40th Anniversary Edition or C4S

I'm about to purchase my first Carrera and can not decide on whether to get the 40th Anniversary Edition or the C4S (cab or coupe). I live in the Northeast and drive a Cayenne in the winter months, so the car will mostly driven in favorable weather conditions. Any views the membership might have on these two, really three, cars would be greatly appreciated, because right now I'm driving myself crazy trying to figure out which car to buy.

That is a tough question, they are both excellent cars IMO. The C4S probably has a small advantage in the looks dept but then again the 40th has the special color etc. Performance wise, having just returned from PDE, the C2 is a hell of a car. I think the X51 and the LSD is an awesome combo and I would give the 40th an edge over the C4S in track performance. I asked Hurley Haywood the same question, he said for a short race the C2 is faster, but for a long race the C4S would do better. This is based on the greater tire wear of the C2 on the track. Both are excellent cars, it comes down to wether you want AWD or not. YMMV

I would go with looks and AWD over the faster 40th

I now own a 40th and have owned a 2000 C4 (Mille). Like you, the AWD was never a factor for me then, or now, since I have other vehicles to drive in the winter. There was a nice C4S parked next to my 40th in my dealer's showroom, and I just personally preferred the 40th. But it is a purely personal and subjective decision. I don't track my car and I don't drive in foul weather. Thus, I honestly believe that 95% of the time, they will drive essentially the same. The 40th has some great options, and has a degree of exclusivity (but don't they all).

The 40th package offers up a good value considering what it would cost to option out an ordered car with the same equipment not counting the LSD, and fitted luggage. You should be able to wheel and deal a good price (near invoice) since the dealers are sitting on them, since they are not moving. In the months since it's release my local dealer has not sold one and has 5.

C4S with X51

This is truly a very subjective decision. I can't comment on the C4S because I've never driven one. I have a coworker with a 04 C4S with PSE and it looks and sounds great. I love my 40th Anniversary 911. It looks great from all angles, at rest and on the move. It comes with a great package of performance and comfort options that give it a great punch and easy to live with day to day. The car feels light on its feet when the road turns twisty, eating up 2nd gear corners with ease. I haven't tested its top end because I haven't taken it to the track yet. The car turns heads where ever we go. It's the best narrow body 996 you can get with a back seat.

Have you driven both? They feel substantially different and it all depends on which you prefer. I personally liked the more planted and secure feel of the C4S coupe even though better discounts were available on the Anniversary Edition. Alan

Get the 40th, it's much more unique and rare than a C4S, not to mention it's faster

40th anniversary... hands down... bad *** fast and unique looks make it the total package.

40th. If you want a "secure" feeling get an H2 Hummer. The extra power and LSD of the 40th make it the car to have right now, short of a GT3.

This is my first time on as a member. I am struggling with the same question, 40th or C4S. My rep just offerered me $7360 off an MSRP of $93,360. He also ofered me $20,000 off for my 01' Audi TT 225Q. With all this positive feedback on the 40th, I think I am leaning that way, Anyone else have any final thoughts and other pricepoints in the NY area? Garv

I went with the 40th and it is an awesome car. I picked it up last Thursday and have not been able to wipe the smile off my face. My dealer took $6,500 off the MSRP so it appears that you are getting a good deal. I plan on posting pics over the weekend. Good luck.

tomzam, Did you get navigation? Bose? Sport seats? just trying to decide final configuration.

I got mine on Saturday. It came with PCM (Navigation) as the only option. It's definitely worth while in my opinion. The set of fitted leather luggage is a nice perk too.

The car does not have many options beyond the 40th package. It has sport seats, though they're manual, it does not have navigation nor Bose. They had a car with these options but I did not want navigation, would have like power seats though. I must say the car is fantastic. I've had an M3 and, most recently, a 2001 corvette and this car blows them away. Unfortunately I travel during the week and right now I really miss not being able to drive it, Friday can't come soon enough.

I ordered one of the early 40ths (car 172). When it arrived, I spent 4 hours looking at it and trying to make the decision. I decided that $97,000 put you in the territory of used TT and GT3's. I bought the GT3, and absolutely love it!

congrats, doesn't matter what you have. If its a Porsche then your gona love it.

I just picked mine up last friday for a good deal--had a c2 on order but dealers want to move inventory. I've driven it every chance I get in the past 5 days to get past breakin--Its AWESOME!!!!! Mike #1007 40th

Do you mind if I ask how much you paid and in which state?

I got mine from Barrier Porsche in Bellevue WA for $89K; MSRP was $94K #1010

I've got number 1011. Bought it in Scottsdale, Az. for $87K and MSRP was 93.3K.

Somewhat off topic but does anyone have PSE on their 40th? I've been reading the PSE posts and it sounds like a great mod.

1007 MSRP $91K bot $81k (such a steal) Mike

grizzy, where do you live? How is the car, any issues or watchouts?

Does anyone have PCM and is it worth it?

I've got PCM. I like it. It's nice to have when you travel to an unfamiliar area.

HELP!!! Here are my final options, I need to be pushed off the ledge on the best way to go: - 04' 40th Anniv. for $84,500 including PCM ($93,360 MSRP) - 04' C4S, Bose,Xenon,PW seats,Alum pck for $91,610 MSRP - 02' Turbo Coupe w/ 17,000 Mi. $88,835 - 03' C4S w/ 2,600 Mi. for $79,995 (without negotiating yet) Need to decide in the next day or so, thanks in advance.

I would go with the 40th Anniv. It looks like the best value out of the ones you have listed and you don't have to worry about any issues with a used car. Otherwise, the 03 C4S would be my second choice.

garveyb: You will not be disappointed no matter which car you choose. The only advice that I would give you is to test drive each of the cars before making a decision.

I'd go for the '03 C4S - It's too bad the Turbo has such high miles.

You might wanna think about the turbo. Even tho it has higher mileage than the others, it is ALOT quicker and is NOT a future RMS headache (different engine block). You should drive the turbo versus the others, then you'll know. The other deciding factor should be the options. Do you want PSE, PCM, sport seats, X50/X51, full leather, blah blah...

Garvey: I vote the C4S, either the '03 or the '04 (preferably the '04) for one simple reason. You live in New York, like I do, and we can expect plenty of snow every year. Because nobody gave me this advice-- and I was too thick-headed to think of it on my own-- I bought a C2 and I now need to lease an AWD vehicle for the winter, which means more $$$ and less time in the P car. If you get a C4s, however, you can throw snow tires on there in December and you're set to drive your P-Car all year around. (Most folks on the board agree that a C4 (S or not) with snows is excellent in the snow-- as good as any 4 wheel drive car). Plus, the C4S is, in my view, the best looking of the current 911 fleet. Gary

Yeah, I have PSE on my 40th; it sounds wonderful. I'm extremely picky about exhaust sound; it can't be too loud or resonate and this one is perfect! Frankly, given all the other goodies on the car I would have expected it as a standard feature of the 40th. But I guess they wanted to leave room for aftermarket OEM parts for the dealer. Anway, I love it!

That is funny because I went through a very very similar list of choices. I picked the 40th because it was new and the best value.

Like TOMZAM --Im in Bergen county NJ--small rattle in back left seat--have to make sure things are snug--but usually i have the wndows down listening to the revs--drove another 60 miles last nite--ITS truly awesome--everything from around town to a quick jaunt on rt 287 at 85mph(shhhh!!!). I dont have navi but its weird u load your locales then pop out disc to put in cds to listen to--kinda strange???!!!! Mike

I JUMPED!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just cam back from writing the check. 40th with Nav and CD changer. I'm like a kid, giddie. I pick it up next Friday, counting the hours already! Thanks for everyone's help. If anyone else reading these posts are in decision mode, buy the 40th, great car, unbelievably fast and incredible deals right now if your local dealer has them. There are a couple in NY/NJ that competed for my business if anyone is interested in more info. One question that puxxles me, why are people on this post talking about break-in period? See Ya! Garv

Garv: Best of luck, I just came back from a nice trip to Norwalk,CT the more I drive it the more I like it. Dealer never mentioned a break-in period. Tom

It's in the owners manual. It says to stay under 4200 RPM for the first 2000 miles. There are lot's of opinions on this subject but the only thing I've seen in writing is in the manual.

Great choice! I've got 4k miles of driving enjoyment on my 40th. It was the best car buying decision that I have ever made. I should have joined the Porsche family years ago.

Drive the turbo for a little while and see what you thinik. I found that my 04 996 NA was not cutting it because I was used to a tubro and I traded it on a 993TT. I would take the tubro even if it had 27,000 miles.