Hi, I'm new to the forum and also to Porsche ownership. I"ve wanted one for a long time but am ready to jump in the pool. Among many I've looked at, I 'm trying to decide between a 2003 911 and a 2005 911S. Both are in great condition and priced reasonably well,but the newer S is nearly $20k more of course.

I'm honestly just buying the car for fun rather than a serious racing/driving machine. The original cost difference doesn't make much difference to me, but the fun of some daily driving and the depreciation do matter. Either one is overkill for my driving needs but I like the 997 styling better. I guess my question is whether there is much driveability difference between the two models, and which might holdits value better over several years.

 

If you are worried about depreciation then I would go for the 2003 as it has, I would think, depreciation more and hence you will have less downside...that said,I was in the exact same boat and talked myself from a 2004 C4S all the way to a2008 C4S or Targa 4S...this is not an economically rationale decision on my part but I decided that this was a gift to me and thatI was going to getexactly what i wanted, that said, the cost difference amortized over the length of time that you will have the car may make it possible for you to rationalize the 2005 version...and finally, for me I would go for the S version becauseI greatly prefer the wode body that comes with the S...

With respectto drive differenceI like youam getting a Porsche for the fun factor and with my limited skillset in mind -- although I did previously own a MB AMG-- I could not tell the difference between a 2004 C4S and a 2006 C4S, perhaps others can.

HTH

 

The 997 platform is far advanced over the 996 already. The interiors are more refined, they handle better, and the power of the C2S is a nice base. Who knows how depreciation will affect the 997 line. It took a few years for the 996s to plummet, and they continue to go down. You can get a low mileage 996 now for under 30. Where will they stabilize? Hard to say, but I have to believe they can't drop too much more. I have to believe the 997 is going to hold it's value better, but a couple of years more will tell. IMHO, it can't drop any worse than the 996 line.

 

Now that I"ve driven a couple 996s and 997s, I'm definitely heading toward the 997. Trying to find a good '05 C2S. Had a good one in my sights but the guy sold it from underneath me. Will keep looking.

 

I did find an '05 C2S. Taking delivery on Sunday. Should be fun!

 

Bruce, congratulations and enjoy...I know that you are going to have a blast...

 

Thanks, Joel. Got her today and she's beautiful. Here isa pic before she got shipped home:

 

Bruce,

Did you testdrive this car before you made the purchase? Was it from a dealership or private seller? How difficult was the shipping process?

I ask b/c I'm looking to purchase a 2005 911 also and there is minimal inventory in Las Vegas. Thus, I'll probablyhave to buy it out of state and get it shipped to me unless I buy it in CA or AZ.

Thanks
Brian

 

Brian,
I'd certainly rather buy it locally if possible. We have a pretty good inventory of Porscheshere in Houston, but I ended up looking for a very specific year and model and that made it more difficult. I was more comfortable buying this one unseen because it was still pretty new and under warranty, plus the dealer at least claimed to have done a paint check over the whole car. They also had the full ownership history (brief), all the papers, etc. Still, it's a bit of a gamble. Check the dealer's reputation any way you can: eBay, BBB, internet boards like this, etc.

The shipping was easy because the dealer's business was principally in internet sales and they used a company called Luxury Motor Transport all the time. It was shipped in an enclosed trailer and cost about $1/mile. Arrived right on the time they forecast.

Before buying this one I was looking at '02 vintage ones, and I would not have bought something with more miles, more history, and no warranty without an independent mechanical inspection. One car that I found on the internet but was located in Houston anyway looked great in all respects but flunked my mechanic's test. He found that new paint on almost all surfaces that I didn't detect in my own personal inspection, plus he put it on the rack and found new undercarriage parts. It was a pretty car but obviously had more "history" than I was willing to live with.

Good luck,
Bruce

 

Bruce, your car is an absolutely beaty which just makes me want to get mine as soon as possible...enjoy it to its fullest...on a related note, just curious as to what options it is equipped with.

Thanks,

Joel