Need help deciding on a 996 year etc...

Hi 996ers, Sold my 84 911 this week and am thinking of getting a 2001-2003 996 c2 or c4. I do not know these cars. Any guidance would be appreciated. BTW, I love coupes but with such short summers in Montreal, I am thinking of getting a convertible. What years are better Are C4's more prone to problems than a C2? Will a C4 be more fun ? Any special issue to look out for? Cheers!

There were several upgrades to the '02 and later 996 that make it more desirable in my opinion. The engine improvements and HP, stiffer chassis, revised bumpers and headlights, revised interior with a glove box and better cup holder, etc. The C4 is not really more prone to problems, but you give a little in weight (and 1 mpg). I thought the C2 was actually more fun and did not car for the C4. I drive it year round. With a good set of snow tires, never had a problem. As with any car, maintenance and service records are important.

I just purchased a 2002 after a nearly 2 year search. The biggest reason was motor and HP improvements over the first series 996 cars. Like with all Porsches, find a car that has been driven, serviced, and has the records to prove it. Many threads on all kinds of forums will debate one car over the other....

David and Badcar, thanks for taking the time to write. My car left today to its new home and I am on a race to fill the garage before the wife does with her junk. Cheers!

+3 on buying 02 or later the 3.6 makes a big improvement over 3.4 with a much easier pulloff from stop. If you are used to older C2 you may prefer C2 but C4 could be handy in the great white north either way you win!

All of the above. I've had two of the 3.6 litre MkII cars and both have been great. I've driven 3.4 litre MkI cars and they are fine, but the 3.6 pulls better on account of the extra displacement and, more importantly, because of the Variocam plus. The interiors of the MkII cars are better, and they are stiffer, end the air flow cools the engine better. Durability-wise..it has been said that the 3.6 motors are improved over the 3.4 motors, but the leading M96 motor guys don't seem to agree. With the exception of the very early (1999) motors, which suffer from porous and poor casting issues, both the 3.4 and the 3.6 appear to suffer catastrophic failure at about the same rate, usually because of intermediate shaft bearing issues. There is a fix though, and it's not so expensive. LN Engineering and Flat Six innovations have developed a ceramic bearing upgrade which apparently solves the IMS problem. There are other failure modes for these motors as well but my impression is that other than the IMS issue, the motors are no less trouble prone than any other high performance engine, as long as the oil changes have been done. The cars eat rear tires, and clutches don't seem to last as long either. The brakes are excellent, the gear boxes are pretty good. Upgrade to suspension to PSS9 and the cars handle at a world class level. I daily drive mine, and autocross it and track it. It's a great car. I do my own maintenance and it's as easy or even easier to do than it was on my old 911. I don't know why you'd think the C4 was more fun than the C2...unless you find nose heavy cars prone to understeer more fun than tossable cars prone to oversteer. I do hear people *rave* about the C4S though. It's heavier still, and the motor is identical though so I don't know why that would be the case. To each their own. Oh yes - PMS....it was a common option. My first car didn't have it and I didn't miss it. My second car has it and I wonder how I did without it. Post up when you find a car mate. Good luck.

Jasper (and everyone else)...thank you for the posts. I have a great deal on a 2000 but am still looking cause I would prefer a 2002. Good inventory in Montreal and abouts is not huge. I will keep you posted Cheers !

what price differences are you seeing in the 3.4s vs the 3.6s? thx, mike

Roughly $9k difference between a 200 or 2001 and 2002 (Canadian)

a 2002 and up 996 turbo will be the best decision you will not regret. Nothing beats the adrenalin rush from the acceleration, power and performance of a 996 turbo.

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And also the reliability

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is there a big difference in the 2001 - 2002 Turbos? m

I am really feeling the desire for a turbut but not much of a difference but still steep in price at about $60k. Tried a convertible 2000 near my house. Was a piece of crap. I think I prefer a coupe, didn't really like the feel of a convertible.

I am closing in on a seal grey C4S....I will keep you posted. Thanks guys

I have a 2001 C4 and I would NOT trade up to ANYTHING less than the new 997 with DFI, the variable displacement engine lubricating oil pump.....and... The 2010 C4S with the new electromagnetic front drive coupling..... Not that I don't really like my C4, but if I were in the market today....

Thanks wwest, good to know. I hear the 2002 added power is a bonus. I love the rear on the 4S. Nice and fat !

"..love the rear.." Then have a look at the Cayman from behind....

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What year? -Wayne

Hi Wayne. I feel honoured you embarked on the post. I love your site, online store and service. I am looking at a 2002 Arctic Grey about 70,000 Km or 40,000 miles. Stored during Montreal winters.

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I thought the point of these cars was to avoid instances of PMS

Thanks for all your help guys...attached is a picture of the verdict. A 2002 Carrera S with 70,000 KM. In very good shape. Now a dumb newbie question.... I need to change a front turn signal bulb. Do I access from the fender wheel well ? Cheers !

Congrats on a great looking car!

Looks great!

Nice! Don't forget to update your signature to account for the change of inventory. I had a similar "problem" in that I had an '82 911 and wanted a newer, more powerful Porsche. I wound up buying a 2000 Carrera (C2) coupe and keeping the '82 as well. I find that driving the '00 is a very different experience from driving the '82. For one thing, the newer beast is a lot more civilized and I'm not sure if that's entirely a good thing. Power steering and A/C that works is nice, but I find that it's a bit harder to feel what the car's actually doing. The engine's much quieter than my older beast, so I find that I tend to look at the tach a lot more rather than just listening to the engine note. The clutch also feels a lot different to me. For both those reasons, I find it's also that much harder for me to blip the throttle and speed-match the engine when downshifting. I haven't taken the new one out on the track yet, but I'm looking forward to doing so after I get a little more used to driving it. How do you like your '02? How are you adjusting to it after your '84?

Hi Ed, Too funny, dido to everything you said. The car is indeed very different, sound, handling, power etc...same as your feeling when downshifting. I like my new car for long rides, like the power, more comfortable, smooth (especially on QUebec roads which are like a war zone because of salt and freezing and unfreezing). I like the 2002 C4S for it's rear and extra power. Still new to it and I need to hit a track. Post a pic of your car.... Cheers !

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I would go with a 2002+ with 3.6 liter and I would probably go with a C4 if you decide to run it in some odd weather (rain, snow,...etc).

The C2S is a great car. But the 3.4's are not bad. I work on a friends 3.4 and it's a really nice car, did have a RMS issue once. Solved it and the cars had it's inspections and up keep, lot of tuning and is a great car. C2 or C4, both are good, me personally! I always liked the C4S just the shape and so on. The C2 will feel a bit sharper, the C4 might feel slightly dull or to easy, hinderd around a circuit if not tuned in. Go with the machine that feel like " it's the one! "