C2 or S ?

Hannu · Oct 30, 2008

Getting very close to putting down my hard earned now dealers are fighting for custom.

Simple question is it worth spending about £5k more for a "S" over the equivalent C2 ? (looking at 2005 997,s)

Test driven both and apart from the more firm ride of the "S" engine performance does not seem that much different, running cost are very similar just a few more MPG on the C2.

Thoughts please.

grover · Oct 30, 2008

A no brainer, C2s especially if it has the sport pack is the one you want with sports exhaust, loads of choice out there. I had mine for 2 years and miss aspects of it compared with turbo

daro911 · Oct 30, 2008

ORIGINAL: Hannu

Getting very close to putting down my hard earned now dealers are fighting for custom.

Thoughts please.

No brainer go for the "S" but for same money as the standard car .... Aston Martin Vantage is available as new unreg 4.3l (old model) at up to £30k off list and the latest model 4.7l available with 12K off list before any haggling ... also Ferrari 430 unreg with 10% off list so play hard ball and get the "S" for less [

]

Remember when you drive off for the first time you can kiss £25k good by if you ask the OPC to buy back in first 12 months

NIL98 · Oct 30, 2008

The S will have more 'desireability' when it comes to resale. Also has wider body of course which add to its appeal. Compare the two from the back - its is quite noticeable.

DSM · Oct 30, 2008

ORIGINAL: NIL98

The S will have more 'desireability' when it comes to resale. Also has wider body of course which add to its appeal. Compare the two from the back - its is quite noticeable.

You sure about the body?

I thought the C2 and C2S were the same, the C4 variants being wider?

Mark Elder · Oct 30, 2008

All the NA 997 bodies are the same at 1808 mm wide.
Turbo is about 40 mm more
In 996 and 993 days the S got you the turbo body, but now you get some extra power (which you did not in 996/3 days)

Rodney Naghar · Oct 30, 2008

DSM is right the '4' is wide bottomed on the 997. It was the C4S that was wide bottomed on the 996

Mike Cooper 33 · Oct 30, 2008

The C4 and C4S have the extra 40 mm as well. Mine does anyway!

Mark Elder · Oct 30, 2008

OK - just goes to show I should not be asking the OPC sales guy...

spyderman · Oct 30, 2008

According to the Porsche website, both C2 and C2S have a stated width of 1808mm. The fat backside - sorry, wider rear wheel arches - of the 4 variant is from behind the doors. Unfortunately the Flash "web special" which now covers the C4 upwards doesn't list dimensions.
The GT3 is also 1808mm. The Turbo and GT2 are both currently stated as 1852mm - but I don't think that's for the 997.2 versions.

Edited to reflect the fact that its the presence of 4 wheel drive, not the bigger engine, that results in the wider rear end.

'S' models seem significantly more common in the used vehicle lists - it would be interesting to know the percentage of each variant they make.

All this means I can't get a 997 in my garage - or rather I could get it in, but couldn't open the door. Worse still, the 987 is nearly as wide (different mirrors, I guess), so I might not be able to get one of those in either.

jonathanw · Oct 30, 2008

The C2 and C2S both have the same sized butt. It is the C4 and C4S that have the bigger butt which is the same size as the turbo

ORIGINAL: spyderman

According to the Porsche website, both C2 and C2S have an overall width of 1808mm, but that's probably over the mirrors. The fat backside - sorry, wider rear wheel arches - of the S variant is from behind the doors and won't therefore affect the stated dimension. Unfortunately the Flash "web special" which now covers the C4 upwards doesn't list dimensions.
The GT3 is also 1808mm. The Turbo and GT2 are both currently stated as 1852mm - but I don't think that's for the 997.2 versions.

'S' models seem significantly more common in the used vehicle lists - it would be interesting to know the percentage of each variant they make.

All this means I can't get a 997 in my garage - or rather I could get it in, but couldn't open the door. Worse still, the 987 is nearly as wide (different mirrors, I guess), so I might not be able to get one of those in either.

spyderman · Oct 30, 2008

ORIGINAL: jonathanw

The C2 and C2S both have the same sized butt. It is the C4 and C4S that have the bigger butt which is the same size as the turbo

Thanks. So a fat arse essentially means 4-wheel-drive!

Hannu · Oct 30, 2008

All very interesting gents But I knew the C2S and the C2 had the same sized rear end and that the 4 had a big ass !!!
As I had discounted the 4 for a host of reasons which would you go for the C2S or the C2 ????[

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2fast4u · Oct 30, 2008

C2S without a shadow of a doubt.
I am a bit biased though!!!!

Kx

Lewea · Oct 30, 2008

If you can afford the extra cash for a C2S then I would say go for it.... and then enjoy!

DSM · Oct 30, 2008

ORIGINAL: Hannu

All very interesting gents But I knew the C2S and the C2 had the same sized rear end and that the 4 had a big ass !!!
As I had discounted the 4 for a host of reasons which would you go for the C2S or the C2 ????[]

Sorry, forgot what the question was!

Definitely C2S for me.

jonathanw · Oct 30, 2008

I always regretted not getting the S for my previous 997. Am delighted with the Gen2 S.

The S will always be in greater demand.

adrian996 · Oct 31, 2008

I think that there are two questions to ask yourself here....

1. How many 997 C2 cars can you find for sale anywhere these days? Not many, eh?

2. What's the reason for this?

Answer: The last 5 or so years have been (economically) great and anyone who was in the market for a new 911 during these times was only ever going to do one thing - opt for the "S". Why? Simple. Because it meant that they would have an "S" on the arse end of their car and a slightly wider body.
The 3.6 is a better and more reliable engine - end of. When are you ever going to benefit from .2 of a second improvement from 0-60 miles an hour on British (or European) roads? You never will. BUT - you'll always be feeling that little bit better about yourself when you see someone else with simply the word "Carrera" on the back of their car instead of "Carrera S".

I would say that the 997 (Version 1) and 997 (Version 2) 3.6 litre is always a better car. It's only snobbery that'll get the better of you.

Hannu · Oct 31, 2008

ORIGINAL: adrian996

I think that there are two questions to ask yourself here....

1. How many 997 C2 cars can you find for sale anywhere these days? Not many, eh?

2. What's the reason for this?

Answer: The last 5 or so years have been (economically) great and anyone who was in the market for a new 911 during these times was only ever going to do one thing - opt for the "S". Why? Simple. Because it meant that they would have an "S" on the arse end of their car and a slightly wider body.
The 3.6 is a better and more reliable engine - end of. When are you ever going to benefit from .2 of a second improvement from 0-60 miles an hour on British (or European) roads? You never will. BUT - you'll always be feeling that little bit better about yourself when you see someone else with simply the word "Carrera" on the back of their car instead of "Carrera S".

I would say that the 997 (Version 1) and 997 (Version 2) 3.6 litre is always a better car. It's only snobbery that'll get the better of you.

I think its not only the "S" on the back, what about the red brake calipers too !.

I have to say I an beginning to agree with Adrian the "S" doesn't make financial sense until you come to sell the car at a later date !.

jonathanw · Oct 31, 2008

Remember the gen1 997 S's have adaptive suspension, xenon headlights, 19 inch wheels and more powerful brakes as standard. My gen1 C2 was speced with PASM and xenons and the larger wheels and the saving on the S was only a few thousand pounds new - i regertted my choice then and would always suggest at least with gen1 997s getting the S.

The new gen2 cars are a bit harder to justify but I am delighted that I chose the S in this case.