Tested 997, 997s few days ago: my 996 felt faster

My 01 996 lease is due in a few months and I am starting to see what's out there again. Tried new 997 and 997s coupe and convertible respectively and although they are so much beautiful to look at inside and out, the 997 coupe felt slower than mine, the 997s cabrio felt just as fast, perhaps slightly more. So I was kind of dissapointed especially on the S version. I am guessing that mine has either a well broken-in engine or an engine that's off the charts in performance. Even the brakes felt better on my car. Those new 997 obviously need to be loosened-up or is it the weight that has gone up. Anyways, one option I am considereing is to return my very clean 996 coupe with 73k miles which is sorted out the way I want it (full leather, PSE with dash switch, litronics, HI-Fi, alum. rear console, leather 3-spoke steering wheels, "18 turbo look 1 wheels, PS2 michelins) with no mechanical problems and dealer maintained. Or buy it from the leasing co. (US Bank). The residual is $36,000. which is way high according to the dealer I visited over the weekend. But I am also over the alloted miles, which equals to about $2600 that I will need to fork over at lease end. The dealer said that they would offer around 26-27k for mine and sell it at 30k. Therefore, not good to buy it myself even with the mileage penalty, unless the lease company sells it to me for a lot less than the residual (36k). I am thinking of offering them 27k, since that is what they would probably fetch at auction. It just seems that the lease company is going to loose at least $8-10k on this car, if they negotiate with me or not. If they come down and I buy it, I would save the $2600 penalty on the miles (still have to pay sales tax on the residual though), keep it for another year or so, and trade it for a new one later next year or so. It would be stupid for the leasing company not to negotiate since I would be a sure thing, ant them not having to worry about used inventory that needs to be auctioned, etc. What would you do in my case.

If your dealer paid $26-27K for your car they would try sell it for alot more than $30 K. Your dealer is off a little. 36K retail isn't really way off for your car depending on mileage, also your dealer would have to go and bid on your car at auction just like everyone else. Leasing companies will send their cars to auction 99% of the time. You know this car well, its been good to you, I would try and negotiate with your leasing company directly for the best deal. Your car could pull $30K plus at auction (depending on miles) so offering $27 K might not work for the leasing company. Here are the latest auction results for the 2001 996 coupe 07/18/07 BAY CITI Regular $28,200 57,746 Avg BLACK 6G M Yes 06/21/07 W PALM Regular $27,000 47,582 Avg NEGRO 6G A Yes 06/20/07 W PALM Lease $27,000 33,110 Avg GREEN 6G 6 Yes 06/15/07 NEVADA Regular $30,000 40,073 Avg WHITE 6G A Yes 05/24/07 RIVRSIDE Lease $27,000 71,373 Avg BLUE 6G 6 Yes 05/24/07 RIVRSIDE Lease $24,000 20,219 Below SILVER 6G 6 No

If you love your car like it sounds like you do, then make them an offer. If they decline it, they have to deal with it not you.... I think you know what your doing in terms of analyzing the data.... If they dont take your offer, find yourself a new 9.... I have not had the pleasure of driving a 997 yet so I cant compare on those... Although I have seen many up close, and do concur they are a sight to behold....

i went from a 3.4 996 to a 997S (owned both at same time for couple months). i must admit that the 996 "feels" a bit quicker on smaller roads and twisties but i've finallly attributed that to smaller wheels and tires. with 265's in the rear (vs. 19/30/295), the car feels more light and lithe and tossable. but once on the open road with plenty of room to stretch its legs, the 997S really opens up in a way the 996 doesn't. differences in mid and upper range punch is definitely noticeable. this all being said, even after getting the 997s, i sometimes preferred driving the 996.

I went from a 996 to a 997S about a month ago and there is no way my 996 felt as fast as my S. Perhaps the S doesn't feel markedly faster per se, but it feels much more powerful IMO. If that even makes sense. ANyway, good luck. If it were my choice i think i would go with a 997S - not cab.

I would save the money for a GT3 (996 or 997). You won't regret