I also love my 40th for all the reasons above and alot more. I thank the question you should be asking is... 40th or 997 S.

 

I love my 40th too. Color, options, and X51.

 

X51 is the better hand-built motor but the 997 chassis is better along with a newer spec of PASM and a much nicer interior.

I'd drive both, if you are going to keep the car for 10 years then the 40th would be the better option if you are going to dump it in a couple of years then I would drive the newest model.

 

what the 997 motor is built by the jetsons?

i recommend you save up a lil more and get the carrera S with the 3.8 that way these 40th ann fan boys will keep their mouths shut. time is your friend here and all porsches are going to dip even more as we head into a deeper winter slumber economy included. a 2005 launch edition carrera S represents a great value. heck, if i wasn't so lazy and i was confident we're at the bottom q1 calendar year oh nine, i'd sell any 996 chassis and get an mk1 997 aerokitted out, add all the other pretty stuff i like and keep my mouth shut for a good while.

the 40th ann car is an odd looking car with the widebody front bumper matched to a narrowbody rear - it's an afterthought literally as the last model to milk $ off of from less discerning 911 buyers.

i've also heard of way too many 40th ann engines going kaput on renn and here esp given how few they made in comparison to the regular 996s.

 

yup... for some reason these x-51 packages seem to fail in large numbers... could be the "shaft"

M97 engines are stronger... with the exception of 2005 MY.

 

While I don't consider myself a fanboy or naive 911 owner,I personally love the look of my car. You are right about the engine crapping out, I think it is the IMS failure and I believe almost all 996 engines have issues, whether it be IMS or RMS failures. Had my engine replaced about 6 months ago, luckily it was still under warranty. However once fixed the x51 package is a huge bonus, a package that isn't cheap by any means when equipped to a standard 911. Just take both out for a drive and make a decision off of thatI think that's the only way to decide. Have an inspection done and be sure to ask about the IMS issue regarding that particular car. Happy holidays.

 

I've never heard anything to suggest that the X51 engine in the 40th anniversary cars has a higher failure rate than the base engines. That being said, I'd take a 40th anniversary car over a 997. In fact, that's exactly what I did 4 years ago. I bought my 40th just after the 997's hit the market and I've never regretted teh decision. As it turns out, I'm now ready for my next Porsche and I'm selling my 40th. Please PM me if you're interested. I'm motivated to sell and I've priced the car "right".

40th vs. 997S? Well that's a different question and the answer isn't so clear. It really comes down to a value proposition. You can buy a 40th anniversary car for under $40k in today's market. I doubt that you'd find a 997S in decent condition at that price. I haven't followed the 997S market closesly, but I'd guess you're looking at low 50's?? So it comes down to whether or not you think the modest performance improvements of the 997S warrant the price premium over the 40th.

Although my post may seem self-serving, my opinion is unbiased. I'd recommend the 40th over the 997 whether or not I was trying to sell my car.

 

997 hands down inmo - newer technology and better looks (always thought the 40th was a bunch of leftover Porsche parts crammed in one for Porsche to make more money) but again just my opinion

 

Of those 2 models, it the 40th for me... its been one of my favorites since it came out.

 

Tough choice...you can't go wrong with either.

But I lean towards the 997....

good luck

 

40th if you don't want to throw too much money into it to have a lot of fun. It has the X-51 and the LSD.

If you want to drop some coin to put a LSD in the 997, then I'd go with that but be prepared to spend as it is not a cheap mod. Plus the 997 looks better than the 996 but that is subjective.

Looks wise, 997 but if you want to track, the 40th would be a car you could really grow with (it's only Achilles heal is the 996's PSM doesn't turn all the way off where as the 997's does IIRC). Especially if you are a left foot braker on the e-gas cars.

 

40th Anniversary Limited Edition! shot-blasted, polished 18-inch Carrera wheels and the high-gloss polished exhaust tailpipes. A sliding sunroof and the bi-xenon headlights with washing system complete the exterior features. The special editon 911's body has been lowered by 10 millimeters compared with the standard 911 model. It has also firmer suspension, leading to even more sporty road behavior and a more direct driving experience. An extra mechanical rear-axle differential lock (with a locking effect of 22 percent in the traction and 27 percent in the coasting mode) results in even better traction at the driven rear wheels and of course, optimum acceleration potential. The electronic Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system also comes as standard gear.
Lets just say it took Porsche 20 grand to up the engine to 345bhp...