To Sell or Keep

Struggling a little with deciding on keeping or selling my 996 C4S. The car has been great over the years. I flew out to Ohio to buy it and drove it back to Northern Va. Best way to bond with the car. Soon after taking ownership I took her straight to the shop to get the "known possible issues" replaced along with a new clutch while they were in there. Unfortunately...or fortunately everything was still in really good condition. Damn you internet horror stories and forum trolls! Anyway, I'm starting to like other vehicles just due to the technology, power and newness factor. My car will be 12 yrs old and although I love it.... it is a little dated. I've added things here and there to give it a different look but I think now I'm at a crossroads. Still not necessarily certain on what I would get next but I'm just wondering if I should cut ties now while she's under 100k and in great condition so i'll get a little something out of it to apply to my next vehicle or should I just give her a permanent spot in the garage. Anyone else running up on this dilemma after years of ownership? Really love the car but wanting something a little newer?

Since you don't have much money tied up in it, why not park it in the garage and keep it semi-mothballed? Cars are going to get increasingly high-tech and uninteresting, so there may come a day when you rue getting rid of the 996...

As he says ^^^^^ - and in addition hi tech cars are so dull to drive / sit in whilst moving O S_r

there's a fellow who is helping me with my rebuild and is a porsche mechanic at the dealer here in town. he mentioned that the 996 & 997 are still one of his favorites to take out as they don't have the amount of driving aids the new ones have. but...then again...if you're one looking for that kind of tech, it may make sense to ditch it then

If you can keep this and still have a newer toy, do that.

Keep it. You'll be kicking yourself years from now if you don't.

Why not test the waters on a sale? List it way higher than normal and see if you get any bites. Your feelings during the "selling" process may help with your decision.

There's a guy on here that's had his fair share of cars including 959. He recently got the 918 but still has his C4S as his daily since it was new. I'm sure he could've picked up or kept any other cars but the fact that he put on 100k and still continues to drive it says a lot.

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this is a great question - first i have to tell you the C4S is one of my favorite water cooled cars - i thoroughly enjoyed both of my C4S's - didn't own them very long as a boat purchase has gotten in the way. not to mention my wife won't have much to do with me if i buy the boat and add a 3rd porsche to my stable. if you can afford it i'd hang onto your C4S - take it from me who has sold both - i regret it to this day - they are great cars and i believe the C4S will potentially rise in value as the narrow body 996's enter the grave

Life is short. You only live once. Sell it and buy what will make you happy.

Any particular cars you are considering so we can help share experiences and try to offer insight?

Thanks for the responses guys. Crazy thing is when I bought my C4S and returned home I told the wife..."I'm done...this will always be in the stable!" I've been through a lot of cars over the years. Mainly BMWs. The only other car that had a hold on me was my E39 M5. That car has a soul as well and loved it to death but eventually I wanted something a little sportier. I had thoughts of going back to a M3 but the Porsche route seemed like the best route for what I wanted. Plus, I'd had enough of BMWs for a while. I'm not sure what I would go for now that would give me the same thrills and enjoyment as the Porsche. I did think about a newer M3, but I don't think I'd be happy with it for long. I could always upgrade the head unit in mine to make up for some of the missing technology (Bluetooth, backup camera, Nav etc). I'm not too overly concerned about the lack of power comparison with other newer vehicles. Mine has enough for me on the street. I may want to upgrade the exhaust as well. Just need a little growl. I checked with FisterD a while back and there's a waiting list for the C4S unless you take your exhausts off and send them to him. Most of you have said to keep the Porsche and I am leaning more towards doing that the more I think about it. I have a feeling that I would truly regret letting it go. I would hate to do that and then turn around looking for another later in similar or better condition.

personally I would keep it, don't see the appeal of the new iphones on wheels, I am constantly thinking of getting another 996 as that is one of my favourite porsche series maybe due to the odd headlights that everyone hates and due to fact that these 911s were the only really different ones if I had the opportunities then gt3 turbo gt2 would be my further options... cheers.

if there is a lack of power, there is always the VF supercharger option, that allows to remove and turn the car back to stock

I was pondering about the same thing a few weeks ago. Have a 2001 C2 with 105k....Porsche remanufactured crate motor was put in at 65k. Does it have a bunch of small cosmetic issues? Yes it does, but mechanically it's sound and it was a great price. I am not saving the car for anyone. Plus, I have put a bunch of money in it and have brought it up to speed in terms of preventative maintenance. I think the car performs great and the looks are priceless. Plan on doing a suspension refresh soon and I should be good for a while. My dad has a 997 and while it's gorgeous and drives great, the 996 simply feels like more of a drivers car. Just like comparing a modern day BMW 3 series to an e30 model. I am leasing a 2015 Challenger R/T in addition to having my 996, and while I enjoy the perks of modern cars, the older ones have much more personality I would definitely keep it!!

If you want big changes -- fewer pedals, plllush ride, adult-size back seat -- then I'd suggest you take some test drives. (Start with something that looks almost as good as your current car from a rear 3/4 view. I'll wait here...) If you want bluetooth, then change your head unit and keep enjoying your gorgeous, uncommon, asphalt-kicking C4S.

You can always join the dark side... Modern, yet simple and mechanically pure. The rolling sex. World's Loudest Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG! iPE Decatted Exhaust! - YouTube

Get a 996 turbo

The guys in my car club call me "Turbo"

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Are you the girl on the picture? BGC9 Erika - Don't Understand Dance - YouTube

If you're thinking of upgrading from the C4S and want to stay with Porsche go check out a 996T or 997.1T. In which case, sell the C4S.