With $85-90k, do you buy a

2003-2004 996 C4S Cab or a new 997 S Cab? All wheel drive does not come into play for me since I have something else for snow. I saw the 997 C4S and was disappointed it did not have a turbo-like body (since turbo is not out yet) it was just a slightly wider (but not very noticeable) 997 S Cab which is why I am comparing 996 C4S Cab to the 997 S Cab. Dollar for dollar, it almost come down to which interior do you prefer? Am I missing the point on th two choices? I used to have a 993 Cab

They are not really in the same price range, a new 997 S cab will be almost $100K, a used 996 C4S in the low $70s... Maybe a used 997 S cab if you can find one will ft your needs.

Of your choices listed, I'd pick the 997 for sure. For $85-90k, though, I'd buy a 996TT - and I would make sweet love to it every night.

^ Agreed a 996 TT would be my choice

Oh Torrente.......you dirty boy As for the $80K+ I would buy a GT3 since I live for my track days! Love the TT but nothing compares on the track to the GT3.

Given your choices I'd get the 997 Cab (money no object). (FWIW, Car & Driver just confirmed that the 997 Turbo will use the wider body of the 997 C4.) While I would agree that the difference between the 997 C2 and 997 C4 body is not as noticeable as the 996 C2 to 996 C4S I think that the differences between the 996 and 997 are much greater than "which interior you prefer." As with each previous 911 model change Porsche made significant improvements with the new 997. Additionally, as "SciFrog" points out the 997 cab will be significantly more expensive than a used C4S cab. I'd suggest you drive both. Good luck with your choice. FWIW, if it were my money I'd get a 996 GT3

No love for the C4S cab? Drove home with the top down today in NYC 57 degrees and sunny, BAAAHHAHAA!

I would go with a 997 S.

if you need hp for some reason, 996TT, otherwise, 997 is a slightly better car, int, stiffness etc than 996.

i missed the day!!!!! didn't pick my c2 cab cause it was foggy in the morning. then when i went out for lunch, i was like" wish i had my p-car today."

997s or gt3 for me.. leaning more towards the gt3 even tho I dont track (at least not yet)

997s cab, nothing beats new.

If you can afford it, new is the only way to go.

For track junkies, the GT-3 can't be beat because it lacks all that electronic control stuff that Porsche seems to think we need!

It was spectacular out... this winter is just a tad nicer than last winter when I thought we were spiraling out of our solar system into deep space.

have you used your hardtop this winter? i have my on right now, big mistake!

You won't regret it next week!

Last year I put it on, during the deep freeze. This year I didn't think it was going to get that cold, so far I've be right and at this point I'll just leave it off.

Or maybe a Ruf 987 with a 997 S engine if you want a convertible: http://www.rufautocenter.com/conversions/Boxster.asp

TT and plenty of cash for mods !

GT3!!!

997 w/o question

997 cab.....I wish I had the money to burn...now I just have to stick with my 996 cab.....but I love it! And I always (except when it rains!!) with the roof down!!

i love my 996 but i would buy a 997 if i had that much in the budget right now - good luck and let us know!

Between your choices, no question I'd go for the 997S. Its really a different car than 996, in many ways beyond the interior. [Note - not knocking 996's at all, just my take having owned 964/993/996/997).

Again, why do you compare 2 cars that are 30-40k apart??? 996C4S cab looks better with the side vents 997S cab has a more powerful engine If you have 85-90k, you'll end up with a C4S and a wade of cash in your wallet do pay for mods. 85-90 won't get you a 997S cab. You'll need at least a 100k If you are actually comparing 997 to 996C4S, I'd go with C4S because it looks better and is cheaper while offering the same performance. Those that think 997 is a vast improvement over 996 is just trying to make yourself better. They are pretty much identical in performance. The 997S would be the only reason to pay for a new 911 IMO

Some times it gets in the 18 and 19 degrees where I live. They other day I had the top down and it was 49 degrees. Have to do it. Can't resist. It is bitchen turning the canyons with snow and the top down!!!

I would have to get a cab with a hard top, late 996 or 997 if i could www.red964.com/html/dyndex.php www.projectsonly.co.uk

Thanks everyone for the help, one more thtought i had was, since I started with a 993, buying a 997 kind of brings me back to the beginning, body style/lights etc and all. I don't race, occasional 100-110mph spurt but thats all. Just love the 911 period. Never saw one I did not like. A friend of mine just got a 997S cab, I will take it for a spin soon to see if there is any difference for me and the way I drive it. I too put the hardtop on this year, wished I didn;t. in the end, I don;t drive in foul weather, so I should have left the hardtop off.

Let me tell you the 997 S Cab, especially with sport chrono is amazing. Love it to death. Jay

The 997 is truly beautiful and probably a "better" car than the 996. But I really love the look of the 996 C4S widebody, side vents, etc. Especially since my '04 only has 1K miles! But, it's a coupe, so not for you! DJ - love Atlas - I have it on my coupe -- one of Porsche's most beautiful and distinctive colors - IMO. Phil G. '04 C4S Atlas/Black full leather 6sp

wait for the new gt-3 or 997tt!

I saw the 997 C4S and was disappointed Wow, all I can say is different strokes for different folks. I saw a 997S cab going down Paper Mill road in MD yesterday evening, and it was the most gorgeous car that I have ever seen. If it belongs to one of the readers of this forum, let me congratulate you on your purchase. It is one awesome looking car.

A 968 Turbo, 99 996 coupe and a 2000 540.

Money no object, no track -- 997S cab Lots of track -- GT3

well you say you don't intend to track so its more of a style issue? Personally I think the 996 (especialy with the turbo lights) is going to become a classic. I think its the best Porsche design yet. I doubt we'll see anything like it again. BTW, I read an interesting article in a Brittish Porsche magazine that had a negative review of the 997 Cab for HP driving. They wrote that a European Professional driver promptly returned his 997 Cab (which was replacing his previous 996 Cab) because of an unacceptable porpoising of the rear axle in mid corner. The writer ended by saying that on performance a sports car that was not designed to be a open air convertible from inception will never be optimal for high performance driving, and somehow the newest open air version has taken a step back. (ouch).