£20k 997 vs £15k 996
Discussion
thegoose said:
I was surprised to see how many 997s are for sale below £20,000. Usually the non-S 3.6 which is often seen as the poor man's choice but in reality it's a fine car (it may be 40bhp behind the 3.8 S but it's still 20bhp more than a 3.6 996). I think I'd be looking at those for late teens.
I thought the 3.6 997 had the same 320bhp as the 3.6 gen 2 996 And the 3.8 has 355bhp so just 35 bhp more than the 3.6 996 and 997.I have a 996 C4S and recently drove a 997 C2S and other than steering feel (much lighter in he C2S) I really couldn't tell any performance difference despite my car being 35bhp down and having the extra weight and drag of the 4 wheel drive system.
Edited by Roberty on Tuesday 27th January 13:25
I have a 996 and 997. For 20K I would buy a 996.1 C2 3.4 Manual coupe in a colour that you like with good service history. In terms of spec I would look for the following (in order of desirability/necessity):
-Hartech full rebuild
-PSE
-M030
The steering feel and balance of the 996 is wonderful and they are currently selling for criminally low prices. Buy the 997 if you worry about what the neighbours think looks nicest/newer or if you can't overcome the whole fried egg thing
-Hartech full rebuild
-PSE
-M030
The steering feel and balance of the 996 is wonderful and they are currently selling for criminally low prices. Buy the 997 if you worry about what the neighbours think looks nicest/newer or if you can't overcome the whole fried egg thing
Thanks for the advice all. I am going to try and get a drive in both a C4S and a 997 C2 this weekend/shortly, as how it feels and drives is rather important!
However, price wise, I'm seeing a lot of C4S's at around the £20k mark. Is this strong or reasonable? There are some others at around £17k, so again, I'd just like to set the necessary expectations.
Both of the 40th Anniversary cars I have seen are also at about the £20k mark.
However, price wise, I'm seeing a lot of C4S's at around the £20k mark. Is this strong or reasonable? There are some others at around £17k, so again, I'd just like to set the necessary expectations.
Both of the 40th Anniversary cars I have seen are also at about the £20k mark.
Monsterlime said:
However, price wise, I'm seeing a lot of C4S's at around the £20k mark. Is this strong or reasonable? There are some others at around £17k, so again, I'd just like to set the necessary expectations.
Both of the 40th Anniversary cars I have seen are also at about the £20k mark.
I bought my C4S for £20k a year ago. The same garage where I bought it currently has three C4S's for sale all in less desirable colours (subjective maybe) with similar or greater miles for £22-24k.Both of the 40th Anniversary cars I have seen are also at about the £20k mark.
From this evidence it would seem they may be on the up or certainly holding their value something I don't think you could say about the 997's which were few and far between at this price point a year ago.
Monsterlime said:
However, price wise, I'm seeing a lot of C4S's at around the £20k mark. Is this strong or reasonable? There are some others at around £17k, so again, I'd just like to set the necessary expectations.
There's a pretty wide spread on these, some of them will be overpriced at £20k. At £20k it needs to be low mileage, good service history and have PSE.Assuming the OP enjoyed how they both drive equally, I'd be going for the C4S, ideally without PCM if possible. A 6 C4S is a more visually pleasing car from the outside than a 7.1 C2 IMHO, and will hold it's value better. The interior of the 996 is already dated and beginning to look pleasingly retro, whereas a 7.1 interior is now starting to look old and is still dating.
Mario149 said:
The interior of the 996 is already dated and beginning to look pleasingly retro, whereas a 7.1 interior is now starting to look old and is still dating.
This is a fair point, considering some of the criticism the 996 comes in for it's interior I was surprised how plasticky the 997's interior was.Personally I like the 996 interior and the C4S got a number of options as standard.
When I was selling the C4S a couple of years ago, I found that conditioned varied a lot more than the pricing. For mileage 60-80k should do much for price. Sports exhaust is highly recommended and sought after.
The 40 year cars are overpriced in my opinion. Unlike the C4S, they don't have a big following. I say that as a lover of the car. I really enjoyed mine. The £30,000 is notable in that it doesn't even have the correct wheels.
The 40 year cars are overpriced in my opinion. Unlike the C4S, they don't have a big following. I say that as a lover of the car. I really enjoyed mine. The £30,000 is notable in that it doesn't even have the correct wheels.
Roberty said:
Mario149 said:
The interior of the 996 is already dated and beginning to look pleasingly retro, whereas a 7.1 interior is now starting to look old and is still dating.
This is a fair point, considering some of the criticism the 996 comes in for it's interior I was surprised how plasticky the 997's interior was.Personally I like the 996 interior and the C4S got a number of options as standard.
ETA: PSE would be nice but not a deal breaker for me, not when there are options like Carnewal exhausts for ~EUR500
Roberty said:
I thought the 3.6 997 had the same 320bhp as the 3.6 gen 2 996 And the 3.8 has 355bhp so just 35 bhp more than the 3.6 996 and 997.
Sorry, my mistake. The point still stands that a standard 997 Carrera is just as powerful as a 996, but the car itself isn't much dearer to buy for a much more modern looking package.Monsterlime said:
Thanks for the advice all. I am going to try and get a drive in both a C4S and a 997 C2 this weekend/shortly, as how it feels and drives is rather important!
However, price wise, I'm seeing a lot of C4S's at around the £20k mark. Is this strong or reasonable? There are some others at around £17k, so again, I'd just like to set the necessary expectations.
Both of the 40th Anniversary cars I have seen are also at about the £20k mark.
The 40ths are wonderful cars - I live in the USA and own one myself (Nr. 0711). If you'd like more info about them you might check out the 911 40th Registry (I manage the Registry along with some help from two 40th owners in England and another in Germany): www.facebook.com/40jahre911However, price wise, I'm seeing a lot of C4S's at around the £20k mark. Is this strong or reasonable? There are some others at around £17k, so again, I'd just like to set the necessary expectations.
Both of the 40th Anniversary cars I have seen are also at about the £20k mark.
Best of luck with the search - whatever you buy I'm sure you'll enjoy.
Cheers.
Ted
This is literally the decision i made the other day!
After a few months looking at 997s, then 996s, then Caymans, then back to 997s and back to 996s (you get the picture) i bought a 996 C4S.
It's been said before and lots of good points are raised in this thread about the 996 vs. 997 debate but i found the following:
997's look fantastic and the design is spot on. Unfortunately i found £20K 997s are not the best examples, normally high mileage or undesirable colours/specs, or there is a reason they appear on the cheaper side of 997 ownership. Spend a bit more (£22k+ ?) i think you get a better example. Due to man maths i found myself saying well if i spend a bit more then i get an even better car and so on and so on, before long your looking at a Gen 2 Car for over £30K!
996s are perfect for my budget (a car i will use at weekends). I love how the narrow bodied cars look so small nowadays, i think they are a future classic but the lack of width at the rear (Hips) sometimes gives them a strange look and it loses out to the aircooled & 997 shape because of this. Early 3.4s are incredible value but theres a good chance you will have to look at quite a few to find a really good well loved car. The really cheap cars are cheap for a reason but there are bargains to be had out there!
C4S will perhaps hold there money. The wider body in my eyes retains the shape (Hips) a 911 should have but still remains a small looking car in today's modern cars.
After a few months looking at 997s, then 996s, then Caymans, then back to 997s and back to 996s (you get the picture) i bought a 996 C4S.
It's been said before and lots of good points are raised in this thread about the 996 vs. 997 debate but i found the following:
997's look fantastic and the design is spot on. Unfortunately i found £20K 997s are not the best examples, normally high mileage or undesirable colours/specs, or there is a reason they appear on the cheaper side of 997 ownership. Spend a bit more (£22k+ ?) i think you get a better example. Due to man maths i found myself saying well if i spend a bit more then i get an even better car and so on and so on, before long your looking at a Gen 2 Car for over £30K!
996s are perfect for my budget (a car i will use at weekends). I love how the narrow bodied cars look so small nowadays, i think they are a future classic but the lack of width at the rear (Hips) sometimes gives them a strange look and it loses out to the aircooled & 997 shape because of this. Early 3.4s are incredible value but theres a good chance you will have to look at quite a few to find a really good well loved car. The really cheap cars are cheap for a reason but there are bargains to be had out there!
C4S will perhaps hold there money. The wider body in my eyes retains the shape (Hips) a 911 should have but still remains a small looking car in today's modern cars.
Markanoid76 said:
Hi All,
Sorry for jumping on the back of this thread. But I too am looking at this sort of price range. Would a 997 C2S with 72k miles at £22k put you off. What about when it's done 80k or 90k miles is it going to be impossible to shift?
A 997 with 80k or 90k on the clock will shift but it will be reflected in the price you can get for it.Sorry for jumping on the back of this thread. But I too am looking at this sort of price range. Would a 997 C2S with 72k miles at £22k put you off. What about when it's done 80k or 90k miles is it going to be impossible to shift?
kel176506 said:
This is literally the decision i made the other day!
After a few months looking at 997s, then 996s, then Caymans, then back to 997s and back to 996s (you get the picture) i bought a 996 C4S.
It's been said before and lots of good points are raised in this thread about the 996 vs. 997 debate but i found the following:
997's look fantastic and the design is spot on. Unfortunately i found £20K 997s are not the best examples, normally high mileage or undesirable colours/specs, or there is a reason they appear on the cheaper side of 997 ownership. Spend a bit more (£22k+ ?) i think you get a better example. Due to man maths i found myself saying well if i spend a bit more then i get an even better car and so on and so on, before long your looking at a Gen 2 Car for over £30K!
996s are perfect for my budget (a car i will use at weekends). I love how the narrow bodied cars look so small nowadays, i think they are a future classic but the lack of width at the rear (Hips) sometimes gives them a strange look and it loses out to the aircooled & 997 shape because of this. Early 3.4s are incredible value but theres a good chance you will have to look at quite a few to find a really good well loved car. The really cheap cars are cheap for a reason but there are bargains to be had out there!
C4S will perhaps hold there money. The wider body in my eyes retains the shape (Hips) a 911 should have but still remains a small looking car in today's modern cars.
Thanks kel176506 and Roberty - I totally agree with kel176506's view especially about 996s (non C4S). In the end I decided to decline the car I was looking at. I'm sure it's a great car but just not right for me at the moment. If it was a third car that might have been a different matter. Now back to the ever confusing drawing board. Thanks very much for thoughts and advice.After a few months looking at 997s, then 996s, then Caymans, then back to 997s and back to 996s (you get the picture) i bought a 996 C4S.
It's been said before and lots of good points are raised in this thread about the 996 vs. 997 debate but i found the following:
997's look fantastic and the design is spot on. Unfortunately i found £20K 997s are not the best examples, normally high mileage or undesirable colours/specs, or there is a reason they appear on the cheaper side of 997 ownership. Spend a bit more (£22k+ ?) i think you get a better example. Due to man maths i found myself saying well if i spend a bit more then i get an even better car and so on and so on, before long your looking at a Gen 2 Car for over £30K!
996s are perfect for my budget (a car i will use at weekends). I love how the narrow bodied cars look so small nowadays, i think they are a future classic but the lack of width at the rear (Hips) sometimes gives them a strange look and it loses out to the aircooled & 997 shape because of this. Early 3.4s are incredible value but theres a good chance you will have to look at quite a few to find a really good well loved car. The really cheap cars are cheap for a reason but there are bargains to be had out there!
C4S will perhaps hold there money. The wider body in my eyes retains the shape (Hips) a 911 should have but still remains a small looking car in today's modern cars.
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