[Sloan]

I hate to respond to your apparent excitement with negativity, but listen carefully to what RandallNeighbour had to say. Also, I can tell just by reading your post that you seem a bit skeptical - go with that instinct.

Rather than buy an older, base model sooner, I bided my time until I found something really nice and a bit newer, and recently purchased a 2003 S, and I am thrilled.

If you are going to go from an S4 to a '97 2.5, you might feel that you have taken a step 'back' rather than a step up. Be very careful .....

(And to all of those with the older 986's and/or 2.5's & 2.7's, I assure you I mean no offense or disrespect, and I recognize that many are excellent, but it seems a significant risk here ...)