996 C4S or 997.1 ?

[nos4a2]

I am moving house and will be able to walk to work

This means that I could do away with my daily drive, a mile-munching BMW 535d Touring, and get something more fun. I quite fancy a convertible and don't mind having a tiptronic.

A quick look through the classifieds shows that I could go with either a 996 Carrera 4 S or an early 997, probably a Carrera 2 S 3.6 or 3.8.

So the question is, which is the better bet for a daily, albeit low mileage, driver? Any advice gratefully received.

[Scho]

nos4a2 said:

I quite fancy a convertible and don't mind having a tiptronic.
.

GET OUT.

[nos4a2]

Scho said:

GET OUT.

[jonny996]

996 all day.

[Scho]

nos4a2 said:

Ha.

Same engine basically and all the baggage that brings with it.

996 will depreciate less or possibly appreciate.

Other than that I suppose it’s mainly aesthetics.

[stuckmojo]

996 4S. No question.

[The_Doc]

Budget ?

[nos4a2]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

I need the occasional rear seats for small children.

[nos4a2]

The_Doc said:

Budget ?

£20-22k

[Kettmark]

I really wanted to like the 996 but can't handle the headlights/ front end looking like a Boxster, nor the dated interior.
Due to the similarities in price & better interior/ exterior, I bought a 997.1 C2S with engine work carried out due to damaged IMS.
I figure the 997.1's in good condition & reasonable mileage will loose little/ no money over the long term, similar to the 996 which seem to be appreciating (for the time being).
As others have stated, avoid the tiptronic and also go for a coupe for the better driving experience.
Always buy on condition! Good luck.

[nos4a2]

Kettmark said:

As others have stated, avoid the tiptronic and also go for a coupe for the better driving experience.
Always buy on condition! Good luck.

Why avoid the tiptronic? I don't mind the manual but I already have a 968 Sport manual for pure driving pleasure and a Clio track day toy. I am set on a convertible so it's going to be a cruiser, not an out and out sports car. Is the tiptronic really that bad or is it just that it's not a purists' option? I understand that the pre facelift 996 tiptronic was a bit clunky but I thought that the post 2002 facelift ones were better?

[g7jhp]

I'd go for a 996 C4S. I think the shape is aging well and the C4S has a great rear end plus turbo running gear.

The C4S convertible looks great as well and is relatively rare.

But it has to be manual.

[The_Doc]

Kettmark said:

I figure the 997.1's in good condition & reasonable mileage will loose little/ no money over the long term, similar to the 996 which seem to be appreciating (for the time being).
.

I think the trouble is that this car is £25-30k and north of this.

And the £20k ones maybe be hiding at £5-10k repair suprise at some point

My 997.1 is at 70,000 and has just been borescoped by Hartech as part of their Gold Major Service (all fine), and I would expect it to fetch £25k+.

If your 997 gets to 70,000 miles and doesn't have an "Achilles Heel" problem, then it will age gracefully, with maintenance and perhps the manual optioned car will fetch big money in years to come. See this for an example:

http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/884/993C2C... for £58k and

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201... at £64k

Edited by The_Doc on Friday 27th July 14:28

[anonymous-user]

997 the better car but out of your budget I fear.

[monthefish]

Kettmark said:

I really wanted to like the 996 but can't handle the headlights/ front end looking like a Boxster,

The C4S's lights don't look like a boxsters lights.

The 997 lights look like a modern beetle or Mini.

[anonymous-user]

I owned a C4S for a year or so. I loved the car, but once I got used to it, the Tiptronic ruined the car.

It really is that bad. It is supposed to "adapt to your driving style" - measuring cornering forces, and aggressive use of the throttle, and then lengthening the gear changes etc. It does indeed do this, but once you straighten the wheel for more than a few seconds, it switches straight back to "dull/motorway mode". Highly frustrating when you are enjoying a spirited drive.

Basically, it does all it can to switch to "cruising mode". If you don't mind driving what is an automatic with override buttons, then it's a lovely car with amazing handling.

[nos4a2]

RogerDodger said:

I owned a C4S for a year or so. I loved the car, but once I got used to it, the Tiptronic ruined the car.

It really is that bad. It is supposed to "adapt to your driving style" - measuring cornering forces, and aggressive use of the throttle, and then lengthening the gear changes etc. It does indeed do this, but once you straighten the wheel for more than a few seconds, it switches straight back to "dull/motorway mode". Highly frustrating when you are enjoying a spirited drive.

Basically, it does all it can to switch to "cruising mode". If you don't mind driving what is an automatic with override buttons, then it's a lovely car with amazing handling.

Thank you, that has made the choice a little easier!

[jimmy p]

There is someone called les on 911uk trying to sell a really nice slightly higher mileage gen2 997 convertible for 29995. He would prob be open to a reasonable offer, that would be my choice!!

[nos4a2]

jimmy p said:

There is someone called les on 911uk trying to sell a really nice slightly higher mileage gen2 997 convertible for 29995. He would prob be open to a reasonable offer, that would be my choice!!

That really does look amazing. Sadly out of budget though

[garypotter]

nos4a2 said:

RogerDodger said:

I owned a C4S for a year or so. I loved the car, but once I got used to it, the Tiptronic ruined the car.

It really is that bad. It is supposed to "adapt to your driving style" - measuring cornering forces, and aggressive use of the throttle, and then lengthening the gear changes etc. It does indeed do this, but once you straighten the wheel for more than a few seconds, it switches straight back to "dull/motorway mode". Highly frustrating when you are enjoying a spirited drive.

Basically, it does all it can to switch to "cruising mode". If you don't mind driving what is an automatic with override buttons, then it's a lovely car with amazing handling.

Thank you, that has made the choice a little easier!

I took the plunge and bought a 2003 996 c4s coupe, tiptronic, one owner full main porsche service history, garaged etc etc I would advise you get a full Pre purchase inspection before you hand over the cash as I was given a long list of items that needed addressing, the main one was the brake lines were heavily corroded even at only 44k miles. Engine out job to replace the rear s so expect £1800 plus by specialist. Love the car and appreciate people go for manuals but for me third car + 2 bikes so no need for speed just enjoy driving the car, Arctic silver not my first choice of colour but starting to love in the sunshine.

Good luck with your hunting as there are many out there for sale.