View Full Version : Just drove an '04 996 C2
Wow. It exceeded my expectations.
The car: Silver w/ black interior, 20K miles, CPO. Very, very clean car.
I drove it with a co-worker, but besides adding ~180lbs, the conversation made me overlook a few details. It was a bit damp with some mist.
That thing felt fast and torquey. It felt at least as fast the 3.2L 987S I drove a couple of years back and probably faster. In typical porsche fashion, it immediately made the ZHP feel like a buick. It was so "mechanical," direct. It had what felt like a very heavy clutch. The throws were nice but a bit long. Shifting was easier than on the ZHP although I seemed to never be eable to remove power/disengage clutch smoothly. Brakes were simply espectacular in terms of feel. I didn't get to push the car much on turns because of traffic and my apprehension to even try to sniff the limits of a 911 for the first time on damp roads. Suffice to say that the car shrugged off anything I did without breathing hard. The sounds were amazing, the ride firm but not jarring despite 18" wheels. It seems to smooth out the sharpness of the bumps, which made it very tolerable.
Basically, it kicked ass. The interior didn't bother me nearly as much as I thought it would. The car had pwr seats which made finding a good position easy. The steering wheel felt a bit thin, but not bad. The backs of the seats seemed narrow, though. I think I could get away with having a (FF) kid in the back. Perhaps not daily, but it can be done.
The most interesting thing was getting back in the 330i. I swear I thought my clutch pedal was broken. It seemed like I touched it and it bottomed out. Basically everything felt over-assisted. And it felt quiet and slow. I looked down wondering why it felt slow, thinking maybe amidst my conversation I was in the dreaded sub-3krpm range. Nope, I was at 5krpm and climbing. My car had never felt slow there on 3rd gear. My car is still a nice car, but man, not even close. I'm afraid to even try out a 997 much less a 997S. I could wind up doing something monumentally stupid.
That's all I can remember for now.
Oh, there were two '07 Caymans for $10K off, and an '07 987 for $43K.
Wow. It exceeded my expectations.
The car: Silver w/ balck interior, 20K miles, CPO. Very, very clean car.
I drove it with a co-worker, but besides adding ~180lbs, the conversation made me overlook a few details. It was a bit damp with some mist.
That thing felt FAST and torquey. It felt at LEAST as fast the 3.2L 987S I drove a couple of years back and probably faster. In typical porsche fashion, it immediately made the ZHP feel like a buick. It was so "mechanical," direct. It had what felt like a very heavy clutch. The throws were nice but a bit long. Shifting was easier than on the ZHP although I seemed to never be eable to remove power/desengage clutch smoothly. Brakes were simply espectacular in terms of feel. I didn't get to push the car much on turns because of traffic and my apprehension to even try to sniff the limits of a 911 for the first time on damp roads. Suffice to say that the car shrugged off anyhitng I did withouth breathig hard. The sounds were amazing, the ride firm, but not jarring despite 18" wheels. It seems to smooth out the sharpness of the bumps, which made it very tolerable.
Basically, it kicked ass. The interior didn't bother me nearly as much as I thought it would. The car had pwr seats which made finding a good position easy. The steering wheel felt a bit thin, but not bad. The backs of the seats seemed narrow, though. I think I could get away with having a (FF) kid in the back. Perhaps not daily, but it can be done.
The most interesting thing was getting back in the 330i. I swear I thought my clutch pedal was broken. It seemed like I touched it and it bottomed out. Basically everything felt over-assisted. And it felt quiet and slow. I looked down wondering why it felt slow, thinking maybe amidst my conversation I was in the dreaded sub-3K rpm, not I was at 5krpm and climbing. My car had never felt slow there on 3rd gear. My car is still a ncie car, but man, not even close. I'm afraid to even try out a 997 much less a 997S. I could wind up doing something momumentally stupid.
That's all I can remember for now.
Oh, there were two '07 Caymans for $10K off, and an '07 987 for $43K.
http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showpost.php?p=174894&postcount=40
Yes, I had that post in my mind the whole time. You were right.
...and yes, the throttle response did make me weep a little. Well, almost.
Yup, they are awesome... The day will come. :)
Yup, they are awesome... The day will come. :)
I can't stop thinking about it. In a twisted sort of way, I keep think of just how badass a 997/S must be. I'm insane.:?:rolleyes: Cars need to be driven soon. MCS, 986, Elise, S2K, etc.
Jeff_DML
04-11-2008, 03:53 PM
what was the price of it? The 996 I have seen have been dirt cheap, cheaper then older 911s. Just hate the runny egg headlights but oh well.
what was the price of it? The 996 I have seen have been dirt cheap, cheaper then older 911s. Just hate the runny egg headlights but oh well.
Well, there is the '99-'01 996 and the '02-'04 996.
Main difference cosmetically is that the 99-01 looks just like a boxster from the front, and the 02-04 has the TT headlights and a nicer front bumper.
Apparently the exhaust was fixed to once again sound awesome, and the engine went from 3.4L/300hp to 3.6L/320hp. I'm sure there are other minor changes too.
Right now, it seems 02-04 C2's (plain RWD 996's) can cost from as little as 35K to as much as low-mid 50K's depending on mileage/warranty. One should be able to find a decent one with "high mileage" for ~$40K right now.
If I buy one, I'd be looking at scooping one up in the dead of winter for cheap. Another option is that since the 997 facelift/bump in power is happening this fall, hopefully used prices will go down and maybe I can grab an '05 997S for under $50K. THAT would be very tempting.
These are all '02+...
http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=14778
Well, there is the '99-'01 996 and the '02-'04 996.
Main difference cosmetically is that the 99-01 looks just like a boxster from the front, and the 02-04 has the TT headlights and a nicer front bumper.
Apparently the exhaust was fixed to once again sound awesome, and the engine went from 3.4L/300hp to 3.6L/320hp. I'm sure there are other minor changes too.
Right now, it seems 02-04 C2's (plain RWD 996's) can cost from as little as 35K to as much as low-mid 50K's depending on mileage/warranty. One should be able to find a decent one with "high mileage" for ~$40K right now.
If I buy one, I'd be looking at scooping one up in the dead of winter for cheap. Another option is that since the 997 facelift/bump in power is happening this fall, hopefully used prices will go down and maybe I can grab an '05 997S for under $50K. THAT would be very tempting.
These are all '02+...
http://forums.carmudgeons.com/showthread.php?t=14778
FC, here is your car:
http://jalopnik.com/378904/could-you-drive-a-purple-on-purple-porsche
Jeff_DML
04-11-2008, 04:39 PM
thanks
lemming
04-11-2008, 05:26 PM
the post-2002 engines are awesome because they have variocam plus so the torque curve isn't peaky like it is on the pre 2002 cars.
i like that late 996s because of that. but it'll come to a point when you can have that engine in the 997 bodyshell pretty inexpensively.
just a thought.
lupinsea
04-11-2008, 05:34 PM
Yeah, that's some purple hawtness right there!
the post-2002 engines are awesome because they have variocam plus so the torque curve isn't peaky like it is on the pre 2002 cars.
i like that late 996s because of that. but it'll come to a point when you can have that engine in the 997 bodyshell pretty inexpensively.
just a thought.
"Inexpensive" to lemming = "still pretty fucking expensive" to TD
lemming
04-11-2008, 06:08 PM
"Inexpensive" to lemming = "still pretty fucking expensive" to TD
no, no.
i meant inexpensive by the time FC would pull the trigger. years, right, F?
;)
no, no.
i meant inexpensive by the time FC would pull the trigger. years, right, F?
;)
No, I understood.
An '05 997S, 3 to 4 years from now, will still be $55K+ (with decent mileage/condition/etc)
Not "inexpensive".
lemming
04-11-2008, 07:07 PM
No, I understood.
An '05 997S, 3 to 4 years from now, will still be $55K+ (with decent mileage/condition/etc)
Not "inexpensive".
you think?
i hadn't thought all that deeply about it, truly, TD.
i'm leaning more toward a 300hp solstice coupe these days (which wasn't even on my radar) more than anything else, even a CPO 997, which i'd like to entertain.
Not with the free falling trend right now on all high end car prices...
"right now" does not define 3-4 years from now.
edit: what I mean to say is that a 911 is a car that tends to float around the high end used car market. the 997 is going to hold up better in the long run vs. the 996 regardless of today's market IMO.
no, no.
i meant inexpensive by the time FC would pull the trigger. years, right, F?
;)
Not necessarily. Next year, maybe.:eeps: But 4-5 years for sure.
"right now" does not define 3-4 years from now.
edit: what I mean to say is that a 911 is a car that tends to float around the high end used car market. the 997 is going to hold up better in the long run vs. the 996 regardless of today's market IMO.
I agree. That 997's can be had for mid 50's now makes me hopefull that perhaps they can dip below 50k by mid winter. I think they are going to basically squat in that 30-50K range for several more years, making a 4-5 y.o. 997/S a very good buy. Fortunately (?) for me, I would not put more than 5k miles per year, helping keep its value.
Fortunately (?) for me, I would not put more than 5k miles per year
:eek: :ack: :eeps:
I agree. That 997's can be had for mid 50's now makes me hopefull that perhaps they can dip below 50k by mid winter. I think they are going to basically squat in that 30-50K range for several more years, making a 4-5 y.o. 997/S a very good buy. Fortunately (?) for me, I would not put more than 5k miles per year, helping keep its value.
Umm, once again, no. A 997S will not be 50k this winter, but if you find one, snag it.
Umm, once again, no. A 997S will not be 50k this winter, but if you find one, snag it.
Probably not an S, but a base 997 is likely, IMO. Which is what I said in the post.
:eek: :ack: :eeps:
I know. Last year I drove the 330i as often as I could and was still under 7.5K miles. I can only imagine that with a 911's decreased utility that number would be much lower.
lemming
04-12-2008, 09:48 AM
:eek: :ack: :eeps:
i only put 2300 miles a year on the C5 and the C6.
:dunno:
so i'd be worse than FC.
I've already got about 4500 on my MCS. :eeps:
I've already got about 4500 on my MCS. :eeps:
For the ~6 months when the 330i was effectively our only car and I had my old job, I was on pace for 30K a year. That among other reasons was why we ended up buying the Saabaru.
Aerials
04-12-2008, 12:41 PM
I've already got about 4500 on my MCS. :eeps:
:ack::eek:
I've already got about 4500 on my MCS. :eeps:
Wow! Your MINI is going to be KING at the gas station in no time. (the reference is to the original marketing campaign)
SARAFIL
04-13-2008, 08:39 AM
4500 miles already? wow...
My MZ4 has only 4800 miles... and I've had it 17 months.
lemming
04-13-2008, 09:57 AM
4500 miles already? wow...
My MZ4 has only 4800 miles... and I've had it 17 months.
you'd sell that before turning it back to BMW with those low miles or just turn it in?
just curious.
SARAFIL
04-13-2008, 10:09 AM
you'd sell that before turning it back to BMW with those low miles or just turn it in?
just curious.
my residual is over $40k... :eek:
I have to wait until closer to the end of the lease to see what I can really buy it for. Depending on how good of a deal it is, I might keep it. :dunno: The current mileage-adjusted MMR is about $35k.
EDIT: I'm "hoping" to get a little more use out of it this summer... hopefully hit 10k by the end of the summer. At least I won't feel that bad if I turn it in once I hit the 10k mark. ;)
lemming
04-13-2008, 10:23 AM
my residual is over $40k... :eek:
I have to wait until closer to the end of the lease to see what I can really buy it for. Depending on how good of a deal it is, I might keep it. :dunno: The current mileage-adjusted MMR is about $35k.
EDIT: I'm "hoping" to get a little more use out of it this summer... hopefully hit 10k by the end of the summer. At least I won't feel that bad if I turn it in once I hit the 10k mark. ;)
wow.
holy residual :yikes:.
SARAFIL
04-13-2008, 10:27 AM
wow.
holy residual :yikes:.
yes, when i got it, BMW had not yet started putting huge $$ in the trunk. I got a very high residual and very low lease rate. They changed course on the 2007's... shitty residual, high lease rate... but huge cash that meant that you could get one for $10k+ off list. I still would not have been able to get as low of a payment as I have now if I had done a deal on a 2007, though.
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