardly used but when it is it feels special to drive.

I am hoping to swap my wifes X5 in a year or so for the newer M5 as the family daily.