A lot of people have said, if you can afford it, get the 997 > 996.

At the moment, my search has now been shifted to include 997's but at the end of the day, you can't go wrong with either a 996 or 997.

I think it depends on the person and what they are looking for in a car. Are you looking for best bang for buck performance? If so, that is the 996

But again, if you guys are saying a tuned/exhaust 997 would be in the same power range as that black one in my initial post, I think that is pretty impressive seeing that black one likely has $20-$30K into it.

 

Just buy both!

I had both cars for a while and now just have the 997tt. I really miss my 996 to be honest. If I wasn't married I would still have them both. But my wife is more important.

I just miss the visceral drive and 'rawness' of the 996. Plus the values have come up a lot from what I sold mine for.

 

Ok... I'll bite.

Then I suggest you keep your 996.

If you are trying to convince the 997 board (and most pcar owners that have functioning eyes) that the 996 is aesthetically better inside or out because it's "futuristic/newer" you are kidding no one here.

Additionally, it's a well documented fact that the 997 saved Porsche's a$$ when it came out due to slumping 996 sales largely due to styling. The 997 is probably going to go down as one of Porsche's best modern designs and it only got better with the .2 cars.

I'm not hating on the 996TT. Sides and rear are ok. Interior and nose.. not so okay. If you throw some Techart goodies on the front it looks better, but the inside of it still looks like the Batmobile.

my .02

 

That is because you can only go so far on the stock rods and head studs. If the 996 you posted had rods, studs, and maybe better intercoolers, those turbos could push near 900 hp.

 

FYI IMO means in my opinion. I'm not trying to conveince anyone. I simply think the flowing lines of the interior versus the hard lines of the 997 interior looks newer to me. 997 interior is not very nice or lights ahead of the 996. 996 sucks due to hard plastics and hard touch buttons. For what it's worth, I was parked next to a 997 at a car show a few weeks ago and side-by-side someone commented that my car look newer. To each their own. And the 997 didn't save Porsche it was the cayenne. The boxster as ugly as it is was a best seller of the time.

 

the 997 saved porsches a$$ for 911 unit sales.

not total brand sales.

 

Yea, cap is around 550-600 to the wheels right?

Regardless, the way I buy cars is I "play" with them for a few years and then let them go. Don't think I'd ever end up building a motor.

 

700 to the wheels is the most I've seen on E85, but that is really pushing it. I blew a head gasket at around 650, but that was really unlucky.

 

Probably a good plan, you would never get your money out and if you turn cars that often, most of your ownership time . . . would be shop time. Really tough to make a bad decision here, both are great cars, period (even from a guy with mostly functional eyes . . . the noggin is a bit dodgy, but the eyes haven't failed me just yet) KH

 

^^ What he said. It also seems funny to hear 996 interior and futuristic together... I had several 993's and thought....man these look cool...Then had several 996's and thought...man these look cool (but the interior did not change so much?)...Then 997's and thought....these look great and finally an upgrade! Plus the stereos in the 996 were garbage(even for their time).....Now I also own a 958 Cayenne S with the Panamera style interior...now that is cool! And I also own one of those ugly Boxster S's too ...Oh and a junky BMW haha

All that said...They are all great cars with plus's and minus's but always feel fortunate/blessed to be able to drive any of them!

DC

 

Everyone has their preference. Everyone says the 996 is "raw" vs the 997. Everyone has their definition of "raw"

I'm coming from a 97 Viper and if you guys think the 996 is "raw" go drive one of those haha. My history of cars aren't the best and I would consider the majority a "raw" list of cars and to be honest, I didn't have any problem with them.

2004 RX8 (yea, first "sports car" that got me into this hobby)
1994 RX7 (just bolt on twins)
2005 GTO (large cam/headers/exhaust)
2000 S4 (Stage 3 with twin K04 turbos and supporting mods, this was probably the most "non raw" car)
1994 RX7 (streetported with large Aspec 500R turbo
2005 GTO (Just headers/exhaust)
2000 Miata (Stock, was just daily driver)
2012 Mazdaspeed3 (Stage 1, current daily driver)
1997 Dodge Viper (440rwhp/470rwtq)

 

My 02 cents and hope it helps. I own both and like my 996, probably for reasons that do not apply to you.

997 is a refined smooth day to day machine, 996 feels more connected to drive. For what is worth and what you plan on doing, I would go with the 997. It's a better car, everything is made better/nicer.

Best of luck on what ever you decide.

 

Just for clarification purposes, an exhaust/tuned 997 will have the same or even more power than a full bolt on 996 with aftermarket turbos?

 

An exhaust, tuned, headers, race cats and intercoolers will have more power than most bolt on 996's! Now add a set of $3500 turbos and lights out! Good luck with your search!

 

I know power isn't everything in a car, but from what I gain, the 997 looks better (personal opinion), has a "better interior" (opinion), has more technological advancements and will have more power than an aftermarket turbo'd 996TT with just exhaust/tune/headers.

So really, the only reason one would buy a 996 > 997 would be for cost purposes I'm assuming.