I just bought a '99 996 and I am going to upgrade the front end. I found great prices on a bumper/fender kit and also some nice 997 headlights. I've read through a ton of posts on the forum and also looked all over the web and it seems that there still isn't a reasonably priced set of LED daytime running lights on the market. Has anyone found any and installed? It's amazing to me that the best price I can find is $1500 just for the lights! If I'm going to do the front end I hate to forgoe the DRLs but at that price I can hardly justify it. What about the super cheap generic ones all over ebay. Has anyone tried those? I really appreciate the help if anyone knows any sources. -Mike

 

Seems like 997's are coming down in price enough to just sell the 996 and upgrade?

 

...It's all relative I suppose.

Early 997s are still running $45K+ That's quite a stretch from early 996s which are running $17+.

Whether it's worth trying to build a 997 out of a 996 is a different discussion. After all:
- You will spend a pile of cash (probably not the 20K+ differential in price)
- You will not get that money back in resale (as if that was ever a motivator)
- You'll be showing your 997 envy

 

IDK, private party sales here in soCal are go down to ~38k (40-50k miles) (I looked a lot as I was considering 997 recently)

You can get a nice 996 for 30k, but you put 5-6k into it and mostly reduce the value in doing so. "Investment" wise it makes no sense, and think of all the other nice thing you get in buying a 997!

 

I believe that you *can* find a 997 for ~38

I also agree that you *can* spend 30 on a 996.

Apples to apples though, a bargain basement 996 vs. a bargain basement 997 is a lot less upfront (stress the upfront). The reality is that someone who has just purchased a '99 996 has probably based their decision to greater or lessor extent on budget. (unless they absolutely *love* the headlamps!)

 

Yeah, there are a lot of details to hash out, but I just wanted to point out to the OP that even though cars are a bad investment, doing this is a REALLY bad investment!!

 

Yeah....there's definately an argument to simply loving the model you have.

 

Please tell me the details of this - ie price and material of choice. Fiberglass, poly, etc. Thanks

 

Hey phatbones,

Well what everyone is saying is correct... but in the end it's your ride so do with it whatever makes you happy!

I've spend over $30k on my '04 C4S in custom work and I know I'll never see that back.

However, it's about more than $ or making it look a certain way, it's about the problems and the solutions, it's about personal expression and a pride that comes from having something unique, it's about the adventure to create something that is just for you!
It is the most illogical road you can take...but what a ride!

The cost...high.
The feeling...PRICELESS.

But be warned...once you start you won't be able to stop...

Good luck.

Cheers,

Sid.