Looking for my first

Hi everyone, So I'm currently hunting for my first Porsche and I'm completely sold on the value and passion that the 996 community has. This forum has already been a big help educating me on the IMS and other "quirks" that this beautiful car has to offer. I came across this unique example and was wondering if anyone could help me figure out if it's a special edition. The dealer is claiming 40th anniversary but it doesn't look like any that I've seen. Any input and referral welcome. Thanks again https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=189906514

I'd run the VIN and see what pops up on the sticker. There are lots of easy to use 996 decoders that automatically do it for you. I found out all the options of my new C4S before I bought it and it seems right to me, right down to the PSE and color code in the frunk. However that doesn't look like any 40th Anniv. variants I've seen in my last year-ish of browsing Cargurus and Autotrader.

Welcome! There no C4S special edition 996s. That is just a mishmash of questionable cosmetic alterations...

That is a C4S. Says so right on the back. Not a 40th. There is a lot going on in that interior. That dash cover makes me wonder what is under there. It looks like a highly optioned car, but I don't think I could live with that interior, and swapping out interior bits can get pricey very fast.

It's definitely NOT a 40th AE, but maybe that was an initial mistake on the dealer's site because I don't see at the moment. This is clearly a standard 2004 C4S, but nothing really "special" about it other than the price... which is way over market value. You can find a decent C4S model 996 in the $25K range these days. This one has lots of nasty mods by the previous owner. The steering wheel has been recovered... and that dash pad is like redneck ugly! Looks like the PO painted the side vents and mirror adjustment modules red to match the custom dash pad. hahaha The faux carbon bit could be OEM, but you'd have to look at the option tag to confirm. The wheels are OEM, but of course, they've been repainted. The center caps don't match up. Apparently, original OEM color. The front light enclosures have bad oxidation. For a low miles car, this is odd... probably means the car was parked outside for long periods of time. The big question is... has the car's IMS been replaced? If not, that's something to seriously consider if you're really interested in purchasing this car. Overall, I'd pass on this one. At $38K, it's overpriced.

Agreed for the price you could do a lot better....or a lot better for less price. Here are the options: https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/check...AA29994S623013 06/2004VIN:WP0AA29994S623013Price:$96,970.00Exterior:Seal Grey MetallicInterior:Graphite Grey Full LeatherWarranty Start:October 31, 2004 Additional Equipment 249Tiptronic S342Heated Front Seats425Rear Window Wiper446Wheel Caps with Colored Crest680Bose High End Sound Package692Remote CD Changer (6 Disc)CZGraphite Grey Full LeatherM6KNatural Grey Floor Mat P11Self-Dim Mirrors & Rain SensorP16Porsche Communication Mgt. IIP74Xenon Headlamp PackageX54Stainless Steel Exhaust PipesX71Aluminum Instrument DialsY1Seal Grey Metallic TopY61Carbon/Alumimum Tip ****/Brake

Here's your option build sheet:

Thanks you guys confirm what I had already suspected. The supply in my area is very limited so I want to just go take it for a test drive. That interior is definitely not to my liking. Astro send me a pm and I'll take a look when I get home from work later.

Don't hesitate to make a trip out of finding the one that fits your needs. Makes for a fun mini vacation and the drive back is always a good time. With that said, being someone who paid too much, I'm gonna say that listed price is way too much for that car. Keep looking, much better deals out there for a fraction of that price. Unless you want to save up a little more and bump yourself into a 997.

Yes Bill up! That's definitely something I wouldn't have a problem with. I wouldn't mind seeing for myself the difference between a c2 and c4 before traveling though. How drastic is it?

Also look into a Rennfax if needed. I bought mine from an autotrader ad in Illinois and I live in Vegas. Fracture gave me a great Rennfax on it so I didn�t have any worries buying the car right unseen.

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Vincent, take your time and enjoy the search - not rushing and understanding fair value is really important. I put together a spreadsheet last month on values for 996s across the country. There are a couple in your area that look like decent cars. This should give you a good idea about what the ask is by model & year. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...readsheet.html

Andrewck, absolutely going to take my time and savor this opportunity. The spreadsheet is greatly appreciated! Very happy I came to Rennlist for advice.

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Only things to consider buying out of state: Paying/scheduling for PPI (if you choose to do so, I did not), travel time and expenses, how much time you have to go over the car yourself, and all that fun stuff. I can't attest between a C2 and a C4 since have never driven one, I was browsing for a low optioned low mileage GR aero and one happened to pop up at the right time. They're fun cars, and depending on your budget there's a lot out there regardless, so take your time and enjoy looking around.

" Take your time. " +996. It's easy to get emotionally invested in this process before you are financially invested. When you're blinded by "It's the one!" syndrome you may overlook or forgive some things that you wouldn't ordinarily. Keep a cool head, be ready to walk away if the car fails a sniff test. Just remember that walking away may mean walking away from a few hundred dollars in a PPI. There are still plenty of nice examples out there if you're willing to do the legwork. Happy hunting!

Too high for the vehicle. It's an awfully....ethnic interior. I have an '03 C4S. Clean and largely unmolested. You can find one less molested than this one. I strongly recommend a C4S, but: no shortage of strong opinions on Rennlist, so be your own judge! Good luck.

What "area" are you?

I just put my 2004 Carrera 2 on sale with PSE, PSM. IMS and clutch replaced, Recent Michelin PS2 N3 tires and a brand new suspension kit M030 RoW. Cherry on the cake, the car is still under powertrain warranty for 9 months from the Porsche dealer (works anywhere in the US). Like others said, try different cars, it will help you decide. I was about to buy a 99 C2 when I found this one that conquered me with the sport exhaust and the power delivery that felt much stronger. Good luck in your quest. I hope you can find the right one for you.

Most important, I forgot the link 😯 https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-marketplace/1036535-porsche-996-c2-coupe-6mt-2004-pse-psm-m030-with-powertrain-warranty-until-08-2018-a.html

I am selling my "Excellent" 2002 Cab. 6-speed, Seal Grey/Red Full Leather and Highly Optioned Call me at [phone removed] Thanks, Bill

Agent Jester, I'm in the Northeast, specifically MA. DinoSC, I look forward to checking your listing out last. Your car has a lot of what I'm looking for. Grey/red, I appreciate the input but I'm sticking with a coupe for my first.