Daily Drive my 996 C4S?

[jhynesrockmtn]

I've had my 996 for maybe 4 years now? The exterior is in pretty amazing condition as is the interior. It's got 101k miles on it now. I've put about 10 of those on it mostly on long weekend trips and occasional use around town. I've stayed ahead of maintenance items mostly. It had a clutch and IMS done at 70k. It does need shock mounts but I'm going to put that off as long as possible and do all 4 corners with new struts, etc. at some point.

I'm transitioning into a part time partial retirement job in a few weeks. I'll sell my DD Subaru. I have a 4*4 truck for nasty winter stuff. My "commute" to work is very short. Barely enough to get the thing warmed up.

I'm kind of stuck between using the 911 more or selling it and buying a used Cayenne or something. It's in such nice shape but I know the thing isn't worth more than $30k with 997 prices coming down so why not? One of the big things with driving it more is everyone else is in trucks and SUV's and the feeling of not being seen or not being able to see around other vehicles.

Anyone else drive their more modern 911 every day?

[1990C4S]

I tried using my 996 as a daily. I could do 90% of my driving, but I did not enjoy my four hour trips every other week. Too low, too loud, it is not a long distance driver to me.

But 'day-to-day' I really liked it.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I tried using my 996 as a daily. I could do 90% of my driving, but I did not enjoy my four hour trips every other week. Too low, too loud, it is not a long distance driver to me.

But 'day-to-day' I really liked it.

Interesting. I'm more worried about the opposite. The shorter daily drives and battling traffic. I recently returned from a 600 mile round trip from Spokane to Seattle for the weekend. I took the long way back on purpose :-)

[masraum]

I drove an '88 911 daily on a 25 mile commute 15 years ago. Now I drive my '08 Boxster S on a Short commute in town.

I say, go for it. Yes, driving any car these days is more difficult because the visibility around all of the trucks, SUVs and Crossovers is difficult, but it's not THAT bad. I've been driving small cars for almost 20 years in Houston, the land of trucks and SUVs, including an '88 targa, 2x miata and now a boxster. 99.99% of the time it's not a problem. The other .01% of the time, it's just an irritation.

[KNS]

There was an article in Pano a few years ago about a Dr. who drove his 993 everyday on a long commute and put over 300,000 miles on it. He was using it as intended.

Do it now while the C4S is just a another used Porsche *if* the thing ever skyrockets in value you’ll be too hesitant to drive in daily traffic. If you find you don’t like it pick up a different daily driver.

[dsfnctn]

I used to daily drive my 911,s for the last 10 years. I was noticing a lot of other drivers dont see the car and attempt to change lanes right into me.I stumbled into a brand new Honda Oddysey. Wow that thing is so great. It wont be any time soon I will be needing to get a fix from my 911.

[onewhippedpuppy]

My Boxster S is my daily driver and I’ve daily driven multiple 996s. Do it! Makes running errands way more fun. These things were made to drive not sit.

[450knotOffice]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I tried using my 996 as a daily. I could do 90% of my driving, but I did not enjoy my four hour trips every other week. Too low, too loud, it is not a long distance driver to me.

But 'day-to-day' I really liked it.

I drove my 2000 996 3000 miles in four days a few years ago. SoCal to Dallas and back. and I had a dog with me going, and my wife and TWO dogs coming back. Enjoyed every minute of it. Maybe my pain threshold for a little tire noise is higher than others?

[racer]

You don't mention if its a stick or a tip and how traffic may affect your commute..but.. you already own it.. its near the bottom of its depreciation curve.. may as well enjoy it as much as you can! Who you saving it for?

[911boost]

I drove my 996TT a lot while I was not traveling and even on the 120 mile round trip to the airport when I was. It was such a great highway car.

My 997.2 would beat the crap out of my kidneys if I drove it that much on the highway as it just wasn’t made for the same type of DD duties.

I say do it!

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

I drove my 2000 996 3000 miles in four days a few years ago. SoCal to Dallas and back. and I had a dog with me going, and my wife and TWO dogs coming back. Enjoyed every minute of it. Maybe my pain threshold for a little tire noise is higher than others?

Or maybe my car sucks. Tire noise, some vibration, a flappy headliner. etc.

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

I've had my 996 for maybe 4 years now? The exterior is in pretty amazing condition as is the interior. It's got 101k miles on it now. I've put about 10 of those on it mostly on long weekend trips and occasional use around town. I've stayed ahead of maintenance items mostly. It had a clutch and IMS done at 70k. It does need shock mounts but I'm going to put that off as long as possible and do all 4 corners with new struts, etc. at some point.

I'm transitioning into a part time partial retirement job in a few weeks. I'll sell my DD Subaru. I have a 4*4 truck for nasty winter stuff. My "commute" to work is very short. Barely enough to get the thing warmed up.

I'm kind of stuck between using the 911 more or selling it and buying a used Cayenne or something. It's in such nice shape but I know the thing isn't worth more than $30k with 997 prices coming down so why not? One of the big things with driving it more is everyone else is in trucks and SUV's and the feeling of not being seen or not being able to see around other vehicles.

Anyone else drive their more modern 911 every day?

Jerry--I have daily driven a 911 at various times, and I never wished I'd driven them less. I say do it if--and this is a big if-- if it feels safe to you.

I'm old and creaky enough that my current 911 is unsuitable for more than occasional use. But I drive my other "specialty car," an E92 M3, as a daily. M3 guys, like 911 guys, fall into two camps: the use it everyday camp, and the save/preserve/keep mileage low camp. I used to be in the save/preserve camp, but then I realized that my cars are aging a lot slower than I am, and are gonna outlast me, so I may as well drive the snot out of them.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I am daily driving an 84 M491 with a fixed back seat, keeps me young, especially the acrobatics classes getting in and out of the car. A 996 C4S would be like driving a Cadillac.

Seriously, I consider a 996 like driving a Mercedes around, just a faster more sporty one, so I think it can only pay dividends to your mental well-being and general youthfulness. In other words, definitely give it a try for a month and see how it goes.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I am daily driving an 84 M491 with a fixed back seat, keeps me young, especially the acrobatics classes getting in and out of the car. A 996 C4S would be like driving a Cadillac.

Seriously, I consider a 996 like driving a Mercedes around, just a faster more sporty one, so I think it can only pay dividends to your mental well-being and general youthfulness. In other words, definitely give it a try for a month and see how it goes.

I used to daily drive my 85 Cab with no a/c. Then I used to alternate with my 99 Carrera. The 996 was one helluva DD. Comfortable, quick, relaxed...

[Shaun @ Tru6]

^^^ My friend has an '03 C4S and I was amazed at how much I liked driving it.

[NutmegCarrera]

I get to drive mine during the summer when not dropping the kids off on my way to work.
Would like to drive it more. ‘03C4S

I do not expect that these are ever going to skyrocket in value. I bought mine 2 years ago with <9000 miles on the clock. Now just over 13,000. Great car.
I think values will ‘hold’, for the most part - but my expectation is that they wont turn into the next longhood.

Enjoy it. Letting it sit in the garage does nobody any good.

[71T Targa]

I don't mean this as a dig in any way, but I'm surprised a 996 C4S is a 30k car.

I say drive it!

[masraum]

Frankly, I'm wondering why this is even a question.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I was thinking that as well.

[look 171]

I drive my Cayman S daily when I am not driving stupid trucks. I still have my eyes set on a 996 turbo from someone I know who's going through a divorce.