Porsche 996 C2/C4 Driving Experiences

[Jim1985]

Hi all.
I’m well versed in the potential running costs, IMS issues, bore scoring etc, so none of that needs to be brought up, but I’m really leaning towards an aerokotted 996 as my next car.

I won’t be doing any track work (have the beloved 172 for that), I just want a nice car for polishing and enjoying.
For background, my car history inclides
Clio 172
Mk1 MX5
BMW 335d e90
BMW 330d f30
Subaru Legacy twin turbo approx 300bhp
Subaru blobeye widetrack STI approx 350bhp
Nissan 350z
amongst others.
Basically what I’m wondering is what they’re like to drive. I’m totally in love with the Clio at the moment. Obviously it won’t drive like that, and weight is a factor, but I’m hoping it will have nice responsive steering and plenty of feedback etc, and feel generally fun, and enjoy being revved.
The Subaru was quick but boring, and when you took it on challenging roads it was too quick to use the power. Not sure I like turbo cars really.
I’ve also driven a 15 plate GTR for several hours on a few occasions and whilst they are quick, driving wise it wasn’t really my style. I like to have to work an engine not just put plant my foot. Plus in my opinion it was too powerful to enjoy as a road car.
Also, the 350z was boring. Just geared far too long. Lovely looking and nice to walk up to, but just felt like a comfy cruiser.

Basically I want something that looks like a 911 with no turbo, the character of the Clio and the chassis of the mx5. But that isn’t an Elise so I can use it as a daily.

I’m not interested in C4S comparisons as I don’t like them, likewise with Caymans, and I can’t afford a 997. Budget will be £14,000-£17,000 depending on how much I can save before this time next year.

I keep considering e92 M3s, or Maserati 3200s, but I can’t get past the Porsche. I am a 911 fanboy.

[EGTE]

Plenty of reviews out there. Here's cmoose's one of my C2:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

HTH.

[Jim1985]

Fantastic thank you!

[nebpor]

IMO the driving experience you’ve just described is a Boxster, not a 911

I had a Boxster 2.5, I now have a 3.4 996C2. I love the 911 but I suspect the Boxster was actually more fun

[edc]

nebpor said:

IMO the driving experience you’ve just described is a Boxster, not a 911

I had a Boxster 2.5, I now have a 3.4 996C2. I love the 911 but I suspect the Boxster was actually more fun

Echo this. If you are a fanboy though then just tick the list.

[EGTE]

edc said:

nebpor said:

IMO the driving experience you’ve just described is a Boxster, not a 911

I had a Boxster 2.5, I now have a 3.4 996C2. I love the 911 but I suspect the Boxster was actually more fun

Echo this. If you are a fanboy though then just tick the list.

Quite a few of us prefer the 911 over the Boxster. It's not just about being a fanboy.

[edc]

EGTE said:

edc said:

nebpor said:

IMO the driving experience you’ve just described is a Boxster, not a 911

I had a Boxster 2.5, I now have a 3.4 996C2. I love the 911 but I suspect the Boxster was actually more fun

Echo this. If you are a fanboy though then just tick the list.

Quite a few of us prefer the 911 over the Boxster. It's not just about being a fanboy.

And that's fair enough but the OP called himself a fanboy. It's not about what anybody else likes but from the description the OP writes it sounds like be may actually want a Boxster to drive but a 911 on the drive so to speak. In which a 986 or 987 is fine as from the front it looks the same anyway 😁

[bgunn]

The 986 is more accessible on a day to day basis, and you can definitely wring more of the performance out of it on your average road. I loved my 2.7 - a very sweet and revvy engine that you could really use hard, and it rewarded you with a very fun and extremely feelsome drive.

The 996 is much more technical, and in standard geometry and trim is ever so slightly numb in direct comparison to the 986, and can slightly overwhelm you with massive reserves of grip. A good suspension setup really livens them up, though, and couple that with some very good quality dampers and the right spring rates (Öhlins) and you have a very, very good car.

[Jim1985]

Great advice thanks! From what you have said, I may have to more seriously consider a Cayman (I have a physical aversion to convertibles). I have to admit having had higher power cars and lower power cars, I do prefer driving 150bhp at 8/10s than 300bhp at 4/10s. A better specced 2.7 may be the best option to get my fix of Stuttgart’s finest, with more useable power and arguably a more reliable engine.
But it’s not a 911! Argh!
Unless I whet my whistle with a Cayman, and then save for a 997 C2...

[richthebike]

Get yourself a 996.
You really can make the most of them on the road, the gap to the Cayman is minimal, to the point where I'd say they're capable of similar performance, delivered in a different way. Its also true that you don't spend much time at anything over 7/10ths. You might as well have the car you've dreamed of, in that case.

Not knocking the Cayman, but it's a generation newer, and feels it. This has positives and negatives; for me the 996 is more delicate and rewarding. I prefer the 9X6 interior too.

Drive a few, you'll soon work it out. I'm sure there are plenty of people on here who'll show you their toys in the metal.

[nickpan]

Don’t waste your time with a Cayman or Boxter if you actually want a 911. Especially when a 996 is within your budget.

I was in your position two years ago. Opted for a 996.2 C4. I recently exchanged it for a 993 C2 but TBH, I miss the drive of the C4. It sounded awesome with PSE, stuck to the road, was seriously understated in midnight blue and amazingly comfortable on a couple of 500 mins return trips that I did to Cornwall.

What I don’t miss was the constant fear of IMS failure, bore scoring and slightly budget feeling interior but I suppose the market is compensating you for all of that with a price tag of only £15k so who can complain?

PH’ers tend to recommend the 996.1 C2 Coupe as the one to go for. Having test driven two at the start of my search, I can vouch for this.. they’re the one to go for! Sadly, they’re as rare as hen’s teeth nowadays.

[richthebike]

Just to add... I also came to Porsche via MX5, STi and M3. Lots of us did.

Totally get your Subaru comments. Far too capable to be fun on the road, you end up pushing and pushing and it gets very silly.

Having said that, the 2011 STi was the first newer car I drove that could match the E46 for thrills. However.
My STi 340R went the day I tested a 996 GT3.
This then went a year later the day I drove a decent 996 C2 on the road.
Rationalised to one car when I move to the centre of town, but a '6 C2 was first on the list when we moved back out and got some space.

In summary, I'd like to say this... the STi was never numb. It was alive. However, borrowing a boxster when I owned it, I would have said the 987 felt a little flat. It was the 3.4 Gen 2, and I had a decent amount of time in it. Its such a polished platform, I didn't get enough out of it, and the power delivery was so linear, it didn't sparkle. It felt as though I'd have been back in the STi mode if I bought one... chasing speed and commitment rather than enjoying it from a standstill.
All IMHO.
A 3.4 996 is a totally different beast, in my view.

[Fastlane]

Just had a lovely sunny early morning drive in my 996.1 C4 across some very quiet Cornish roads - absolutely fantastic, loving the sound of my full TopGear system too! I can see the appeal of a Boxster or Cayman, but it just isn't a 911...

[Jim1985]

Thanks for all the input! Glad to hear we’re on the same page! I have to say, Fastlane your car is perfection-in-metal! Please contact me if you choose to sell!
I think I won’t get past a 911. I feel it’s a box I need to tick, and I guess if I drive one and I’m not a fan, then it’s not meant to be.
But the 996.1 GT3 is the best looking car ever in my opinion, fried egg lights and all, and if I can have a car that looks like it, sounds like it, and in daily duties drives like it, then I’ll be a happy chap indeed.

[Fastlane]

Jim1985 said:

Thanks for all the input! Glad to hear we’re on the same page! I have to say, Fastlane your car is perfection-in-metal! Please contact me if you choose to sell!
I think I won’t get past a 911. I feel it’s a box I need to tick, and I guess if I drive one and I’m not a fan, then it’s not meant to be.
But the 996.1 GT3 is the best looking car ever in my opinion, fried egg lights and all, and if I can have a car that looks like it, sounds like it, and in daily duties drives like it, then I’ll be a happy chap indeed.

The 996.1 GT3 is my favourite 911 and I am determined to buy one eventually, so I may be tempted to sell my Zanzibar 996 at some point (but it won't be cheap as it only has 49k miles with a fantastic service history and lots of receipts!).
IMHO, good aero kitted 996s provide 95% of the looks of a GT3 for 1/3 of the price. After seeing a Zanzibar GT3 at Goodwood back in 2007, I fell in love with the colour and so when my Zanzibar 996 came up for sale, I just had to have it.

Here is another one for you from this morning. Good luck in your search.

[Jim1985]

Fantastic looking machine!

[IanG1]

I went from a late Boxster 986S to an early C2 996 with aero,LSD and M030 on H&R springs. They are similar but different in character to drive. C2 is definitely a more planted car and feels more substantial if that makes sense. I don't regret the swap as even though the Boxster is a great car, it wasn't a 911 so I never loved it. The C2 I have fallen in love with and its definitely a keeper

[bgunn]

richthebike said:

A 3.4 996 is a totally different beast, in my view.

To a 3.4 croc, yes.

Variocam + makes the torque very linear and there's so much bottom end that it feels a bit 'slow' because the power delivery is so so smooth and creamy (even though it isn't slow at all).

The original Variocam 3.4 M96 has a real step-up in torque and power at the cam switchover and races up to the redline (and sounds sensational doing it). Definitely a pretty exciting motor for the road..

[Jim1985]

Aha. That does sound up my street actually! I keep flip flopping with different options, I don’t actually have a spec (other than more than 250bhp, more than 4 cylinders) and found myself looking into a Lexus ISF this afternoon. It’s still at least 6 months away (house move) but I definitely need to test drive some cars to find out what I actually want, as I don’t think you can get much further away from a 911 than an ISF!

[edc]

Despite the big power and rear drive I can tell you that no matter what V8 small sports saloon you get it won't be anything like a 9x6. My C55 had 400bhp but if you value delicacy, decent feedback, useable power, a well matched chassis and engine then it just doesn't compare.