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    Jan 10, 2007 8:13:38 PM

    PeterK
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    PeterK
    Loc: san antonio, tx
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    Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    My budgets limits to either an 04 or an 05 3.6L coupe. Both models are priced comparably and 05s can be had for only a small premium.

    I like the fact that 05s have a marginally better interior and whooping extra 5hps. However, I'm afraid that they might suffer from "theething" problems associated with 1st year model. Are my fears unfounded?
    Thanks

    Jan 10, 2007 8:45:11 PM

    SrfCity
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    Reply to: PeterK

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Yes. You've got an extra year of warranty for assurance.

    Jan 10, 2007 8:46:33 PM

    PeterK
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    PeterK
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    Reply to: SrfCity

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Quote:
    SrfCity said:
    Yes. You've got an extra year of warranty for assurance.



    True to that!

    So, basically 997 didn't have any new-model-year problems, like 996 had?

    Jan 10, 2007 8:52:33 PM

    Flyer..
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    Reply to: PeterK

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    certainly not like the 996 3.4 had !!

    Jan 10, 2007 9:01:06 PM

    Rossi
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    Reply to: PeterK

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Quote:
    PeterK said:
    Quote:
    SrfCity said:
    Yes. You've got an extra year of warranty for assurance.



    True to that!

    So, basically 997 didn't have any new-model-year problems, like 996 had?



    None that I have heard from. At the Carrera S the exhaust pipes had to be replaced due to cracks that could lead to their fall off.
    I'm not sure, but I think that was only the case with the Carrera S, not the standard model.

    Concerning 997 or 996, to me the 997 is far superior concerning looks. Never liked the bland and boring design that reminds me of a soap, nor the interior with its fiddly buttons and the clustered dials. The 997 is much better in every aspect, but hey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Jan 10, 2007 9:20:54 PM

    MMD
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    Reply to: Rossi

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    05 had some significant new model year problems. Check the board early on. Seems to me, from past postings, everything has been resolved with them; the bad older ones have probably been weeded out. Porsche has finally figured out how to fix early units too. Check the particular car's service record.

    The vote among car mag reviewers seems unanimous: 997 is a major improvement over 996.

    Jan 10, 2007 9:25:39 PM

    PeterK
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    PeterK
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    Reply to: MMD

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Well, that certainly sounds very good then!

    Jan 10, 2007 9:25:39 PM

    MMD
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    Reply to: Rossi

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Quote:
    Rossi said:
    the Carrera S the exhaust pipes had to be replaced due to cracks that could lead to their fall off.
    I'm not sure, but I think that was only the case with the Carrera S, not the standard model.





    You are correct: it's just the quads (on the S) that MIGHT crack and fall off: all quads (i.e. stock exhaust tips on S) have been recalled.

    Would be a good idea to INSIST that the dealer show you ALL the Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the earlier problems. Make sure everything's been done to the car you're considering.

    From my spotty memory, SOME problems that have been addressed:

    -wash car's trunk get major system fault (water leak thru weatherstrip)

    -polish headlamp plastic get major system fault.

    -numerous kids of PCM/CD/NAV problems causing replacement of ENTIRE unit.

    -uneven soot in exhaust tailpipes, noted by Porsche as nominal and nothing done about it.

    -annoying rattles, grease on side windows,

    gotta be more... , anybody remember?

    Jan 10, 2007 9:55:27 PM

    PeterK
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    Reply to: MMD

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Yeah, these all sound like very minor issues that can be easily remidiated

    Jan 10, 2007 10:19:56 PM

    1st997
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    1st997
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    Reply to: PeterK

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    The '05 MAY have the extra side airbag that is built into the seat. I'm not sure about the '05, but the '06 does. The '04 does NOT have this feature.

    Jan 10, 2007 11:45:32 PM

    PeterK
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    PeterK
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    Reply to: 1st997

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Good point! Safety is important!

    Jan 11, 2007 3:46:52 AM

    Neil Schneider
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    Neil Schneider
    Loc: New Jersey, USA
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    Reply to: PeterK

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Get the 05!!!! the 997 is a better car.

    Jan 11, 2007 4:18:31 AM

    frayed
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    frayed
    Loc: Austin, TX , United States
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    Reply to: Neil Schneider

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    I had a 996 C2, 996 C4S, 996 GT3, and a 997S.

    The 997 chassis is quite a step up. Get one, you won't be disappointed.

    Jan 11, 2007 4:34:23 AM

    SVNSVN
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    Reply to: frayed

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Both fine cars. I much prefer the 997 all around.

    Of course the folks on the 996 board will probably have a difference of opinion.

    Jan 11, 2007 5:45:02 AM

    DavidSF
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    Reply to: PeterK

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996


    05 997 looks much better than 04 996, IMHO.

    David

    Jan 11, 2007 7:10:23 AM

    FARGO
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    Reply to: DavidSF

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    yes yes yes, no doubt about it,
    997 rules

    Jan 11, 2007 7:24:05 AM

    Rossi
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    Reply to: SVNSVN

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Quote:
    SVNSVN said:
    Of course the folks on the 996 board will probably have a difference of opinion.



    Hahaha, yeah I think you're right with that assumption.

    Jan 11, 2007 10:11:00 AM

    Silver Bullet
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    Reply to: Rossi

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Drive the 997 for an extended period and if you like, get it.

    Jan 11, 2007 10:15:44 AM

    Steve R
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    Steve R
    Loc: UK - Edinburgh
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    Reply to: 1st997

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Yes. 997 wins hands down over 996.

    Jan 11, 2007 2:05:29 PM

    donkeyman
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    donkeyman
    Loc: Hong Kong
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    Reply to: Steve R

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    I have a 996. if I was in your position I'd get the 997. The looks and interior build quality are well worth it let along the superior handling.

    Jan 11, 2007 2:37:11 PM

    PeterK
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    PeterK
    Loc: san antonio, tx
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    Reply to: donkeyman

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Well, I think I'm convinced that I should go with 997. Assuming that the purchasing price is able the same, I think I'll be about to get better resale on 997 rather than on 996.

    What do you guys think about buying it from carmax? They seem to have a sensible price as well as offer their extended warranty that is honored nationwide.

    Jan 11, 2007 2:44:56 PM

    kennys001
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    kennys001
    Loc: near Boston, MA USA
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    Reply to: PeterK

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    The fact that you are posting on the 997 tells me you are leaning towards the newer P-car. I prefer the 997 to the 996 in a BIG way. I kept my 993 until the 997 arrived and I waited for the '05 to pass (1st model year trepidation). MMD makes the best points and insights about the potential issues and in your pre-purchase inspection, you need to be VERY aware of all of those points. If you get a good '05 or if the warranty work can still be done under warranty, then you go 997. If not, I would opt to pass for a year and wait until you can afford a better 997 (if that is an option).

    Best of luck with your choice.
    Cheers,
    Kenny S

    Jan 11, 2007 3:32:38 PM

    PeterK
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    PeterK
    Loc: san antonio, tx
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    Reply to: kennys001

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    That is true! The 996/7 car will be in addition to my Z06 vette, and I actually was surprised that the 996 interior was inferior to what chebby put into the Z.

    Jan 11, 2007 5:33:04 PM

    MMD
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    Reply to: SVNSVN

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Quote:
    SVNSVN said:
    Both fine cars. I much prefer the 997 all around.

    Of course the folks on the 996 board will probably have a difference of opinion.



    Not ALL of them.

    Only the ones who use the intrapsychic strategies of denial and projection as a means of anxiety control.

    Jan 11, 2007 6:17:18 PM

    Rossi
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    Reply to: MMD

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Quote:
    MMD said:
    Quote:
    SVNSVN said:
    Both fine cars. I much prefer the 997 all around.

    Of course the folks on the 996 board will probably have a difference of opinion.



    Not ALL of them.

    Only the ones who use the intrapsychic strategies of denial and projection as a means of anxiety control.



    Very nicely put.

    Jan 11, 2007 7:30:03 PM

    964C2
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    964C2
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    Reply to: PeterK

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    A good rule of thumb is to always buy the newest model you can afford.....unless you're buying a specific "classic".

    Jan 12, 2007 11:42:21 AM

    Silver_Surfer
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    Reply to: 964C2

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    I don't see who could argue and what they would say to put a valid point across on the 996 being a better car than the 997

    Jan 12, 2007 1:17:31 PM

    John H Offline
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    Reply to: Silver_Surfer

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    It's a no-brainer - take the newer model every time.

    Jan 12, 2007 3:28:28 PM

    MMD
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    Reply to: John H

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    Quote:
    John H said:
    It's a no-brainer - take the newer model every time.





    Well..., I dunno..., maybe not every time.

    I would have kept a 993 when the 996 was introduced to replace it.

    Jan 12, 2007 3:36:53 PM

    Trundle_GT3
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    Reply to: MMD

    Re: Is 05 997 a better car than 04 996

    I've had both
    Hands down the 997 is better in every respect.

    BTW the 997 was an 80% redesign over the 996
     
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