£25k to spend - 996 or 997? - Page 1 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

I'm about to buy my first Porsche having previously owned Audi TTs, BMW 330d and a range of boring sheds. 2 small kids means it it has to be a 911 (don't want a 4x4), and I want a convertible. The question is what do I spend my £25k on? A decent 996 or 997? I'd like to get something that will hold its value well so I'm thinking a 996 Turbo convertible, but appreciate I might have to stretch to £30k. But then you can get one heck of a 997 for £30k...

I was faced with a similar choice earlier this year. I really wanted a 997 C2S, shopped for a 997 C2S yet in the end I bought a 996 Turbo. The Turbo has a more dated interior and the looks can be divisive, but it offers more performance with none of the engine woes that can sometimes affect the 997. Test-drive both - you'll know pretty quickly which one you want to buy. I drove a 997 on the same day I drove (and bought) the 996 Turbo, and it was really useful to have both driving experiences fresh in my mind when making the decision.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... http://fastgerman.com/forum/997-carrera-s-or-996-t... I think this the best non-biased summary: I chose a 997 C2S because I thought the following: Proper 911 i.e. rwd, manual and normally aspirated engine The interior is better The exterior is better The engine sounds better It's a newer model Hammond and May had one (the times that I liked Top Gear) and Clarkson even did a good review of it Servicing, maintenance, running costs were considerably cheaper from Hartech, RPM and Porsche quoted figures not just on servicing costs but maintenance plans Decent stereo and sat nav I could buy from an OPC and have comfort in the history and maintenance of the car For on the 996: At the time I only had acceleration and top speed, which were bettered by AMG Mercedes of similar cost Depreciation has been a recent argument, however I have not noticed much change in 997.1 Carrera S prices in the last couple of years ;-) Edited by fastgerman on Wednesday 17th December 14:33

fastgerman said: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... http://fastgerman.com/forum/997-carrera-s-or-996-t... I think this the best non-biased summary: I chose a 997 C2S because I thought the following: Proper 911 i.e. rwd, manual and normally aspirated engine The interior is better The exterior is better The engine sounds better It's a newer model Hammond and May had one (the times that I liked Top Gear) and Clarkson even did a good review of it Servicing, maintenance, running costs were considerably cheaper from Hartech, RPM and Porsche quoted figures not just on servicing costs but maintenance plans Decent stereo and sat nav I could buy from an OPC and have comfort in the history and maintenance of the car For on the 996: At the time I only had acceleration and top speed, which were bettered by AMG Mercedes of similar cost Depreciation has been a recent argument, however I have not noticed much change in 997.1 Carrera S prices in the last couple of years ;-) Edited by fastgerman on Wednesday 17th December 14:33 All fair points. I was pondering a change of car at one point and looked at the same options. I much prefer the exterior looks of the 996 turbo (meaner looking) and there's an aura about the 911 turbo as an icon that appeals emotionally. Other than those two elements, everything else leaned towards the 997. And then I was stuck with the 'is it worth spending more money for a newer version of my own car (996 Carrera)' which I'm very happy with anyway. But if at the time I had been forced to choose, I would have gone with the 997 and lived with the fact that I would miss seeing that 'turbo' badge on the back of that big fat turbo ass loitering in my driveway. In fact, maybe it's because I struggled so much to choose between the two that made me stick with what I had!

996T for me. I (very briefly) considered a 997 Gen 1 purely for the interior quality and oval headlights but completely ruled it out after researching engine reliability issues. the 996 has lived up to my expectations and more, any negatives against the 997 have all but disappeared, I have even grown to like the 'purposeful' interior. a 997 Gen 2 vs a 996T would be a much more serious contender but I still don't think i'd switch unless it was a turbo

996 T all the way.

996TT for me too. High running costs but offset by the lack of depreciation. Terrifically fast, perhaps too much so but it is a £100k super car after all, which makes it look very cheap at c£25k.The 997s have chocolate engines unfortunately (especially the 3.8), but they are great looking machines and it may never happen... 996 4S is also a beauty, but has the same engine woes. The second biggest factor in my decision would be making sure it has a manual box.