04 C4S vs 03 C4S...which would you chose?

Ok folks I'm at a quandry I've finalized my decision between the following two cars and they are very similar in terms of ammenities and both have been maintained well by Porsche. However, the 03 has the full carbon kit. The only difference in price comes to $1,500 - whereby the 04 is that much more $$. So based upon these facts, which would you get: 04 C4S Blk/Blk 71K miles - $1,500 more or 03 C4S titanium/blk - 79K miles Please vote ASAP, since I need to make a decision on this soon and I'm going to go with the consensus, since both are GREAT vehicles IMHO.

Whats up with that 2 tone interior on the 04?

Need more facts. They are both beautiful cars. You can negotiate away $1500, 03vs 04 to me is a wash, so when left with two equal cars it comes down to how much you know about each. You don't mention an independent PPI which you should invest in on both cars or at least your fave.

I found out that the 2 tone seats are actually a factory option, which was confirmed by PoA (Porsche of America)

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Both have passed local Porsche PPIs and have full maintenance histories. The cost of both cars are essentially the same so it really is an apples to apples comparison. The 04 had a leaking front diff axles and the seals were replaced by Porsche as part of the PPI. I am on the fence on both. The cars are great, I've had a black car before and although they look great, when clean, it looks ok when not so clean. I am also concerned over resale, since I only anticipate hanging onto it for 2-3 years.

I don't like the scratches on the '04 and the two tone interior is...well...what it is. The '03 looks like the nicer of the two cars especially if you like the carbon. What worries me most, however, is that you're in a rush to make a decision and basing it on a vote from a bunch of people you don't know on a website. I get soliciting our opinions and using the board for information but this is going to be YOUR car. Which car do YOU like better? If someone is pressuring you to buy, then I would walk away. You say that both have "passed local Porsche PPIs" but does this mean that the dealer is telling you that they've inspected the car or did YOU get the PPI done? Just my $.02, -Eric

sorry I should have been more specific, I'm not looking to make a decision solely based upon this forum. But looking for folks on this board to provide feedback and opinions which I may not have thought of...thanks

In my opinion, the two tone interior is less desireable to the average buyer, and the black paint is more difficult to maintain. Also, the carbon interior package is a desirable option that would be very expensive to add to a car without it (assuming you like carbon fiber). If it were me making the purcase, I'd go for the '03 and try to negotiate it down at least another $1500 or so.

just an FYI, but both cars net out to the EXACT same price. In fact the 03 will be about $500 more after all fees and additional costs (taxes, etc...). So based upon that...I want to be able to ensure that when I resell the car in 3 years I will not lose a ton of $$. BTW, the black car has the aluminum dials and a light carbon package, not the full kit like in the 03.

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The way the info about PPI is written it sounds like the old "100 point" dealer inspection not an independent PPI. If you are going to solicit the advice here, then this is the gold standard of due diligence. Key items in the maintenance histories of both cars would be good to know for evaluation. Are the engines the originals, has the RMS or IMS been replaced, etc. One car is Atlanta and the other Pasadena and we don't know where you are. No problem but this is why you always have members advising other members on where to get a good PPI done. It is a buyers market. There is no urgency other than your emotions and pressure from a seller. The are plenty of good cars out there. Do the right things to get the right one. You won't regret it.

Does either one have the PSE ? That would decide it for me - I have it on mine and it's great- I enjoy it alot more than I thought I would.

Which coast are you on? Transport will add to one or the other. flip a coin. M

the one from Atlanta got the PPI done at the Porsche dealerhip and hence basically got the 100 pt check mark system. The one in Pasedena is going through Rusnak Porsche Saturday for a full inspection again, since I have a good friend who is HS friends with the lead tech at the place and will be doing a full workup.

I searched for months and knew THE ONE when I saw it. Bought it a few days later. Curious what your GUT says is the better choice and why? Which one is THE ONE for you?

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When I got mine, it came with a dealers list of all things checking out OK on the car. Conveniently forgot to mention the inside light not coming on when the doors opened up, or wires under the battery cover going nowhere in particular and a rotton old radar scanner under the front apron which a PO had put in and God only knows what other alterations the same PO had done sooooooo. If I were to inspect another Porsche, I would check to see if any alterations had been added to the original car and want to see who carried out the work. If I saw that a reputable mechanic had done it then that would be ok. But i would run like hell away from a car that a PO had experimented on and from reading these forums I find that (not all but some) Porsche Owners just love to **** around adding or deleting things without knowing exactly what they are doing. The next owner has to suffer the consquences of the POs incompitance... OR DO THEY? Check well my friend and dig deeper than 'first impressions'. People are out to screw us if they can. BTW you might want to get yourself an extended warranty as I did (3 years or 45,000 miles) which I used for a new gear box. This being my first Porsche and bought for me as a 70th birthday gift, I thought all Porsches sounded loud inside the cab. Its a convertible and I didnt realize the fault until the winter top went on it. BTW I am hammering it just in case I find anything else out that the warranty will cover lol. Rock on all 996 owners

Unless its a cpo the porsche inspection is crap, my car was a cpo and I still got an Indy ppi they missed some details. I also bought a cpo Audi S4 once, did not get ppi and ended up having to sort out quite a few things. A ppi is very good advice.

I'm watching closely. I'm in the market for a c4 as well. I just checked out an 04 carrera today because it was close. It was immaculate! 21k on odo. I opened the engine bay and saw a fab speed cold air and a plug that wasn't plugged into anything, kinda gave me the *******. I don't like 'add ons'. Anyway, with the pricing on both cars being similar I'm anxious to see what the PPI results are and what, if any, bargaining leverage they'll get you, if you decide to make an offer on either car. I'm one of those 'skiddish' to PPIs (though I'll still have one done on any car I'm serious about), I'm not always convinced the owner will just lay down and say "ok, I'll knock $2k off because it needs this and that." I think they'd be more inclined to snub you and wait for another more 'emotional' buyer to come along. Or they'll eventually list the car at a lower price, or get necessary work done and list it higher. I haven't had the best of luck with PPIs and from what I've read they usually seem to, if done properly, leave you with a decision of buying the car knowing you're gonna put money into it, or leaving you $200 short and back at square one. I'd be curious to know some PPI stories wrt who walked, who got how much off the asking price, who got a clean car and bought and ended up putting money in, or got the perfect car?

For it me would depend on what maintenance has been done and when. Clutch, pads, tires, etc. Also if the service history is available with both what all has been done? Has the AOS crapped out on one? Have there been any other problems repaired on either one?

Hi folks quick question but are both 03 and 04 C4S models Widebody? I thought they all were but would love confirmation

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Yes. Absolutely same body.

Does the '04 still have the replaceable IMS bearing? '03 does. But in '04 or '05 it changed. Personally, I'd prefer a car with a bearing I can replace. Would be worth checking.

So I had a great friend of mine an p/t SCCA driver go check out the 03. Here was his feedback: The rear tires were shot and bald There were dings in the windshield but nothing out of order for a 80k mile car The clear bra is in bad shape and will need to be replaced The rear shocks are completely shot and possibly bushings/suspension New tires will be about $600 But I have no idea what the cost of new rear shocks will be and if I was going to do the job what should I put in there...coil overs? P9s? Any ideas would be appreciated

Unless youre replacing the front too then you will have to keep it stock (assuming the current shocks are stock). Shocks are a pretty easy R&R for anyone. New rear Bilstiens are about $240 a piece.

What's the typical labor rate on the job for the whole back. Also what would brand new aftermarket setup would you all recommend if I decide to do both front and back. Since its probably only a matter of time for the front ones

I have the bilstien Hudson my 83 sc and have been very happy with them. I can't speak to 996s but I would think they'd be fine for street use. If you're tracking the car or doing DEs than maybe more. My philosophy has always been the engineers that designed these cars for street use probably know better than me.

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Probably true, but they were generally constrained by cost - something that an owner can choose not to be.

Assuming that both cars are in equal condition and have the service records, I would get the one that makes me feel the best while inside... I know that this is a nondescript answer, but you will know which one makes you "feel" better just by sitting in it.

I'd go with the 2nd choice if PPI is clean.

Price delta is down to $400....

04,like the black and the seats are rare and very sharp.

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These are both a lot of car for the money. I think the gray one is a "nicer ride" overall, myself. You're already looking at cars that are respectively 9 and 10 years old (when they rolled off the line), so I think the fact that the nicer one is a year older is a red herring.

Black one looks nice but those seats are a deal breaker for me. On the other hand the carbon bits don't make the car any faster so I wouldn't weigh those options either. Listen to your gut and make the best deal you can. Once it's in your possession you won't give a damn about 1000$ difference in price etc.

I just couldn't live with those seats in the '04 ... they would severely impact resale IMHO. And before you think they're expensive, try searching prices for equivalent cars here in Oz ... :-((