What's changed? Why did it look so good?
Discussion
Out for a coffee yesterday morning, pull into the car park just in time to see a 996 glide in and park up. WOW, it looks fantastic (admittedly, I'm looking at it from the rear).......properly, I love it, I want it, fantastic. Small, almost delicate, maybe it was the wheels, the colour, I don't know...but it looked wonderful. So, I get talking to the owner, it's got 60K on it, two owners, full history, it's his second car then BLAM......it's for sale as he doesn't use it enough........and he lives just down the road from me. Numbers exchanged.......
So, what's changed with the 996? Why did it so instantly, and unexpectedly, arrive on my 'wanted' list?
Stood next to it yesterday it was (for me) without doubt, a cool car.
Maybe it's now old enough not to have to try too hard.........
So, what's changed with the 996? Why did it so instantly, and unexpectedly, arrive on my 'wanted' list?
Stood next to it yesterday it was (for me) without doubt, a cool car.
Maybe it's now old enough not to have to try too hard.........
I'm just reaching the end of my first year of Porsche ownership, and have never been a "Porsche purist" of any sort. For that reason I chose my 996 C4S Cab for all sorts of "non-Porsche" reasons - one of which was I though it looked great from all angles (especially the rear of course, but the headlights didn't bother me a jot). My experience of the general public's perception of my car has been universally positive - everyone seems to share my view of how good it looks...
Edited by Prof Beard on Sunday 31st March 15:06
Simple, it's a design classic. It takes the most subtle 911 styling cues from the early models, i.e. narrow,msimple body shape with little ore no adornment, unlike most models since then.
Unfortunately the interior needs to be in perfect condition, otherwise it looks a bit tatty very easily.
An early 996 carrera would be a lovely car to own and use.
Unfortunately the interior needs to be in perfect condition, otherwise it looks a bit tatty very easily.
An early 996 carrera would be a lovely car to own and use.
It's all just a matter of time, they will all look cool one day, back in the 90's I kept my 3.2 carrera for 7 1/2 years because I hated the look of the 964, then suddenly I fell in love with the uncomplicated look and bought a guards red carrera 4, and still to date it's my favourite 911 shape but need my rosé tints on to say its as fast/ handles as well etc etc as more modern incarnations.
Agreed. As an ex 997 owner the shut lines around the round headlamps were the only thing I didn't like about the shape; everything else about my GT3 was gorgeous. Just a bit of cost cutting in the facelift from 996 wings, bonnet and PU; you can say you hate the 996 lights but at least they line up with the joins 
I think the 996 works from all angles. The reason many dislike the headlamps is because Porsche moved away from the iconic round/oval headlights but I think they did a good job of attempting to bring the 911 up-to-date. The 996 front looks a lot more aggressive and purposeful than the traditional 911 look and I am guessing they wanted it to compete in this department with the competition of the Astons and Ferraris. If those lights were on an Aston or Ferrari design I think people would love them.
I am not sure if I have got my point across, but I just think it is a better, more modern take on the supercar category Porsche is competing in.
I am not sure if I have got my point across, but I just think it is a better, more modern take on the supercar category Porsche is competing in.
Spy said:
I think the 996 works from all angles. The reason many dislike the headlamps is because Porsche moved away from the iconic round/oval headlights but I think they did a good job of attempting to bring the 911 up-to-date. The 996 front looks a lot more aggressive and purposeful than the traditional 911 look and I am guessing they wanted it to compete in this department with the competition of the Astons and Ferraris. If those lights were on an Aston or Ferrari design I think people would love them.
I am not sure if I have got my point across, but I just think it is a better, more modern take on the supercar category Porsche is competing in.
Nope, the reason I dislike those headlamps is because they look ungainly and ugly. For me, time has not improved them.I am not sure if I have got my point across, but I just think it is a better, more modern take on the supercar category Porsche is competing in.
But, I accept that the design as a whole, has somehow matured, and the rear looks ok. It is a clean design, I just think its a bit boring.
But sorry, the front remains horrible. The mk2 turbo style items are slightly better, but they just remind me of the car in the CARS Disney film!
Edited by mollytherocker on Sunday 31st March 22:57
Prof Beard said:
As I said earlier, the general public have, without exception, liked the look of my 996. The ONLY people who have commented negatively on the 996 that I have encountered have been Porsche enthusiasts on forums...
Ah the popularity argument. A race to the bottom!We should all go out and buy Toyota corollas and eat at McDonald's. I mean, that's what the majority do? So it must be right?
mollytherocker said:
Ah the popularity argument. A race to the bottom!
We should all go out and buy Toyota corollas and eat at McDonald's. I mean, that's what the majority do? So it must be right?
As the discussion was about "appearance" - I would have thought everyone's opinion was equally valid. BUT in terms of sales, what mattered to Porsche was what Porsche buyers thought - it is clear that enough Porsche buyers felt as you do to persuade Porsche to change back to a more "traditional" look with the 997 - a valid commercial decision. HOWEVER, your implication that only the "down market" would like the 996 lights is patently absurd - I've met plenty of people who drive cars of the "up market" variety who like the 996 lights - even (clearly given responses on here, and the number of 996s sold) Porsche drivers...We should all go out and buy Toyota corollas and eat at McDonald's. I mean, that's what the majority do? So it must be right?
My point was that many Porsche enthusiasts are hopelessly stick-in-the-mud, whereas others (and the "general public") are more open-minded
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff