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.
I don't know where the time has gone but I've had daily driver Porsches (and been with the PCA) since 1998. Though I've had other cars as well the majority of my time driving over the last two decades has been in one of four different cars: -1979 924 M471 w/Koni adjustable suspension.1984 944 w/944 Turbo suspension and Koni adjustable shocks/struts. Limited Slip Differential for 996 C2 (MY2004). Tag in Germany is 1102,00 Euro (incl. Apparently the LSD is not available for cars with the 30 mm sport suspension (X74) but I'm not sure if this is a mistake in the data I got. 40th aniversary 911 doesn't have a center diff because its RWD not AWD but instead of the ABD of the.
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., 11:52 AM # ( ).
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.'
, 01:30 PM # ( ). 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., 01:02 PM # ( ).