996 C4S v 996 C2 anniv v 997 C2

[anonymous-user]

Been looking at the above options with a strict £25K budget. I think we'll go down the 996 C4S route, but just wondered what the PH view was? Before anyone mentions it I'm not interested in a 996TT. This will be primarily my wife's car and she really doesn't need 400+ horses. Also budget is strictly £25K max. If it was approaching £30K I would certainly buy a 997. But we've agreed not to go a single penny above £25K on this car.

My view on each so far:-

996 C4S: great looks, strong residuals, 4-wheel drive. Nothing negative other than premium over standard C2/C4 of around £3K.
996 C2 Anniversary: lighter, narrower, X51 power upgrade, relatively rare, strong residuals (possibly). But looks a bit odd with C4S nose/narrow body and very pricey compared to a standard C2/C4
997 C2: newer design, nicer interior. But not sure if £25K is enough budget to get a really nice low mileage example? Also not totally convinced on the exterior looks, somehow the 996 C4S looks that bit more special.

I suppose we could also consider a standard 996C2/C4 going considerably under budget, but I think the C4S just looks so much better and, more importantly, so does my wife!

[ROK]

c4s no question. all the others look really dated, but the c4s somehow has managed to look fresh to this day.

[Herbs]

Just bought a C4S on sunday so biased but that is whewre my money would/did go

[Magic919]

C4S will do the job. Had to laugh about the Anniversary and residuals rarity. I doubt your wife would prefer the drive on harder suspension.

[anonymous-user]

Magic919 said:

Had to laugh about the Anniversary and residuals rarity

Well dealers and private sellers alike are advertising them for C4S money. I'm not saying I agree, but they're certainly pushing them as being more desirable. Did you notice my ?

[6C4GTS]

Its a totally biased yes to the C4S from me - hold out for PSE at 25K!

[Tino]

Also biased, but C4S for me, with PSE.
the anni looks a good proposition, but not sure its worth the money that people are asking. You are right, it kind of looks a bit like someone has had a front ender and attempted to put the turbo bumper on. Also has chrome rims IIRC.

[khushy]

"strong residuals" LOL - don't kid yourself - when the time comes to sell - there is no such thing - only when you buy a car do you hear such nonsense - usually from the person trying to flog it to you.

Its just a car (in value terms) just like any other - buy one if you can (you are a long time dead) - enjoy it while the world can still put fuel into it - it WILL loose money - FACT!

khushy

[stewart rix]

I know the budget is "strict", but for a small amount more than £25k you could get this (no affiliation etc):
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3153045.htm
IMHO the 996 shape hasn't dated well. A 997 represents quite a leap forward design and performance wise over the 996 and would make a much better buy. With the introduction of the 991 (which more closely resembles a 997 than 996) in a few weeks time, I suspect 997 values will soon drop more comfortably within budget.

[Magic919]

uktrailmonster said:

Magic919 said:

Had to laugh about the Anniversary and residuals rarity

Well dealers and private sellers alike are advertising them for C4S money. I'm not saying I agree, but they're certainly pushing them as being more desirable. Did you notice my ?

There are plenty of over-priced cars in the classifieds. The 40 year car is best viewed as any other C2 996. As with any 996 the exact spec and the condition will price the car. That and the dealer to some extent or OPC warranty.

I think it's not so easy to get a nice C4S at that price. Having bought both this year I spent quite a while looking at ads.

[nickfrog]

I wish I had £25K to spend in a car and if I had, I would buy this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3084365.htm

And 3 Mars bars with the change !

[Err Indoors]

nickfrog said:

I wish I had £25K to spend in a car and if I had, I would buy this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3084365.htm

And 3 Mars bars with the change !

Same here actually

[Barry Ashcroft]

Herbs said:

Just bought a C4S on sunday so biased but that is whewre my money would/did go

And I bought one last Friday after havin the same dilema as the op the looks of the C4S did it for me hands down.

[Junior Bianno]

Err Indoors said:

nickfrog said:

I wish I had £25K to spend in a car and if I had, I would buy this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3084365.htm

And 3 Mars bars with the change !

Same here actually

Nice car...but what is going on in that advert??? Would you buy a car like that from someone who spells like they didn't graduate from primary school. Enyone, mutch, buy'n, isen't among many other crackers...

[nickfrog]

Fair comment JB !!! I did think it was a bit odd. Hopefully the winter market will bring other 2.9 987 under the £25K mark though.

[Mario149]

I had a 996 C4S, best looking of the 996s IMO, but if I was the OP, I'd go for a C2 with some GT3 aero kit on it to make it pretty.

While v good looking, the C4S is noticeably heavier when driving than a C2 (I think there's about 100kg+ difference) and it's massively over tyred given its power. I also think the 4WD is a bit unnecessary....between that and the massive tyres, it seemed rather un-playful and too benign, even on a track (although I'm happy to admit I'm not a track demon, I have done a few over the last 3 years). Whereas a 10 min jaunt in my mate's 996.1 C2 on a country road had the back being a little lary and it was much more fun.

When I had my C4S I actually started investigating how much faff it would be to disconnect the 4WD and also save a bit of weight here and there as I loved the looks but just wanted a little bit more fun performance-wise. So that might also be a potential route....?

[anonymous-user]

khushy said:

"strong residuals" LOL - don't kid yourself - when the time comes to sell - there is no such thing - only when you buy a car do you hear such nonsense - usually from the person trying to flog it to you.

Its just a car (in value terms) just like any other - buy one if you can (you are a long time dead) - enjoy it while the world can still put fuel into it - it WILL loose money - FACT!

khushy

LOL Sounds like someone has been bitten! Yeah I'm fully aware it's going to lose money, but hopefully at a lower rate than most other £25k car options.

[Callughan]

Weight difference is 50kg.

Am driving a gen 2 c2S and car is very unstable in comparison c4s, judging on same road and speeds.

[Mario149]

Callughan said:

Weight difference is 50kg.

Am driving a gen 2 c2S and car is very unstable in comparison c4s, judging on same road and speeds.

Where do you get the 50kg from?

I've only done a quick search now, but all sources I've seen in the past have it as well over 100kg heavier, e.g.....

http://www.fastestlaps.com/cars/porsche_996_carrer...
http://www.fastestlaps.com/cars/porsche_996_carrer...

and

http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/...
http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/... (this is just a C4, but it's still 50kg heavier before you've added the wide body and bigger tyres/brakes etc)

and

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cardata/?cat=coupe...

If memory serves, someone posted on here (or Porsche Club GB) a list of all 996 weights from a tech manual, but I can't find it

[Callughan]

The manual
According to EC directive
996 C2 1420kg
996 C4S 1545kg

My mistake read the wrong weight, still prefer 4WD

I know there is less weight difference on the 997

Edited by Callughan on Wednesday 24th August 11:50