This is an updated review, based on comments received.

I have a 2006 997S, 6 speed, with the sports chorno option. I used to drive a 2002 996, also a 6 speed. Compared to the '02, the '06 provides several significant improvements (or I suppose "changes" as some of the improvements are subjective).

Driving.

The 997S is about 35 horses up on the '02, and the power difference is noticeable. Starting from the stoplight, the 997S is a lot quicker. Because torque is up, the car pulls stronger from the light. I think the magazines have the 997S about one second quicker 0-60, and that feels about right. From 5000 RPM or so, the when the vario-cams opens up, the car feels almost turbocharged. Gear shifting is smoother, due to the new Aisin shifter - my car is new, and the shifter still breaking in, but there is more heft, more mechanical certainty. The exhaust seems louder, more like an air-cooled 993, although this is largely subjective.

Electronics.

The '06 has some electronics that wasn't available on the '02. First, the electronics suspension allows either the "sports" or "normal" shock setting. Normal is slightly softer than the setting on the '02. Driving isn't uncomfortable, but my butt gets feedback from the pavement (the 18 inch wheels on the '02 and 19 inch wheels on the '06 may result in a slightly harder setup due to the thinner tires). Sport is hard. It has the jiggly-bouce feel of the lowered Civic crowd. That being said, at 140mph, in sports mode, the car is rock solid. No bouncing, no wandering, no white knuckle time. I thought electronic suspension was a gimmick, but I've gotta say, this works. I think all 997S have this as standard, and most 997 should come with it.

I have the sports chrono option, so I also have the "fun" switch, which both sets the shock setting on "sports", and remaps the throttle settings so that the accelerator is more responsive, and the redline increases slightly. This makes the car feel faster, but also makes starting a bit more difficult, as small blips in the throttle result in large increases in RPM. I stalled the car when I first tried to start in sports mode. I think the sports mode probably makes more sense in a tiptronic car (where the shift points are changed), but since this is one of the relatively cheap Porsche options ("cheap" and "Porsche" used together meaning under $1000), I would recommend getting it.

Interior.

The '02 interior consisted on black plastics and back leather. It was plain and functional, but not upscale The steering wheel, for example, is a black leather three prong unit, with a simple Porsche crest on in the middle. The '06 tries to take this upscale by including aluminum trim and other accents. There are bands of aluminum (look) pieces across the lower dash. The shifter is has an aluminum ball-band. There is an intricate spider tentacle cup-holder that slides out from the passenger side, below above the glove compartment. A small marvel of engineering, but I still question the need for a cupholder. The new interior feels more expensive, but the older one was more plain. The '06 interior is growing on me, but it looks kind of like what my Audi looked like.

Options.

This is where I really hate Porsche. They make great cars, and the base price, while expensive, is (IMHO) reasonable for what you get. But like the easter bunny, a 997S for the base price of $83k does not exist. Metallic paint ($700). Heated leather seats ($2k). Decent stereo ($2k). 19 inch wheels ($400). Sports Chrono ($1k). Sports exhaust ($2k). Navigation ($4k). I opted not to get some of the more outlandish items, like ceramic brakes ($9K!) and power kit ($17k!!). After taxes, etc. My car came to well over the $100k markc

Anyway, the '06 is mechanically a much better car than the '02. It is faster, more stable at high speeds and looks like a more expensive car. I would not hesitate to recommend a 997S. However, that being said, there are rumors that Porsche is looking to increase the engine output of these cars in the near future. May be worth waiting c