Advice 996 C2 or C4S
Discussion
Looking to buy first 911. Particularly drawn to Gen2 996 and happy to pay top prices (25-30k) for all except a 40th anniversary. Have seen a few offered and wonder which might be a better buy. I am familiar with the 996 engine issues, so will be a dealer purchase (Paragon, Portiacraft, Eporsche…) This is to tide me over for a few years, but resale is not the most important factor. Does the heavier AWD and wider stance detract? As a purist, i guess i prefer the C2 RWD but would welcome comments on such an old car. It will be for weekends only as I already have a Macan S. It will not be a garage queen, nor will it be garaged!
A 997.1 tip is another option. I m not fixated on manuals as the PDK Macan has been fabulous (it’s a diesel V6). My end 911 is a PDK 997.2 in burgundy/tan but thats the car after this.
A 997.1 tip is another option. I m not fixated on manuals as the PDK Macan has been fabulous (it’s a diesel V6). My end 911 is a PDK 997.2 in burgundy/tan but thats the car after this.
Edited by DrugHunter on Tuesday 7th April 23:34
Personally, I'm not a fan of the 996; I'd skip that generation and buy a 997, but now is a good time to buy as they're on the up in terms of values.
Go for a low-mileage 4S in manual with a good service history, preferably with an engine rebuild, and it should be fine. Tips do not hold their values.
As for a dealer, Portiacraft would be my pick. I like that they rebuild these engines and offer a warranty that shares the cost of an engine rebuild if it goes pop. That said, I think they'd all carry out a borescope inspection before sale, so you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
If looking at a Tip, 996 or 997.1, I wouldn't buy one that hasn't already had an engine rebuild.
Good luck.
Go for a low-mileage 4S in manual with a good service history, preferably with an engine rebuild, and it should be fine. Tips do not hold their values.
As for a dealer, Portiacraft would be my pick. I like that they rebuild these engines and offer a warranty that shares the cost of an engine rebuild if it goes pop. That said, I think they'd all carry out a borescope inspection before sale, so you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
If looking at a Tip, 996 or 997.1, I wouldn't buy one that hasn't already had an engine rebuild.
Good luck.
996's are mega things but everything needs to be in fine fettle for this to be the case so paying a premium through a specialist dealer is a good idea if you dont want to do it yourself. I love the look of the c4s but discounted when i was looking due to the awd/ weight of the cars but they do remain sought after still, there are lots of people always asking for them on the Facebook pages and what not!
Personally, when i was in a similar position, i ended up getting a 996.2 aero car with a whole host of factory options and then made it into what i wanted.
Personally, when i was in a similar position, i ended up getting a 996.2 aero car with a whole host of factory options and then made it into what i wanted.
With that budget surely a thorough patient look gets u a 997 manual with rebuild? Pdk is very much not Tiptronic which is why values stay low
A 997.2 with 65k ish went for under 30k on an online auction recently. Prices can be all over the place and hard to gauge
Don't get one that looks pretty only, they're all 20 years old so many many components needed changing even on low mileage ones. I see some low mileage at big money and no mention of spend.
Lastly 4s has the looks and big hips, but 2 has better steering, weight etc you pays your money...
A 997.2 with 65k ish went for under 30k on an online auction recently. Prices can be all over the place and hard to gauge
Don't get one that looks pretty only, they're all 20 years old so many many components needed changing even on low mileage ones. I see some low mileage at big money and no mention of spend.
Lastly 4s has the looks and big hips, but 2 has better steering, weight etc you pays your money...
Everyone's covered the practical stuff so I'm going to dive in on the girly stuff. What looks nicer to you? Ultimately, it's sitting on your drive so you have to look at it. C2s look great but C4Ss look... greater. Depends on whether you're willing to sacrifice a bit of driver experience for the wider hips, I guess.
996 has nicer steering and is generally a more engaging drive, the 997 has a better quality interior, but I prefer the aesthetics of the 996 interior.
If you want a medallion man chariot that's 4WD and bloated, the C4S Tip is for you, if you prefer something that's more of a "911", a manual 996 C2 coupe is the pick of the bunch.
Drive both. Then decide...
If you want a medallion man chariot that's 4WD and bloated, the C4S Tip is for you, if you prefer something that's more of a "911", a manual 996 C2 coupe is the pick of the bunch.
Drive both. Then decide...
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