Alternative to my 996c2?

I have searched and read interesting comparisons that are patially on target but not there so here is my question. I am trying to decide if my stock 2003 996 C2 is really the right P-car for me. I love driving the car, find the lines very attractive and don't have the air vs water cooled thing. I have participated in one DE --and had a blast. I noticed that many of the more experience drivers are in older, but modified cars. I worry that (for me) a fairly new Porsche may be a bit too expensive and fragile for frequent track visits. I would probably need to be without a sports car for a while if I destroyed this one and it was not covered by insurance. I also don't feel comfortable making lots of track modifications for fear of hurting the value of the car. I also worry a little about reliability but there seem to be enough people pushing 996's on track that this is probably not a relevant issue I drive the car often but not for commuting --I work very close to home and this is the 3rd car in a 2 driver family --so it is only a fun driving car and thus maybe I don't need the plushness that the relatively new 996 offers. I plan to attend DE's but realistically no more than 4 or 5 a year over the next few years. I don't really want to get a seperate track car. I have been considering selling the car and getting a less than pristine 964 or 930 --potentially one that is street legal but somewhat set up for the track (I have seen examples for sale in the 20's). Keeping the cash difference for mods and making repairs or driving schools. Modifying a car of that age/value seems more attractive to me and at least in the case of a 964 conveting it to a club racer seems fairly easy if my interest/skill goes in that direction. Anyone been in this position or have any insights. I have driven one very rough 930 and it was a blast --hair on your knuckles and all that. I have also been in the right seat in one 964 on the track and the thing was great in the hands of a very good driver, but this is the extent of my familiarity with these cars.

One option is to sell your nice new low mileage post facelift 996 and buy a MY99 996 with higher mileage which can be had currently only autotrader for as low as 21K with a clean carfax. I expect at that price you will find a less than perfect car (some scratches, dings) which is minimally equiped, comes wiht 17" whees and that will likely need a new suspension, new brakes and tires, etc but is otherwise sound. But since you are going to be upgrading the car anyhow you would want to revise all those items anyway. Just a thought. You may even get lucky and find one with an LSD (don't hold your breath for a cheap car with all the right options). -Paul

my apologies for the typos above

I was in a similar situation last year as you are now. I got the itch to own an older 911, so I went out and bought a beautiful 911 coupe. I am so glad I did! It is more fun to drive than my '02 996, but not as fast. It is prettier than my 996, but not as clean. I can park it and track it without worry, unlike my 996 which I worry and preen over whenever I take it out. I decided to keep both cars--for now. I can see myself getting rid of the 996 before I get rid of the Carrera. I have to caution you. Even a modified older car will be most likely outperformed by a newer Porsche on the track because the advances in technology and horsepower are so great. If you track an older car, you will pine for your 996. If you track your 996, you will want to be in an air-cooled 911. I know. I've been there. It's human nature to want what you don't have (at the track).

Jim... I think that your sig sums it up perfectly on the fun vs fast. Not to open up a flame war on 996vs993s here but I felt the same way about my 993 to 996 switch. The 993 was way fun and gorgeous, but extremely demanding at the limit. The 996: much faster, still fun, but very easy to explore the limits, pass them and come back. Just my opinion.

Jim, LOL! Love your signature!!!

These are helpful. I guess I am trying to decide which I want more very fun or very fast; they are both fun and fast. I wonder how much modifications are needed on a 996 or 930 to make it as fast as a stock 996 --I know a 996 could be modded to be much faster and the 964 and 930 would be much less forgiving.

I had simillar thoughts early on during my C4S ownership. My final decision was to keep the C4S (obviously). Whatever car you buy to replace your C2, you will miss your C2. If you keep the C2 and buy a track dedicated car to complement it, you will end up spending a lot more money. Better to keep the C2, and use the cash to meticulously maintain the car and replace all the wear items with the best stuff. The 996 is an exceptional car. It wll happily keep up with you as you mature in track drivng skils. You will be surprised at how high the limits actually are. Just as you think you've hit it's limits, you find better ways to drive it and you cut down your lap times even more. The only upgrades I would consider would be X74 and R-compounds, when you are ready for it. The 996 C2 will serve you well, even well into the advanced groups, running against modded 993's , 964's, etc, while still maintainingg it's daily driveability.

You can make the mk II 996 pretty damn quick without jepordizing the resale. The X74, some exhaust and uprading the brakes with the GT3 ducts and Pagid orange pads will be a good start. That and some light wheels with MPSCs will make a very good track car.

I wouldn't go on the track with anything but a "disposable" car. If you can't afford to simply throw it away you shouldn't be driving it on the track. The best 911-series bang-for-the-buck track car would be a late 80's 911. Far superior to a 964 in most people's opinion. Best bang-for-the-buck track car is a 951 - 1987 to 1989. Those cars are cheap to run on the track, fast enough to scare your pants off, and fun, fun, fun! My personal pref for a track car is a track-prepped 924S. Fast, if you learn about momentum, and cheap, cheap, cheap!