996 40th Anniv v.s. base 997

Hello Fellow P-Car lovers- I regretfully continue my mental struggle to get into a new Porsche. And as much as I would like to jump into a 997 S, I'm reminded of staying within a budget. Which brings me to about $79K tops. I've considered a used 996 C4S, but lately I've been drawn into a lighter RWD only setup (no snow or rain around here...). So my latest mental fight is: either consider a base 997 with a nice list of options, or a 996 40th Anniv (with a nice discount) and a lot of great options. I must admit that I have no objections to the 997 design (in or out) and love the butt. I've also contemplated getting into a base 997 or 996 40th Anniv, now and moving onto a used 997 S in the future. So please share your thoughts, experiences, expertise, driving impresions/comparisons, etc. on this?... Your collective input in the recent past to my annoying inquiries has helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel! Cheers to all.

Sorry just to clarify, before I get a ton of replies saying - you idiot!, with $79K just get the basic 997S!- I meant to say looking at a base 997 with options for $75K which out the door becomes about $83K (incl. tax, license, registration fees, etc). Cheers.

The short answer would be to drive both, then buy the one you like best. This is a tough call. With the 40th you get a loaded 911 with all the goodies (even luggage!). Very classy package. You'll probably get a better deal on the 40th. With the 997 you get equivalent (or better performance), all the latest platform developments (enhanced rigidity, aerodynamics, etc.) and the latest styling. There's an old saying: when in doubt, flip a coin. BUT...ignore the results of the coin toss. Rather, while the coin is flipping in mid-air, notice what side of the coin you HOPE turns up. That's what you should choose.

Add $2k more to your budget and get the 997S. Even without a discount, you can get a 997S which already has the Bi-xenons for $80k. Add a nice color and day/night mirrors and you're there. Well that's what I would do.

Buy the one you feel best about. Either way you're going to win. If you bought a 997 would you really look back and say I should have bought the older model with a lot less resale value? Or would you feel better driving the latest p car that you don't see very often. Deals are tempting though..... Good luck.

Buy the 997 with the sport suspension, skipping over PASM. Skip over the bells and whistles and get the updated 997 chassis.

997, no doubt!

I obviously have a very biased opinion and I will recommend that you get the 40th. It looks better than the 997 and is loaded with luxury and performance options.

You guys forgot to mention that the 40th annaversary 911 comes with the facotry power kit which boosts the HP up to 345HP, short shift kit, factory sport muffler, light weight polished and clear coated carrera rims. Ive driven both cars. Its light deciding between The playmates of the month. Will you choose, September or October's playmate. From what ive been toldThe 40th 911 has about $31 K of free options, the 40th 911 that I drove, felt much better screwed together than ather 996 C2's ive driven. my 2 cents.

I'll go with the 40th.

Thank you all for your replies... Without question I have to drive everything I may consider, keep endless rationalization and logic at bay, and look forward to sharing cool stories about my P-car when all this is done. Cheers.

I have owned three 996s over the last few years. I had a 1999 C2 Aero Coupe, a 2002 C2 Aero Coupe and now I just got my 40th. Anniversary. The reasons for my choice for the 40th over the 997 are (to point out a few): 1- I prefer the feel of the 40th over the 997S. Steering was more precise and it felt a lot lighter all around. Speed and performace were very similar. Yes, the 997s has 10 more horsepower but has to do with 150 more pounds to pull around and weight (or lack of) is always paramount. 2- I have learned from my 1999 C2 that Porsches are awesome cars (had a 930 and two 951s before) but the first production year of every new model is nothing compared to the last year of that same model (look at a 1989 964 versus the 1994 model, 1995 993 versus the last 1998 C2s, etc). The differences between my 1999 and my 2002 were big and even bigger with this 2004 40th. anniversary car. The 40th. Anniversary is truly the "best of breed" of all 996s short of the GT3. 3- Price? Wow! Porsche is kicking in some serious incentives for dealers to clear out any remaining 996s. I got a huge discount for my new 40th. Anniversary which was a great package to begin with. 4- I'll wait to see more exciting and interesting variations of the 997 in two years (perhaps a 997 GT3) but until then, I can tell you, with no doubt, that Porsche will continue to improve upon this 997 and I don't want to have to sell that in a year or two for a better version (as I did with my 1999 to 2002 transition). Just my 2 cents.

I had the same dilemma and chose the 40th. Let us know what you decide!!!

Thank you again for your kind replies. I plan on using this vehicle as my daily driver (can't wait!). For those with 40th anniversary 996's, what is your impression of the suspension and cabin comfort level?, especially now that you have owned these vehicles for a while. I enjoy spirited and performance driving whenever possible (and not getting caught... ), enjoy taking long driving trips, and I'm not particularly fond of bumpy/crappy/pothole crazed freeway commutes... I remember reading a couple months ago in Excellence magazine, an article on the 40th anniv, their conclusion was that the suspension is a bit on the stiff side, and not as good in handling as the C4S (their words not mine...), so this leaves me puzzled. My commute is mostly freeway with ok pavement (405 in LA), with the occassional bumpy (crappy) freeway (710 in LA), with weekend fun backroads (LA crest, Santa Monica mntns) and hopefully occassional cool trips on the 1 Fwy to Big Sur (and such). So what do you think? Cheers.

The 40th is a beautiful package and I almost bought one in March before the big discounts, but ended up trying to respect my budget and went with a Targa. I ended up a little less than happy, starting to make mods and was waiting for new suspension to arrive in stock so I could buy it. I was also disappointed I didn't get full leather. Please understand I am not knocking the Targa or 996's at all. But then reason was pushed aside when the 997's arrived, I told the dealer make me an offer I can't refuse, they basically did, and now I am the ecstatic owner of a 997S. I haven't driven a 997 to compare. However, the 997S has very nicely enhanced power - HP and torque - and a nice torque curve at lower revs, whereas the 40th gives you most of the extra power at very high revs. Like you, this is my daily driver, and like you, I actually have to think about budgets (though I had a little temporary insanity). You obviously have to drive both. However, based on what I know now, if it were me, I would really try to stretch to get into a 997S if you can. I think the S is going to be the big seller compared to the 997 - for 10k more you get quite a few options and I think only $3,600 of that extra 10k is the real cost for the 3.8l engine and +30 horses. Options - if it were me and I was trying to avoid excess, I would probably get full leather (for me I now think that is essential), the sport chrono option ($920) I think is essential (and ought to be standard), and maybe Bose (although personally I don't listen to the stereo much). I really like the adaptive sport seats but they are probably not essential, I only got the ceramic brakes because I had no choice at the time, Nav is fun but nonessential. In short, go drive them, but if you are leaning towards 997, I would really try hard to push your budget and go for a 997S. Good luck!

I went through the same decison tree and bought a nicely discounted 40th that I am using for a daily driver. I dont know what those auto mag "experts" are talking about when they criticize the suspension. Its just fine, taut, precise with road feel of a true 911 and not harsh- just the way I like my Porsches. The 993C4S I also have with euro M030 sport suspension is a killer compared this this 40th so I guess it all depends on what youre looking for. I did not like the soft suspension of the usual 996. I cant speak for the 997. If youre gonna use if for a daily driver, this was my logic - take the massive Porsche discount on the 40th, drive the pants off it and dont look back until you turn it over for another new one, and another, and another. There will always be a newer model to obtain without being taken yourself. Oh, and the 40th has a real 911 snarl to the exhaust even without PSE that I just love. Happy hunting. Drive em all and let the seat of your pants sell you.

I agree with Excellence in regards to the stock M030 suspension, but I knew I was going to lower mine with RoW springs. Another pic with 5 mm spacers As expected the ride did improve over stock M030. (I had done this same conversion on my '00 986 S.) In regards to cabin comfort level, the full leather with painted bits is a HUGE improvement over a base interior. Although, I like the gauge layout of the 997 over the 996, I like the overall look of the 996 interior over the 997. With all this said, the 997 will be a better car. And it should be, because it is an evolution. However, never buy a first year car, even if it is a revision. Improvements will be made to the manufacturing process and in the parts themselves. The 40th at my discount (20%) was a no-brainer. Good luck. BTW, you may see me on the 405 N in the morning, but usually only on Fridays.