Late 996 vs early 997

[alfaspiderman2]

Sure it's been asked many times but, having decided 2013 will be the year of the 911, I'm now wrestling with whether a late 996 (C4S) or early 997 would best suit my needs and budget.

I planning to spend £20-22.5k and, don't worry, I have made provision to maintain the car on top of that.

Given much of my mileage is on motorways or in town, I'm leaning towards a 997 Tiptronic for greater refinement and ease of use on a daily basis. I do c15k miles a year.

I know a 997 auto is hardly the most desirable of 911's but it feels like the most sensible compromise for someone who really wants to scratch the 911 itch (even if his daily really ouught to be BMW diesel saloon).

So, thoughts on my logic of leaning towards a 997 Tiptronic? Anything I should be aware of with regard to early 997s? What are must haves in terms of spec?

[jonamv8]

996 C4S - tip
Aston V8V - Man
996 TT - tip

Hated having a manual Aston, much prefer the two tips, admitedly the power of the turbo makes the tip better tho. I drive mine everyday. If it was weekend then I would be in the manual brigade, but it's not so tips are fine FOR ME

PS - I'd go 997

[Mr Ping]

I really like the V8 Vantage - took a while to warm to it though.

Having said that the costs of the Vantage seem to be substantially higher than my 996 for fuel and repairs according to my brother (who owns the Vantage and lived with my 996 for a couple of years too) and I also find it's just a bit too big to dart around in every day.

That plus people try and scratch it more often!

[reedman]

I think your better of with a 997.

15,000 mils a year. Yep 997 all day long.

JR

[Mr Ping]

I think it just felt unwieldy, that plus I felt like I couldn't see much out of it (compared to the 911) and the handbrake was plain weird!

[AndrewMontgomery]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I have no difficulty believing this. There is almost no overhang on the rear wheels and the car is very low (which tends to visually exaggerate the width). V8 Vantage is beautiful, really beautiful, far better looking to my eyes than the much higher and boxier DB9 and its derivatives. But I know someone who had one for a year and said visually and sonically wonderful but otherwise not good. He'd had 7 previous 911s and is now in an R8 (which he likes a lot).

[037]

My old man has had an early (54) 997 for about 5 years now! It's on almost 80 k. Brilliant car, the best thing you can do with these is drive them as a daily, IMO . My brother has a 996 turbo. Wow what a car! If you can live with the economy get one!

[6C4GTS]

Buy a leggy but well cared for 996 turbo - put much more miles on it during the week - and its a good enough car for weekends.

[davek_964]

I doubt there are many well cared for 996 turbos around the £20-22k mark.

I'd choose 997 - I think they're better looking than 996s, and personally I've never seen the appeal of 996 "S" models - they carry too much of a premium for what they are IMHO.

[Tydeides]

I have a 997 tip and it's lovely. IMHO the interior of the 997 us a big step up on the 996.

The idea that you're better off without a 911 if it is automatic is a bit silly. It's hugely capable, and if as I do you spend a lot of time on the motorway, then the tip is the better option I think. Nearly 80,000 miles in mine, and still going strong!

Try and find an S with sports exhaut if you can

[SPS]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I have owned both manual and Tip - Tip all day every day for me. I actually went from manual to a Tip and found it to be v good indeed. Had it for 4 years no problems at all.
Don't listen to people who have not driven either for protracted periods as the are not in a position to make any meaningful comments! Your budget will get you a nice spec early 997 too.

[Mario149]

I put a few posts up here arguing the 996 C4S case against a 997 C2: http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

(sorry, can't be bothered to re-type it all!)

[Porkupine]

Drive them both and you will know.

996 turbo my view. But you may be different!

Edited by Porkupine on Friday 8th February 19:01

[northpolar]

"Sorry, what's the advantage of a Tip cruising on the motorway in gear?"

Probably speaking out of turn/ incorrectly - I wonder if the gearing in the auto is significantly higher in top gear than a manual box? If yes, this will reduce mechanical noise in the cabin which will reduce fatigue and improve fuel economy (subject to pressure on the loud pedal!!).

Peter

[northpolar]

Paddy, I wasn't coming at this from a mechanical stress perspective - the boxer engine loves revs, it's more that my experience in a 996 (admittedly one fitted with Fabspeed sports exhaust!) was that 3,000 - 4,000 rpm isn't quiet. If you are doing long runs regularly I could imagine it being a bit fatiguing. The 8 speed auto on my bimmer at 70mph sits at something silly like 1,500rpm. Not very relevant but huge difference if you are covering significant distances. Hence I wondered if there was much difference in gearing with the Tip models. For shorter runs, or one off longer runs, give me my old Porsche sound track every time!

Peter