29 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHLooking to buy a Carrera: 996 vs 997?
Leading reported evidence
Run 36-38 hot
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Leading evidence: 'Run 36-38 hot' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'look' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Recommend 44' (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.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
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Suspected cause
It was the look that attracted me in - not the thought of additional hp.
Outcome qualification: Negation, uncertainty or missing explicit repair resolution overrides the raw extraction signal.
Recommend 44
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion
This is still well below the recommend 44 on the rear.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
Just be sure to do a leak down and I'd even send out a sample of oil to get tested (they should be able to get enough just by removing the oil filter housing) prior and set aside a few k to replace the clutch and IMS and it should be good to go for a long time.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Just be sure to do a leak down and I'd even send out a sample of oil to get tested (they should be able to get enough just by removing the oil filter housing) prior and set aside a few k to replace the clutch and IMS and it should be good to go for a long time.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Just be sure to do a leak down and I'd even send out a sample of oil to get tested (they should be able to get enough just by removing the oil filter housing) prior and set aside a few k to replace the clutch and IMS and it should be good to go for a long time.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Just be sure to do a leak down and I'd even send out a sample of oil to get tested (they should be able to get enough just by removing the oil filter housing) prior and set aside a few k to replace the clutch and IMS and it should be good to go for a long time.
Outcome qualification: Negation, uncertainty or missing explicit repair resolution overrides the raw extraction signal.
Coverage and how to read this overview
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
29 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 1 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Hi all,
I am looking to buy a new toy since I recently sold my Skyline GT-R and owning a 911 would be a dream come true. For financial reasons, I am looking at a late gen 996 (2003-2004), Carrera 2S cabriolet. I know the next gen 997 is right next door and I am wondering if it is worth waiting a bit, or increase my budget a little... Here I'm looking at mechanical arguments, nothing related to cosmetic (I like the look of both really). I read bad stories on both 996s and 997s, but I don't think "bad luck" should affect my purchase.
To add more context to my situation (maybe that could have some impact), my goal is to drive it with my family (2 baby seats required), occasional track days and estimated mileage would be around 10,000 km a year...
Thanks for your help.
If the 2S is a must, I think you need a 997. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think 2S was not offered for 996. IIRC "S" was only available on the C4S in Mk2 widebody starting in 02 or 03 and then a small batch of Turbo S models in 2005.
On the other hand, dont rule out the 996 non-S. Its still a fantastic car.
On the other-other hand, if I had 45-55k for a 997 right now, I'd buy a 996 turbo and pocket the extra cash.
Also, welcome!
If you only define performance as engine peformance, then no. But lots of other performance improvements in the chassis, suspension and brakes...essentially a C4S is a 996 Turbo without the turbo engine.
Agree and stand corrected regarding above....I was only thinking engine.
I have a C4S cab, and love it. It was the look that attracted me in - not the thought of additional hp.
I got extra hp with all the weight savings when I removed the stupid CD holders.
turbo s came with the x50 as standard... essentially a gt2 with awd and all the weight that goes along with.
the gt1 engine is now showing its weaknesses, many are loosing coolants on the track because of glued on coolant pipe fittings... not all engines are perfect and need special attention. To bad the owners have to ring it out for Porsche so future models may be more "bulletproof".
Yup, I was unlucky enough to be behind a GT3 that blew a coolant pipe on the track. My car got sideways while at about 120 km/h out of turn 8 and luckily I got it straightened out and kept it on the tarmac! Mosport is particularly unforgiving when you have an "off" with not a lot of run-off and walls all the way around on the inside and outside.
Funny thing is that I ended up pointed straight at the pit entrance and barreled in there WAY above the speed limit. I thought for sure I was going to get an "attitude adjustment" talk, but the marshals must have realized what was going on and yellow flagged the course.
Moral of the story: no such a thing as a bullet proof engine.
I originally had an upper bound of 40k, but I would be willing to wait (my wife doesn't believe I can "wait"...
) an extra year to get some extra $ and see the 997 go down a little in price.
Also, I was more interested in the 2S version since the 4S is a little heavier, but as someone said earlier, performance isn't all about the engine.
What I was looking for is if there was an annoying known problem on the 996 that was fixed on the 997... Something that would make the extra $ worth spending.
They are all great cars to begin with. The question is how much depreciation on the car are you willing to bear during ownership?
996 C4S or 40th anniversary if you want to go the 996 route for under $40K. Install the LN IMS bearing and you should be ready to go. These cars have most of the depreciation taken out of them.
If you go 997, I would go with a 2009 or above. One lister is listing his between $54 to $63K
Yes, but at least the DFI engine, doesn't blow it self up or blow coolant all over the rear tires and send the car spinning out into a wall or head on into traffic.
Well actually we don't know about that last bit. I have not seen if the new engine has coolant couplings glued in or not.
Once thing for sure is that the 996 is best bang for your buck. Just be sure to do a leak down and I'd even send out a sample of oil to get tested (they should be able to get enough just by removing the oil filter housing) prior and set aside a few k to replace the clutch and IMS and it should be good to go for a long time.
The 997.1 is wider like the 996 wide body but it also is taller and rounder not as sleek and aggressive, also has way more electrics, gadgets and annoyances. Personally I'd stay away from 997.1, 996 is way more raw and free of the electronics.
I'm guessing it's a form of the classic "buy the newest model you can afford" advice. The idea being that in a few years the 997's will be the "previous generation" and a little dated, while the 996's will be one generation behind that and according to some people, positively retro. There is a point there, but at the moment the 997s have a decent premium compared to 996s.
I think 996's in general are a good deal right now, but as you go up in price ($40k+) you start hitting 996 Turbo (if you're lucky) and early 997 territory.
When I bought my 996, came down to 2 factors: cost and overall experience. I drove a few of both, and I found the "drive feel" very similar (I have a friend who has a 997 and he agrees). The 997 definitely had a more plush interior; almost feels like a luxury car (rather than a sports car) depending on the trim. The 996 feels more like a sports car (i.e. the interior is more sparse, spartan, and just has fewer electronic buttons that go "bleep"). The major difference on the exterior (depending on what model you are looking at) is really just the headlights - but I recognize that for some people this is a big deal (although if you do a side by side comparison, the new 997.2 headlights are virtually identical to VW bug headlights, which I don't really like) I do know that for some people, the appearance of wealth in appearing to be able to afford a newer car is more important than for others, even if they've just financed the thing.
Overall bottom line: with the prices on 996s, you get about the same amount of car for a little less than half the money of the price of a loosely comparable 997.
There are many really good deals on both the 996 and 997 cars right now, but I always recommend that one buy the newest Porsche that you can comfortably afford. The reasons are simple--Porsche continues to improve these cars each year. Sometimes even at mid-year. The benefits of a newer car are usually improved reliability, or more power, better features, and so on. I would rather see you get a nice loaded 996 than a stripped 997, however. Avoid first year cars (e.g., 1999 996s and 2005 997s). While Porsche is quite adept at building these things, the first year cars always come with some growing pains. Don't jump into an early 997 or a stripped one because, believe me, some of the lower priced 997s that are out there today are very thin on options--little to no leather, and very little of anything else. Over the decades, I have found that many of the options truly enhance the ownership experience.
That's all good info, thanks a lot. Seems like the 996 would suit me since getting a 997 would require some extra $ and/or wait another year (yes, the wife was correct about the "can't wait thing"!). I can live with the 996 interior being not as nice as the 997, since my previous GT-R was a street/race car with a gutted interior (rear back seats and panels removed). The 996 will be a HUGE upgrade in that regard! I will try to follow your advice as much as possible Edgy01, it totally makes sense. I am based in Canada, so I might do a trip down south to find a better deal on a fully loaded 996...
I am actually surprised how many people are pointing at the 997....all I can add is that whateber car you find, keep in mind protection either via CPO or a warranty is really worth it as long as its a really good plan.
nothing beats knowing if you need it, it's there
These interior things are pretty trivial but I have full leather and I love my interior. I also prefer to have all the buttons on the center console rather then on the door.
The door controls are awkward not as intuitive and also will allow rain to get into the controls when your at the track and forced to keep your window down.
I know I am being picky but I like the fact there are not airbags in the seats and tire pressure monitors telling me my pressure is to low because I set it that way for the track.
I set my cold pressure to run 36-38 hot. This is still well below the recommend 44 on the rear. This means I need to start off with a cold pressure of 30. I've split 2 sets of rears on Kumho's warming them up if I leave them set to high and then drain after a few laps.
