Wife and I getting new cars, should 911 be one of them?

Hi Everyone, I've followed this forum for quite a while. I have always had my heart set on a 996 C4S. My wife and I have been looking at cars quite a bit, we're both getting new cars as soon as we can decide on which ones to get. When we were looking at an SL for her, there was BWM 645 right next to a 911. I sat in both of them, and the BMW was gorgeous inside, the 911 felt like a 77 bug. Yesterday, I test drove the new Audi A5. A5 is a very nice car, but a little anemic. The S5 is near impossible to obtain. I've pretty much narrowed it down to these three cars. I could get a new A5, or a used 645 or 911. I'm going to the porsche driving school end of June, like to try to wait until then to decide, but I'm getting antsy. I'm stuck with this 911 has always been my dream car thing versus the other two cars being more comfortable and modern inside. The new A5 with no maintenance worries vs. the 03-04 911 with scheduled maintenance is another concern. I had an X5, didn't ever take it in, so not sure what the 645 will require nor do I have experience with BMW service. Audi hit a homerun with the interior on the A5, their version of the idrive for the radio and nav is super simple. Obviously you guys are biased, but I'd like to hear pros and cons from you. My fear is that I will get tired of the appearance and lack of features inside the 911, but if I get either of the other two, I won't be scratching the performance itch I've been craving. For the last 4 years I've been driving a Hummer. Thanks, mike

My answer to your question will always be an emphatic "yes". But if you're that concerned about the 996 interior, then you're probably not a Porsche guy. The Porsche experience is about the DRIVING dynamics, not luxe interiors (though they've gotten better on the 997 - perhaps you should drive some CPO 997 variants to see if that scratches your itch - or take a look at a 996 with full leather and other optional goodies). The A5 and 645 are much heavier cars more oriented to touring...so if that's your thing, you'd be happier with one of those. Best thing, as always, is to drive all of the contenders and see which makes you smile.

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Congrats Mike. You have the "bug." Please read the 996 buying guide at the top of the forum. It very well might answer all your questions. Good luck. C.

One of my friends let me have his 997 cab for an afternoon, I really liked it. I've been a truck/suv guy my whole life due to hobbies and large dogs. Honestly don't know if I will be comfortable in a car every day. But I'm willing to give it a try ;-) I want to stay around $50K, so the 997 unless its a strippy, is out. Haven't looked at the 05's in a while, are they hitting that price point yet? I LOVE the look of the 996 C4S. If I can hold out, I think the porsche class will help me figure out if I need to have that "driving experience." Thanks for the opinions... Keep them coming. Mike

No offense intended, but I'm always amazed when someone asks if he should buy a Porsche. Can't people figure this out without asking us? Isn't there enough written on this forum (and others) to learn about the marque - it's strengths and weaknesses? To come to Rennlist and ask that question will result in a rather predictable answer - of course we're Porsche fanatics and would say "yes, buy one" in most cases. If he's not sure, then he's not ready to buy one. If it's a luxury two-seater that he's after, then there are many other choices. And if he's worried about maintenance costs, then he should realize that maintenance costs are either built into the front end of the transaction (in the price of the car, its CPO warranty, etc.) or they happen at the back-end of the transaction with repairs and maintenance at your friendly dealer or independent mechanic. You don't avoid them...the warranty makes it seem like you're avoiding them, but you're paying for the warranty coverage (and therefor the costs of repairs and/or maintenance). Whatever DrScoles decides, I do wish him the best of luck. P.S. I'm also an Audi guy and as good as their interiors are, I'm convinced that it's overall performance that delivers the most satisfaction during the term of car ownership. Go buy the Porsche....live your dream!

No offense taken at all. I'm sitting on the fence, looking for a nudge in either direction. I've followed this board for a few years, recently became a member, the information and passion you all display is awesome. Mike

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Honestly, if the 911 feels "like a '77 bug" then maybe it really isn't the car for you. I think the interior on my '04 C4S is to die for - classic, clean, functional, and comfortable. But, each to his own. Comparing the 645, the A5 and the 911 is really apples to oranges.

Phil, you're right, of course. And more importantly, interior comfort is very important, including how the seats hold you in place and support your back and shoulders. The attention paid to ergonomics (including gauge and switch placement, sight lines, gearshift location, installation of a dead pedal, etc.) plays a major role in how much the interior works to enhance the driving experience. Porsche's interiors work very well in this regard, especially the newer ones that DrScoles is interested in.

I really love Porsche interiors - and the 997 interior is significantly more moderized than the 996 (maybe why I prefer mine, but it's all a matter of taste). Audi interiors are great looking to be sure, but there's something about a 911 you can't beat. I love the interior on the s-line TT I just bought, but not a great fan of the flat-bottomed steering wheel. I'll get used to it. For DrScoles, if you love Audi's version of 'i-drive', you'll hate the original in the BMW - it's very confusing. Probably why I shy away from those options (and nav systems, too). Anyway, like I said, drive the cars you're considering, and buy the one that grabs you.

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Agree. You ought to know what you want. If the 911 bug doesn't actually bite you, then maybe it's not in your "bloodlines." You're looking at the right cars, Audi, BMW, Porsche. But sorry, but can you not afford a 3rd car? A lot of us have other daily drivers and use the P-car for something less than daily driver. (I've got 5 cars, but I'm schizophrenic.)

If you need to ask the question.....I would say no. I think the 911 ownership is about passion. Waiting for that right time in your life where you can truly appreciate it. You don't buy one because you can...you buy one because its what you have always wanted.

you know you want the 911... don't ask, just do it. In the end... a grin every time you drive it.

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Mike, go for a test drive. All doubts will be erased there.

If you drive a 911 and can't bear not to have one, then you know.

The S5 is the one to buy - unless the diesel becomes available in the US. OUTSTANDING vehicle. I still bought a used C4S over the S5 even though that I could of recieved with substantial discounts here in Europe as US military.

Really, this is apples and oranges comparison. I echo what everyone else here has said. If you have doubts about the Porsche, then it isn't for you. Porsche has always been about rawness, starkness, and putting everything into peformance. As an example, when everyone was going towards electric windows, Porsche came out with a model that had a simple strap to open the door just because it saved weight. Only recently has Porsche finally conceded and started putting more creature comforts. You should have heard the uproar among Porschephiles when Porsche put in cup holders. The horror and abomination of it!! Not knowing you at all, I am making assumptions about you based on you post. I apologize ahead of time if I am in error. I believe you will be happiest if you get the S4. Its an excellent car, great interior, good performer, and it's an Audi. You won't be wrong. In time, get a Porsche as a third car, where it will serve you as a weekend car, a vacation on 4 wheels. If you get it as anything else, i believe you will be disappointed. This is from a true blue Porschephile. I have 2 of them. But then, if you look at my sig, my Porsche's are my passion cars, not my daily grind cars,

mike, how did u find rennlist? frankly speaking, since u found this website, it will be very hard not to buy one!

Eh, go drive all the cars and decide which one you'd most like to live with on a daily basis. Some Porsche owners (some in this thread) seem to almost get offended if you treat the ownership of the vehicle as anything less than a religious experience. I'm not sure what you'd really be giving up in terms of creature comforts--it's more of a space issue, as far as I can tell.

If you like the S5, you'll love the S6. Lambo motor, 4 doors. AWD, awesome interior and electronics package...and you can get a deal on one. Get an S6 and save the change to find a nice 996TT...You'll have a 420hp garage.

"'95 Mazda Miata M-edition (FOR SALE! 112k, 5-speed, hardtop, new tires, WAY more fun than the 996!)" Blasphemy!

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Never drove one, eh? The 911 could learn a few things from Mazda, especially about balance and being light on one's toes.

But from how it seems you are approaching the question (asking others what they think without even haven driven the cars), I recommend the BMW 6-series. Great driver, luxurious and plenty of cachet. The porsche is the most fun and best driving experience, but I don't sense that's what you're after at the end of the day.

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No one understands my sense of humor.

there's no debate here. -audi - typically stupid depreciation and stupider if you're the one being bent over buying new -645 - a commuter appliance albeit a nice one where you always gotta have the latest to be "in" 911 - not much to say here others here will fill in

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Ha! That's usually MY problem...it makes sense now!

Sound advice, I appreciate the civility... lol. The porsche will be a third car, gotta keep an SUV around. But I intend to daily drive it. Friend is stopping by with his 6 series today, I have NOT driven a 911 yet. I am hoping that one of them "grabs" me and thats it. The A5 did not, terribly cool inside, but pretty ordinary to drive. One of the endodontists I refer to has a C4S he is willing to sell, I'll hit him up for a test drive next week. I found rennlist a few years ago, the 911 has always been my "it" car. Read the threads all the time, rarely have any thing to contribute! Thanks, mike

Mike, After you drive the endodontists' C4S and you decide that the 911 is a strong possibility, see if he will let you drive it for 24 hours. THat way you can simulate the "daily drive" to see how it suits you. I got my 2004 C2 a little 3 years ago and it has been my daily driver, and I have put 41,000 + miles on it during that time. My lease ends at the end of May and I am really going to miss the car. This is my first Porsche and if I had not taken some unfortunate financial hits in the last two years, I would be in a 997 the day my current lease ends. As a matter of fact, if I can't drive a Porsche, I don't care what I drive. I will buy some used POS as a daily driver until I can get another Porsche. Nothing else comes close. As they say.... "There is no substitute!"

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I thought it was funny

I just bought an 02 C4S in Speed Yellow. My wife absolutely loves it. Friends love it. I love it. (I'm very biased because I've has it for only 3 days). My wife commented that on the ride home from KY to NY, every boy from the age of 6 to 400 years old opened their mouth and was staring at the car. Eric

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My wife doesn't get the Porsche bug, but can appreciate that others (including me) have been bitten by it. Like you, my C4S is my fun/weekend car, and my new Audi TTR will be my daily transportation. Now she will be driving that one - she's great with a manual trans also and is a bit less intimidated by the TT. And Tim, hope all is going well in Big "D" for you - and that you clean up down there so you can buy your 997. It's only a matter of time, you know!!

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Ah. A little bit more color about you. Go for the 996 C4S. You'll love it. Here's a little secret. With snow tires, and so long as it is not deep snow, you can drive the C4S year-round

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Isn't that awesome? Congrats. The important thing is your wife loves it... cause if she ain't happy, you ain't happy, right?

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and people who deny that badge/exclusivity/prestige the "bling" factor of driving a widebody 911... isn't a large part of owning of these beasts... enjoys faking themselves out BIGTIME.

You've got that right!!!!

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Speak for yourself, Ben--many of us have deeper personalities than that. Nobody finds out I have a Porsche unless I tell them. I bought my 996 because I wanted a sports car with a back seat--I also considered the RX-8, the STi, and the Evo. The Porsche won based on depreciation and not wanting to look perpetually 17 years old. YMMV, but I already know it does.

Drove an 07 650 with 3k miles on it today. Nice car, not for me. I felt like I was in a cacoon. BORING. Won't go in to details, but the 6 is out. I've spent some time in the 997, hopefully the 996 C4S next week. mike

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yea y'all live in Iowa yee of "deep personality" you say to speak for myself but then you go to prove my point. LOL nice work thx

I second the "drive an S6" nomination. Monster, very Q, and like 3 or 4 cars in one. 645 is very, very played out, at least on the coasts, is too heavy, underpowered and too soft to scratch a performance itch for long, and is nearing a freshening which will cause catastrophic depreciation (BMW resale beyond the 3ers is all fashion), but hey otherwise a smooth ride overall. I'd much rather an SL55 or at least an SL w/AMG kit, CPOs are falling like a stone with the new CLS-style lights coming on the new SLs. In fact I'd much rather a 335 convertible, much better looking IMHO than the aging 645, quicker, trick roof, easily chipped to 400bhp on account of the turbos. S5 is too hot if you're looking for a deal today which I see you've acknowledged, nice car though. 997 maybe the right fit for you, it's much softer touch inside than 996, and will depreciate more slowly than your other options (except 996), so you may want to spend a little more, get the one you want. And if you want to save a few bucks, I seem to remember that 997 C4 non-"s" are also widebodies across the board, although someone else can confirm or deny this. Just make sure you drive it last, and step on it when you test it. Buy a CPO Tahoe for hauling **** and call it a day.

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Tim I just got back from Dallas, city is more lively than I remember (road quality a little worse though). Had a blast though, was up in Victory right across from House of Blues. Car show around there by the W, Astons, Z8s, plenty of Ps. Enjoy your time down there!