Decisions.... Base 997 vs. '02 C4S loaded

Hello Fellow Rennlisters, I need your kind eyes as a sounding board. Here's my dilema. After waiting for 25 years (since I knew I wanted one), I find myself at a point when I can actually afford my first Porsche. I've recently been looking for a 996 C4S (a car I have been dreaming for since its introduction). I'm contemplating the purchase of a flawless '02 C4S in Silver w/black interior, full carbon trim, PSE, CD changer w/10K miles & 2 owners in the $73K range with 23 months left on warranty (if you feel this is too much $ please share your 2 cents). But after checking out the 997 last weekend... now I'm a bit confused... given that the 997 was shouting buy me! buy me! at me. So those of you C4S owners (and everyone with an opinion) what would you do? Would you consider trading your C4S for a less equiped but newer 997? BTW do you know of any issues in transfering the original (non-extended) Porsche warranty to the 3rd (or higher) owner? Any thoughts (kind or mean... ) are most welcome. Many Thanks.

I'll probably be a minority here but I would get the 997. I love the look and it would be a new car versus a used one. The base 997 is a nice car for a fair price. Since 18" wheels and PSM are now standard, there's not much else you need to add to have a great car (perhaps only the bi-xenons) all for about $71k MSRP.

Fast997, The C4S is an awesome car. I have had a 2002 C4S almost since new and have loved every moment. However, after a test drive last week, I traded it and got a 997 S. I honestly was beginning to look. Three RMS leaks had about done me in. I looked at other marques, Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari 360 Modena, and a Maserati Camboicorsa. I also read extensively about the 997. However, when you factor in maintenance, reliability, and running cost, Porsche stills beats everybody, despite RMS issues. (Try a belt service on a Ferrari!!!) My belief (HOPE!) is that the RMS is resolved in the 3.8 engine. As far as concerns about electronics and PASM. These technologies have been played with on the Cayenne, so hopefully most of those bugs are worked out. Between the 996 and the 997 my personal opinion is that the 996 was built by a company on a budget and the 997 was built by a company with some cash reserves. Look at the end of the dash in the 996, black plastic air vents. End of 997 dash, aluminum trim. 996 door sills, black plastic. 997 door sills, plastic with stainless steel inserts. Obviously, there are other observations but you get my point. I loved my 996, but the 997 combines what I loved with 993 and the best of the 996. The 997 is what the 996 should have been in the beginning. Go for the 997 IMHO.

My two cents: On my '04 C4S Cab, the car is loaded to the hilt...full leather, all the regular wanted options, power seats, lumbar, xenons, etc. I added some things too. But not crazy stuff. The '04 C4S is a dream to drive daily. Well planted, plenty of power, and of course, top down when wanted. Not a fair comparison to the 997. However, I am not a huge fan of the 997 (yet). Seen it in person, and yes, it's a nice product. But the interior center console is cheesy (just my opinion) with far too many buttons and distractions. The seats on the S were terrific. But overall the car just did not jump and make me drool. Whereas the C4S Cab does that everyday. I am very happy with the car. Again, not a fair comparison, as you are looking at an '02 C4S Coupe, not the same as the '04. But based on your comments above, and your budget, the '02 may be your best bet for now. Besides, the 997 is just a band aid. It won't be here for long in current form.

The rule of thumb is to buy the newest Porsche you can afford. To me, the real reason to buy the 997 is the improved chassis. Despite what 993 guys say about the 996, and what 996 guys say about the 997, every generation has proved to provide a significant step up in chassis dynamics and accordingly, sports car performance. To me, while interiors are important and while straight line speed is important, my primary focus is on chassis dynamics and handling. Howevever, when comparing the base 997 to the AWD, fairly buttoned down C4S, that's tough. If you were looking at a 997S, I'd say go for it w/o question. Personally, I could not buy the base 997 as I'd suffer from S envy, lusting after the improvements offered in the S. I'd say wait till you can swing an S, or buy the C4S over the 997 base. BTW, I bought an 02 C4S for 59k with 30k miles. Perhaps you can do better than the car you are considering.

I'll pitch in as well, I own 03 C4S, and had only seen an touched a 997S and havn't driven it. I am totally in awe with my C4S and will never replace it for a 997. However, in your position of having to choose between the two, here is my $0.02. I think you'll get everything you can get from a base997 and more in a 02C4S, but 997S is a different story, performance is a no-brainer, 997S wins it handsdown, I think the interior is marginally better in a 997 and 996C4S is way better looking, C4S ofcourse got the 4WD. So, it comes down to a trade-off between 4WD and better performance. So, you'll have to drive it and see whether the 997S feels significantly better, otherwise buy the C4S, if you are considering a base 997 vs 02C4S, no question buy the 996C4S.

Well buying a P-car has never been a logical decision more like what burns your fire. I would test drive both and look at them and see what burns your soul. Regards. Mike

If you drive the 997 you won't buy the 996. Night and day.

I totally agree with 996FLT6 - figure out which one really burns YOUR fire and go with that. There is a lot of emotion mixed with these cars and if you try to be too logical and ignore your emotions, you may be left feeling dissatisfied and envying something else. After several years with the Boxster S, which wasn't really what I wanted but seemed more affordable at the time, my wife told me earlier this year to make sure I got what I wanted so I wouldn't be complaining. I ended up compromising with what I thought was a reasonable decision with a great deal on a Targa. I should have bought the 40th or a C4s, or probably waited for a 997. If you've read my recent posts, last Saturday I sort of lost my mind and traded a less than 6 month old Targa for a 997S. Like you I wished for a Porsche for a long time (since I was a young kid), and I don't have an unlimited budget. You're in L.A. like me, so you don't need a 4wd for weather. Based on my personal experience with the 997S (5 days worth), I'd say go for a 997, and try to get options you really want (i.e. if there is something you will end up regretting if you don't have it, stretch a little for it), and plan on keeping the car for quite a while. You'll get the latest evolution which I think will hold resale value a little better, you'll get the new setup, a faster car, a new interior (which overall I like a lot), and four full years of warranty. I believe you can get a discount from MSRP though perhaps not a huge discount, so don't believe the crap from some dealers that there should be a premium or no discount. But ultimately, get whichever makes your candle burn. They are both great cars and I don't think you can go wrong. Good luck!

Thank you all for your thoughtful and insightful observations... I agree with the fact that this process is more emotional than logical... and thus at times confusing... kind of like a soul searching experience...

I recently sold my 996 C4S, if your budget stretches to the 997S I would get that based on what I know today about the 997S, I think the extra $8k or so for the 997S will probably maintain most of the incremental value (in other words on resale I would guess the 997S will always be worth $6-8k more than the 02 996 C4S).

Absolutely. Good point.

BTW, since you don't need 4wd for weather, keep in mind that while some like the C4S for that aspect, IMO C4S is especially popular partly because of its J Lo butt, i.e. a looks issue. The 997 has an improved rear end look versus standard 996.

i just bought an 03 C4S with 3k miles certified for $72k. So I think $73k is a bit high. I was also looking at 02 C4S with 15k miles certified for $69k.

Agreed on the big butt. It looks damn good, and while the 997 is as wide, it is not as striking in person b/c the front also grew in width. I'm sure the 997 widebodies will be fantastic. The increased track front and rear of the 997 is one example of the improved chassis the 997 offers. Also, I never considered the AWD setup to be critical for weather; I felt that it understeered less in back to back driving on the same roads, and felt that the jump from a 50/50 weight balanced bmw to a rear engined 911 would be easier/less frustrating on the track with the AWD setup.