Hi:
I have been looking to move up to a 996 from my Boxster. I have been looking since Feb. The 996 prices are looking very good!
A choice between two 996's:

A 2000 C4 full-option (C4, PSM, Heated seats, Navigation, Full leather, litronics, 18" Turbo Wheels) with 44K miles for $44K.

or

A 2002 C2 low -option (PSM) with 51K miles for $48K.

If both check out OK (PPI and Records), which one would you buy?
Neither will have a warranty. Can you get a CPO or after market warranty?
I know about the saying "buy the newest Porsche you can afford" but does the C4 hi-option sound better than a C2 3.6L?
Does the 20HP make a difference?
Thanks

 

BUMP!

 

I would keep looking for something else. I prefer a C2 (lighter, quicker, and more exciting to drive) with options like sport seats, litronics, sport suspension, digital stereo or better, 18" rims, and PSE. Also that's alot of miles so find something more low mileage.

I'm sure others with more experience will chime in with their opinions but that's just my $.02 worth.

 

Out of curiousity, whcih dealer has these cars?

I really dont mind the miles BUT if your are going to put significant miles on the car (like most people do in ATL), you will be staring down the barrell of 60 K ++ miles in a short period of time (9 - 18 months) which will really reduce the marketability of both cars.

 

there are better deals out there keep looking... for example.. i saw a 2000 C4 fully optioned w extended warranty, plus extras like techart wing and 19" rims and only 10K miles go for $49K. You may or may not want all the extras but the mileage difference alone (34K miles) is worth the extra 6K over option 1. (plus there was a warranty)

So keep your eyes peeled. I would take option 1 over option 2 though. but im biased.. i love AWD.

 

Thanks guys, all your points are valid.

Mark;
The point about the mileage is very valid. The two cars are not in Atlanta, one is in my hometown of Cincinnati, and the other in Birmingham, AL.

 

You can answer these questions for yourself:

1) How important are the bonuses like heated seats and navigation to you? Maybe thery are, maybe they are not. Don't get it just because it's there.

2) How much do you plan to drive the car

3) How much to you plan to use the trunk?? The C4 has about half the space

4) And yes, 20HP does make a slight difference. There are other improvements in the MY 02 too.

In general, if you don't need AWD, don't get it just because it says C4 on the back. Just my opinion.

 

The only options that matter to me are PSM and 4-wheel drive. The car is a week-end driver, but I will be doing 3-4 DE/year. Like my present Boxster, it will be highly modded. I already have a list of performance mods in mind, Supercharging is on top of the list. Not having a factory warranty to worry about is a plus.

 

Sounds like you should be looking for a 2002 C2 with PSM then. You'll get quite a bit more power out of it when you supercharge it compared to the 99-01's.