IMO, the 997 has everything over the 996. I agree with the aforementioned that the 996 will be long forgotten in the coming years. (Sorry, no offense intended to 996 owners/lovers.)

Obviously, you must compare apples to apples; so add PSE to the 997 to make things fair. And, I can't believe that the '03 X51 996 is any faster or more responsive than the 997S.

If you are only losing $20k after 3-4 years of ownership with any 911, that's a good thing not a bad one.

Get the 997!