40th Anniversary 996?

[Nathans_Dad]

I am kicking around the idea of picking up a 996 while they are still pretty cheap. I was looking around locally and there is a 40th anniversary edition for sale locally with 46k miles on it for $35k asking. Do you guys think it is worth it for this car or just get a well sorted 3.6 liter 996?

[specialtyoneinc]

I would get a well sorted early 997 if you are going to pay in the $30s for a 996. I think they are better looking and driving cars personally. A sorted 996 in the low to mid $20s is a hell of bargain though.

https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-marketplace/1079714-2005-porsche-997-1-c2-6mt-bigger-ims.html

[Matt Monson]

There is a group of people who value the 40th more and buy and sell them among themselves at an inflated price. I don’t get it. I’m a +1 that for $35k you are in 997 or 987S territory.

If you are set on 996 find a C4S for high 20s low 30s

[trader220]

I agree with Specialty and Matt.... I don't believe there should be much of a premium on a 40th car and that seems like a big premium. Should a 40th have premium over a standard C2.... sure but that's at least 10 grand which to me would be money better spent elsewhere.

I would much rather have a 997.1 or a 996 C4S for a lower price. There are a number of very nice examples of both always on the market for lat middle $30's number of the 996 40th you mentioned.

[Toast54]

C4S in Wichita...available for sometime, now...not a better value, but a best value

https://wichita.craigslist.org/ctd/d/wow-2004-porsche-911-4s-only/6644469480.html

[Mehoff]

The 40th anniversary pricing is laughable and as Matt has mentioned, driven by a small but vocal group that probably has a vested interest in them.

That said, it is much more than a badge/trim package given the x51 engine upgrade. That makes it far more desirable than a standard C2, but probably only $5k or so. These should top out in the $27-28k range.

[NYNick]

I loved my 996's. Had a C2, and C4 and a C4S. From the cockpit they feel and drive great, headlights and good looks be damned. These cars are great Porsche values.

[991gts6s]

The 996 are GREAT cars in every-way...... I have had a few as well..
The way they drive and feel is almost perfect compared to other older 911
and they are cheap easy fixes make it the best Porsche for the money has down..

[e90steve]

If you're comparing miles to miles, condition to condition, the 40th is easily worth more than 5k over a comparable standard 996, if not more.

X51 engine, Limited Slip, US M030 Suspension, Leather surfaces everywhere, perforated sports seats, perforated steering wheel, perforated shift knob aluminum trim.... the list goes on.

You really have to just sit in one, and you will quickly realize the interior is far superior with 100% leather surfaces all around vs. the plastic that is so often criticized in the standard 996.

The 996 AE is the 996 that Porsche SHOULD have given us (more in line with traditional quality), but instead we were given the parts sharing, cost reducing standard 996. It's truly a different driving experience as I've owned both a standard and now an AE.

Now the 996 AE vs. a standard early 997 is a bit more of an argument. I agree the 997 is a hell of a looker in its standard form. But it doesn't have the LSD, or high revving of the x51. It feels far more "tame" on the road than the X51 AE. Plus with the early 997's you aren't immune from the IMS issues and actually it's more of a problem because the fix is more difficult and expensive than simply dropping the transmission like on the 996.

If the 996 AE and 997 Base had the same mileage, same condition, same maintenance etc. Yes I would probably give the nod to purchasing the 997, however after driving both 996 AE, Standard 997 and 997 S, the AE is a more raw, more connected, enjoyable drive IMO.

Can't go wrong with any 911 though. Good luck with the search. I was between the 997 and the 996 AE, ended up with the AE for what I consider a bargain price about a year ago and I absolutely could not be any happier.

[Matt Monson]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/1013540-2004-porsche-996-40th-annivesary-1-socal-owner-x51-pkg-orig-luggage.html

[SalParadise]

The anniversary car is as much a Toyota Camry as a non-anniversary car. When they came out with that 40th anniversary 996 I thought, "Who in the heck is the audience who is going to buy this (or buy into this)?"

The only thing I came up with is past Corvette owners (who have a particular penchant for anniversary, pace-car, Indy, special-edition cap). And guess what? When I saw one one day, I asked about it, and the driver told me, "Yeah, it's cool. Handles different than my old 'Vette though."

[War584]

I considered both the 996 AE and 996 4S but ended up with a 997.1 S. (Panorama find for $35k / 53k Miles). Overall, just a better car to drive.

The 996 AE, while it did have more HP and some extras to celebrate the anniversary, was still limited in its appearance and didn't really speak to me. The 996 4S, on the other hand, is gorgeous from a styling standpoint (IMO) but suffered from okay driving compared to the 997.1 S.

I bought my car to drive and was not looking 20 years ahead to the 996's unknown potential appreciation - so after consideration the 997.1 S made the most sense. Don't get me wrong, I really like the 996's (even with the egg lights) - but for the same price or less, the car I found was just a better buy. Only compliant with the 997.1 S, its almost too perfect as a former air cooled owner - but what to you expect from 20 years of technological development.

Good luck.

[alexl911]

If you're a taller guy like me you will probably find the driving position relative to the dash much better in the 997. I always find I sit to high in 996's -especially if they have the puffy leather seats.

[Alan A]

Add 10-15k and get a turbo.
JMO.

[roblav]

I had one of those, and it was really cool. It felt as "alive" as my old SWB 911s... not like the deadness I found in the later air cooled cars.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Alan A

Add 10-15k and get a turbo.
JMO.

$40k gets you a rat of a 996tt.

[urseppos]

I'll sell you my C4S as we are moving back across the pond next year, let me know.

[Rodsrsr]

Originally Posted by Alan A

Add 10-15k and get a turbo.
JMO.

An additional 10-15k will get you a 997.2

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

$40k gets you a rat of a 996tt.

He was looking at a 35k AE.

Unless they do math different over there that’s 45-50.

That’ll get you an ok - with a few miles on it - TT still.
Probably be silver but then if it isn’t it’s going to be seal grey...

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Alan A

He was looking at a 35k AE.

Unless they do math different over there that’s 45-50.

That’ll get you an ok - with a few miles on it - TT still.
Probably be silver but then if it isn’t it’s going to be seal grey...

I bumped the thread with a $30K AE.