Need advice on buying a new porsche.

[mb7000]

I'm currently on the market for a newer Porsche 911.

I have 01 C4 and it's a daily driver all year around.

I've always been a fan of the turbo.

I have narrowed my search down to a 07 Carrera 4s or a 03 Carrera turbo,both have relatively low miles so that's a wash. both are roughly the same price.

So my question is, are there any technological advances between the two aside from the updated body style of the 07. does the 06/07 c4s have a newer designed engine or is it pretty much the same as the 03 tt. I know the interior has been updated on the 07. The turbo pretty much has the same interior as what I'm currently driving, so it won't feel much like a new car.

pros and cons of the 07 versus 03

Thoughts?

[1schoir]

I'm currently on the market for a newer Porsche 911.

I have 01 C4 and it's a daily driver all year around.

I've always been a fan of the turbo.

I have narrowed my search down to a 07 Carrera 4s or a 03 Carrera turbo,both have relatively low miles so that's a wash. both are roughly the same price.

So my question is, are there any technological advances between the two aside from the updated body style of the 07. does the 06/07 c4s have a newer designed engine or is it pretty much the same as the 03 tt. I know the interior has been updated on the 07. The turbo pretty much has the same interior as what I'm currently driving, so it won't feel much like a new car.

pros and cons of the 07 versus 03

Thoughts?

I'm sure others here will offer much more specific and subjective information (my perspective is derived from Boxsters), but, if i am not mistaken, one of the major pluses of the Turbo is that the engine is not mass-produced and mass-assembled. As a result, it has had (and should continue to have) none of the bad press and experiences associated with the much-hyped and much feared IMS failures (primarily because it's a total $$ engine failure and not something that can be taken lightly by the average Porsche owner).

Although the IMS issues may have been designed out of the M96 engine variants in 2009 (IIRC), the benefit of the more hand-assembled turbo cannot be overemphasized in today's bottom-line seeking corporate entities...

Good luck with your new acquisition, and remember, we really, really like photos here!

Regards, Maurice.

[phillipj]

I guess it just depends on what you want. The 996 turbo is an awesome car with plenty of abilty to add gobs of HP if you want. But like you said the interior is what you have now so that wouldn't be much of a change.

The 997 4S is also a beautiful car. You won't be able to add hp like the turbo but the engine is sweet and the interior (i think) is far better than the 996. The handling is amazing. I had a 2006 Carrera S and loved it. Now I have a 2007 Turbo and love it even more.

If it were me I'd go for the 4S. Oh yeah and get a warranty.....Even thought the 06 has the updated IMS bearing a warranty is a must.

Also the Turbo dry sump engine is a completely different engine than in the 996 or 997. Relatively bullet proof.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Edited July 28, 2011 by phillipj

[function12]

The upgrade from the 996 world to the 997 is very nice. I just went from a 996 40 edition to a 997tt. Worlds apart on fit and finish. The nice thing about the 996tt is the engine. It is ROCK SOLID. With the 997 you will always worry about the whole IMS bearing issue.

[AP 997S]

In most cases newer model years always have more performance and reliability. Choosing between a turbo and a normally aspirated Porsche is an 'apples & oranges' comparison.

I personally think the 997 (compared to a 996) interior is so much more refined and 'up-scaled'. The 'subtle' exterior change(s) is also a winner.

To coin a phase from Shareka (sp) the hips on a C4S don't lie.

I'd go w/ the latest model year that meets your requirements, taste and of course budget.

Either way good luck in your decision.