2000 996TT, 2003 C4S, or 2000 456M?

2000 996TT, 2003 C4S, or 2000 456M?

Author
Discussion

andrewiz

Original Poster:

43 posts

259 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
Well, what a dilemma...

I'm in the very fortunate position of being able to buy one of the above. To be honest, I've been in this position for the last few years, but always seem to end up bottling it and buying cheaper cars. All that ever happens though is that 6 months later I end up regretting my decision, and start the whole process again. Is this just me or are others the same?

ANyway, my shortlist now consists of these 3 cars, and like a kid in a sweet shop, I'm dithering about which to buy. I need 4 seats, and the car will be used for a combination of rush hour 120 mile motorway journey once a week, plus weekend jaunts with the wife and baby daughter. My budget is around the 70k mark, and I can only fit one more car in the garage, so cant split the money and buy more than one car.

Please can you let me have your views on which you'd buy. I've driven all 3, and each has different merits.

The TT is bonkers, sensationally fast and composed, but I'm bothered that the 'invincilbility demon' will get me into trouble.

I loved the 456, but am suspicious of depreciation and running costs.

C4S is much like the 996c2 I had a while back, but comes with sports exhaust, more power, more kit and has benefit of 3 year warranty.Oh, and to my eyes at least, looks much better than the standard C2.

What do you lot think?

Many thanks for all views offered!

bebbesen

2,913 posts

280 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
Follow your heart mate and get the 456.

I hear what you're saying about the 996TT, sure its fast and no doubt very reliable... BUT will it give you the sense of occasion that an F-car gives you?
I doubt it. Lack of charisma sadly.
I've been down your route - my 360 certainly put my mind to rest BIG TIME.
I'm gonna go with Nike, just do it!

PS.. forget the wannabe c4s... why buy a C4 with a body kit?

dazren

22,612 posts

260 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
bebbesen said:
PS.. forget the wannabe c4s... why buy a C4 with a body kit?

Er Turbo suspension and brakes for an extra £3k on the cost of a C4, it's one of the bargains of the porsche range along with the Boxster S.

DAZ
(Runs off back to the porker forum)

bebbesen

2,913 posts

280 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
I know what you're saying Dazren? BUT, this guy is looking for a 450 BHP Ferrari OR a 420 BHP 996TT - You really think a C4s with - is it a mere 320 BHP?- qualifies?

Its a great looking car sure - not exactly fast though is it.

dazren

22,612 posts

260 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
Oops, sorry Brian, I've already told Andrew to buy the 996tt over on the porker forum. Just commenting that the difference in cost between a C4 and a C4S makes it difficult not to opt for the C4S over the C4.

DAZ

andrewiz

Original Poster:

43 posts

259 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
I've already owned a few Porkers, and the fact that I keep selling them and looking for something else probably means that I'm drifting Bebbeson's way.

Bloody potentially scary depreciation and running costs though for 456.

Like Clarkson once said about the NSX - you keep telling yourself you're going to buy it right up until you sign on the dotted line for the Porsche.

mr_tony

6,328 posts

268 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
dazren said:

...for an extra £3k on the cost of a C4, it's one of the bargains of the porsche range...


Very true, and it's a fine car too, cross country on tighter back roads several dealers have said they find it quicker point to point than just about anything else even the turbo. And it does sound a lot lot better than a standard 996...

If you can afford it though, I'd go for the 456, simply a beautiful automobile.

tony_996hasgone

3,160 posts

257 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
.... if it's the 456, I assume that you would only be considering the manual though.... the auto is very disappointing, and dare I say (without offending anyone who's got one) feels a bit slow....

>> Edited by tony_996hasgone on Friday 3rd October 17:11

andrewiz

Original Poster:

43 posts

259 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies.

Lots to ponder over the weekend! I'll update you on progress.

Thanks again chaps,

Andrew

andrewiz

Original Poster:

43 posts

259 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
Tony - manual definitely.

456mgt

2,504 posts

265 months

Friday 3rd October 2003
quotequote all
andrewiz said:
I need 4 seats, and the car will be used for a combination of rush hour 120 mile motorway journey once a week, plus weekend jaunts with the wife and baby daughter.

Bottom line is that, to my mind, it's between the Turbo and the 456, and the question of head versus heart.

What may decide it is those 'rush hour' jaunts. The 456 doesn't like going slowly or stop start stuff. The engine pumps out huge amounts of heat and the fans will be going pretty much constantly if you're stuck in traffic. This is what they should do, but it tells you the car's not happy. The GTA would be better suited, even though I personally dislike the autos; they're less fun and slower than the manual. The Turbo would be better suited to a commute.

The situation is reversed if you're talking family jaunts. There's quite a lot more room in the 456 and while it is easy to pack the huge amounts of stuff in the Ferrari, I wouldn't even consider using the 911 for this. I don't even know if it takes rearward facing seats.

Fuel costs will be higher in the 456 as will the service costs probably. All my costs for the 456 over 3 years ownership are in my profile; the caveat is that, touch wood, it's been bloody reliable, so it could be worse than this.

Depreciation is harder to predict; the 456 will be further down the curve than the Turbo. What I would do is plot age versus price for the two and extrapolate.

I use the 911 ( a C2) and the 456M interchangeably. In all honesty, and I'll rightly get roasted for this, I remember my trips in the Ferrari and instantly forget those in the Porsche.

Kevin