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YOUR RESEARCHnew member what is my best option
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Check cars.com found a red 997
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I checked Ebay found a few checked cars.com found a red 997 for $36k so it be had.
Leading evidence: 'Check cars.com found a red 997' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check cars.com found a red 997' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I checked Ebay found a few checked cars.com found a red 997 for $36k so it be had.
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On the one hand the IMS bearings on these motors can not be replaced (economically).
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I already had the Porsche sport exhaust (PSE) on my car when purchased but the Fabspeed cats changed the character of the car completely.
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The 996 console does also - but it can be replaced with the GT3 delete kit.
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And I think a 996 turbo is the best answer or c4s due to I want awd because this car is going be driving as a DD all year round, I'm a car fanatic and always had something against garage queens, I buy things to be used for their purpose.
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Plenty of good 996's FS. Maintenance history and a thorough PPI, but I would rather steer you towards a 996TT purchase first. Then maybe a later model 997S...good luck in your search
Once you get a good exhaust system on the car you'll forget about that upgraded stereo. Trust me...I'm a huge music fan and I'm ok with my stock system because of the music my car puts out.
I just recently got my 2004 C4S for about that price range after searching Nation wide....not sure what kind of 997 or Turbo can be had for 35k....I suppose you might come across one with fairly high mileage.
Fpena....just curious....what did the fab speed set up back to? I'm considering the same mod but looking for a "financially practical" option for my 04-C4S.
It isnt just "loaded" vs base, its mileage too honestly. I just got back into the 911 and had a similar budget and chose a 1 owner, low mileage (26k), loaded 996 rather than a much higher mileage (68k), totally base, 4 owner 997. Thats generally the comparo.
996TT I personally didnt want having just come from the GTR and wanting to return to a lightweight, NA, RWD, fun car, but either way any 996TT is going to be a good bit more money than a comparable 996 or older 997. Of course you could get a 100k+ mile 01 or something, I suppose.
*All* of this is very subjective and the answers are going to reflect that and be all over the place. You have to know what is important to *you* above all else.
I'm going to assume you won't find a 997S worth buying for $35K, but that you will be able to find good examples of both the 996 and the 997.
In fact - it's safe to assume you could get a 996 for $5K less than a 997, unless you spring for a C4S. It's will also be harder overall to find a 3.6litre 997 for sale. I see like ten 997S for every 997 around here.
1) exterior - the 997 is a prettier car. Ah ah ah ! No arguing this point.
2) interior - the 997 console bangs my knee. Can't stand it. The 996 console does also - but it can be replaced with the GT3 delete kit. I prefer the 996.
3) refinement - the 997 is more a little more refined, but that's a point against for me. The 996 is the more visceral car.
4) performance - the engine performance and weight are the same.
5) status - The 3.6 is as big as the 996 got, while the 997 has a bigger brother in the S. Porsche guys will wonder why you couldn't afford the S. The women and the haters won't be able to tell the difference.
6) value - there's the $5K savings to consider right off the top, and the 996 has less tech on board so should be cheaper to maintain. I'd hazard a guess that the 996 is more DIY friendly. Mine certainly is.
7) reliability - there's the tech to consider, although I don't hear many complaints. The 997 is likely to have a later M97 motor however. On the one hand the IMS bearings on these motors can not be replaced (economically). On the other hand, there have been *no* IMSB failures reported for the M97 series of engine (go ahead, prove me wrong). All the other gear is the same.
8) The C4S - yah ok, there are those who say it's the best 996 evar, but the wide hips don't please every eye and the 4WD makes it heavy and handle different than a rear engined Porsche should. I like 'em fine - but I don't want one and I wouldn't pay extra.
If it were me......I don't know what I'd do. I guess if I couldn't afford a 997S or a GT3 or a Turbo, then I'd go with a good 996 and modify it just as I have mine already. It's a great car...but the 997 is prettier.
Jasper you hit it on the nail, i can get the s but right now i have other plans with my money so the s wouldve had to wait to later. And I think a 996 turbo is the best answer or c4s due to I want awd because this car is going be driving as a DD all year round, I'm a car fanatic and always had something against garage queens, I buy things to be used for their purpose. I just so love the look of the 997 it reminds me of the 993 i origanally fell in love with watching bad boys (movie) back in 1996. But maybe ill due the 997 bodykit make over done the road, where they turn 996 to 997
If you get a 996 and it's not a GT3 nor Turbo, be sure to get the X-51 engine package. This makes it very comparable to an early 997S for power. I too was in your shoes and after driving a few, the 996 40th AE was my pick; the 997S (2007 model) suspension was too soft.
Best of luck.
With the VIN, a dealer can look up the original options on the car. You can also buy a duplicate window sticker from Porsche. I'm sure some could tell by looking at it, but I could not. Search Rennllist; this is a great resource.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Not to fear monger -- but Google '997 IMS Failure' ==> *no* is not a true statement. There are just fewer off warranty and therefore I think you hear less about them.
My take is if the IMS wasn't a problem any longer -- why'd they design it out completely with the 997.2?
Mike
I'd do a 2002-2004 996 where the IMS is easy to replace -- or jump to a 2010 997 --(which is a lot more than $35k).
A lot to choose from in those years within your budget; later cars didn't have significantly greater performance. Save money & get a car that's easier to repair.
I was sort of forced into the Fabspeed setup because my OEM cats got clogged. I already had the Porsche sport exhaust (PSE) on my car when purchased but the Fabspeed cats changed the character of the car completely.
As for the cost, it was around $1700 for both of the cats. It ended up being plug and play so pretty easy upgrade to do yourself.
Even the stock sound is good after all these years.
We wasted money on an upgraded stereo from the factory and then later wasted even more money with an aftermarket kit because we weren't happy. We're still not happy. The interior layout of the 911 just doesn't lend well to sound reproduction. I suppose if you are willing to do door and dash modifications as well as fill up your rear seats/shelf it could be done, but we wanted to keep it as stock looking as possible.
As far as the original question, I'm biased towards they early C4 coupe with full taco-wing aerokit
Other than the two RMS issues that were under warranty, a broken turn signal stalk, and a handful of window motors, it's been a solid reliable car for 11 years and has always lived outside and did 45mi each way daily commutes into the city for a couple of years.
As our tech says, if you actually drive it will be a good car. It's the queens that have all the issues later in life.
Blue - go drive the available cars. I went through a very similar process - though it was for a cab. I ended up with a 2004 C4S and I love it. It really depends on what you are doing with the car. Mine is a daily driver.
Thats what I was gonna say, it really depends on WHICH forum you ASK! I definitely think I would go with the lower mileage car if its very much difference! But, be sure you DRIVE BOTH of them & not just listen to everybody else! In the end its what YOU LIKE! jmo
I'm also looking for a 996 for a daily driver and for the occasional autocross and track day. I've been driving a tastefully modified Audi A4 quattro for the past five years, have put 6 track days on it and a couple of dozen autocross days.
I've been focusing on the 2002+ MK2 996, and I have another car for winter use (A6 wagon).
I haven't had a chance to drive a C4S yet. How much different will the C4S handle in autocross and on the track relative to the RWD 996?
Thanks!
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