Newbie 996 or 997 daily commuter

[DOWIE]

Morning all,

I'm a new member to the club and forum - would like some real world advice as opposed to reading buyers guides.

I currently use my car for work, play and commute up to 20k miles per year but am now in the position to buy a 911. My dream would be a 996 Carrera 4S.

Now, my dilemma. Do I go for £20k 996 4S or a 997 in standard Carrera form hoping the newer car will be less troublesome? I sit in a faitr amount of traffic and the Tiptronic appeals, as I'm currently using a DSG Seat Leon diesel.

Any hints, tips, pointers, real world costs, advice would be great, thanks

I'm also thinking buy a cheaper 996 Carrera (facelift) as I will be racking the miles up and would devalue any appreciation the 996 C4S would accumulate. Argh, what to do!?!?

Chris

 

[Gordon Attar]

You should always by the car of your dreams when you can.

It would also be the one with the lowest depreciation.

All the running costs if you get a 2003 or 4 996 model are going to be very similar unless you can get into a 2007 model 997.

 

[Costelles]

I asked myself the same question..

I bought a really nice 2002 996 Targa with full OPC and new engine from Porsche for £13k this year and have used it nearly every day and over 6k miles since May.

Saved myself some money and have probably the same experience as if I paid £20k

 

[DOWIE]

How are they in traffic? I do a fair bit of London commuting so traffic is inevitable

Cheers

 

[por911t]

Hi , I bought a 996 C4S as a 'daily' three weeks ago. I was going to buy a new work hack but for the money I could buy a 996 C4S. Being on my 7th 911 I wasn't phased by the prospect as I know my way around them - it was just finding a good one that would be the issue. After much digging I bought one from BCA Auctions in Bedfordshire (i'm in the trade) and got it transported home to Glasgow. The 4S is a comfy car to use on a daily basis, good in traffic, fuel consumption isn't wonderful combined with a small(ish) tank makes it seem gutsy.

996 C4S are at their low point with regards to value and wont have much, if anything, to drop. Buy a good one (with PSE) and you wont regret it.

Best of luck
Barry

 

[Costelles]

Mine is a Tipttonic and is great in traffic

 

[Gordon Attar]

996 C4S are at their low point with regards to value and wont have much, if anything, to drop. Buy a good one (with PSE) and you wont regret it.

Low point was about 3 years ago when they were available for £16 to £20k.

 

[por911t]

996 C4S are at their low point with regards to value and wont have much, if anything, to drop. Buy a good one (with PSE) and you wont regret it.

Low point was about 3 years ago when they were available for £16 to £20k.

That's within the figure of what I paid for mine three weeks ago

 

[DOWIE]

How about real world mpg?
Was worried the 5 speed Tiptronic would feel slightly old fashioned compared to my current 6 speed DSG?
Guess I need to drive one and make my own mind-up

Anyone want to let me have a go!? haha

Chris

 

[Rodney Naghar]

The Tiptronic box will feel old fashioned compared to a DSG but it works well in traffic and you can override the auto mode with the steering wheel buttons when you want to liven things up. Very reliable boxes too.

 

[por911t]

My MPG (manual transmission) 996 4S is showing @ 24 with urban driving. The small(ish) tank makes it seem worse as it drops quite quickly.

Ive driven a tip before and its just like an older generation auto 'box - which it is. Fine for that era.

 

[DOWIE]

That's not too bad. I mix between motorway then London traffic!

Cheers all

 

[Pieman7]

I recently bought a c4s with 40,000 with full porsche history. The car is absolutely mint condition but I waited for a good one to come along and I am glad I did. As said before you won't regret it good luck

 

[rhys.williams007@yahoo.co.uk]

Hi, I bought a 2003 C4S for a weekend car and have used it more in the last few months than my 2014 535d sport! I can't walk past it in the morning!! Its not as comfortable obviously! but it puts a smile on my face on a damp and grey morning, once warmed up I give it a boot for that 911 exhaust noise! Can't recommend a 996 C4S enough, the hips are what its about and a standard 997 just looks boring next to a C4S. A classic in waiting and it will go up, not many £20k cars can say that!

 

[por911t]

^^^^^ agree 100% . Well said .