I'm new to the forum and am have finally saved the cash to purchase my first Porsche. I have always admired the Turbo and thought I would go that direction (used). However a freind of mine, who owns a C4S, told me that I should buy a newer C4S than the '03 Turbo I've had my eye on. I would value some input from you guys on which way to go. My budget is $72K
Thanks in advance for the feedback!

 

I wanted to spend $60-$65 and was thinking about a 996 turbo, but I decided on a newer C2S instead. For $72, you can get a sweet '04 X50 or '05 Turbo S, but (IMHO) you need to ask yourself if you:
1) need the power
2) need to have a 'turbo'
3) want the older style 996 or newer 997
As much as I wanted a turbo, and got psyched about the deals out there, I went with the 997.
For $72, you should be able to find an '07 C4S with CPO, which would equate to about 3 years factory warranty. Maybe you could get an '08 C2S for that money.

Good luck!

 

Jack667,
Thanks for the comments. I am excited about the purchase and want to get as much information from current owners as I can.
Best,
DMac

 

you may find a 997.2 base carrera for that price.. I would go that way.

 

I actually started out my 911 search just like you did - I was wanting to get into a lightly used 996 TT. After looking at a whole bunch of listings, I realized that the "creature comforts" were sort of spartan in the 996. And the way I drive I didn't think I was ever going to get to spool up the turbo to where it really would be fun and still stay semi-legal.

So then I was looking at 2007 997.1 C2S/C4S and you can easily find a really nice one for $60s. But still a lot of them didn't have NAV, and the more I thought about it, I wanted Bluetooth and iPod and NAV etc etc. So after hearing about the great discounts for 2009 997.2s, I went looking for one that fit my needs. After hunting all over the country, I found mine optioned just like I wanted it - and at a price I could afford.

If there are any NEW 2009 C2/C4 left on the dealers lots anywhere - you can get one for $72k. That's what I paid for mine

 

I had the same tough decision to make about 2 months ago. I was back and forth between a 03 996 turbo and a 06 997 c2s. I test drove both cars. Prices are way better in the USA for cars than in Canada, and for 72k, you should be able to get something much newer. I ended up with the 06 997 c2s, and I spent 75k CAD after everything.

Other Porsche owners tell me that the rule of thumb is to always get as new as you can afford, as much as you can spend... So, scoper's recommendation of a looking for 09 c2 or 09 c4 would be best.

 

Why do you want to get an AWD? The rwd are great in everything but snow, and being in the bay area I would imagine too much snow.

 

I agree !!! In fact with the mountain roads/ region climate and nice curves the normally aspirated rear wheel car would be the fun car to drive. Only if he wanted more Hp then the AWD Turbo would be the car choice. Given that it's his fist Porsche I'd pick a 997S .

 

Can you say "WIDEBODY"? That's why! I'm grappling with the same dilemma. No I don't NEED the AWD (or the extra weight), but that rear profile is DA BOMB. Methinks DMac225 might be facing the same predicament...

 

I appreciate all of the feedback! It sounds like their is a lot of "passion" for each of the Porsche models...and that's why I'm buying one! I can't wait to officially be part of the family.

 

The total width in the rear is about 1.5 inches wider for a C4 vs a C2, even side by side it is tough to see the difference. The RWD is so much fun to slide around.

 

No thoughts.

 

I humbly disagree....... rwd 911 is brilliant in the snow (with plain 'ol high performance snow tires). Ground clearance will be the greatest factor in snow driving.

As for the original post.......... I picked up my new 09 Carrera S for ~$75k last year during Porsches' lean times when they were heavily discounting. There has to be deals out there. I think there is a great market right now for people selling their cars right now that picked them up with deals like I got.

 

What a great thread. I am pretty new to the forum and a new Porsche owner. Like many of the posts above, I thought I wanted a turbo. A 997 turbo was cost prohibitive for me, since this would only be a weekend driver and one of a few cars. I thought I wanted a 996 turbo with X-50. A Porsche salesman (not the one I bought my car from) convinced me to try a 997 C2S. After a ride I was convinced that a 997 C2S was plenty of car for fun. Also, I really liked the 997 subtle body differences.

I settled on a Carrera White 997 C2S with cocoa full leather interior -- I LOVE IT!!

One thing to consider . . . do you need a C4S? If there isn't a lot of snow and you don't plan on driving the car in snow or heavy rain, I'm not sure there is a reason for the C4S. The C4S is a wide body and that looks cool, but not sure I would spend extra $ on that when the C2S performs so well.

 

the C2S has a pretty nice rear view, and purchasing a C4S for the slightly wider hips is not worth the increased cost imo... for 72K there are so many cars for you to choose from... shoot, late last year, i think the green PDK S launch cars were going in the 70's... Why don't you go drive a C2S and see how you like it... if you do, go buy yourself a low mile, CPO 2007 or 2008... if you have any left over, put it in the bank for some mods... $60-65K gets you into a REALLY nice car...