A C2 is most bang for your buck and if you have $45k to spend go for it. As North says there is a hell of a lot more difference between a C2 and a C2S than just a badge but you'll enjoy the Porsche experience just as much in the non-S.

Good luck.

 

The 45k Porsche buy is alot more foregiving than a 100k new C2S so to speak. Once this car approaches 50k mile mark..it;s pretty much taken the biggest depreciation hit a Porsche takes..(10k hit, 25k hit, 50k Timberrrrrrrr) but with that you have a car that will serve your purpose for 1/2 the cost...as long as there is no RMS or other issues. If you buy a new one your going to take a 30k hit the first year and a half so you are somewhat hedged at this level of purchase.

The "S" factor is both factual based in what you get and psychologically based in satisfying a want instead of a need. Porsche is the master on taking the same platform and reaching 6 different types of customers and I think it's safe to say..if you ever owned one Porsche..you'll probably own another one at some point.

The fact that your going through this discussion means that the S is atleast at some level a want...your budget says C2 so it seems like a pretty clear decision for theat perspective. However if your always going to be wishing for the S for whatever reason...I would find a way to get the "want"(S) or your 2nd Porsche might be a lot closer in your future than you think

 

I was in the same dilema, as much as I wanted a C2S, my budget only allowed for up to 50k and I wanted to purchase from a dealer for the CPO or add an extended warranty. I ended up finding my P-car at a Bimmer dealer and got it for 42k, then paid 3k for an extended warranty that covers it for an additional 6 years/60k. But the dealer let me do a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) at my local Porsche dealer, which made me feel confident about my purchase. Fortunately I also found one with 32k miles, PASM and Sport Chrono, so it's got the features I wanted and the color combo of Seal Grey Ext and Sand Beige Interior is beautiful.

I could never find a C2S from any dealer under $54k and that's before tax and license, so as much I as I wanted a C2S it was just out of my price range. I still look at classifieds everyday and can't find any C2's for less than $50k, unless it's a private sale and usually has less options, so I guess my purchase timing was just right...

If you can afford a C2S, go for it! If not, the C2 is still an INCREDIBLE driving experience. But bottom-line is I don't think I could live without a Porsche again

 

I think I will try to start with that C2 I found if PPI will not find anything weird about it. Price I get it for will set me back probably $2-3K max if I decide to sell this car back, so, well, I guess if I will not like it I will simply get another one.

I am not so sure I need PASM and other modern things. I used to race simple cars with no hydraulics on steering and other mechanical wonders. I just like the way 911 rolls on a road. So I guess why not to try it for a while...

I see some 996 C2S available now, 2004 and 2003 but they have no warranty so it makes no sense to me to buy car that old. I wish market would have more 997 C2S, C4S but, well, probably it is a temporary lack of supply. Worst case scenario in couple of years I will trade 2006 C2 for 2008 C4S. Will see.
All I want now is for PPI to come out clean on that C2 I found.

 

Based on this alone I think you're doing the right thing. The base car, without PASM, is a very good "natural" drive and if that's what you want I think you'll actually enjoy it more. Many commentators have said as much, and my experience backs that up.

In saying this there is no doubt the PASM cars are ultimately quicker and it's very nice to be able to push that sport button and have the suspension tighten up a notch. But in saying that, like you I've raced older cars and you'll certainly get the same feeling with a non-PASM C2. Just remember to keep the PSM on until you get the feel for the car on the track then turn it off as well!

 

Just did PPI on it. Came up with flying colors. Car is immaculate.
Miles are high of course, 42460 to be exact but I pay $39995 for it, CPO warranty included.

Funny thing - apparently it has Xenon lights, dimmed mirrors, both heated seats, some other options I already forgot and some additional 3m protection vinyl on front and sides etc. Previous owner did not have any idea about anything else than heated seats. As I believed I am buying option-less car it came as a pleasant surprise.

Well, for me most important thing is how car runs. And as it runs well - all the rest is secondary to that.

DMe scan shows level 1 count of 556 and level 2 of 56. I guess it`s nice. Clutch could be smoother I guess but Porsche people tried it and told me it is exactly as it is supposed to be. So I guess I am all set with my new wheels. Will get its title tomorrow if nothing else will happen.

 

Sounds good! There are others around this forum who would comment on the DME results but on the clutch don't forget that the C2 doesnt have the self-adjusting clutch that the S has. No issue, just that at 42K miles I guess it's reasonable to expect some wear and maybe a little heavier pedal.

Those extra extra's are a bonus for sure. It all helps! Post some pics when you get it.

 

He-he. I am a lazy bone, will take me some time to get good pictures...

Strange stuff - Porsche guys at dealership were telling me today that clutch in this car, C2 is self-adjusting as well. Heck. I was a bit confused as I supposed it was not supposed to be. Well, anyway, whatever that clutch is it seem to work so far and it is a good news I guess.

 

Not according to the information I was given. But you never know - maybe it is in the US.

Regardless, as you say it works and sounds like you've got the car you want. All good.

 

The difference between a new base C2 and C2S (2005-2008) was 10k. For that extra 10k you got, more HP, bigger brakes and 19 inch wheels.

I don't really car about the bigger wheels with all the pot holes around here but i would prefer the bigger brakes and HP.

If the difference in the two used cars was only 5 or 10k, I would go for the S. If the difference is 15k, than maybe I'd go for the base.

If you plan on swtiching cars often, It would probably be easier to sell a used C2S than a base C2

 

I had a 350Z prior to my 997 C2S. Before I purchased the C2S, I test drove a used C2 with Chrono package.

When I took it for a test drive I realized that it was not much faster than my 350Z... I am not debating the handling, the braking, or quality but only the power. I agree with RaceCarDriver, if you can go for a base C2S

 

C2S definitely has more hype factor on it but I do not think it justifies that exact $15K price jump.
As of me - I got my car and I like it pretty much. As of power - with all respect to crowd here, 30 horses diff in upper revs section is not really 'much more power' but I`ll leave it to you guys. I`ve had over the years many cars, one of them was TT Supra with measured 430hp on dyno so I know pretty well what I speak about.
I am not going to do 0-60 in my car under 5 sec every time I start. For all other purposes C2 and C2S in 2K-5K rpm section are very close. So, it is all subjective.

I agree on resell - it is definitely true. But I got this one not to resell it, I will work on it for a while, put more options into it, get probably 20-40 more horses into it, will see. I got plenty of time to work on it now.

 

Congrats on the car. Enjoy!

 

Thanks.
I still did not do good pictures. Those I took while shopping.

It is a simple car but I like it. I am a simple person perhaps.

 

Ha - that's funny man - it's a Porsche 911.

Humble is good, but don't feel the need to apologize or justify your choices - its a great looking car, simple or not.