Does a 430 look old vs a 4S?

considering the new Porsche 998 is slated to debut this year... if you are concerned about old models I think you would be nuts to order a 4s now (unless you only plan to keep it 1 year)

To answer your quation directly. No. The 430 appears equally or even more current / up to date vs a current 911.

 

Perhaps what you are seeing the the slower pace of the exterior look of Porsches as compared to F-cars. What I would've figured, is the comparative test drives being your deciding influence. Have you done a launch control in the awd 4S? Do that before you decide. Also, no fooling, even a novice like me passed the 430s on the Nordschleife in my 4S, because they had to slow down so much to keep traction. The awd is incredible.

 

I've had 2 Porsches and now own an F430. I will try and not be biased but I think that the 430 will look newer than the up and coming 4S's in the future. Just compare it to a 360. The 360 will be gawked at while the 4S will just pass along. I love the 4S and the entire Carrera line, less the cabs, but the question sometimes lies in the perception of others. Non car people will look at a 355 and think its new. The 430 looks like an Enzo to non car folks, its just different. So I don't believe that the 430 looks old, but those new P cars are pretty awesome.

 

I agree, I wouldn't order a 997 at this point.

 

360/F430 looks old. The 458 was a major design change, and many think a major improvement.

OTOH, F430s are getting more affordable, so you could probably buy and sell one now without taking a bath.

 

Completely agree. Wait for the 998/991 (whichever it is) and if you don't like the design you can always buy a leftover 997 on the lot or lightly used CPO 997.2 4S The 4S is a phenomenal car. Very reliable too... 21,000 miles with no problems

I love the 430 but I have to disagree on the 360. It's probably the most bland and underwhelming of the Mid-Engined V8 progression. I think a 997.2 C4S is much better looking than the Ferrari.

A lot depends on the color. Red Ferrari... yeah it's gonna get more looks than a silver Porsche. Plus it's louder. But the 997 is better looking...

 

what do you mean by "people" ? if you mean hardcore car people then you might be right, but regular folks? you must be kidding. I had my 2005 430 and my 997TT at the same time for a long time and let me tell you that as far as looks everyone thought the 430 was the newer car! by far!! regular people havent heard of a 458 and will probably never see one for a while.
I loved my 997TT, best car I ever owned but when you look at it in the garage sitting next to the 430 there is no question which is more impressive and which looks newer.
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I think the C6 copying much of the 360's design took away from its uniqueness.

 

C6 copied the 360? Where? the headlights? i would never even consider them related. Portions are WORLDS differend. Green house is world different... I mean if you said C6 copied the 550/575 id let it slide.... LOL

Don't even bother with the 997... wait for the next 911 to come. The 997 will PLUMET in value like a reentry rocket when the new car comes out...



I think its funny to discuss if the 430 looks "older" than the 911... seeing how the 911 is the same basic car design, silhouette as the car from 1965.

 

I for one would consider that an advantage. It's like you're stealthy. Sure, you get some looks but it's not HEY PAY ATTENTION TO ME, AND ALL YOU COPS OUT THERE, WHY DON'T YOU SCRUTINIZE ME TO AN EXTRA DEGREE???

No thanks!

 

Actually, it's true. A 911 is like a navy blazer in your wardrobe. Yes, it always looks great, but no one is going to stop you and ask if it's new.

I think the 458 was a major design evolution. But I've seen only two used ones, and no real discount. On the plus side, it will drive 360/F430 prices down, and unless someone knows about Ferraris (most people don't have a clue) they will think a 360/F430 is new. It's not like a Daytona or Boxer, where people will know it's used.

The C6 probably did crib from the 360/F430. I see a lot of similarity -- fat back end, pinched middle, squashed nose -- although the C4 cribbed from the 308, so Chevy has been doing this for years.

 

Apparently they are non-Ferrari people. I would love to have a 997 turbo coupe in the garage but the wife won't stand for more than one sports car at a time.

I could have ordered a new 997 turbo cab and it would have cost me the same as my 430 spider. I don't regret my decision.

If it is important to you the Ferrari screams exotic, the Porsche not so much. The general public knows little about cars but they have become accustomed to the 911s classic design. I had a guy ask me if my car was a Testarossa.

 

If you care about looks... I wouldn't get either. That pricey Beetle has looked dated for 40 years now. F430 is WAY more exciting to drive.


Besides... who the heck gets an AWD Porsche? It's for rich housewives, my Mom had a string of 4Ss.

 

To the OP: Why don't you just get what YOU want? Why should you care what other people think about your car?

That being said, a Ferrari--even an "old" 430--will get more attention than any run-of-the-mill 911 unless said Porsche is on fire and attended to by no less than 4 firetrucks. A 430 certainly looks swankier than a 911.

 

My Ferrari's are gone, my Maserati's are gone, and someday my Lambo will be gone, but as long as I can still drive, I'll always have a Porsche.

 

I have to say this, go look at a new car from 1991. Guess what - it doesn't look new anymore. It doesn't matter what you get - it becomes a used car the moment it is bought.

Sooo, basing a purchase off of what looks newer - is a bad idea. They will both, eventually, look old! Out of all the cars in the world I could of afforded, including much more modern ones, I've ended up with three Porsche 944's from the 1980's. I like the car, and I don't care that they are as old/older than I am.

That said - 911's have always been an evolution - they look old the day they are built. Ferrari's tend to have fads that last for a while, but eventually will also look old.