996 C4S or 997.1 or E92 M3
Discussion
I recently went through the same process although to be fair I had a budget of up to 60k max, I ended up with a really nice 996 C4S and a load of spare money,don't get me wrong Iknow there are lots of faster flasher stuff available of course but I don't feel short changed or hard done by with what I bought.
In fact I'm enjoying the ownership experience more than I thought I would, I've really bonded with the car and I don't regret the choice one bit.
The 997.1 is also a great car, but having come out of a 997 I fancied the more retro interior of the 996 but you won't go wrong with a good example of either.
The E92 M3 I've not driven but have been a passenger in, very fast and extremely capable car indeed and the V8 sounds fantastic.
I think they will all put a smile on your face, go and drive a few have a look at them, have fun choosing.
In fact I'm enjoying the ownership experience more than I thought I would, I've really bonded with the car and I don't regret the choice one bit.
The 997.1 is also a great car, but having come out of a 997 I fancied the more retro interior of the 996 but you won't go wrong with a good example of either.
The E92 M3 I've not driven but have been a passenger in, very fast and extremely capable car indeed and the V8 sounds fantastic.
I think they will all put a smile on your face, go and drive a few have a look at them, have fun choosing.
Edited by Budflicker on Sunday 8th November 21:41
My 911 story started 10 years ago with a 996 C4S which I loved - a great all rounder with great memories. Having worked my way up through 5 x 911's I eventually have the GT3 RS that I've always hankered after ....... however last week I bought another 996C4S at auction to sit alongside the RS. Its everything that I remembered it to be and , in a way, nice to have a 911 that I don't need to be so precious about as in the case of the RS.
996C4S - get a good one and you'll love it - a fabulous all rounder (PSE essential)
- Barry
996C4S - get a good one and you'll love it - a fabulous all rounder (PSE essential)
- Barry
Great responses cheers.
I should love the M3 but there's this sense that engine aside its not special enough.
997 looks great vfm but worried about the chocolate engines.
Something about a 996 C4S just has soul. Can't put my finger on it but feels like you could use it as a daily, put 50k miles on it over 3 yrs and you'll get your money back as it strikes me as a future classic of the 996 range.
Am I wrong?
I should love the M3 but there's this sense that engine aside its not special enough.
997 looks great vfm but worried about the chocolate engines.
Something about a 996 C4S just has soul. Can't put my finger on it but feels like you could use it as a daily, put 50k miles on it over 3 yrs and you'll get your money back as it strikes me as a future classic of the 996 range.
Am I wrong?
Great responses cheers.
I should love the M3 but there's this sense that engine aside its not special enough.
997 looks great vfm but worried about the chocolate engines.
Something about a 996 C4S just has soul. Can't put my finger on it but feels like you could use it as a daily, put 50k miles on it over 3 yrs and you'll get your money back as it strikes me as a future classic of the 996 range.
Am I wrong?
I should love the M3 but there's this sense that engine aside its not special enough.
997 looks great vfm but worried about the chocolate engines.
Something about a 996 C4S just has soul. Can't put my finger on it but feels like you could use it as a daily, put 50k miles on it over 3 yrs and you'll get your money back as it strikes me as a future classic of the 996 range.
Am I wrong?
Design of the 997
While the exterior styling was revised, it was again more evolution rather than revolution; typical of Porsche and the Carrera. The rear bodywork was a total of 88 mm (3.5 in) wider than its predecessor. However, the most notable aesthetic difference between the 997 and the 996 was the return to oval headlights like those of pre-996 Carreras ie 993, with separate indicator units. The interior was re-designed with new controls; however, it was more reminiscent of classic 911 interiors than of the outgoing 996. The body in general remained low profile with a drag coefficient of 0.29 for the Carrera and 0.30 for the Carrera S.
The 997 is the most commercially successful 911 of all time, having sold 100,000 units of the first generation alone between its introduction in 2005 and July 2007. It has also received mostly positive reviews from the worldwide motoring press; even British motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson, a known detractor of Porsche cars, noted that the 997 will "make love to your fingertips and stir your soul. As Borrowed from Wikipedia.
While the exterior styling was revised, it was again more evolution rather than revolution; typical of Porsche and the Carrera. The rear bodywork was a total of 88 mm (3.5 in) wider than its predecessor. However, the most notable aesthetic difference between the 997 and the 996 was the return to oval headlights like those of pre-996 Carreras ie 993, with separate indicator units. The interior was re-designed with new controls; however, it was more reminiscent of classic 911 interiors than of the outgoing 996. The body in general remained low profile with a drag coefficient of 0.29 for the Carrera and 0.30 for the Carrera S.
The 997 is the most commercially successful 911 of all time, having sold 100,000 units of the first generation alone between its introduction in 2005 and July 2007. It has also received mostly positive reviews from the worldwide motoring press; even British motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson, a known detractor of Porsche cars, noted that the 997 will "make love to your fingertips and stir your soul. As Borrowed from Wikipedia.
Edited by harleywilma on Saturday 14th November 12:41
Edited by harleywilma on Saturday 14th November 12:43
It's the extra weight that has always put me off.I was thinking about the E92 M3 (V8/DCT) vs the 997.2 911 (flat six/PDK) but when push came to shove, it had to be the lower powered car with less space and the engine in the wrong place which cost more ...
Now that I've thought about it for a while, I think the reason is that the journey I'm just starting in the 911 is likely to be the longer and more interesting one.
Now that I've thought about it for a while, I think the reason is that the journey I'm just starting in the 911 is likely to be the longer and more interesting one.
M3s have been dropping in price like a stone the last year. I was tempted to look for a manual gearbox one earlier in the year, they seemed to be around the £20k mark or a bit more for lower miles newer etc. so comparable in price at that point in time to a nice 996 C4S. Have a look today though at M3 prices, it would be a brave soul to buy one this time of year when they have dropped at least 3k to 4k this year, £15k may well buy a nice one next year or maybe they are close on bottoming out who knows. Personally I would wait a little on the V8 M3 and see what happens to them next year.
997 is far better looking (nose of the 996 is hidious) and steers/rides better in my opinion. If you want a classic you should go back further.
And 997 C4S steers more neutral than a C2S and the nose doesn't lift like the 2S. Just IMHO.
M3V8 is a hoot, great sound and power, but not as precise as a 997. But very tempting ...
And 997 C4S steers more neutral than a C2S and the nose doesn't lift like the 2S. Just IMHO.
M3V8 is a hoot, great sound and power, but not as precise as a 997. But very tempting ...
Edited by GTrr on Wednesday 18th November 15:30
GTrr said:
997 is far better looking (nose of the 996 is hidious) and steers/rides better in my opinion. If you want a classic you should go back further.
And 997 C4S steers more neutral than a C2S and the nose doesn't lift like the 2S. Just IMHO.
M3V8 is a hoot, great sound and power, but not as precise as a 997. But very tempting ...
I test drove a 997 GTS after my M3 and I must say that the Porsche engine felt very 'flat' after the M3. There is near as no difference in them performance wise but the V8 is just a fantastic engine. And 997 C4S steers more neutral than a C2S and the nose doesn't lift like the 2S. Just IMHO.
M3V8 is a hoot, great sound and power, but not as precise as a 997. But very tempting ...
Edited by GTrr on Wednesday 18th November 15:30
I went FI as I wanted more performance and the AWD suited my needs but it took a long while to get used to having only 6000rpm to play with.
The GTS was a far better drive, as is the turbo, but long journeys were better in the M3 due to the tyre and wind noise. In a perfect world, I would have the M3, a turbo and a GT3 but that is a different discussion.
Pommygranite said:
Great responses cheers.
I should love the M3 but there's this sense that engine aside its not special enough.
997 looks great vfm but worried about the chocolate engines.
Something about a 996 C4S just has soul. Can't put my finger on it but feels like you could use it as a daily, put 50k miles on it over 3 yrs and you'll get your money back as it strikes me as a future classic of the 996 range.
Am I wrong?
No you're not wrong - just do your groundwork in terms of which 9964S you buy, and if necessary put it on a Hartech plan which will give you peace of mind should the engine suffer anything major. By all accounts they are great 911's in that they exceed the sum of their parts, particularly in terms of the chassis/suspension tweeks they enjoy over the standard 911's in the range.I should love the M3 but there's this sense that engine aside its not special enough.
997 looks great vfm but worried about the chocolate engines.
Something about a 996 C4S just has soul. Can't put my finger on it but feels like you could use it as a daily, put 50k miles on it over 3 yrs and you'll get your money back as it strikes me as a future classic of the 996 range.
Am I wrong?
m3 is a great car with that v8, ive driven but not owned. however have had 996's and driven plenty 997s and can assure you that its a far superior ownership experience from finish of the interior to turning up at a hotel and looking like a sophisticated gentleman rather than a bit of a hooligan in the m3.
in simple
911s look better, sound better, convinced better materials on the interior and general engineering (engine rms issues aside), handle better and appear classier.
having said that Im seriously thinking of scratching the itch with the m3 4 door as I have a weekend toy already so don't need 3 cars with 2 seats.
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