1998 996 vs 2001 996, same miles, 4k cheaper - better value?

I am in a dilemma. Should I go with a 16k 1998 model with abouy 60k on the clock or dish out and extra 4 grand for a newer (2001) car but with same miles on clock? Is there much difference between the two models? Both are cabriolet tip s. Any thoughts welcome. BTW, which ever one I go for, will put on a private plate - so probably wont even be able to tell which one is older/newer.

There's loads of things to consider, colour, service history, amount of owners, exterior condition, interior condition etc etc. In my opinion, you should go and have a look at both cars, drive them both and I'm sure you'll make your mind up from there. Good luck with your search :thumb: Gary

Buy on cars condition and history, an a PPI is a must, i dont think there are many real diferences between the 2 other than possibly indicator repeater colour and three spoke steering wheel in the newer model

That mileage is irrelevant. Go on conditionand check the service history. You would be wise to get a pre purchase inspection [PPI] done. Is the 01 car pre facelift? TB

it is a pre-facelift...the facelifts break my 20k budget! from what i can see the condition is pretty much similar - just one is dark blue and other is silver - I like both colours! It is really looking like a saving of 4k for pretty much the same car. I just downloaded the 911 secrets revealed, so will have a more detailed look to see if one is a duff one or not.... Btw, can anyone post pics of the pre vs post facelift - what really is the diff? I was thinking of upgrading the lights to the 997 look anyway, so i wonder whether getting a facelift would make a difference anyway...

Agree with the others, conditions, service history, how it drives etc are important. Loads of threads on the forum on the subject. On the outside the most obvious differences are the headlights, clear indicators and the tailpipes which are larger on the facelift. Many facelifts also have 18" rims instead of 17". On the inside the facelift has cup holders and a glovebox as well. Good luck :thumb:

997 lights? If you are doing this with all the right panels, paint and lamp units, you might aswell get a nice new 996.2 (facelift).

I wouldn't do the 997 lights upgrade, you wont be able to resell if you ever need to. With mileages and condition being the same, I would go for the earlier car and stick the 4 grand in an account for emergencies(or blow it on a set of BBS LM)

Do you really intend to change out the front for a 997 look? This entails major mods and thousands of pounds to create a mongrel that no Porsche owner will want except you. There is a missing photo of the evolution of the 996 which is pre facelift but with clear front and rear lights.A little more pleasing to the eye.Even better with amberectomy performed. This can be done to the earlier model if not already done.@£900 and a child can fit the kit. We all agree that the post facelift looks the best.(sorry eggs)

Hello all - thank you for your replies and thanks to the poster who put up the pics showing differences between the pre and facelift. I wonder why there isn't a list somewhere detailing the differences...also it seems like a lot of the facelift stuff has been retro fitted to the earlier models... Just to clarify - I will NOT be upgrading to the 997 look - I looked at the work involved and I was wrong to assume it was a simple headlight change job!! Eggs it is then! Right, so the 1998 model I am after seems to have the facelift look - i.e. no orange bits and on 18" alloys...presumably someone would have changed these along its life? Did the facelift bring about flared rear end? this '98 seems to be quite slim compared to my friend's 05 C4S

No, the wider rear end (reffered to as wide body) was featured on the C4S & Turbo model cars. Not Carreras.

Which happened around the facelift time. All wide body cars have the later headlamps

98 one will have a 3.4, 2001> will have a 3.6. Welcome to 911uk by the way :bye:

[1] I bought a pair of brand new Bosch/OEM Litronics from Forest Fine for £670 and sold my EIGHT YEAR OLD halogens for £315 on eBay. So new ones only cost £355 price to change! 8) I couldn't find a child, so I fitted them myself in all of 2 minutes (If you include unlocking the car, opening the bonnet, finding the lamp removal key, folding back the boot carpet etc etc). [2] erm, NO! (sorry crying eyes) PS - a full internal "amberectomy" requires removal of the amber reflector inside clear/smoked newer style lamps and fitment of silvered indicator bulbs, or clear LEDs: http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=45277

The so-called "fried eggs" (shared with the Boxster), are a bit of a misnomer once Porsche upgraded the lights one model year into production at MY99 to clear/smoked units. The amber was vanquished, so if anything it's more of a "meringue" (to continue the cooked eggs analogy). At least the "eggs" have a family resemblance: The "crying eyes" of the face-lift 996.2 (3.6) are an anomaly, having no relationship with any previous or subsequent lamp design. They were a panic fix when 911 owners continued to moan that their cars shared the same "face" as the "lesser" Boxster. The initial "fix" of the smoked/clear lamp units in 99 was not deemed enough of a differentiator. The other problem was Porsche never commissioned Bosch to produce a "fried egg" (amber) Litronic unit. So ALL Litronics are clear/smoked. In reality the Boxster should have been face-lifted, but wasn't as that model couldn't shoulder the extra expense. Politically it would not have been acceptable as the cheaper model would have been "upgraded" ahead of the 911. Additionally, they would never be able to ignore the fact the earliest models still looked like the 911! The "eggs" are the "purer" design, owing their shape to a evolution of the Panamericana: and being shared with the GT1 race car (which is NOT based on a Boxster!)