Pick a 911 for me please

I need this communities expertise and vast experience to help me pick my next car. Yes, I've researched & Yes, I will need to drive and see what I like best. Where I was: - '95 993 Carrera 6spd Loved it! No commute 8K/mi/yr. Avg 5 DE/yr (non competitive, recreational) - good driver not great Moved overseas and sold it. Where I'll be in Feb: - Bay area commuter - 100 mi/day (50 each way) 2+ hrs/day, 4 days/wk. (20K /yr) - Budget up to $70K (if I spend 1/2 - that's fine too) - Same on DE events - Will have 2nd car for family outings, road trips, etc but may occasionally bring the 911 I'm considering: - Used 2002+ 996; 2001+ 996TT; 2005 997(S) - All in Tip or 6spd - Thought briefly about 2 cars (one commuter - but I want one car) What's important: - Reliability - Not getting soaked in depreciation with all the miles - Trade off of fun/comfort for all the commute miles vs the few DE events - I'll likely keep the car for 4 years I'll post this in 996 & 997 WHAT WOULD YOU BUY (or lease) ?? Thanks

The newest car I could afford.

997

CPO 997.

TT Best motor of the bunch and at the right price could be a deal.

I would prefer a higher mileage 997, but I'd probably get a '02+ 996. My reasoning would be to get something that's already taken a hit for higher mileage and age, so that you don't get whammyed when you dump it. Besides, there's so many bargains out there in good condition, you can spend less than $50K on an '02, or even an '03, and not feel bad about driving the pi$$ out of it.

I am with Bill on that one.

I've had my c4s tip for 4 years and love it. I'd suggest a CPO 996tt tip. From a dealer you could probably find one in the low to mid 60's. They have already taken a huge depreciation hit since the 997tt came out and the tip would be great in traffic and still fun to drive. Tips are probably more desirable in the bay area than elsewhere with all the traffic. The tt engine is considered fairly bullet-proof from reading their forum and with the CPO you can make sure it is mechanically sound by driving it for awhile. Good luck with the decision.

I would hands down get the TT and budget the 997 front end (if you like the front end of course over the 996) and a GT2 wing. The TT engine is far superior to the N/A's engines and since you can get a decent mileage TT in the 50's, you still have almost $20k to blow on making some serious go-power. Plus I believe the TT has hit its low in depreciation already. Oh, and if I had a TT, I would ditch the front drive system for weight and a little more fuel savings plus it will get a little more power to the ground. Then you could have the scary rearend characteristics of 930 too.

First, you should decide if you really want the TT or not. After that decision you need to decide what you really want to spend. You should be able to find a 996TT in the high $60's, a '02-'04 996 in the high $40's-low $50's, and an early 997S in the high $60's. If you decide on the 996, look for a 40th anniversary. It has a lot of great options including the 345hp PowerKit and LSD.

I think I'd get the 997S

996 tt tip

996 tt hands down - big depreciation hit already taken, and it will be a sought after car no matter what later

Thanks everyone. Not suprisingly more people suggesting 996s on this board -- but I am suprised how many still suggest 997. I'm probably 80% 997/(S) but if I see a prestine 996TT I could just as easily go that route. I'll just have to see which fish bites :-)

997S

If you are going to lose sleep on depreciation, buy a 996 - they've already taken a huge depreciation hit. If you don't care as much about depreciation, buy a 997.

997S is it any clearer for you yet?!

I love the 996, but the advice to buy the latest model you can afford is still pretty good advice and the 997S is a very nice car!! Personally, I think I'd look for a low mileage TT if I were in your situation.

I am reiterating the TT because of the engine; SOLID and highly TUNEABLE for greater power. 996/997S N/A's are near peak power out-of-the-box. Of course I like power and will sacrifice a little "niceness".

A couple of reasons I might prefer a 997S over a 996 Turbo for a daily driver of 20k mi per year, would be 1. Factory warranty remaining. 2. Less expensive consumables. 3. Less expensive maintenance on major items such as turbos. 4. Not to mention, aftermarket mods such as exhaust systems, etc can be more expensive for the Turbo. Simply put, the Turbo will cost more to operate per mile, and at 20k mi/yr, this will be exaggerated. If I were chosing between these two cars for a weekend only driver , I might (probably would) choose the 996 Turbo.

Don't forget, insurance is prolly WAY more 'spensive on a TT.

If I had to rely on it solely every day I would prob buy a 997 under warranty but def used

The 996 TT motor is basically a 964 motor water cooled. Very proven nearly 20 year old motor design with much more behind that. None of the 996 and 997 motor issues. I was going to buy a TT but could not get over the higher Bling factor...and then I went and put spoilers and skirts on the NA car....kind of stupid For the current money a TT is a steal of a deal.

Wow - woke up this morning and saw the adtl msgs --- thanks! Looks like the message has focused more: - 997S or 996TT (And thank you spiderv6 - i got the message :-) ) Financially is a non issue -- I ran some #s - part of my therapy -- It's basically a wash between these 2. 997 will save on maint. but be a bit more in depr & visa versa on the 996TT I'll post pics when I find her. I am thinking 95 997S w/ about 15kmi would be the likely result -- but we'll see...

Don't lease, unless you like giving away money. With the commuting miles, the cost of a lease would be extremely high. Because of the number of miles you are looking to putting on this car, you need to target as low of a mileage car as possible. If the car is over 100K miles in 4 years, it may be very hard to sell. Personally, with your budget and taking into account the miles for the commute, I would buy a Mini Cooper/Cooper S for commuting (good comfort, cheap gas and no problem for the miles) and a 02'-03' Carrera for other-than-commuting. Definitely go with a 6-sp. A tip Carrera (996 or 997) isn't even as quick as your 95 Carrera 6-sp was.

I'd go 997S if it were my decision. Though at the price a 996 TT is very tempting.

I vote for the 996TT. Power, widebody, awd, bullet-proof engine, exclusivity...did I say power? Only next step up would be a Ferrari F355...and even that won't be "up" in performance. thanks, Amir

02 + 996 c2 targa

I would get a 997S, the latest and greatest version of the Porsche cars we all love!