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YOUR RESEARCHNeed 996 Buying Opinions
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Check vin and the 10th digit is a 5
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As for the model year question on the dealer car, I checked the VIN and the 10th digit is a 5 which means a 2005 model year.
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The seller here is a local high-end, used car dealer.
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All the others have been used Porsche's as my focus changed to family and business.
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I'm a newbie to this list so please bear with me. I'm in the market to buy a used 996. Had a new 914 back in 1975 and have lusted after the 911 ever since. I figure it's about time. My dilemma is deciding between potentialy two cars. Live in the western suburbs of Chicago. One is a 2005 996 (dealer says it was produced in the overlap year, not a 997) from a respected dealer in the Chicago suburbs. It's just the straight 911 cabriolet with a few add on's, one owner, and only 24,000 miles. He's asking $44k which seems rather high to me (at least using Edmund's pricer). The other is a 2004 cabriolet 4S, three owner and 58,000 miles. The seller here is a local high-end, used car dealer. Haven't seen the service records and done a PPI (which will happen). Assuming the PPI for the C4S comes out clean, i"m torn which is the better deal. I'm sure I can get the dealer down on the 2005, but the other is a C4S, that will still be probably cheaper. I've been told not to fear the relatively higher miles of the C4S if the PPI and history is clean. I really do like the style of the C4S, but the low miles on the 2005 keep getting my attention. Anyone's wisdom or thoughts would be extremely welcomed. I know in the bottom line I would probably love either, but.....
Too low of miles can be a detraction, not a benefit. The 2005 could have had long periods that it has sat and that isn't necessarily a good thing. The C4S has so many benefits, wide body, turbo brakes, AWD etc. I would keep it as your frontrunner as long as it checks out mechanically and aesthetically.
The C4S is a more rare vehicle, especially a cabriolet. The 996 C4S cab was only produced in 2004 and 2005, making it even more rare. 58,000 miles is nothing for that car. I wouldn't worry about it if the PPI checks out.
The dealer has misinformed you on the 2005 model. The C2, C4 and their cabriolet versions were the 997 in 2005. The only models that overlapped were the C4S and the Turbo (As well as the Turbo S, if I'm not mistaken). It could be an honest mistake, or it could be something fishy. I'd want more information on that one before buying it.
I wouldn't consider 58,000 "high miles". That's about 6500 miles per year. No big deal. Go for one you like, checks out, and you can get a good deal on. Don't be afraid to walk away. There are plenty more.
44K is too high. Depending what you are going to do the choice is different between C2 vs C4. I have one of each. C2 much more fun on track and 4S is much better on the road particularly in bad weather. If you are not tracking, C4S is my vote, Its also much better looking...love the A$$. How much for C4S
C4S Cabrio - rare and yummy!
The VIN or a Carfax will answer the 2005/overlap question.
Frisbee is on target - mileage is relative. Anything under 7K/year is low mileage.
Good luck!
If the sevice records check out, the c4s vert is a no brainer. I hate convertibles. The 996 c4s vert just looks to good to pass up. It's probably the only vert I would buy.
Thanks guys! You kinda confirmed my gut feel that the c4s is it if the PPI goes well. RPM's S2, good call on checking the VIN. It is indeed a 2005 model. Will keep you posted.
$44k will get you a 2002-2004 Turbo w/ 30-55k miles.
Considering it's got a 100 hp/tq bump, dry sumped, and same overall weight...little unsure as to why the C4S would even be in the runnings. And you get to get away from the M96 platform and move into an M64 variant.
That is, unless have a rolling barcalounger is a must.
Ptcalombo, we have a few things in common - bought my first Porsche a 914 new purchased in 71' . All the others have been used Porsche's as my focus changed to family and business. Making the choice to purchase a 996 was driven by both the great performance of these cars and outstanding value at today's prices. Though I reside in the Seattle now I would vote for the C4S purchase (or any C4) over the C2 simply because once you own this Porsche you will want to drive is often, and in your climate you can add 2 to 3 months more driving time safely with the AWD and a good set of Snow tires. Even with this being a Cab - you just snap on the Hardtop and it could serve you all year round - except for the 6 + inch deep stuff and salt covered roads.
And mine 996 had 70,000 on purchase and is now at 85 k and going strong - Enjoy!
C4S would seem the best choice. Especially in Chicago where you will get some extra driving months as mentioned and a hord top is a plus. I actually live just south of you. I do wish I had a C4 but enjoying what I got with the C2 in the good weather months. Do you already have a place for the PPI?
The price seems a bit high but am sure you can negotiate. Remember, there will be a lot more potential buyers as the weather gets warmer. Can't wait to bring my car out from underneath the cover!
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Thanks for the additional comments. As for the model year question on the dealer car, I checked the VIN and the 10th digit is a 5 which means a 2005 model year. It's a pretty respected dealer in the western suburbs of Chicago who I wouldn't think would try to pull something. As for your question, AckyE, yes, I have a shop for the PPI, Kurt's German Autowerks in the southwest suburbs here. Came highly recommended by a friend of mine who's owned several Porsches. I will take a look at the turbo's just to see. Thanks again.
ptcolombo, thanks for Kurt's information. Actually just called him as I have some issues with my cabriolet top and the last place was not able to get it to work. Hope your purchase works out well.
According to the 2012 Porsche Buyer's Guide (Supplement to Excellence Magazine), the 996 variants offered as a 2005 model are:
Carrera 4S
Turbo S
GT2
GT3
According to the same supplement, the 997 variants offered as a 2005 model are:
Carrera
Carrera S
Carrera Cabriolet
Carrera S Cabriolet
This information is obviously from a third party, not an official Porsche representative. It would be interesting to learn more about this 996 C2 cab that is advertised as a 2005. It must have been manufactured right at the very end of the production of the 996 cars.
DennisC, you are correct, a 2005 C2 cabriolet v C4S 2004 cabriolet. Both the VIN and Carfax check out as a 2005 on the C2. I read the same thing as Alpine 2003 in the Buyers Guide...can't believe everything you read especially on the internet......uhh, bon jour, I'm from France.
I think I found the listing (curiosity is getting the best of me). It's interesting that the same dealership is offering two 2005 model cabriolets for sale. Photos below. Something doesn't seem right to me. I've never heard of any overlap of model years like this. I guess I learned something today...
FWIW - Scouser's VIN decoder on
www.renntech.org
shows the car to be manufactured in 2005.
Dennis C found the listing. Those are the cars. The dealership, Napleton, is pretty well know in some racing circles since they mod engines for Caymens. My buddy said they won the 24hrs of Daytona (?) in their class. Like I said, I would tend to believe them on this one, and also the VIN info.
I don't know how much the practice was curtailed by 2005, but Porsche used to be notorious for producing 'they never made that model in that year' cars...
Often they were special order cars for customers, placed just before the cutoff but produced after they rolled the VIN digit for US production.
eg: a 996 ordered late in the 2004 cycle and produced after they cut over to the next model year, so they roll the VIN year digit over to a 2005. Other than that particular digit in the VIN, there is likely nothing else 2005 about the car.
Seeing how US model years for most german manufacturers are never in sync with the rest of the world, it probably doesn't raise many eyebrows on the manufacturing floor.
Based on the VIN of the car in question [WP0CA29945S650064], it looks like #64 car in 2005. Not sure if they sequenced 997's differently than 996's (997's would have a 7 instead of a 6 in the 12th position, year is 10th position, sequence are last four digits]
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
