You only get to have one! ...

[kryten22uk]

... says my wife, as I stood in the forecourt staring at a 996-C4S and a 997-C2S side by side, both only a couple of months old and both at the same price.

A couple of weeks ago, when I started considering a car change, my mind was firmly set on a top spec 996, but now looking at the 997C2S with its brand new engine, I cant help wanting that.

Any help?

[glenn mcmenamin]

I had a C4S a while ago, and must say that it was an alround fantastic car, especially the looks due to its wide rear end etc.

Dynamically, the 997 should be a better car and the extra grunt should be more than noticable.

I'm surprised they are similar priced, but even so, i think the 996 will drop off pricewise a lot more than the 997 will in the next 2-3 years.

Go with your heart, for me it would be the 997, but mainly because it is newer and more up to date, but i think the 996 still looks better IMHO.

G.

[johnny senna]

The 997S has a better power to weight ratio and should hold its value better than the 996 C4S. As good as the 996 C4S is, the 997S makes more sense.

[GreigM]

kryten22uk said:

but now looking at the 997C2S with its brand new engine, I cant help wanting that. Any help?

when you say brand new engine what do you mean - do you mean design compared to the 996 - if so then you might want to know that its basically the same M96 block that all 996/boxsters have - RMS leaks and everything!

If you meant physically brand new when buying new compared to a 2nd hand car then fair enough.

[dilbert]

I don't know much about the 997, but if I had the choice I'm pretty sure that a 2WD 997 would be significntly preferable to a 4WD 996.

[Steve_M]

GreigM said:

kryten22uk said: but now looking at the 997C2S with its brand new engine, I cant help wanting that. Any help? when you say brand new engine what do you mean - do you mean design compared to the 996 - if so then you might want to know that its basically the same M96 block that all 996/boxsters have - RMS leaks and everything! If you meant physically brand new when buying new compared to a 2nd hand car then fair enough.

The 997 Carrera base model still has the same engine as the 996, the 3.6L, but, the 997 C2S has the new 3.8L engine so as far as I know should be immune to the infamous RMS failures.

[GreigM]

Steve_M said:

The 997 Carrera base model still has the same engine as the 996, the 3.6L, but, the 997 C2S has the new 3.8L engine so as far as I know should be immune to the infamous RMS failures.

Same engine, just bored out to 3.8L - not a new design as far as I know

[Harris_I]

Drive them both.

One word: feedback. It's the single most important factor for me when buying a car. Although I have not driven a C4S, I am willing to bet it has more steering feel than the 997 S.

[dealmaker]

Harris_I said:

Drive them both. One word: feedback. It's the single most important factor for me when buying a car. Although I have not driven a C4S, I am willing to bet it has more steering feel than the 997 S.

'fraid not - owned both - the 997S is very good - don't believe everything you read - the 4WD gubbins rob the C4S of a little bit of "feel"

Agree should drive both - BUT the 997S is the better car - and if you DO drive both then thats the one you will buy.

[Harris_I]

dealmaker said:

the 997S is very good - don't believe everything you read - - and if you DO drive both then thats the one you will buy.

I don't believe everything I read, especially after the motoring magazines raved about how wonderful the 997 S is. I really didn't like it after about 45 minutes drive on varied roads. Lacked the signature feedback that all 911s should have at any speed IMO. It's a step too far and I hope they "regress" with the forthcoming GT3.

I would be surprised if I didn't prefer the C4S should I ever get to drive one - the base 996 C2 likes to wiggle the steering a bit (though not quite like a 993), especially on a sports suspension, and there was still some front end patter in the DNA.