911 Daily Driver: 2002 Turbo vs 2005 S

Looking for my next daily driver, will be getting rid of the 08 Cayenne S. Looking for advice on which car to choose. 2002 Turbo or 2005 S. Either car I'm thinking about going with would have a full PPI and have less than 40K miles. Thanks in advance.

The 02 if you want the better car but if your hooked on round retro lights go with the 05.

02 if you dont car about the insanely bad interior. I love the torque but cant stand the interior. 997S wins for me but must be an 06+

Quotes source post: 8827655

02 Turbo come standard with a full leather interior. Actually looks nicer then a plain jane 997.

Jumper, to each his own... I think the interior is very outdated and cheap looking in the 996

Thanks for the advice so far...one thing I dislike on both cars in terms of interior quality is the steering wheel. It looks so basic. If there weren't a Porsche crest on it, I'd expect to see something similar to it in a mid-size compact. Edit: The 05 steering wheel does look improved.

Quotes source post: 8827765

On a sports car I personally prefer a plain steering wheel. Imagine on a track accidentally hitting all the various buttons or paddles that seem to make their way on steering wheels today. Mine is a leather-covered three spoke and I think it suits the car perfectly.

Quotes source post: 8827778

Good point. What about reliability on 02 Turbos? Looks like general consensus on board is that 911 996 has IMS problems/failures more so than 996 turbo. When I was shopping for my Cayenne, found out through here to avoid 1st gen Cayennes due to shaft failures and other costly items that tend to happen. Is there anything on the 02 Turbo that is a ticking time bomb or will eventually fail?

Turbo engines are based off the GT1 block. 986, 996, 987 and early 997s are based off M96 engines.

Quotes source post: 8827721

The very reason I had to pass on M3 of the same era

I actually like the full leather 996 interior much better than the 997's. Have you driven both? They're very different, if you do drive both I imagine the choice would be pretty clear.

Quotes source post: 8828149

+1 on the 996 interior. The only thing I don't like about the Turbo is AWD

Quotes source post: 8828149

Yes I have, and am definitely leaning towards the turbo. I'm used to owning cars covered under warranties so this will be a new experience for me if/when I decide to get the turbo. I have enough cash set aside for "whatifs"...I just don't want to invest in a car that has "surethings" that are going to pop up. Also, I only plan on using this next car as a daily driver for 1 year...after that point it'll become a weekend car. Well maybe Friday and a weekend car. Occasionally Thursdays, possibly Wednesdays...

I actually was looking at the same when I made my decision about 1.5 years ago. Set my budget at 55-60K all in which put me in 996 Turbo or 997 C2S territory. I drove both and it wasn't even a contest. If you just have to have the round headlights (I prefer the 02+ 996 headlights anyway) and the Lexus interior then the 997 is for you. Me, I actually like the more austere interior of the 996 over the 997. The problem is people confuse austere with cheap. The interior isn't cheap. There just isn't a need for it in the car. Porsche engineers don't give a rip about the interior. They build a great motor, gearbox, and suspension. My Range Rover is what I drive when I feel the need to fly Virgin Atlantic 1st class. The 997 interior and headlights was PAG giving in to the non enthusiast crowd that wants to buy a GT3 with a sunroof and heated massaging seats to drive to work and back

Brings back memories. I originally had a budget for a base 2005 Boxster or a 2002-2004 Boxster S. Test drove both and realized the older interior seemed more comfortable to use. I do not think it was a clean looking as a 2005 (997) interior, but somehow functionally better. It also reminded me the engine/drivetrain/suspension were the reasons I wanted a Porsche again, not the interior. I also re-realized while driving, 95%+ of the time you are only looking at the gauges of the interior, not the radio/AC controls/switches. That's how I ended up with a 2004 996 Cabriolet. BTW I like the 2002-4 headlights. I think when designers cave into design changes for a larger market - it generally is a mistake in the long run. Only time will tell.

Quotes source post: 8827721

having owned both, the 997 - while updated - isn't scads better than the 996 plenty of cheap plasticy bits on the 997 I vote Turbo

I can't say I understand where everyone thinks the 996 interior is so bad. My interior looks and feels great I just don't see what the issue is? Ergonomics are good and leather and stitching are great and have held up quite well for a 6 year old car.

guess I just prefer form and function to having extra gadgets that are not needed in a small sports car. I love the buttons on the center console, off the doors and away from the rain and snow. as well you can always update the car with a better nav/bluetooth system then what you get in a new 997.

I think our head lights continue the form and function theme, no need to have extra lights stuffed in the front bumper. And they do look pretty aswesome.

How long do you plan on keeping the car? How many miles/year? Have you priced out maintenance costs? Do you need 400+hp or will 350+hp suffice for your needs? Either one is an upgrade from a Cayenne imho. See what you can find in your price range and be sure to get a PPI done.

Quotes source post: 8828885

All great input from everyone. I put 25K miles on my Cayenne in 15 months. :/ I don't plan on taking the 911 on long road trips though, not like I did with the Cayenne. 18K Miles a year, tops...and after a year of ownership, I'll probably scale the miles down to 8K a year. I haven't priced out maintenance costs between the two yet. If I get some time tomorrow, I'll post what I find (or if anyone knows, please post).