Advice on buying a 996 or wait for a 997?

Lurker, first time poster. Advice on buying a 996 or wait for a 997? Guys, I am in the market for a 911. I used to own an aircooled 911 back in the day so I am aware of the 911 maintenance "nightmare." I have an itch for a manual tranny sports car, I haven't driven manual in 2 years and it is getting to me. Here is my situation. I am a new dad. I was going to buy a Lotus Elise or Cayman but being a new dad scratched that idea. My daily driver is a Range Rover Sport so I'll keep that for the family duties. The 911 would be a weekend toy. I just want a car that I can take my son out for a Saturday/Sunday drive and occasional commute to work. Hence the 996s and not a Cayman/Elise. I need the back seats! I'm not really into speed; just rowing my own gears and driving the twisties. I was happy with my wife's old Miata way back when. Anything less than 6 seconds in 0-60 is good for me. I've been browsing the local craigslist, autotrader,etc. I've seen 99-01s for for 21-24K. 02s go for $37K-39K. There is one CPO C2 for 37K nearby at the local Porsche dealership. It has 40K miles and a CPO warranty. But I've also seen a nice black 2002 C4S for the same price from some ghetto dealership (aka 1st time credit type one-man operation). I like the 2002 C4s looks the non-porsche dealership/no warranty bothers me. The C4s has 53k Miles. They're all 6-speeds. However, if I'm gonna blow 40K on a car, I should just wait and buy new (or at least 1-2 years old). That was the thinking and wait for a 997 or buy in 2 years. Then, my son would be 2 years old and it would be more enjoyable. In 2 years, I would have a budget for 60-70K on a toy car. I figure in 2010, I could buy an 07 or 08. Or should I just buy a 99-01 beater for $24K and drive it for 2-3 years and then unload it later? $24K is awfully cheap for something I will only put 2-3K miles tops a year. How much is a for a new engine/tranny in case of a catastrophic failure? Been there and done that with my 77 so I know. The 99-01s have around 60-80,000 miles. I know about the RMS and doing the PPI. I am leaning more toward the 99-01s because of the price but if they're gonna be that temperamental and I'm going worry about RMS, I'll reconsider. Like I said, $24K for a 99-01 911 is pretty darn cheap and this is what got back on the idea of owning another 911.

02 or newer cab and you will not be dissapointed!

buy my 30k mile 99 factory ruf kit, litronic, 18's, 6spd, artic silver, 30k service done, new clutch, rms perfect..dvd, navi, 29k FIRM.

Get the 997. You can find some early ones in the $50s now.

2 yrs is a long time, dude. Get it now. Skip the 997 gen. Get the 998 with all the latest lighting tech that will date the 996/7 quickly. Drive the snot out of the very nice 996.

Don't wait, for two reasons: One, life is short. Two, performance wise, the 996 really just isn't that much less car than a 997. The latter benefits from lots of technical refinements and there's the looks thing, but on the road, the 997 is evolution, not revolution. For what you describe wanting and the use it will get, it seems to me an early 996 that's had an engine replacement would be a great find for you.

2002 or later 996 - you will be happy and it is easy to mod the inside and out.

Go for the 996 - as you saw in the other thread, it really can be used with kids. You'll enjoy it so much, you'll ask yourself why you didn't do it sooner. Kids fit in the trunk, too.

life is too short, don't wait for anything. my 996 is my best investment.

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i 've asking myself this question many times.

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+1 I mulled over the purchase of a Porsche for several years before buying my 996. I don't know why I waited.

I would buy the '99 and see if you like it over time (which you will), then, sell it in the future and get the 997. The 996 and 997 are roughly the same car, the 997 just has a prettier interior and a little more hips.

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Good advice along with all of the other posters. You may die tomorrow; live life to its fullest today. When the facelifted 997/998 (whatever it is going to be) comes out with DI engine and PDK transmission the 997 prices will drop like flies.

'02 or later 996 would be a great reintroduction to Porsche. I HIGHLY recommend getting a CPO car for peace of mind.

I think if I were in your shoes I would do the 2002+ 996. I had a 2004 996, and it was great. Might want to find one with CPO in case the engine kablooey. Great cars, and get it now do not wait.

Typically, you don't hear high milage cars with engine problems. Get one with detailed maintainance records and enjoy the car. you can sell it in a year or two with little depreciation and get a 997 if you want to upgrade.

Thanks for the word of encouragement. I did notice the other thread with the kids in the back and I'll use that to justify to the wife (well, little justification). Here are 2 - 2002s I've seen. Carrera 4s looks wicked. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/car/654780533.html CPO from Fletcher Jones http://www.getauto.com/autolinks_car...u/x_dealer_id-

The C4S on Craigslist looks nice, but definitely DEFINITELY is PPI material. 0-60 in 4.25 seconds?! I don't think so pal - even the owner's manual says 5.1 sec. And those door sills are the same as mine and they aren't aluminum - these are signs you should proceed with caution. On the other hand, widebody....Mmmmmmmmm...never gets tired.

4.25 secs 0-60? Damn, that seller is a better driver than the car mags' testers. I'd also suggest going with the cheaper '99-01 to see how much you like it first. If you're aiming to upgrade to a newer 997 or 998 in 2-3 years anyway, then why opt for a higher-price 996 now? A 996 for less than $25k is a great bargain.

Yeah , that was what I was thinking too. Here is a 99 for $24K at the local "Ford" dealerhsip, 86K miles is kinda high though. I saw a 99 with 120K miles for around $20K.Worst case scenario is a new crate engine.

Whichever one you choose, buy it this year, either right now or the end of summer, or if something wacky happens with Fuel prices shooting up then at the absolute highest point of that market. Prices are getting artificially soft because of the financial woes out there, there are wild deals lately esp 2001 & 2002 turbos and 2005 997s! If you're planning to own for a long time please buy the very newest Porsche you can afford and get the most warranty you can.

Pic of mine at deals Gap, NC. PM me if interested.

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You got the idea. I would offer low on the Pcar at the ford dealer pending PPI and no documenting maintainance records.

Yeah, I was thinking about going there and just low-ball them. How about $1899 for that "poooooorsche" Yesiree.

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or, "porch".

SOOOO you are not interested? I would think 5 k extra for a 50k less miles, ruf (6K$ option) 2k$ litronic lights would be a smart move....?? Oh, dvd, navi, JL audio amps, subs, B&M short shifter, cold air intake, KN, New SPEC clutch...

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Good Luck! I start with $21,500 and see where it goes. See if you can print other ads out there in that ball park to back up your offer.

I took a trip down the NJ shore (4 hours round trip) with the wife and 2 kids (back when we only had 2) in the 996 cab and it was very claustrophobic, especially when we had to put the top up. a short trip here and there is fun, but do not think of this car as a kid hauler by any means. yea, the rear seats are kids sized, but there is zilch for leg groom.