ProV1

i've always loved Carrera C4S.. i'd appreciate any input from car gurus on:

1. reliability of 996 C4S cars in general
2. what model years to avoid/ what model years are the best
3. maintenance/upkeep forecast

any help is appreciated - thanks!

CKit

Have you driven a 996 vs a 997?

What do you love about the 996 C4S that you wouldn't love more in a 997 Carrera or Carrera S?

Have you checked out Porsche forums?

mingster

i recommend you drive them first. '02s have a larger engine with 20 more horsepower. i looked around and decided on a Cayman S instead, been happy every since.

CKit

I also would take a Cayman S or even base 997 Carrera over a 996 C4S.

I would take an Evo over a 996 C4S if it had to be AWD.

Ted H

So hateful.

Yes, the 997 is much better. I'd rather drive a 997 base than perhaps a 996tt.

That being said, CKit is not giving the 996 its due respect. It's not as refined, but it's more of a sports car... lighter, fewer interior distractions.

**Jay-V**

Check out rennlist, Porsche planet, or 6speedonline.

I agree with the previous posts. Go drive different Porsche's and compare.

Me personally, I would go with a Cayman S or a 997 non-S before going with a 996 C4S. Unless you're getting a phenomenal deal on a 996 C4S.

Maintenance cost is obviously going to be more than a Honda S2000, but in the big scheme of things, it's actually not much more.

Reliability as with any other car will depend on how it was maintained and how you maintain it. Just for some insight, I have a friend who daily drives a 1999 996 C2 and he has had over 100k trouble free miles in the 8 years of ownership. Didn't even have to deal with the infamous rear main seal issues.

As with buying any used Porsche, get a reputable company to do a PPI, research extended warranty companies, find a independent Porsche master mechanic in your area, and probably the most important rule, buy the newest Porsche you can afford.

ProV1

obviously 997 is a better car but i'd like to keep the budget below $40k cash this time.

i hadnt thought of caymans - nor have i ever driven one. perhaps i should check one out.

CKit

If you'd rather drive a base 997 than a 996 Turbo... then what does that say about a 996 Turbo without the turbo....

The 996s never did it for me. In assuredly limited testing, I drove a C4, C4S, C2S and C2... and they all felt a little ordinary in their driving dynamics to me. No adrenaline or lust. And the interiors by modern standards are pretty horrid.

The Cayman S, current gen Boxster S, and 997 911s...

Oh yes... she will be mine.....

Chris S

I'd take any 9x7 over any 9x6, w/ the exception of a 996 GT3 and perhaps a 911 Turbo.

Bugsy

I've owned 04 996,
06 Cayman S,
Driven 997's,
Now own a 996 TT. The TT is a wild ride, and the best of all the ones I've driven and owned.
I tend to flip a little too often, so the next will probably be a CR, EliseSC, or a Cobra clone to replace the TT, but in no hurry as the TT is an absolutely fantastic car.
As others have mentioned here, the non-turbo 996 has a scary percentage with bad intermediate shaft bearings and also rear main seal issues. That is a real turn off, and has helped to drive the price way down on these. Unfortunately, the 997 hasn't been exempt of the problem either.
In a nutshell, the 996C4s is a great, great car. Just make sure there is no oil leak between engine and trans.... and it's very quiet at idle. No loose change sounds whatsoever, as that seems to be the tell-tale Intermediate shaft bearing failure happening.
Cheers.