recomendations please?

i've been looking at 911's recently and know that it's the next car i want. currently i drive a 944 and a dodge stealth tt. i don't want a brand new 911(can't afford it) but i relize older 996's or early 80's can be had for relitively cheap. my biggest qustion, which 911 would you recomend? it's likely that i'll be keeping the 944 and getting rid of the stealth. which in private sale can get me around 10-11g. i want performance of the 911 to come close, but at the same time i want the awd. i relize the want of awd narrows down the possibilities a lot. as does the power. some stats on the stealth: 320hp, 315tq, 3750lbs, awd, 0-60: 5.0 1/4: 13.2.(those are my personal times) i've seen 01 996's for sale around 28g with around 60k on em. and only one c4s for about 35g with 75k on it(02) for upkeep(dumb question) would a water cooled or air cooled engine be easier to work on? i do most of my own basic work, so this would help a lot. i've read that 993's are still pulling some decent prices due to the last air cooled 911 and only 4yrs of production. the 964 had a weird nose lift look to it. and i know outside of 79-87 prices can be up there. i've read the which 911 should i go for. i had posted this in the 997 forum absent mindly thinking it was the 996 forum, they did state rate what i would want in the car the most, or even look at a used caymen s. still want other's opinions. thanks

Having a 996 and a 914, and worked on older 911's, maintenance on the 996's is not a lot. Longer intervals between oil changes, no valve adjustments, great A/C, etc. Not to mention that early 996 prices are a steal now! (Sorry for the hijack but I'm selling my '99 with a new factory motor; warranty included - PM if you're interested) 996's are cheap for the performance right now. Buy an extra set of old tires with slicks and you can still be competitive on the weekends at DE's if you want. If I wasn't moving I would be keeping my 996. Kent

would love to, but can't, i'd have to sell my stealth 1st. i won't likely get a 911 till next spring, it'd be dumb for me to purchase one now with it getting cold already, and i still gotta get the clutch done on my stealth. but thanks

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Actually, it's smart to buy them when it's cold since the crappy market will be even worse and prices even lower.

A 996 C4 makes a fabulous winter car - that's mine. Coming from a 944, I think you'll be disappointing in an older 911 (unless you're looking for the vintage experience). Poor heat and defrost, and controls more antiquated than in the 944. A 993 is a little newer than a 944, but has almost the exact same interior and switches. Climate control on a 993 is better, but still not as good as a 944. And, a 993 is quite a bit more money than a 996. A 996, being water cooled, has great climate control, is a bit more modern feeling than the 944, is the Porsche performance bargain, and is, dare I say, a little classier than a Boxster. (that should rile some people up!) A 996 is also a superb handling car. For what it's worth, I think the C4 is only worth it if you're going to use it in the winter. If you don't plan on driving it in the snow, get a C2 - you'll save a wee bit of money. I think you'll find lots of good cars in the low $20s and even teens this fall/winter. If you have the funds, pick one up and start driving it!

you serious... the teens? i haven't seen em for that cheap. cheapest 911 i ever saw was 15g for an 85. if i still have the 944 that'll b my winter car, better weight distribution. as for climate control, my 944 has just heat. no a/c, just 2 windows and a removble roof. i'm definitly gonna look a lil harder now.

Someone posted just the other day that he had a nice 996 for sale at $20 or $21k - and he didn't get a single nibble. He ended up trading it in at a dealer for $18k. (I think these were the numbers - I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.)

My numbers were a little off: https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=high+mileage

well even though some people here hate ebay(and no i wouldn't buy a car there) i went and checked out 996 prices. only because prices are usually what the market is willing to pay. i did a dumb thing though...i kinda have a fetish for green cars with a tan leather interior...kinda found one. didn't bid, but kinda wished i never looked though. it's was 20g with 57k on it. found some others with around60k for 18-20g. so i guess the 996 value has dropped a bit since the intro of the 09 997? also i read somewhere that early 996's had engine issues that ment(in most cases) replacement of the entire engine. anyone ever have the problem?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/861478163.html about an hour south of Seattle... just for your looking pleasure

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Some people have - that has helped kept prices low. The previous owner of my car replaced the engine shortly before I bought it... In my mind, that was a good thing. If the engine explodes (broken intermediate shaft or cylinder wall cracks) it is about $12k for a crate replacement motor installed. Do some searching to find out more specifics. Even with this "known problem", I still whole-heartedly recommend 996s. No car is perfect - while there's lots of chatter about imploding engines and RMS leaks, most people have had good luck and enjoy their cars immensely.

While there has been a lot of noise regarding early 996 engine failures I wouldn't let that turn you away. Get one with a replacement engine already in it or at a minimum get a very thorough PPI before you purchase. You will not be disappointed. These are great cars, especially for the prices the early ones are going for. The later 996's are a little more money (and a few hundred pounds heavier) right now, but even their prices are starting to come down. As with any Porsche purchase, buy the best example you can afford. Kent

996 is the best 911 value. No other variation even comes close.

You should probably keep the Stealth and not the 944, the stealth will be a collector car one day. The 996 C4 is pretty much the same as the Stealth for stats but the AWD on Porsche is fairly weak . Only 5% goes to the front wheels up to 40% power when the viscous coupling unit detects the rear slipping. I am not sure how the AWD on the Steath works but for Porsche the C4 and the C4S feel like RWD and doesn't feel like AWD drive until the car has passed it's limit of traction.

2003-2004.5 C4S!!!

stealth cruises 95% rwd, when front end traction is lost up to 45% tq is sent to the front, sounds pretty much the same. everyone has said the stealth will be a collector's car on day, i hope it will be, but it won't be anytime soon, so even if i sold it, i could in the next 5-10yrs find one for around 10-11g, and it be just as nice as the one i loose. i am torn about it. only reason i'd rather keep the 944, the stealth absolutly is horrible in the snow. 8.5" wide tires/wheels don't help the awd. it's an awd made for performance not bad weather like a subaru. i'm definitly going to look. even found a place close to me that has a 00 c2 for 31g with something like 45k on it. and another place that after you've ordered a car that you wish ex: 99 c2, black with tan leather around 30g, they'll find it for you, in the best condition possible, and give a warrenty on it. costs 500 up front. my friend works for them. they have a internet site too. thanks for the information

If you want to take a drive up my way and take mine out for a spin.

Don't dismiss a C2 because of winter driving. Good snows give a surprising amount of traction with all that weight over the driving wheels, it's depth of snow that can beat you, or of course if you have a lead foot. Not every early 996 has TC or PSM so check the options although it's not an essential if you drive sensibly. Oh, there is a LOT of fun drifting a C2 in a snowy parking lot with the TC off as long as you know where the kerbs are. There was a video of a C2 doing Nurburgring on snow which gave an idea of what you can aspire too!

i'm a very sensible driver, how bout going up hills though? i work on the top of a pretty decent hill, and my house in on another. i live in the hilly part of NJ. snow the past couple of years really hasn't been more than 5-6 inches at a time, but i think this year is going to be pretty bad. it's already been in the high 30's at night. i'd love to take your car out, i just have no clue as to when i'd be able to do so. i'm only free during the week, from sunday at 9am till thursday at 9pm. i dont know when i'd be able to get myself up there though.

P-Cars are EASY to drive in the snow... check out this short little demo clip (youtube) and after watching this, just do the same thing.... No Problems at all http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF0oL...eature=related and the Nurburgring http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkAi4...eature=related

i do know there's a place in colorado that teaches porsche owners how to drive their car's safely on snow/ice. it's in aspen at a golf course during the winter. i've learned the best way to learn how to drive any car in snow is an empty parking lot. hey new ring lap times: snow driving...

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Many would argue that 50-50 in the snow/bad weather is bad. My 914 was 50-50 and was a pain in the snow. Not enough grip on either end. A 911 with appropriate skinny snow tires is downright fantastic in the snow.