996 headlights

[icekay]

Personally I quite like the 996 front, particularly the .2 headlights, and would not use this as a reason not to buy a 996 - even if I prefer the round headlights of my 997.

Just occurred to me looking at a few 996 recently that it doesn't look a huge job to change the wings and fit some round headlights on it. Given this is such a major reason some people wouldn't get a 996, and the non GT versions are so cheap nowadays, I wonder why this isn't a common mod? For reference see https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/996/364673-my-...

[richthebike]

I guess because the cost to do it properly takes you back to 997 money.

The chap on the thread you posted says the fiberglass kit is 5k, metal parts are 10k. I guess these are dollars, but then there aren't loads of people who'd take on fitting and painting as a project.

You'd be left with a garage modded car, worth the same as a standard 996 at best.

Most people see sense and if they want round lights buy a 997. It's cheaper over the course of ownership.

Personally, I was born in the 80s, and my car love grew through the 90s. Give me a Gen 1 996 over a 997 every day of the week!

[skinny]

richthebike said:

I guess because the cost to do it properly takes you back to 997 money.

This, and you'll probably struggle to sell it too.
997's are cheap enough now that you can just get the car you want

[p4cks]

Yeah, save the money for the engine rebuild rather than spend it on cosmetics

[richthebike]

p4cks said:

Yeah, save the money for the engine rebuild rather than spend it on cosmetics

Or get the 3.4 and save on both fronts

[Dammit]

Struggling to come up with a list longer than 911, Mini and Beetle that have kept round headlights, are there any others?

[nunpuncher]

Fiat 500?

[nunpuncher]

It would probably be cheaper to just park the car facing away from you and always try to approach it from the rear. You also can't see the headlights when you're driving the car and contrary to popular belief onlookers don't vomit at the site of your fried eggs.

[Dammit]

I'd missed that one.

So three "cuddly" cars and the Porsche 911.

[matrignano]

All Bentleys, Caterham 7, Ariel Atom, Merc G Class, Suzuki Jimny, Jeep Wrangler, Renegade, Gladiator

[Dammit]

When I think of Bentley's I think of rectangular headlights, but looking at a few they're actually round lights in an oval:



The Caterham doesn't have what I'd call styling, more expedient packaging.

The 4x4 stuff I'd not really thought about, but I guess they're no longer the preserve of game wardens and farmers.

[XJSJohn]

I hated the fried eggs when they first launched but recently I have found myself looking at the 996 thinking “you know, that looks pretty good” and at those prices ..... seriously thinking about one ....

[Rob996]

It's always good to be a little bit different.

[nunpuncher]

XJSJohn said:

I hated the fried eggs when they first launched but recently I have found myself looking at the 996 thinking “you know, that looks pretty good” and at those prices ..... seriously thinking about one ....

I think the fact that over time every other car in the Porsche line up has gradually moved towards a more stretched/teardrop style headlight has made the 996 front less offensive. In reality the 911 is the black sheep of the family with it's round headlights but even those aren't really round unless you sit down in the road in front of one.

The design rationale behind the 996 headlights makes a lot of sense. Take all those disjointed lights scattered across the front of the older cars into 1 unit. It makes even more sense when you work on the car and see how simple and effective it's removal and fitment is. It's actually a fantastic piece of design.