Difficult Decision
Discussion
Having spent the last couple of months agonising over whether to buy a 2-3 year old 996 Turbo or go for a new 997 C2S I took the plunge, sold my 1999 996 cab privately and bought a 5 month old 997 C2S from Porsche in Guildford. I have had the 997 for about 10 days now and have to say it is the dog's bits. I was tempted by the new C4S but felt the C2S would be a more rewarding drive and also didn't want to wait 4 months for the C4S.
The big thing that has struck me is what a huge difference there is from the 996. Put the two cars next to each other and the 997 has so much more presence. Whilst I liked the interior on the 996 it is nice to have something new and I'm really enjoying the new car, the performance is superb but it takes some getting used to. I dont regret not going for the 996 Turbo but I have to say I may be tempted to get my name down for the new 997 Turbo down the line. At the back of my mind I still have this question about whether a move to a C4S is a step up or not? It would be heavier and slower and the 4 wheel drive may feel a bit sanitised compared to the C2S but that wide rear end does look awesome.
The big thing that has struck me is what a huge difference there is from the 996. Put the two cars next to each other and the 997 has so much more presence. Whilst I liked the interior on the 996 it is nice to have something new and I'm really enjoying the new car, the performance is superb but it takes some getting used to. I dont regret not going for the 996 Turbo but I have to say I may be tempted to get my name down for the new 997 Turbo down the line. At the back of my mind I still have this question about whether a move to a C4S is a step up or not? It would be heavier and slower and the 4 wheel drive may feel a bit sanitised compared to the C2S but that wide rear end does look awesome.
domster said:Thats pretty much the conclusion I came to, the back end on the 97 C4S is a couple of cm wider giving even more shape to the rear but having said that the C2S lines really grow on you, there's a bit of the 993 about it.
I don't think the 997 C4S looks markedly different or better than the 997 C2S, unlike the 996C2 vs 996C4S. Not sure it would be worth the premium or the wait. I'm sure the 997 Turbo and GT3 definitely will be tho'.... :yumyum:
I also bought a 997 S a few days ago, picking it up end of next week. Ceramic brakes, Porsche sports exhaust, short shift, adaptive sportseats, Bose, sport chrono, PCM etc... really happy with the options.
Can´t wait for the 997 GT3 though, I think that will be an impressive machine! Will probably get an RS untill the 997 is on the market.
Can´t wait for the 997 GT3 though, I think that will be an impressive machine! Will probably get an RS untill the 997 is on the market.
jjr1 said:
The C4S doesn't look any different in my eyes and therefore I can't see the point of one.
If you do want to see a difference in 997's look at a -20mm and a PASM car.
I also can't wait for the 997GT3 which I will likely swap my C2s for.
I havent seen anything on the 997 GT3 yet, will have to look into that. Not wishing to sound dumb, what's a PASM car?
PASM is 'Porsche Active Suspension Management' or an electronic dmaping system for the C2S and C4S models as standard and available on other models at extra cost. The problem with it is it rides too high and in sport mode sends the car darting all over the place on a bumpy road. A C2S with the no cost option -20mm and LSD (conventional suspension) will lap faster on a circuit and not try and kill you on a bumpy road.
jjr1 said:
PASM is 'Porsche Active Suspension Management' or an electronic dmaping system for the C2S and C4S models as standard and available on other models at extra cost. The problem with it is it rides too high and in sport mode sends the car darting all over the place on a bumpy road. A C2S with the no cost option -20mm and LSD (conventional suspension) will lap faster on a circuit and not try and kill you on a bumpy road.
I'm trying to find a used -20mm car to test drive. Not many around as yet. Don't want to buy a PSAM car and then discover
-20mm is better for me.
Jonathan
jcosh said:
PASM is 'Porsche Active Suspension Management' or an electronic dmaping system for the C2S and C4S models as standard and available on other models at extra cost. The problem with it is it rides too high and in sport mode sends the car darting all over the place on a bumpy road. A C2S with the no cost option -20mm and LSD (conventional suspension) will lap faster on a circuit and not try and kill you on a bumpy road.
I'm trying to find a used -20mm car to test drive. Not many around as yet. Don't want to buy a PSAM car and then discover
-20mm is better for me.
Jonathan
Yep, it does get pretty lively in sports mode on surrey roads.
jcosh said:
PASM is 'Porsche Active Suspension Management' or an electronic dmaping system for the C2S and C4S models as standard and available on other models at extra cost. The problem with it is it rides too high and in sport mode sends the car darting all over the place on a bumpy road. A C2S with the no cost option -20mm and LSD (conventional suspension) will lap faster on a circuit and not try and kill you on a bumpy road.
I'm trying to find a used -20mm car to test drive. Not many around as yet. Don't want to buy a PSAM car and then discover
-20mm is better for me.
Jonathan
They are rare as rocking horse proverbial I grant you.
Adam B said:
Sean - have you driven a 996TT and how much faster did it feel over the 997S ?
I test drove a 996 TT but it was a tip. It did feel really quick and then I had a short test ride in a manual. But there are a number of reasons why I chose the 997 in the end. A simple one was that the interior was exactly the same on the TT as my 996 cab and I wanted a change. More importantly a friend of a colleague has a 996 TT and his wife has a 997 C2S. I spoke to him and he said he actually preferred to drive the 997 and had more fun in it. Something I didnt like so much about the TT is all the tyre and engine noise inside the car, the 997 is so much more refined and call me boring but that is what I was looking for in an everday car. I think if I really wanted aballs out true porsche experience then I would maybe have looked for a 993 turbo, my brother has one with the power upgrade and its pretty awesome and they will keep their value well but that just wasnt what I was looking for and the 997 C2S does it for me for the time being. It does make me think how good the turbo will be when it arrives though, hey and the wife probably wouldnt even notice if I got the same colour!!! I think the choice between the 997 C2S and 996 TT is pretty close and just comes down to personal preference and what you are looking for. I have to admit that I was influenced a little by the porsche dealer but if you put the two cars next to each other the 996 if definitely looking a bit dated. Anyway I am definitely pleased with the decision.
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