Boggo 996 911s, are they actually any good?

[TroubledSoul]

A few years ago I was lusting after a 996 C4S. These are now out of reach for the time being since the prices of them have shot up, so much so they seem to be commanding the same money as a 997 C4S!

I'll be changing car this year and will probably take the cop out and buy an S4 Avant (B8) but when I sell the WRX STI I'll no doubt take a look at everything within budget and a Porsche has always been on the list. The Z4M is also on there and has been for a long time... I don't really want to spend more than £15k so I'd actually quite like a Cayman but the engine issues have scared me off.

It will be used more or less daily. What I essentially want to know is; are the base Carrera 2 and Carrera 4 cars actually any good? It would have to be a 3.6 facelift I think. I must admit I'm not as keen on the narrow body version of the 996 but it is still a 911....

[TroubledSoul]

Isn't that the 3.4 though, hence my preference for a 3.6. Or am I wide of the mark? (Will have a read of that thread next)

I suppose it's just a worry that it won't feel very special coming from other quick cars like the Subaru, my S6 etc.

[TroubledSoul]

Chris Stott said:

Depends what makes a car feel special to you... if you're only interested in straight line speed, maybe not, but if steering feel and handling delicacy are important to you even the most basic 996 will feel very special compared to any Subaru/Audi.

Probably worded badly I guess. I like driver involvement. I like to feel like I am an integral part of the experience, not just a passenger being quickly ferried along. But certainly, speed is quite important to me.

I'm a huge fan of the MR2, having a owned a number of MK2 Turbos and MK3 roadsters. They are probably my favourite cars to drive from a pure driving/handling perspective out of everything I have owned. Just too slow in the MK3's case. Yet I keep buying them! The Subarus are so capable though and quick in all conditions. The Audis.... well they are Audis. Quick but not that involving.

It sounds as though I should definitely consider one though. Then it comes down to the old C2 vs C4 debate which I'm aware has been done to death

[TroubledSoul]

Thanks chaps, lots of helpful info here. So the 3.4 is considered a stronger engine? I'd prefer the 3.6 car really for the power and looks. What's the weight difference?

High running costs are an accepted part of the package. Running a pair of Subarus and an S6 isn't the cheapest way to go about your motoring to be fair

[TroubledSoul]

Well as you know, I did have a thread a while back about the Cayman S but for my budget I was scared off by the engine issues; seems to be a common theme going on here!

A 911 has always been on the wish list though but I would consider a Cayster instead if I felt I was getting the better car for the money. I don't think at the price point I'm considering that would necessarily be the case.

[TroubledSoul]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

While I'd technically be able to stretch to that, I don't really want to. It's just more than I'm comfortable paying at the moment for various reasons.

I've seen a few nice 996 cars for sale, upto £17k. It's just then the 3.4 vs 3.6 and the C2 vs C4 dilemma... I think maybe a 3.6 and go onto the Hartech plan.

[TroubledSoul]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Hurry up and do it before I'm ready to buy one

[TroubledSoul]

EGTE said:

Budflicker said:

https://youtu.be/w6jCiB9dt0A

This is well worth a watch if you have doubts about the 996.

Do love that video.

That video has made everything worse, because now I'm thinking "early 996 C2 with a cable throttle...."

Still prefer the looks of the later 3.6 and the extra power but the lighter weight and from the sounds of this thread, less chance of engine issues is definitely tempting. It does mean a slightly older car being put to daily use though.

Honestly this is a head scratcher. I need to hurry up and get the Subaru repaired and sold....

[TroubledSoul]

Fast Bug said:

TroubledSoul said:

That video has made everything worse, because now I'm thinking "early 996 C2 with a cable throttle...."

I'm not so sure on the throttle cable versus fly by wire debate. I have a throttle cable car, and to be honest I'm not sure if it makes a huge difference.

Fair enough.

I did just read this on Wikipedia which has confused me further:
2001 also marked the final year of production for the base Carrera 4 Coupe in narrow body format.

Is that right? I thought the C4S was the only one with the widebody out of the C2, C4 and C4S through all 996 years?

[TroubledSoul]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

If we keep it to apples vs apples, what's the pros and cons list of say a 1998-2000 C2 vs a 2001+ C2?

[TroubledSoul]

Chris944 said:

Well, what a great video. Terrific stuff - and I know that road!!

I've watched that a few times now. It just makes me want one even more and I start thinking even the 3.4 doesn't look bad actually... But I do definitely prefer the 3.6 looks.

[TroubledSoul]

I do. The more reading I do, the more I fancy the 3.6 though, the glove box (daily car), chassis stiffening etc. all sound like the sort of thing I want.

Obviously nothing's set in stone and I change my mind more than a woman but this is where my mind is at today. Might have changed again tomorrow

I've actually been to the museum in Stuttgart and walked by the factory, peering in to see the cars being built via open firedoors as I walked past It's a wonder I've not scratched this itch sooner really.