New Owner - C2 996

Author
Discussion

mmcd87

Original Poster:

626 posts

203 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
Hi,

I've just purchased an early c2 996 and am finding out more about the car as I work the sponge around it.

There is a random cable in the rear passenger footwell that comes from under the rear seat area with an electrical connector block on the end. I found it under the rear floor mat. Does anyone have any idea what this could be wired to?

The car is in my RR thread.

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

Early days but I can see what all the fuss is about! Looking forward to getting some decent drives in and some good photos. The engine is amazing.









Edited by mmcd87 on Tuesday 15th November 12:22

ForzaGilles

558 posts

224 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
I'm thinking about doing the same next year. I have a Caterham at the moment, but i've decided that i'd like something more usable, and I do like 911's. Is it 3.4 or 3.6? Did you buy privately or trade? Feel free to impart some info smile

mmcd87

Original Poster:

626 posts

203 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
Hi,

It's a 1998 3.4L C2. I bought privately. The car has had quite a bit of work done over the years, lots of history, etc.

I wanted an early one for the cable throttle and no bodykit. I figured an early C2 996 would be as close to old skool porsche as you can go whilst still being affordable and having decent performance. Love the amber lights as well.

The 3.4L seems to get bad press but the way it goes and sounds is just fantastic. It feels fast. Perfect on road performance with a manual gearbox. Mines had the IMS done by the last owner but the dual row bearings on the early ones seem ok.

Makes you smile when you open the garage. An equivalent Boxster is literally half the price though if you still wanted to drop the roof. Saying that the sunroof on the 911 is pretty good.

jimmy p

960 posts

166 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
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People are now coming around to realising that the early 3.4's are the more reliable with less ims risk and no scored bores to worry about, the early cable throttle ones being sought after

ForzaGilles

558 posts

224 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
Sounds good smile I'm probably going for a 3.4 too, got to be manual and coupe. I figure around 15k should be enough for a decent one? Did it take you long to find the car you wanted? Looking at the classifieds, there seems to be a lot of C4/convertibles/autos, far fewer C2 manual coupes.

LordHaveMurci

12,042 posts

169 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
Very good cars, had my 3.4 C2 Manual coupe for 7yrs now, no plans to ever sell it.

Does yours have PSE? Sports exhausts really do make these cars, only changed mine last year & wish I'd done it so much sooner!

mmcd87

Original Poster:

626 posts

203 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
I found mine by chance really looking on and off. It's not perfect but seems very clean and honest, very good for its age.

The engine is amazing. My last car was an Impreza STI and the Porsche feels no slower despite the power and particularly torque drop. Lighter car though obviously but I wasn't expecting it to feel so punchy! Big change of character over last few thousand rpm is great fun.

It's got Dansk 300s backboxes which I'm told sound amazing at full chat smile

mmcd87

Original Poster:

626 posts

203 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
I noticed literally half of all 996 are auto so that immediately reduces no of potential cars.

Get to know the spec of cars from photos for example sports seats, traction control button, cruise / trip computer stalks on steering column, etc. That can help get a step ahead.

jimmy p

960 posts

166 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
mmcd87 said:
I noticed literally half of all 996 are auto so that immediately reduces no of potential cars.

Get to know the spec of cars from photos for example sports seats, traction control button, cruise / trip computer stalks on steering column, etc. That can help get a step ahead.
Early 3.4 C2 didnt have traction control so dont get hung up looking for one with the button!!

mmcd87

Original Poster:

626 posts

203 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
It was an option, 222. Mine has it. Your maybe thinking of the stability management, PSM. That came with the electronic throttle and C4 cars.

LordHaveMurci

12,042 posts

169 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
jimmy p said:
mmcd87 said:
I noticed literally half of all 996 are auto so that immediately reduces no of potential cars.

Get to know the spec of cars from photos for example sports seats, traction control button, cruise / trip computer stalks on steering column, etc. That can help get a step ahead.
Early 3.4 C2 didnt have traction control so dont get hung up looking for one with the button!!
Mine is a late 3.4 (2001), has PSM so I believe that means it's FBW rather than proper cable throttle? Throttle response isn't as instant as I'd like so I assume it is.

jimmy p

960 posts

166 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
Sorry yes i meant psm which came in with fbw throttle

mmcd87

Original Poster:

626 posts

203 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
I have all the old Evo Magazine reviews, and also bought the Autocar 911 review book which is a good secondhand buy off Amazon. It's interesting to compare C2, C4 and PSM system.

PSM sounds like a very nice to have. Both magazines loved the C4 with it fitted and said it didn't interfere much at all. But I liked the idea of less complexity and like I said before, really wanted that cable throttle. Response is instant.

I wouldn't have turned down a good 3.6L with the right history. A good C4 also sounds like it would be equally as good, being still rear biast, but easier to drive with confidence.

dellyend1

155 posts

168 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
Great Stuff ! I've had my 1998 996 C2 since May and absolutely love the thing. Was slightly worried having come from TVRs that I'd miss the noise, grunt and madness but I have to say 4 months on and I am still pinching myself that i have such a great looking and capable car in the garage that goes like the clappers and sounds awesome.

mmcd87

Original Poster:

626 posts

203 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
dellyend1 said:
Great Stuff ! I've had my 1998 996 C2 since May and absolutely love the thing. Was slightly worried having come from TVRs that I'd miss the noise, grunt and madness but I have to say 4 months on and I am still pinching myself that i have such a great looking and capable car in the garage that goes like the clappers and sounds awesome.
I've just seen a picture of yours in your airbox thread. Colour combo looks great! What spec is yours? Did you install the factory airbox back in?

griffter

3,983 posts

255 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
Congratulations op, you've obviously done your homework and by the sounds of it bought a lovely car. I have a c4 and they have an appeal of their own. They're very very similar to the c2 of course, but what you lose in rear drive purity you gain in weight distribution, handling balance and confidence in sub optimal conditions. Not better, just subtly different.
I did a few miles in mine at the weekend and the communication through the wheel is just fantastic. It doesn't seem to have been corrupted at all by the front diff and drive shafts. As a package it really is a fantastic car.
I've never driven a 996 with a cable throttle. Although cable operated there's still an ecu which decides whether to squirt how much fuel in. I wonder how different it is to the fbw throttle in practice. Mine is very very responsive. I could kid myself it's better since cleaning the maf.
Lastly it's nice to see increasing interest and support for the 3.4. The 3.6 is longer stroke so although it gains power and torque in my - admittedly very limited - experience it doesn't rev quite the same.
Anyway welcome to the fold. I hope you get a lot of fun out of the car.

mmcd87

Original Poster:

626 posts

203 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies. Who is everyone using to insure theirs? Is it worth looking into a classic policy?

griffter

3,983 posts

255 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
Mine's with locktons on limited mileage, agreed value. It's a pcgb policy although I'm in TIPEC which didn't worry them. I think it'll be cheaper for me to add it to my multicar policy though.

marky911

4,417 posts

219 months

Wednesday 14th September 2016
quotequote all
Nice car mmc, similar spec to mine then.

Can I play? biggrin

Always happy to join in on the 996.1 appreciation.
I bought mine earlier this year and although I won't really get to use it much until next year really, I am really growing to like it.
Mine is a '98 C2 manual coupe (for the cable throttle), 74k miles, sports seats, M030, LSD (option code 220), in black. Wasn't too hung up on colour but ideally didn't want silver or zenith blue.

I've fitted a pair of Dansk sports boxes to liven up the soundtrack a bit. I've also gathered a genuine Aerokit and set of Mk1 gt3 wheels in 8/10 inch widths rather than the 7.5/10 inch Carrera sizes. Won't get all that fitted until next year.
It's going down for some maintenance next month ncluding LTT and camber front arms. That will tide it over until next spring when it will get major service, IMS bearing or seal flipped open on original plus new clutch.

I aim to make this -




Look like a black version of my old GT3 -



Some people prefer them un-kitted but whilst I don't mind the plain rear end the front bumper is so bland and shallow so I personally have to have the kit. It's reversible anyway so I'll just wrap the standard bits up and put them away.

Enjoy your 996s chaps. For me they are just the right blend of mechanical vs modern eg no nanny aids or active this or that.


Insurance wise, I'm with Matt at Henderson Taylor. Have also used Mannings in the past and Classicline.

Edited by marky911 on Thursday 15th September 00:09

mmcd87

Original Poster:

626 posts

203 months

Thursday 15th September 2016
quotequote all
Very similar spec. Mine has: -

Sport package - sport seats, LSD, M030 suspension
Traction control
18" alloy wheels
3 spoke steering wheel
Uprated Hi-fi sound system
Trip computer

Only thing I wish it had was cruise control, but can't be too fussy. It's harder to add on the cable throttle cars I believe.

Keen to delete the rear wiper and centre console. I spotted a few Cyprus import cars without the rear wiper and it looks better I think and would save a bit of weight. Also some uprated headlamp bulbs are definitely needed!


If the car has an aftermarket head unit, will this likely still be using the porsche amplifier?