Well, this Porsche buying research is a lot more involved than I'd thought ! This will be my first Porsche and I originally wanted a C4S (family friend had one...loved it). However, there are so many P cars out there in the LA market that I have way more choices than I'd anticipated. I'm sure I'd be ecstatic with any 996 Porsche and in some ways I don't know if I should get a c4s or turbo straight out of the box (what does that leave for later )

I can spend between 30-50K. c4s seem to be 35-45K, c2 are 25-35 and turbos are 45-55K. I'll most likely be getting a tiptronic due to LA traffic so perhaps the turbo makes the most sense. I'm wondering if the tip eats up a lot of the c2 and c4s performance? And then there is the reliability issue of the engines vs the "bulletproof" turbo engine. I loved how the c4s sounded, how do the c2 and turbo compare?

Sorry, I'm rambling but what would you guys do? Thanks!

2002-4 C2 for 28K-35K (hopefully with CPO)
2002-4 C4s for 38-45K ditto
2001-2 Turbo for 45K-50K Probably no CPO

 

2002 996 TT would be the best bet... 01 TT not so much...

 

Ok thanks! Is there something specifically bad about the 01s? Other than the fact that is was the first year? How about one with a CPO and low miles (like 20K)?

 

TT no questions asked.

 

lots of updates in teh 2002. Manily the Interior and Major Mechnical Upgrades...

 

The 2004 996 C2 is very highly rated by Consumer Reports. The seals issues had been taken care of by 04. There are plenty of cars available with less than 40k miles for $45k and less. Plus you can usually find a great car that has 2 years of CPO.

The C4 adds extra weight and another point of failure in a highly stressed system. No added speed, just some pretty.

The TT is a beast. But with that you are moving 2 years further back for a speed gain you will probably never see unless you track the car.

So, I would say a 996 C2. Classic RWD Pcar with factory warranty.

 

Thanks Tommy! I took another look at Consumer Reports...you're right ! I had never noticed the big divergence between the 03 and 04. Very surprising!

Aghh, but I'll be paying nearly as much as a 02 Turbo

 

02 996TT or a 997 C2 (or a C2S with luck)

 

2002+ 996tt

 

30-50k is a big range you're talking about. for me 50k is too pricey or I'd own a 996tt by now, but 40k is within reach these days and I've been seriously considering a c4s. i hate the look of the regular 996s (not to mention the god-awful resale) but the c4s is another story. love the rear end (even more than the turbo) and the widebody porsches always seem to hold their value in the long term.

 

I was in the same boat a couple months ago. My range was $35k to $45k for a 2002 and up 996. I ended up buying a 2002 C4S and haven't looked back.

 

My option is not up there.. 997s http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

hmmm.... let me see now....

Got my 01 996TT 2 weeks ago for 39k... yup I'd probably still do it again.

 

how many miles on the car? if under 80k miles that's a hell of a deal.

 

how happy are you with the car?