Tires - bigger and more expensive, more horsepower delivered to all 4 wheels = faster chew rate (assuming you drive it, not just cruise to be seen in it)
Any engine work - more complicated stuff in the way to take off/put on
Expensive components that can break that don't exist on N/A engines (turbo stuff)
Gas - more

/shrug

When I was toying with the idea, I was considering low mileage 996s vs. high mileage 996TTs. So the chances of needing work were higher, and the cost of that work would be higher.

For equal $ purchase price, to get a 996TT, you will be giving up something - cosmetics, accident history, mileage, etc.

 

Tires: If the car has optional 18's and is not a C4S, the rears are only 10mm narrower than turbo wheels so the difference is virtually moot. If it is a C4S, they have the same size tires so same cost. Additionally, if it is a C4 or a C4S, both are 4 wheel drive so both will have the enhanced "chew rate" of the turbo to a certain extent excepting of course the extra "chew" from the extra turbo horsepower.

Engine work: more complicated but also needed less often if the turbo guys are to be believed.

Other points I think you are dead on. My point is that imo, the upgrade cost is fairly neglible in incidentals. Of course this is all relative but compared to say the jump from Porsche to Ferrari in terms of operating costs, the jump from NA to turbo is very minute. Anyway, what I am getting at is that if you really want a turbo but are scared away by the potentially greater operating costs perhaps you needn't be. However, whichever car you choose I am confident that you will love it. There really are no bad choices with decisions like these.

 

You can get mine with all the bells n whistles for just $5K more.......

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ad.php?t=93720

B-

 

I wish, unfortunately I have to either try to sell my car outright or see if someone will trade it in via a dealership.

Unless you care to sell it to my Porsche dealership and they can do the trade on my car

 

Do you have any interior shots of it? You can email me at sean.lowrey@mmsean.com if you do.

 

I went through this a couple of months ago. I ended up going with a 02 996 c2 for about 33k. 02+ should do you good because it has the 3.6, newer styling, and most likely less mileage. I also got the extended warranty from Porsche for 5k because you just don't know when stuff might happen. I have already used it two times. Use 3k for mods because being on this forum will make you want to. Wheels, tires, suspension, intake plenum for a little more power, ssk, and sound system if you want one. Then use the rest for insurance, registration, taxes, and maintance. Then you will be one happy camper like me

 

hey slowrey, you might consider the option of selling your car to carmax. i sold a car to them here in austin. they pay wholesale, which worked out to be between KBB trade-in and private party price. it took about an hour to get a check, then i went and bought a car from a private seller.

btw, since you're here in austin, if you want to check out my car -- it's not for sale -- to get a closer look at an 03 C4S PM me.

-vick

 

35K or 45K ? That difference is very significant .


Since your post did say that you'd "like to keep it at 35K" -- I would say lease the awesome car and get this Porsche thing completely out of your system . 35K ought to get you two amazing years in a new 997S . Why not?

45K would get you 3 .

In 3 years maybe you's save enough to come up withg the lease end pay out.

 

I agree with your reasoning. Just as you wouldn't buy the cheapest '99 Carrera out there with little or no history, you wouldn't want to do the same with a Turbo. Arguably it might be even more advisable to stay away from a low end Turbo than a low end Carrera as repair costs with a Turbo in general are higher.

Right now I think you can a decent Turbo with history etc for mid 50s. You can certainly get ones for low to mid 40s also, but you might be rolling the dice ....

 

Wow great responses everyone. I think I've narrowed it down to either a 2003/2004 C4S or a 2005 C2S. Now I just have to convince the fiancee. I've been browsing the FS boards all day along with Cars.com, local Porsche dealership website and also eBay.

 

I apologize I thought I made it clear with the $45,000 to spend. I'm not sure but I am sorry if I mistyped and put $35,000.

 

Also I need something that's going to be reliable as this will be my daily driver. The fiancee is driving the Volvo S80.

 

before you were talking about cars with the same body style: 996TT and 996 C4S. now, it's 996 compared to 997; big difference. you'll find strong opinions on 997s, especially here in the 996 forum.

 

Well here's the skinny. I want the power and I don't think a base 996 will cut it. Also the C4S's that I've seen for sale and within my mileage tolerances are almost 50K. Hence looking for a 997 C2S or 996 C4S.

 

If you've got a 2005 C2S for $45k or less, unless it has something wrong with it, lick the door handle. Seriously. That's an uber car and a fantastic price.

This is the 996 board, but I would trade my 2003 996 C2 for a 997 C2S in a heartbeat. And don't get me wrong, I love my car. But I like the looks, and I love the performance. It takes all the good (wide-body, fat tires, sports options) and leaves all the bad (4-wheel drive train losses, extra weight).