Is the 40th worth the extra $$ over the 99 C2?

I have been eying both these cars...I really want an LSD, obviously. The "amenities" like heated seats and polished wheels and whatnot really mean nothing to me. To get a 99 like what I want (and I have seen a few on here that would fit the bill), they all seem to be asking around $24k-$27k. But there are a lot of '99s with not quite all the options I'd like and maybe 75k miles instead of 50k miles that are sub $20k. The highest mileage 40th I can find has only 23k miles but they want $38k for it, but it still has a year of warranty left. That's pretty much a new car in my book but is the x51 3.6L more reliable than the old 3.4L? How much more would YOU pay? And let's not forget that for above $30k there are some Cayman S to be had. It's probably been discussed before but 996 prices have been so dynamic lately...I wanted an up-to-date discussion.

I like the 40th. But, I am biased.

Buy the newest Porsche you can reasonably afford. All Porsches are subject to depreciation,--automobiles are depreciating assets. I would venture to say that there is a world of differences between a 99 and a 2004. More reliable? Probably. But it all depends upon your ability to weed out those cars that have been abused. I know you're not going to read this,--but try not to let the $$ part of this decision carry all the weight. What is it that you want? It doesn't appear that you do, because you're vacillating between a 996 and a Cayman. These are entirely different vehicles. Do you want a vehicle with any warranty left? If that is important, then be prepared to anti-up. With the current economy those with the cash are in a bargaining position. If you are truly in a secure financial position to purchase a non-mission-essential vehicle like a Porsche (with virtually no utility value) then you have the pick of a significant number of cars, predominantly in the early 996 arena. Budget wisely, however. Keep in mind insurance costs, and operating expenses. Call your insurance company to get a quote on the VINs you're interested in so there are no surprises.

I think the OP wants a car for autocross (based on the sig) and the requirement of an LSD over all. My suggestion? get a Cayman. I don't know the weight differential between a 99 and a later 996, but you'll generally, all things being equal, have more reliable car w/ later 996s and in terms of handling, the cayman will trump them both. Obviously, the 40th has more power and the LSD to offset the weight advantage of the Cayman.

If I could get a used manual 2007 Cayman S with around 50k miles in the low- to mid-$30 WITH AN LSD I would buy it. But thanks to Porsche I can't get one...one that would be legal for SCCA Stock class at least. That is honestly all that keeps me from jumping on the Cayman. I like the idea that it is Porsche's simpler, cheaper car...like a much newer 944. But is the hatch actually usable space? My big complaint with any of these cars over the 944 is that you can't fit 4 wheels/tires in them like I can in the 944...haven't figured that one out yet. I'm thinking some harder R-comps (like Nitto NT-01s) that I could drive short highway distances on. Or Dunlop Direzza Star Specs (they still make those?)

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get the small tire trailer that lots of DE/racers use. fits 4 tires and a toolbox. The other option is to have a roof rack w/ the tires.

How funny...I was going to ask about the 40th anniversary. I have owned and raced a number of porsches but wasn't sure how to determine anniversary or not. I have atlas grey with alcantra liner, heated seats and chrome wheels. My vin# from new insurance company came back as anniversary? this would be a welcome surprise...not sure if it makes a TON of difference value wise, but just wondering if anyone could shed light on this...thanks! jason

The X51 engine option on the Anniversary edition has an aluminum intake manifold, versus the black plastic one on the regular engine.

if the choice remains between the '99 with 300HP and the 40th with 345HP and LSD, plus much nicer creature comforts etc., that's a no-brainer.

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Are you sure the Cayman S weighs less than a rear-drive 996?

If you're not doing auto-xing on tight courses, I don't think you need an LSD. Also, you should be able to find a decent 996 in the low $20s. Mine had everything you wanted, with a low mile reman'd engine, just sold for $22.5k, with seats/harnesses/bar, etc. as well as another set of fresh tires/pads/rotors, etc. That said, it wasn't the cleanest car cosmetically, though not bad at all. If you're not set on a 911, I think the Cayman S is a formidable package, they feel VERY solid, and tight as well as modern. I like the challenge of a 911 at the limit, but objectively it'd be hard to argue against a Cayman S.

Audion19s 99 996 is a gorgeous car, it has a LSD, numeruos nice performance mods, and would be hard to beat at $25k.

what Mark said. +1

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+2...

+3.... A 40th is worth the extra $$, but then again I would try and keep it low miles, so then you have to ask again is it worth the extra money if you drive it less.... They are special cars....

Only you can answer the question if it's worth the extra $$$. Money no object the 40th IS a better car (despite lacking the sexy looks of the MKI Aero cars ). Then again...money no object GT3's are reasonable enough these days that I'd take a $50K example of a GT3 over either of the other two choices. It's just a completely different league. However, based on your requirements on the 99 vs 04 debate you're paying $13K more for only 45hp and a warranty that's about to expire as the frills that come with the 40th aren't of much concern. Andy

Go 02 or newer,better price,more hp...

I'm biased. One redeeming quality with the 99 is at least the TC can be fully deactivated. PSM cannot if you go past a certain slip angle and touch the brakes, PSM activates fixes you (or at least fixes what it thinks you wanted to do and then goes off). It is still possible to spin a PSM car but IMHO it second guesses you. Especially in tighter autocrosses, track may be less intrusive. No left foot braking in the newer E-gas cars either.

wait 5 years and get a 50th anniversary. can only imagine the specs on that beast. it will probably come with unicorns.

William, 40th LSD has different lock up ratios than the MK1 996s; something for you to look into. I have seen a GT3 BRAND NEW diff go for $1000 here and a quaife (sp?) go for $650 so IMO just find a good deal and do the upgrade. Do all Cayman S cars have LSD? I know it wasn't introduced until later in production. Andy's car is an amazing deal. I wanted to buy it when I was looking a year ago, but couldn't talk him into it. I am also still trying to sell mine - but much closer to stock this time.

Weren't factory LSD's available on the 99 996? I remember reading somewhere that they were only offerred on 99 and 04 models. Serious track work probably dictates you install a clutch pack type LSD.

There were offered on the 99', but not the 04'. They went away when PSM came along. Only the 04' 40th An Jahre edition had one after 99'. It was standard on the Jahre. Fortunately, Porsche got smart and it is optional again on the 09'+.

Only the newest PDK Cayman S have LSD...you still cannot get an LSD-equipped manual Cayman. Dan, do you know how exactly the 99 vs the 04 LSDs are different? I think the 04 is 40% lockup but I don't know exactly what type of LSD it is. When people say you can't left foot brake an e-gas car, do they mean you can't do an insane left foot brake burnout or if you touch it at all it will back off the gas? Because in the 944...well let's just say that the right foot is only for the throttle. And if the car gets its panties in a twist just because I'm leaving a little throttle in while tucking in the nose with the left foot braking then we are not going to get along...

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Ditto....plus whatever issues the early 996's had are pretty much resolved.....I have a 2000 996 and wish I had the 2004 anniversary edition..................

Audion19s...that's a sweet looking car. Color I'm looking for with the right mods. I'm in the market next year if you can hang on too it . To the OP..I'm in the same boat as you as well. I have 2 e36 M3 race prepped as track cars so I wanted to try something new. Regarding LSD, how hard is it so put in a aftermarket LSD with lower ratio ...on a bimmer you can just buy the whole unit and bolt it on. There's a variety of different ratio with percentage lock up..pricing is not too bad..about 1500-2000 for one.. With the 3.4L vs the 3.6 L, I had a friend that used to owned a 996 C2, 997C4 and 997GT3 told me that the 3.4L are free-rev and more racy?? With a 99 C2, can you add header, delete cats, free flow exhaust and gain about 30-40 hp putting the car at roughly 290rwhp? I'd be happy with that. FissionX...your user name looks familiar..you used to be on bimmerforums?

Yeah (still am) I had a couple BMWs, trying to sell my '99 Aero currently too. I'd like to get into spec e30 or spec e36, something beyond DEs in an expensive street car which i'm worried about replacement cost. -Dan Barnhardt

Dan..I go by blackm3 on bfc...ditto on the spec e30. I'm thinking about getting a spec miata strictly for track duty. I've had close calls and seen too many things happened to ever go out with out a cage and 6pt harness. Check out the Pro3 series. There might be some cars FS as well. Really active group in the Pacific NW where I used to lived. http://www.pro3-racing.com/

jwilberdog. Should be easy to spot. On the interior should be a plaque that has a number from 1 to 1963 (for obvious reasons).The rear logo should say '911'. The body is unique. It is built on the C2 so is narrow hipped with no rear cooling ducts but has the large front cooling ducts of the C4S/Turbo. Also it only came in one exterior color - GT silver - leftover paint from the Carrera GT!

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The color of all 40th anniversary editions is GT Silver. They also have the 996 turbo front face and GT3 side skirts. You'd be able to tell by the "911" badges on the engine cover and on the center console; the console location has the edition number (e.g., mine is #418). The 40th is an excellent track car, but a Cayman S is a better choice for autocross.

lateapex, I'd say there was a disconnect w/your friend. The GT3 is quite a bit more "rev happy" than the 3.4, and I wouldn't consider the 3.6 to be inferior in any way. I personally wouldn't spring for an anniversary car btw, I think the 99 cars are a great value nowadays, as are the GT3s.

As a pure toy I would say that the 99 would have been better (throttle cable, fully defeatable psm and all) but as a car that I am going to be driving a lot...the extra features of the 40th have been much appreciated. I'm not at the point where I can afford that much "toy" right now anyways.