996 C4S, 996 Turbo or 997 S ?????
Discussion
These seem to be between 20 - 25k nowdays. Which is the best / safest choice. From my limited Porsche experience I would say the turbo is the safest bet with the engine being strong and the other 2 a bit iffy with reliability (this intermediate shaft failure?). 997 would be an early car with high mileage and a bit leggy. My choice for the money is the 996 C4S as early 20s gets a lovely manual with switchable exhaust, Bose and Sports Seats.
do the back seats take a baby seat? I fitted ours in a 997 turbo when I ran one for the weekend but it wasn't that secure. Is there a certain brand to buy?
Can the passenger air bag be turned off in any of the above with the key
driven lots of Porsches but never owned one, any owners views would be appreciated
do the back seats take a baby seat? I fitted ours in a 997 turbo when I ran one for the weekend but it wasn't that secure. Is there a certain brand to buy?
Can the passenger air bag be turned off in any of the above with the key
driven lots of Porsches but never owned one, any owners views would be appreciated
I see search is down ..... but the lack of replies is a result of this being a very common question.
In summary....
1. Does a non meztger block worry you - if yes buy a 996 turbo
2. Which do you think looks best?
3. Is exhaust note important to you?
4.Do you prefer a forced induction or naturally aspirated power delivery?
5. Do you have power aspirations beyond 500 bhp?
6. Do you think a 996 interior is classically functional or old fashioned?
They all have their relative merits.
Drive them all - develop a personal preference - then buy on condition.
In summary....
1. Does a non meztger block worry you - if yes buy a 996 turbo
2. Which do you think looks best?
3. Is exhaust note important to you?
4.Do you prefer a forced induction or naturally aspirated power delivery?
5. Do you have power aspirations beyond 500 bhp?
6. Do you think a 996 interior is classically functional or old fashioned?
They all have their relative merits.
Drive them all - develop a personal preference - then buy on condition.
simonigrale said:
My choice for the money is the 996 C4S as early 20s gets a lovely manual with switchable exhaust, Bose and Sports Seats.
As it's your money and your future car, then I suggest you go with this option then. If it was me, I'd probably do the same.Baby seats will fit in the back, but it's very tight for front legroom with the resultant front seat position if you are tall. There have been a few threads covering this recently if you search. Only 997 has a front airbag switch, but you can buy a disabling kit for the 996. I run a 996 with a toddler and it's fine, but I don't think I could drive it with a toddler behind the driver's seat. Best bet is to try it out at a friendly dealership as we did before purchase.
as above gets asked all the time, you need to decide what you want, i was in the same position 2 years ago, bought a 997 C2S...
my summary:
997 best all rounder, looks/performance/interior - warranty available to remove engine worries
Turbo - epic performance, BIG bills still possible even with a "bullet proof" engine
C4S - nice arse... the slowest 996 just about, performance not enough to ignore dated interior - IMS still a worry
at the time i thought the Turbo would use alot more fuel that a 997 C2S, this had a big impact on my decision(15k miles a year), in reality i'm not so sure.. my C2S isn't that economical IMO, though how much of that is down to the aerokit it wonder. I also found that heated seats were really rare in 996's and thats an absolute must on a daily driver with leather for me.
there all great cars though i'd still have any
my summary:
997 best all rounder, looks/performance/interior - warranty available to remove engine worries
Turbo - epic performance, BIG bills still possible even with a "bullet proof" engine
C4S - nice arse... the slowest 996 just about, performance not enough to ignore dated interior - IMS still a worry
at the time i thought the Turbo would use alot more fuel that a 997 C2S, this had a big impact on my decision(15k miles a year), in reality i'm not so sure.. my C2S isn't that economical IMO, though how much of that is down to the aerokit it wonder. I also found that heated seats were really rare in 996's and thats an absolute must on a daily driver with leather for me.
there all great cars though i'd still have any
6C4GTS said:
I see search is down ..... but the lack of replies is a result of this being a very common question.
In summary....
1. Does a non meztger block worry you - if yes buy a 996 turbo - I'm only really looking at Porsche for the reliability so the engine issues do worry me on the normally aspirated cars.
2. Which do you think looks best? - Personally the 997 looks the best as its the most modern for the money, but the turbo is quicker.
3. Is exhaust note important to you? - Not massively but the switchable exhaust would be nice. The power of a turbo would make up for the lack of noise.
4. Do you prefer a forced induction or naturally aspirated power delivery? - I like the feel of a turbo but the wife would drive it as well so its not that important if a particular non turbo was a better car.
5. Do you have power aspirations beyond 500 bhp? - Not really, if i bought a turbo i would probably have it re mapped as its easy to get big gains.
6. Do you think a 996 interior is classically functional or old fashioned? - A little bit old fashioned in black but i do like them in lighter colours, i know they're not the best choices in the Porsche circles but I have owned Italian cars previously and thats how they are.
They all have their relative merits.
Drive them all - develop a personal preference - then buy on condition.
I have driven them all over the past 10 years and like them all in their own way but I am now looking to buy so its a bit tricky. My heart is saying Maserati but i think any Porsche will be more usable.In summary....
1. Does a non meztger block worry you - if yes buy a 996 turbo - I'm only really looking at Porsche for the reliability so the engine issues do worry me on the normally aspirated cars.
2. Which do you think looks best? - Personally the 997 looks the best as its the most modern for the money, but the turbo is quicker.
3. Is exhaust note important to you? - Not massively but the switchable exhaust would be nice. The power of a turbo would make up for the lack of noise.
4. Do you prefer a forced induction or naturally aspirated power delivery? - I like the feel of a turbo but the wife would drive it as well so its not that important if a particular non turbo was a better car.
5. Do you have power aspirations beyond 500 bhp? - Not really, if i bought a turbo i would probably have it re mapped as its easy to get big gains.
6. Do you think a 996 interior is classically functional or old fashioned? - A little bit old fashioned in black but i do like them in lighter colours, i know they're not the best choices in the Porsche circles but I have owned Italian cars previously and thats how they are.
They all have their relative merits.
Drive them all - develop a personal preference - then buy on condition.
I just don't want to buy a C4S and then think i could have spent a few more £££ and bought a turbo, but then if i buy a turbo i may think i should have bought a 997. Then i may wish i had bought the turbo for the performance.
It really comes down to what is right at the time, a Maserati Gransport or 4200 is bigger inside and i can definitely fit 2 baby seats in the car (only got 1 child at the mo) where as the 997 Turbo i used recently struggled to take one with the pushchair half on the shelf and half on the folded down seat.
I know i condradict myself with the answers but thats why i am asking what people would generally go for. Thanks Barry.
I'm not at all convinced 2 baby seats would work in a 996/997. One is okay for short trips, but I'm about to cross the next bridge with our second on the way. I can't see it working to be honest, the drivers seat is going to be too far forward for my longish legs (6' 1"). Two small kids probably works once they don't need baby seats, but rear legroom is still going to be severely limited for the one behind the driver.
simonigrale said:
Thats why I'm thinking Maserati, but wanted to try a Porsche. Our daugter is 14 months but hopefully in the near future another baby will be on the cards.
To be honest mate, given the family plans I would go BMW M3 M5 or M6 maybe AMG for carrying capacity. Come back when the nippers are starting school and buy a 911.Nano2nd said:
as above gets asked all the time, you need to decide what you want, i was in the same position 2 years ago, bought a 997 C2S...
my summary:
997 best all rounder, looks/performance/interior - warranty available to remove engine worries
Turbo - epic performance, BIG bills still possible even with a "bullet proof" engine
C4S - nice arse... the slowest 996 just about, performance not enough to ignore dated interior - IMS still a worry
at the time i thought the Turbo would use alot more fuel that a 997 C2S, this had a big impact on my decision(15k miles a year), in reality i'm not so sure.. my C2S isn't that economical IMO, though how much of that is down to the aerokit it wonder. I also found that heated seats were really rare in 996's and thats an absolute must on a daily driver with leather for me.
there all great cars though i'd still have any
C4S quick on trackmy summary:
997 best all rounder, looks/performance/interior - warranty available to remove engine worries
Turbo - epic performance, BIG bills still possible even with a "bullet proof" engine
C4S - nice arse... the slowest 996 just about, performance not enough to ignore dated interior - IMS still a worry
at the time i thought the Turbo would use alot more fuel that a 997 C2S, this had a big impact on my decision(15k miles a year), in reality i'm not so sure.. my C2S isn't that economical IMO, though how much of that is down to the aerokit it wonder. I also found that heated seats were really rare in 996's and thats an absolute must on a daily driver with leather for me.
there all great cars though i'd still have any
6C4GTS said:
simonigrale said:
Thats why I'm thinking Maserati, but wanted to try a Porsche. Our daugter is 14 months but hopefully in the near future another baby will be on the cards.
To be honest mate, given the family plans I would go BMW M3 M5 or M6 maybe AMG for carrying capacity. Come back when the nippers are starting school and buy a 911.Problem with an M5 Touring or C63 is they're not that special, mega money to insure / tax and the depreciation is stupid.
simonigrale said:
I just don't want to buy a C4S and then think i could have spent a few more £££ and bought a turbo, but then if i buy a turbo i may think i should have bought a 997. Then i may wish i had bought the turbo for the performance.
Sounds like you need to wait a bit longer and buy a 997 Turbo. slippery said:
simonigrale said:
I just don't want to buy a C4S and then think i could have spent a few more £££ and bought a turbo, but then if i buy a turbo i may think i should have bought a 997. Then i may wish i had bought the turbo for the performance.
Sounds like you need to wait a bit longer and buy a 997 Turbo. 
simonigrale said:
jackal said:
A GTr has loads of space in the back for kids.
I have thought about one but they're not special enough. I know they are the fastest car on the road but not really my bag.Is there anythimg remedial that can be done about the engine fears ?
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