Hi,

I shop for my first Porsche right now, looking almost exclusively at 2005-2006 cars I can find.
I do not really understand why on most forums most questions or discussions go around 997 C2S or C4S. Where are C2?

Going seriously - is there any specific reason not to buy simple original C2? I honestly do not find handling of C2 to be much different from C2S, more power is nice of course but not really critical to me. Are there any other issues?

PSW. sorry for other topic - I assumed I could delete one with typo but seems like there is no function for that.

 

The S came with a bigger engine, bigger brakes, xenon lights, PASM, 19" wheels.

People are buying the S for it's increased performance.

 

Are there here any C2 proud owners who could defend their stock?

I just shop for a whole month so far and have to say - there are very little worth looking 2006 CPO C2S on private listings and none of C4S. But I see C2 from time to time.

I just drove C2S at dealer - he wants $54K for it, 14K miles. I can get C2 from privat party with 40K miles for $40K.
$14K difference makes me believe I may be more happy with regular C2. But I am not sure. Performance aside - are there any internal fixes? I read once in Autosport article claiming C2 to have bobble-head motion on front suspension. Is it just a total BS or somewhat practically known? I did not feel much diff between C2 and C2S handling wise, really. It accelerates just a bit faster, true, but again, in same ballpark area.
So, what gives?

Also, just say from this forum alone - is C2 known to have less engine related issues than C2S or vice versa?

 

I own a C2 and it's my first 911 so very satisfied. I don't track my car though.

 

Personally I would get the c2s with14k miles. Its almost a new car at that point. Plus the 2 year CPO wrntee ontop of whatever is left of the existing one. 14k for a bigger motor,brakes,wider wheels,better suspension ect. This is a no-brainer.

 

Your 2009 C2 is differnet then a 2005 - 2006 C2.

 

I own a 2006 C2 and the car is way better than I am as a driver. The extra power of the S would be lost on me. Just my 2 cents.

 

If you can't see or feel the differences, and the upgrades don't matter to you, then save your money. There is nothing fundamentally flawed or different between the two. It's just that the S has a few more features and modestly improved performance.
I bought an S and appreciate the differences, but it's likely psychic value. I don't track the car. OTOH I've made a number of modifications for the same psychic value. And it's been worthwhile to me.
Finally, since this forum is biased toward auto/Porsche enthusiasts, there's a natural bias to the higher performance cars. But this is not a representative sample of Porsche owners.

 

Back when I got my 2005 C2, it was only 29 more HP with the S. I bought mine with 1200 miles used and the person who ordered it loaded it up with everything from sport chrono to full leather. The discount I got on it far out weighed the cost/performance gain in 05 (it was approx 10K more MSRP for the S). The deal I got was the original owner wanted to upgrade to the S so he lost $$$$$ and my gain.

I traded a 03 C4S which had 6 less HP and 200lbs more for the 4 wheel drive FWIW

 

Your buying used and looking for a good price so it is clear your price is a factor... the C2 is a better car for the money, no one can debate that. Many owners who have owned both even say the 3.6 engine of the none S feels better....The increased cost on average does not equate to the same in performance on any level....S does not have 20% more power, does not handle or stop 20% better, does not look 20% better etc.... In a common drivers hands (even with a few track days here and there) the S does almost nothing much better....only slightly and not be seen on most common roads.... On average an S maybe near 15-20% more money used.... on a 44K car for none S or 55K for S (near 20%)...... Finding a highly optioned NONE S is the key, as the S does come with some key options but many none S cars come well equipped... dare ai say some better equipped then some S cars.... My none S came with Bose, Xenon, Pwr/heat seats, sport chrono, etc etc.... I knew I would be adding new wheels so the 19's coming with an S were not a factor for me......

For the record if the cars costs the exact same this clearly would never be a debate but they are not.... used on average (not talking about comparing a few sales talking average) the S will run almost 15-20% more and again does nada that much better.....

This note applies to those stretching to get into a 997.... wether you set a number in your head or what you can afford. I didn't want to spend more then 50K and got a well equipped none S car before the market tanked. I didn't go all out as I knew if I loved the car I would not step to an S but rather a Turbo.... A year later I can say I love the car but my next car would not be a porsche only cause I want to try something new.... I am going R8 next year most likely. That said S or none S your getting an amazing car....

hope that helps..... and S owners easy on your grenades back, he wanted a none S owner to step up and make a post so went for it...

Hope this helps....

 

30%+ more in price for a car that does nothing 30% better? How is that a no brainer.... I was with you about the CPO etc there is huge value there IMO but no way in hell is a S car of equal year in 05-06 with same miles worth 14K more then a None S car unless that None S car has roll up windows and literally No options.....

 

Yes it does. Thanks.

Is there any mechanical aspect to this equation - does C2 break more often than C2S or vice versa? It is a silly way to ask perhaps, but I am just looking for high level stats.

I am not a race driver. I used to race when I was at university so i can appreciate good car abilities, but for majority of time I will be with my wife and son in this 911. And perhaps about of 10% time - alone.

Major aspect for me to buy relatively cheap and trouble-free car, if possible, then invest up to $10K in repairs as needed and then not to worry at all if possible next 5-10 years. So it may sound naive but that`s the plan so far.

 

point is - I will get CPO on C2 I am shopping for as well. so real diff is 14K miles vs 42K miles on C2 and $14K price diff.

I assume CPO is transferrable if sold from one private party to another, right?

 

thats a big swing in total miles..... if the C2 is cpo less concerned but I would spend at least 5K+more for a car with that many less miles on such a car....maybe more. Thats a big swing in mileage.

I would say no big revelations between the 3.6 vs the 3.8 reliabe wise... the car and engine was first made as a 3.6 so how it was built, things were done to make it a 3.8, more hp = a hair more stress which will always = a bit more chance of breaking. But again both seem equally reliable as whole. Not sure that should be one of your decision factors.

yes can transfer CPO...

 

I guess I'd be pretty concerned about the 42K miles. As noted mine now has 35K miles but I know that the car has been treated well. Very well. 42K miles of 'unknown' is a bigger stretch.
That said, the cars are extremely well engineered and constructed and will go many many miles with proper care and feeding.