996: MY01 vs MY02

[toekneee]

I'm in the market for a used 996, and I've come across two similarly priced cars with similar milage. The '01 is set up to my liking; wheels, exhaust, etc.. while the '02 is pretty much stock. Both cars have complete records with no apparent problems, clean carfax. Is there a major difference between the two model years that should sway me towards the newer car aside from the cosmetic update?

[djantlive]

01 has 3.4L

02 has 3.6L, newer interior material, bose option, throatier exhaust (stock vs stock), different fenders, turbo headlights, improve aerodynamics.

Exhaust is 500-1k depending what you get. It's an easy swap unless you get PSE with electronics wired. Wheels are easy swap too. Both are easily upgradeable for a few grand. However, the engine, body style, interior will be too expansive to update.

02+ are holding on their value fairly well while 99-01 prices have fallen greatly. I think warranty expiring combine with the 02+ improvements are the reasons. With 02 coming off of warranty soon, it would be interesting to see if 02 prices start to dip under $50k.

[dirtrack49]

I bought a 2002 C2 cpe, 6spd recently. I had driven all the model years of the 996, and feel that the power band is much better in the 2002 and up. Also the handling is more refined.

I am in So. Cal, the car had 26k miles on it. Pretty much stock bare bones. Options included: PSM, PSE, US. M030 sport suspension, 5 spoke lt alloy 18" wheels, and a cd changer. Bought it for just under $46k. Had to put on a new set of tires on the rear and install a new battery.

One thing I found in the year I spent looking for the right car is, most owners are asking to much. Dealers are out to lunch on their prices.

It would be nice to buy a vehicle from a dealership offering the CPO warranty extension, but for what they want and evidently get, it probably is not worth the money.

Having been in the car business too long, I would say depending on what part of the country your in, I would not pay higher then Kelly Blue Book Private Party Good. I am talking about a vehicle that is in very clean condition.

Good Luck,

Tom L

[viper501]

I'd definitely get the newest car you can afford, all things being equal. The 3.4 can't compete with the 3.6, performance-wise. Then there is the chassis reinforcements on the 3.6 cars (although that might have been an '01 implementation but definitely worth looking at).