997 or 996 C4S
Discussion
Very familiar with Porsche's having had many 911, and a Cayenne Turbo too. Mos recent 911 was a 996 C4 which I sold about 2 years ago which was my wife's favourite carm and one she nearly killed me for selling. Well the wife is quite unwell at the moment and i know a 911 will cheer her up!
Im tied up between looking at 1 of 3 cars at the moment, all of which would be good. 1st is a 996 C4S at £20k with about 35k miles. 2nd and 3rd are both 997 Carrera 2, both with about 80k miles. Spec wise all are very similar, and one 997 is for £18.5k.
I guess i would like to know is it a quantum leap to a 997 over a 996 C4S? The benefit of the 996 is that it is lower mileage and has 4wd so good for the winter as well. 997 is a bit more modern which is nice. One consideration is that the 997 has a larger boot as it is a 2wd. The car will be used for daily driving as well as the school run.
Comments would be welcome!
Im tied up between looking at 1 of 3 cars at the moment, all of which would be good. 1st is a 996 C4S at £20k with about 35k miles. 2nd and 3rd are both 997 Carrera 2, both with about 80k miles. Spec wise all are very similar, and one 997 is for £18.5k.
I guess i would like to know is it a quantum leap to a 997 over a 996 C4S? The benefit of the 996 is that it is lower mileage and has 4wd so good for the winter as well. 997 is a bit more modern which is nice. One consideration is that the 997 has a larger boot as it is a 2wd. The car will be used for daily driving as well as the school run.
Comments would be welcome!
I'd go with a 997.
If you are prepared to wait a while, you can pick up a bargain. For example, here *was* a Carrera 2 S with just 39K on the clock going for £22k.
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Even had the Sport Chrono Package judging by the pics!
If you are prepared to wait a while, you can pick up a bargain. For example, here *was* a Carrera 2 S with just 39K on the clock going for £22k.
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Even had the Sport Chrono Package judging by the pics!

I may have this wrong so would like someone to confirm before you take my word for it but the 996/997 used the same engine blocks, the 4/4S/Turbo share the GT1 block ?? in the 996 which is less prone to the engine failure issues in the lower spec 996 models just wondering if this is the same for the 997 ?
My point is a 996 4S might be a safer option that a 997 Carrera S ?
997 has a more desirable face than the teardrop light shape of the 996.
The 996 C4S is a great car, i drove one from London to Stuttgart with a friend and it was a very nice drive.
Why not consider a 996 Turbo ? : http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
My point is a 996 4S might be a safer option that a 997 Carrera S ?
997 has a more desirable face than the teardrop light shape of the 996.
The 996 C4S is a great car, i drove one from London to Stuttgart with a friend and it was a very nice drive.
Why not consider a 996 Turbo ? : http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
jrampton said:
I may have this wrong so would like someone to confirm before you take my word for it but the 996/997 used the same engine blocks, the 4/4S/Turbo share the GT1 block ?? in the 996 which is less prone to the engine failure issues in the lower spec 996 models just wondering if this is the same for the 997 ?
My point is a 996 4S might be a safer option that a 997 Carrera S ?
997 has a more desirable face than the teardrop light shape of the 996.
The 996 C4S is a great car, i drove one from London to Stuttgart with a friend and it was a very nice drive.
Wrong fella. My point is a 996 4S might be a safer option that a 997 Carrera S ?
997 has a more desirable face than the teardrop light shape of the 996.
The 996 C4S is a great car, i drove one from London to Stuttgart with a friend and it was a very nice drive.

996 & 997 (Up to recently) Turbo, GT2 and GT3 use the old GT1 lump.
996 & 997 Carrera 2, 4, 2S & 4S all use a different more "normal" block which has gained the unfortunate reputation.
jrampton said:
I may have this wrong so would like someone to confirm before you take my word for it but the 996/997 used the same engine blocks, the 4/4S/Turbo share the GT1 block ?? in the 996 which is less prone to the engine failure issues in the lower spec 996 models just wondering if this is the same for the 997 ?
It's only the Turbo and GT2/3 which have the more robust Mezger GT1-derived block. The 996 and 997.1 Carrera 2/4/S/4S etc all have a very similar engine, all susceptible to the same problems, subject to various changes and enhancements made through the 10+ years of production. The 997.2 engine is a different kettle of fish entirely.Pete
F3RNANDO said:
Billsnemesis said:
My god that's cheap!!!!!If I weren't still paying for the family estate I would be in there and praying it is not too good to be true.
Please, someone tell me it's a Cat D or something and put me out of my misery

Royale, went from 03 C4S to my current 26k miles 997 C2 S both great cars but the 997 is in my opinion is 30% better in all departments except perhaps looks.
Better build, steering ,handling,interior,etc, etc.
There are only three cars Iwould now change to Gen 2, 997 GT3,or R8 all currently
out of budget!!
Better build, steering ,handling,interior,etc, etc.
There are only three cars Iwould now change to Gen 2, 997 GT3,or R8 all currently
out of budget!!
Billsnemesis said:
I KNOW!!!
If I weren't still paying for the family estate I would be in there and praying it is not too good to be true.
Please, someone tell me it's a Cat D or something and put me out of my misery
The advert explicitly says it's not - no reason not to go and have a quick look? ;-)If I weren't still paying for the family estate I would be in there and praying it is not too good to be true.
Please, someone tell me it's a Cat D or something and put me out of my misery

Koln-RS said:
996 C4S now looking dated.
I have to disagree and not because i have one!You could say then that the whole 991 shape is looking dated seeing as its nearly 50 years old in its basic shape. The 996 C4S though i think looks more purposeful, and the same for the 993, more than even the 997. Having only seen online images of the 991 version, Porsche may have gone back to making the C4S more stand-out.
I dont think any Sports car (read Porsche, Ferrari etc) look dated, but in fact even mature with age.
petop said:
Koln-RS said:
996 C4S now looking dated.
I have to disagree and not because i have one!You could say then that the whole 991 shape is looking dated seeing as its nearly 50 years old in its basic shape. The 996 C4S though i think looks more purposeful, and the same for the 993, more than even the 997. Having only seen online images of the 991 version, Porsche may have gone back to making the C4S more stand-out.
I dont think any Sports car (read Porsche, Ferrari etc) look dated, but in fact even mature with age.
996 C4S is still a very good package to drive, but the 997 is a leap forward IMO.
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