996 hate vs 997 love
Discussion
Huntsman said:
I'm guilty of this.
I'm afraid, its nothing to do with the technicalities of the car, I just find the 997 looks a lot better.
But does it not only look better from the front and then only head on so you can see the headlights, all other angles look pretty much the same don't they?I'm afraid, its nothing to do with the technicalities of the car, I just find the 997 looks a lot better.
Yep, I've never really understood this myself, I don't actually see what the problem is with the lights on the 996, but then maybe that's because I had a 2001 boxster which shared the same lights.
I wonder if it's just a touch of snobbery amongst the 997 owners as they can point back to the 996 and say what a load of old cheap tripe that was and was too closely related to the boxster and hence is deemd to have pulled the 911 image down market?
Shouldn't really complain much, makes 996s very cheap to buy, shame that they are getting on a bit now as I still occasionally find myself looking at 996 Turbos
And the 997 seems to have it's own issues, one of the guys in the office has a 2005/5 type age 997 and has had the engine checked due to one of his exhuasts looking darker than the other. Looks like his engine is just starting to exhibit early signs of the bore scratching that can afflict this model becuase they've over stroked or over bored the engine to get a bit more power out of it.
I wonder if it's just a touch of snobbery amongst the 997 owners as they can point back to the 996 and say what a load of old cheap tripe that was and was too closely related to the boxster and hence is deemd to have pulled the 911 image down market?
Shouldn't really complain much, makes 996s very cheap to buy, shame that they are getting on a bit now as I still occasionally find myself looking at 996 Turbos
And the 997 seems to have it's own issues, one of the guys in the office has a 2005/5 type age 997 and has had the engine checked due to one of his exhuasts looking darker than the other. Looks like his engine is just starting to exhibit early signs of the bore scratching that can afflict this model becuase they've over stroked or over bored the engine to get a bit more power out of it.
Looking at the prices of 996 cars. Who cares if some think it looks different. (Frankly I just see 911 and struggle to tell which is newer/better looking. I want the all. Please give me money to buy one. Ta.)
Edit: don't google image 996 vs 997 and click on the 1st pic when you are in the office. Nice rear though.
Edit: don't google image 996 vs 997 and click on the 1st pic when you are in the office. Nice rear though.
Edited by Munter on Friday 4th November 14:38
Nothing wrong with 996 in facelifted format or in GT/Turbo guise but the early cars were apparently a bit of a dog. I spoke to my mechanic at an OPC who warned about cheap 996's.
The other problem with the 996 is that it sits in the transition stage much like the 964. When you make a radical, for Porsche, change to the 911 the reaction is not always a good one and therefore the models that come next like the 993 and 997 have the advantage of people getting used to the shape.
The other problem with the 996 is that it sits in the transition stage much like the 964. When you make a radical, for Porsche, change to the 911 the reaction is not always a good one and therefore the models that come next like the 993 and 997 have the advantage of people getting used to the shape.
As asid it mostly hinges on the frontal looks of the 996. But the hunch back didn't help either to be fair. After the stunning 993 it was a massive shock to the system. They frankly took a dump on it. The 997 went some way to getting back to what a 911 should look like. Although obviously a 993 is still cosmetically superior.
I do have to wonder whether there would be so much disdain for the 996, if it had been launched before the Boxster as originally planned?
^^ I could be making that up, but I swear I read it somewhere it was originally planned to launch before the Boxster, then at the last minute it was switched around?! So rather than people rejoicing in how they could buy a miniature 996, people moaned about how their 60k car looked like a 30k one
^^ I could be making that up, but I swear I read it somewhere it was originally planned to launch before the Boxster, then at the last minute it was switched around?! So rather than people rejoicing in how they could buy a miniature 996, people moaned about how their 60k car looked like a 30k one
300bhp/ton said:
Huntsman said:
I'm guilty of this.
I'm afraid, its nothing to do with the technicalities of the car, I just find the 997 looks a lot better.
But does it not only look better from the front and then only head on so you can see the headlights, all other angles look pretty much the same don't they?I'm afraid, its nothing to do with the technicalities of the car, I just find the 997 looks a lot better.
Yes, they are closely related, one being the model prior.
They are worlds apart in terms of being easy on the eye (subjective though that may be) and also abilty right 'out of the box', although to extract maximum fun on the roads you'd be looking for a ban behind the wheel of either.
They are worlds apart in terms of being easy on the eye (subjective though that may be) and also abilty right 'out of the box', although to extract maximum fun on the roads you'd be looking for a ban behind the wheel of either.
With Porsche's recent apparent policy of bring out several new models of 911 every day, I think they have lost that desirability and exclusivity they once had. A bit like Aston Martin of recent history. Outside of PH-land, no-one cares what a 996 or a 997 is.
Don't forget that the 930 Turbo lasted from about 1975 - 1989 and was still a rare and arresting sight. The similar 964 Turbo ws also rather tasty. However, the 993 Turbo looked like a 964 Turbo that had been left standing out to melt in the hot sun for a bit too long. Thereafter with the water-cooled cars? Who cares? Only the owners.
Don't forget that the 930 Turbo lasted from about 1975 - 1989 and was still a rare and arresting sight. The similar 964 Turbo ws also rather tasty. However, the 993 Turbo looked like a 964 Turbo that had been left standing out to melt in the hot sun for a bit too long. Thereafter with the water-cooled cars? Who cares? Only the owners.
I dont get the whole 996 v 997 thing, then again I do own a 996 C2. Most anti 996 comments come from people who have no 911 experience, drive rubbish cars and love an old band wagon to jump on!
The 996 and 997 have near identical profile/shape/engines and joe blogs wouldnt know the difference between the 2 from the side or behind, people who comment on the 997 being much nicer can only be commenting about the headlights? I find the 996 lights just fine, when you are up close and see the way they mould in to the wings/bonnet it all makes sense.
Performance wise it will all come down to the driver but don't underestimate even the 3.4 996, it doesnt stop pulling and will make mince meat of 99% of cars on the road.
The 996 and 997 have near identical profile/shape/engines and joe blogs wouldnt know the difference between the 2 from the side or behind, people who comment on the 997 being much nicer can only be commenting about the headlights? I find the 996 lights just fine, when you are up close and see the way they mould in to the wings/bonnet it all makes sense.
Performance wise it will all come down to the driver but don't underestimate even the 3.4 996, it doesnt stop pulling and will make mince meat of 99% of cars on the road.
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