Advice 996 C2 or C4S
Discussion
Looking to buy first 911. Particularly drawn to Gen2 996 and happy to pay top prices (25-30k) for all except a 40th anniversary. Have seen a few offered and wonder which might be a better buy. I am familiar with the 996 engine issues, so will be a dealer purchase (Paragon, Portiacraft, Eporsche…) This is to tide me over for a few years, but resale is not the most important factor. Does the heavier AWD and wider stance detract? As a purist, i guess i prefer the C2 RWD but would welcome comments on such an old car. It will be for weekends only as I already have a Macan S. It will not be a garage queen, nor will it be garaged!
A 997.1 tip is another option. I m not fixated on manuals as the PDK Macan has been fabulous (it’s a diesel V6). My end 911 is a PDK 997.2 in burgundy/tan but thats the car after this.
A 997.1 tip is another option. I m not fixated on manuals as the PDK Macan has been fabulous (it’s a diesel V6). My end 911 is a PDK 997.2 in burgundy/tan but thats the car after this.
Edited by DrugHunter on Tuesday 7th April 23:34
Personally, I'm not a fan of the 996; I'd skip that generation and buy a 997, but now is a good time to buy as they're on the up in terms of values.
Go for a low-mileage 4S in manual with a good service history, preferably with an engine rebuild, and it should be fine. Tips do not hold their values.
As for a dealer, Portiacraft would be my pick. I like that they rebuild these engines and offer a warranty that shares the cost of an engine rebuild if it goes pop. That said, I think they'd all carry out a borescope inspection before sale, so you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
If looking at a Tip, 996 or 997.1, I wouldn't buy one that hasn't already had an engine rebuild.
Good luck.
Go for a low-mileage 4S in manual with a good service history, preferably with an engine rebuild, and it should be fine. Tips do not hold their values.
As for a dealer, Portiacraft would be my pick. I like that they rebuild these engines and offer a warranty that shares the cost of an engine rebuild if it goes pop. That said, I think they'd all carry out a borescope inspection before sale, so you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
If looking at a Tip, 996 or 997.1, I wouldn't buy one that hasn't already had an engine rebuild.
Good luck.
996's are mega things but everything needs to be in fine fettle for this to be the case so paying a premium through a specialist dealer is a good idea if you dont want to do it yourself. I love the look of the c4s but discounted when i was looking due to the awd/ weight of the cars but they do remain sought after still, there are lots of people always asking for them on the Facebook pages and what not!
Personally, when i was in a similar position, i ended up getting a 996.2 aero car with a whole host of factory options and then made it into what i wanted.
Personally, when i was in a similar position, i ended up getting a 996.2 aero car with a whole host of factory options and then made it into what i wanted.
With that budget surely a thorough patient look gets u a 997 manual with rebuild? Pdk is very much not Tiptronic which is why values stay low
A 997.2 with 65k ish went for under 30k on an online auction recently. Prices can be all over the place and hard to gauge
Don't get one that looks pretty only, they're all 20 years old so many many components needed changing even on low mileage ones. I see some low mileage at big money and no mention of spend.
Lastly 4s has the looks and big hips, but 2 has better steering, weight etc you pays your money...
A 997.2 with 65k ish went for under 30k on an online auction recently. Prices can be all over the place and hard to gauge
Don't get one that looks pretty only, they're all 20 years old so many many components needed changing even on low mileage ones. I see some low mileage at big money and no mention of spend.
Lastly 4s has the looks and big hips, but 2 has better steering, weight etc you pays your money...
Everyone's covered the practical stuff so I'm going to dive in on the girly stuff. What looks nicer to you? Ultimately, it's sitting on your drive so you have to look at it. C2s look great but C4Ss look... greater. Depends on whether you're willing to sacrifice a bit of driver experience for the wider hips, I guess.
996 has nicer steering and is generally a more engaging drive, the 997 has a better quality interior, but I prefer the aesthetics of the 996 interior.
If you want a medallion man chariot that's 4WD and bloated, the C4S Tip is for you, if you prefer something that's more of a "911", a manual 996 C2 coupe is the pick of the bunch.
Drive both. Then decide...
If you want a medallion man chariot that's 4WD and bloated, the C4S Tip is for you, if you prefer something that's more of a "911", a manual 996 C2 coupe is the pick of the bunch.
Drive both. Then decide...
Thank you for the replies. as it happens events caught up with me and today I found and bought a privately owned 996 C4 manual in seal grey with black interior, not a C2, with very low miles and one family owner. I prefer the narrow rear and the AWD will probably help with my limited driving skills! I do prefer the inside of the 996 to the 997. At 19k miles, I am planning on a prophylactic IMS/RMS change if that makes sense? Thanks should go to EPorsche who were very helpful, and I expect my new acquisition will find its way there for regular care.
Edited by DrugHunter on Thursday 9th April 19:32
Edited by DrugHunter on Thursday 9th April 19:32
DrugHunter said:
Thank you for the replies. as it happens events caught up with me and today I found and bought a privately owned 996 C4 manual in seal grey with black interior, not a C2, with very low miles and one family owner. I prefer the narrow rear and the AWD will probably help with my limited driving skills! I do prefer the inside of the 996 to the 997. At 19k miles, I am planning on a prophylactic IMS/RMS change if that makes sense? Thanks should go to EPorsche who were very helpful, and I expect my new acquisition will find its way there for regular care.
Congrats!Since you mention them, you must be fairly close to the Fairmile Pub in Cobham - there's a massive Porsche meet there next Wednesday evening.
Congratulations! I think they look great in Seal Grey.
My tip would be get a full post purchase inspection done (I can recommend Purely9 and Precision Porsche, but, I’m sure many do a good one).
Then you can decide what’s important to you. Personally, I’d prioritise setup, but, with so many suspension bits n bobs that can be expensive.
My tip would be get a full post purchase inspection done (I can recommend Purely9 and Precision Porsche, but, I’m sure many do a good one).
Then you can decide what’s important to you. Personally, I’d prioritise setup, but, with so many suspension bits n bobs that can be expensive.
WombleCate said:
My tip would be get a full post purchase inspection done (I can recommend Purely9 and Precision Porsche, but, I m sure many do a good one).
It will be off to Brooklands Porsche for an inspection and a quote on an IMS/RMS replacement. They look after my Macan (2015, 99k miles, full OPC history and still under their extended warranty for a few more years). Sadly I won't have the 996 by Wednesday unless DVLA issue some new plates to the seller ASAP. But I may treat the Macan to a wash before bringing it along to Chobham.DrugHunter said:
Thank you for the replies. as it happens events caught up with me and today I found and bought a privately owned 996 C4 manual in seal grey with black interior, not a C2, with very low miles and one family owner. I prefer the narrow rear and the AWD will probably help with my limited driving skills! I do prefer the inside of the 996 to the 997. At 19k miles, I am planning on a prophylactic IMS/RMS change if that makes sense? Thanks should go to EPorsche who were very helpful, and I expect my new acquisition will find its way there for regular care.
Good choice, well done.Edited by DrugHunter on Thursday 9th April 19:32
Edited by DrugHunter on Thursday 9th April 19:32
Do the 996.2 C4’s have the same shape as the C2’s?
Get yourself to the Porsche experience at silverstone or get yours on a track.
A 911 is great fun but they do behave differently and can catch you out.
90 minutes thrashing one on a track in relative safety is great fun.
(hummm, but they dont seem to do the classics anymore)
A 911 is great fun but they do behave differently and can catch you out.
90 minutes thrashing one on a track in relative safety is great fun.
(hummm, but they dont seem to do the classics anymore)
Edited by Gary C on Friday 10th April 13:43
DrugHunter said:
WombleCate said:
DrugHunter said:
It will be off to Brooklands Porsche for an inspection and a quote on an IMS/RMS replacement. They look after my Macan (2015, 99k miles, full OPC history and still under their extended warranty for a few more years). Sadly I won't have the 996 by Wednesday unless DVLA issue some new plates to the seller ASAP. But I may treat the Macan to a wash before bringing it along to Chobham.
As everyone above has said, Porsche today is not the place to take a 996. They don't have the skills/experience, or even if they do have the odd venerable mechanic, Indies have come up with better parts/solutions in the intervening decades, and they work on older cars all of the time, obviously. Orangecurry said:
As everyone above has said, Porsche today is not the place to take a 996. They don't have the skills/experience, or even if they do have the odd venerable mechanic, Indies have come up with better parts/solutions in the intervening decades, and they work on older cars all of the time, obviously.
Depends where. Porsche Carnforth have quite a few classics through the doors and seem to do a reasonable job.Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff