Which 911 to buy

[coldstart]

I have owned a 1972 911T targa for the past 9 years and I love it. I am looking at adding a 997 for daily driver duties-- this includes rain, snow and salt so winter tires and AWD are required. I will likely do some DEs with the car but given my limited experience, the difference between a 4 and 4S and the ceramic brakes likely will not be a decision maker for me.

I am looking specifically at two cars:

2007 911 C4S
slate grey
fully loaded
ceramic brakes
full leather
70K miles
has been tracked and winter driven
quasi-dealer car
very good condition

2008 911 C4
meteor gray
good options (chrono, sport steering wheel)
30K miles
not tracked or winter driven
dealer sold car
excellent condition

Both cars are at the top end of my budget and are around the same price. I like the first car better as I like the extra power, the darker colour and it has Carrera Sport wheels versus the lobster claws on the second car.

I am hesitant given the extra age, mileage and the fact that the first car has been winter driven for 5 years. Plus, I have a limited budget for repairs and resale is a consideration. I likely will only have the car a few years as the 72 isn't going anywhere and at some point I am going to require a family car with a trunk that can hold a stroller and four doors.

Advice?

[Dave Colangelo]

It sounds like both cars are about evenly split. It would almost seem as though it would not matter which one you get. If you can drive them I say drive them and see which one you like the feel of more. As you know when buying things like this it is in a large part what you personally like. If you like the options in one car than go for it. As for the high miles I dont know much about the 997 motors but many prior 911's are well known for going well over 200K. I will admit that the low miles is a nice selling point and that car sounds a bit cleaner. As for the winter driving the 997 is coated with a galvanic paint that will protect it from rust.

Do either of these cars come with any sort of a warranty, being this new many cars of this era are still sold certified pre-owned. If this is the case you may not want to worry about the minor things.

Regards
Dave

[tazzieman]

I believe some people remove and store the ceramic brakes for future resale value.
Especially for cars used on the track where the ceramics can be a problem if you park with the handbrake on. Not to mention the cost of replacing when they wear out!

[ToddM]

Neither, get an Audi or a Subie if you want AWD, far cheaper, far more reliable.

[ToddM]

My A4 Premium + 6 speed titanium package; sweet daily driver (36 mpg if I stay off the turbo).... but my daughter even sweeter!

[agrimmitt]

Are you a weekend "wrench" and been working on your 911T yourself? Both the cars you are looking at have 300+ horsepower on demand vs 165-190 that your currently car has. Both cars a heavier, wider and less demanding to drive. But both cars can be much more costly to repair and purchase parts for; along with the fact you may or may not be able to do the work yourself. CF brakes are great until you need to repair/replace them, then the price will catch your attention; flip side>stop on a dime little to no fail! But everything you have done now on your current car will be a little more expensive in on these two cars>service. But the general rule after you have it "checked out" by someone you know and trust; is purchase the car with the lowest mileage. I saw the comments about 200,000+ miles, I own a 3.0 with well over that number; I have not hear of the newer cars going that long without doing the top end or overhall them. Maybe others will comment on that factor. My personal two cents, if the money is about the same, both cars check out, and you like both of them> Buy the C4S, Rear Wide body car, all wheel drive is great, not in some cases as "sporty" but more forgiving if you make a mistake. Also, maybe a little more resale value in the future, but maybe higher insurance cost now??
How everyones input helps!
art
agrimmitt@pelican

[racer]

HOw many miles/yr do you drive?

The 2008C4 would likely depreciate more than the 2007C4S.

I prefer the looks of the C4S to the narrow body. It sounds like its more equipped the way you like anyway.

[GaryR]

A 997 C4 will be plenty fast. Wheels are 3-4K if they really bother you... Ceramic brakes can cost you megabucks to replace and you most likley will never come close to making use of them or the extra power of the 3.8L S...

[Plays with cars]

Originally Posted by coldstart

Which 911 to buy...

I thought this was going to be a thread with wide open choices for which era to buy. Then you were going to ask what oil to use. LOL. Both cars sound good, but I'm partial to the C4S after driving each at autocrosses. The extra tire and brakes of the S are noticable. So, guess it depends how you plan to drive it and if this is important.

Originally Posted by coldstart

...at some point I am going to require a family car with a trunk that can hold a stroller and four doors.

Advice?

As for this? Run Forest! Run!

[coldstart]

Thanks guys. I am leaning towards the 2007 C4S but am weary of the mileage and previous wear. Both cars are negotiable and it likely will come down to price.

I understand that both cars will depreciate but at the end of my ownership a 100K miles car will likely be worth than a 140K miles car even with the extra options and will be more reliable. Plus no $5K charge for new ceramic rotors....

To ToddM, Sweet car and daughter! While I like the A4, I'm not interested in a 200hp family sedan at this point in my life. I was considering a 335ix but it just didn't tickle me the right way. Similarly, Subarus don't do it for me-- plus they only makes 4-door cars (except the RWD FRS) which are slightly too boyracer for me.

[mystro]

Get a Audi S. Its performance will open your eyes.

[rwilner]

If it were me, this would be my thought process:

Unless you are trying to be competitive...who cares about an extra couple of horsepower? Both cars are way faster than 95% of what's on the street, and are set up and powerful enough to be entertaining on back roads and on the track.

When buying a used car, for me, consideration #1 is always history and condition...especially when the 2 cars you mention are so closely matched in performance (i.e., not like you're looking at a newer boxster vs. a beat-on turbo).

Based on the above I'd go with the C4...lower risk to costly repairs and you won't miss the extra stuff in the S. FWIW when I bought my carerra, I had the ability to buy a high miles 930 with a well documented but extensive track history and I went with the carerra because of the thought process above.

All of that said...of course you'll be happy with either!

[shiutong]

Originally Posted by racer

HOw many miles/yr do you drive?

The 2008C4 would likely depreciate more than the 2007C4S.

I prefer the looks of the C4S to the narrow body. It sounds like its more equipped the way you like anyway.

I believe all 997 4 wheel drives including C4, C4S, Targa 4, Targa 4S, are all wide bodies. I would also concur with the notion of buying the lowest mileage car with good records you can find specially they are both widebodies. Ceramic brakes are real nice specially if you are into basketweave wheels, what a a godsend but wait till you need replacement...ouch.
The lack of some horsepower is not contrasting as a turbo vs NA so shouldn't deter your enjoyment much. As far as resale, well assuming you put the same mileage the same way there will always be 40k miles difference and that in should speak for itself.
Last but not least, 1 year difference is still 1 year newer.