Stop bashing the 996 !!!
Discussion
I have been fortunate to own many 911's but recently a 997S which I found boring, predictable and uninspiring. I changed to a 996 GT3 Gen2 and that was a truly awesome performance car, everything a 911 should be.
It was too raw though and a constant exercise in restraint - One of those cars you just want to use, it seems to be straining at the leash constantly. I have disliked the power delivery on forced induction cars I have tried so have no real experience to compare the GT3 to but I enjoyed our time together and would like to experience a GT2 although I am pretty sure that would be insane. In my opinion even the GT3 is too fast and track orientated for public roads and I have been driving 911's for 15 + years.
I now have a mint low mileage (55K) 2003 996 C2 and this is the point of the post. It is worth less than half what the GT3 or 997 was and it really is at least 80% of the fun (on the road at least).
I am going to have to buck the trend towards criticising the 996 series I have driven all 911 models (N/A) and although I love the 3.2 I personally found the 964 and 993 (which I have also owned) boring by comparison. The 996 is less involving than a 3.2 but it is so capable and retains some of the old character whilst being far more comfortable for long journeys.
I think the 996 is a cleaner design than the 997, is a nicer drive with a negligible performance difference, certainly more involving. I saved myself £15K over a 997 Gen2 and I prefer the 996 any day of the week. I am not a huge fan of the headlights vs the round ones but then again the rear quarter on the 997 is hideous with that seam from the rear light to the wheel arch. Funny how nobody else notices that...
I am fortunate to have been able to afford a GT3 or 997 and have done so BUT my most recent choice of a 3.6 996 was made on driving, practicality and value for money and right now they are great value and underrated. I don't care if it never becomes a classic - I won't own it in 3 years let alone 20.
I was amongst the ranks of the pitchfork and flaming torch equipped mob that derided the 996 upon launch but I have changed my mind. I would still prefer a 3.2 as a pampered classic for the occasional blast but living in Central London with no garage I need a car that can cope with traffic as well as serve well on long business trips and weekend leisure and the 3.2 just isn't up to the misery of London traffic with no aircon and a heavy clutch (compared to the "moderns") in terms of comfort and ease of use.
So, stop bashing the 996 and go and find a good one and enjoy the fact that you have a car that is better to drive than the 997 at half the cost. Think about that when you look at the headlights !!
Every generation of 911 seems to be less involving and more insulating (I exclude the GT variants and simply do not know about the turbos) and you really can feel this in the 997S - I genuinely was disappointed. The 996 offers a little more feedback and at half the price I am not disappointed one bit. The 997 series may be an oval headlight fetishists dream but it is little more than a facelifted 996 with a fatter backside and ugly rear quarters.
Now, where can I get an oval headlight kit for my 996 ? It would be a beautiful looking car !!!
It was too raw though and a constant exercise in restraint - One of those cars you just want to use, it seems to be straining at the leash constantly. I have disliked the power delivery on forced induction cars I have tried so have no real experience to compare the GT3 to but I enjoyed our time together and would like to experience a GT2 although I am pretty sure that would be insane. In my opinion even the GT3 is too fast and track orientated for public roads and I have been driving 911's for 15 + years.
I now have a mint low mileage (55K) 2003 996 C2 and this is the point of the post. It is worth less than half what the GT3 or 997 was and it really is at least 80% of the fun (on the road at least).
I am going to have to buck the trend towards criticising the 996 series I have driven all 911 models (N/A) and although I love the 3.2 I personally found the 964 and 993 (which I have also owned) boring by comparison. The 996 is less involving than a 3.2 but it is so capable and retains some of the old character whilst being far more comfortable for long journeys.
I think the 996 is a cleaner design than the 997, is a nicer drive with a negligible performance difference, certainly more involving. I saved myself £15K over a 997 Gen2 and I prefer the 996 any day of the week. I am not a huge fan of the headlights vs the round ones but then again the rear quarter on the 997 is hideous with that seam from the rear light to the wheel arch. Funny how nobody else notices that...
I am fortunate to have been able to afford a GT3 or 997 and have done so BUT my most recent choice of a 3.6 996 was made on driving, practicality and value for money and right now they are great value and underrated. I don't care if it never becomes a classic - I won't own it in 3 years let alone 20.
I was amongst the ranks of the pitchfork and flaming torch equipped mob that derided the 996 upon launch but I have changed my mind. I would still prefer a 3.2 as a pampered classic for the occasional blast but living in Central London with no garage I need a car that can cope with traffic as well as serve well on long business trips and weekend leisure and the 3.2 just isn't up to the misery of London traffic with no aircon and a heavy clutch (compared to the "moderns") in terms of comfort and ease of use.
So, stop bashing the 996 and go and find a good one and enjoy the fact that you have a car that is better to drive than the 997 at half the cost. Think about that when you look at the headlights !!
Every generation of 911 seems to be less involving and more insulating (I exclude the GT variants and simply do not know about the turbos) and you really can feel this in the 997S - I genuinely was disappointed. The 996 offers a little more feedback and at half the price I am not disappointed one bit. The 997 series may be an oval headlight fetishists dream but it is little more than a facelifted 996 with a fatter backside and ugly rear quarters.
Now, where can I get an oval headlight kit for my 996 ? It would be a beautiful looking car !!!
I have a silver 996 c2 cab, amber lights, manual. It is a pure drive and has simple elegant looks. It is lighter weight than the 997s and doesn't score its bores - though might have IMS issues...
It is fast and involving, relatively predictable and reliable. I have just returned from an alpine tour where it delivered an average of 26mpg over 2,500 miles. Hartech maintained and in great condidtion.
This is a view from near the top of the Grimsel pass.
It is fast and involving, relatively predictable and reliable. I have just returned from an alpine tour where it delivered an average of 26mpg over 2,500 miles. Hartech maintained and in great condidtion.
This is a view from near the top of the Grimsel pass.
I also own a 996 C2. My first Porsche and hopefully not my last. I have liked the 996 since it was launched as it was different to all the ones before. I like the headlights as well. The only thing i think Porsche should have done was fit the aero kit as standard as the standard car always looks a little bit too high due to the bumper tucking under too soon.
Crimp a Length! said:
Best 911's i've had the 996's
2 x Turbo's both far superior to the older turbo's
A GT2, Epic car
Now in a GT3.2 996 which is the best of all of them, sublime in all areas.
I agree.2 x Turbo's both far superior to the older turbo's
A GT2, Epic car
Now in a GT3.2 996 which is the best of all of them, sublime in all areas.
Mind you, you're talking about some serious pieces of kit there.
I still believe the GT3 Mark 2 996 is probably one of the best GT 911's ever produced.
Sorry but no matter how much value they offer I can never get past the headlights or interior plastic of a 996. Shallow I know but still a fact that affects a lot of otherwise potential owners IMHO.
Plus no matter how much of a bargain they are to buy the running costs / potential for big bills is still the same.
I would never "bash" a 996 but equally I could never own one, they simply do nothing at all for me.
Plus no matter how much of a bargain they are to buy the running costs / potential for big bills is still the same.
I would never "bash" a 996 but equally I could never own one, they simply do nothing at all for me.
Chance of big bills with the 996 but then again they are a bargain to begin with so that certainly lessens the pain. The 996 turbo with its engine is surely a bargain. Now I like the 993 due to it's shape but the prices are very high at the moment, the 996 very low.
Ok the 996 plastics are not top notch and the headlights were perhaps a mistake, but you cannot see those when you are driving it. Surely the driving is the main thing.
I actually could just afford the 996 turbo now, sadly not the running costs. But I still think it is probably the best bang for the buck unless you are wallowing in money.
Ok the 996 plastics are not top notch and the headlights were perhaps a mistake, but you cannot see those when you are driving it. Surely the driving is the main thing.
I actually could just afford the 996 turbo now, sadly not the running costs. But I still think it is probably the best bang for the buck unless you are wallowing in money.
jonttt said:
Sorry but no matter how much value they offer I can never get past the headlights or interior plastic of a 996. Shallow I know but still a fact that affects a lot of otherwise potential owners IMHO.
Plus no matter how much of a bargain they are to buy the running costs / potential for big bills is still the same.
I would never "bash" a 996 but equally I could never own one, they simply do nothing at all for me.
^this^ Plus no matter how much of a bargain they are to buy the running costs / potential for big bills is still the same.
I would never "bash" a 996 but equally I could never own one, they simply do nothing at all for me.
+1, I came from a 7.1GT3, and it took me a long time to gel with my 6-4S, but as you it's 80% as quick, and a whole lot more usable as a daily, go anywhere, park it anywhere, £20K's worth so it's not going to ruin my day if some one kicks the mirrors off, and I can use all the power all the time if I feel like it, an excellent all rounder, if you want to give it a spankin' it sounds like it should do and still goes plenty fast enough for the road, I planned to have it 12 months and now had it 30 months.
The headlights are an acquired taste, but I don't look at them when I'm driving it..!
A very under rated car IMO.
The headlights are an acquired taste, but I don't look at them when I'm driving it..!
A very under rated car IMO.
Edited by RatBoy M3CSL on Tuesday 3rd September 20:21
Well i've said it before and i will say it again
My 996 Turbo is a far superior drive to my 993 Turbo
Its obviously not worth as much due to supply and demand but out guns in all other areas.
Most people who slate the 996 drive 993's and i have to laugh sometimes at the comments made by them.
My 996 Turbo is a far superior drive to my 993 Turbo
Its obviously not worth as much due to supply and demand but out guns in all other areas.
Most people who slate the 996 drive 993's and i have to laugh sometimes at the comments made by them.
Well said Wolfman. I particularly agree with the comment about the rear of the 997, which I do not think is a patch on the 996, particularly in wide-body mode.
I am also very disappointed with the 'Red stripes' for the rear of the 997.2. Totally pathetic compared to the glorious botty of the 993 or the 996 C4S. My personal favourite is the rear of the 993 Turbo red stripe. It was a shame they did not give the 996 TT the stripe, but I love the rear of the C4S and bought one. There is something about the red-stripes, not often mentioned on these pages, that is part of the magic for the late model versions. I love em......
The 997 red-stripes are visually poor. So are the 991s.
I am also very disappointed with the 'Red stripes' for the rear of the 997.2. Totally pathetic compared to the glorious botty of the 993 or the 996 C4S. My personal favourite is the rear of the 993 Turbo red stripe. It was a shame they did not give the 996 TT the stripe, but I love the rear of the C4S and bought one. There is something about the red-stripes, not often mentioned on these pages, that is part of the magic for the late model versions. I love em......
The 997 red-stripes are visually poor. So are the 991s.
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