RE: Porsche 911 Carrera (996): Spotted
Discussion
John.Taylor said:
I don't get the appeal of old 911's.
I couldn't get excited opening up my garage door of a weekend to look at this, nor could I at the thought of driving it - you'd get much the same from a £5k Boxster. People must just be buying these as an investment but where's the fun in that.
If I had £13k to throw at a second car my money would go on a TVR (garage appeal), Elise (driving appeal) or an E46 M3 (garage & driving appeal).
Coming from someone who has an E46 M3 as a daily and a 996T as a weekend toy I'm 100% confident you have not driven one, the driver feedback and enjoyment is head over heels the BMW which is hindered by its practicality. The steering feel and engagement is on another scale and it takes time to learn how to drive the car on its limits. I love the M3 for what it is but it is not as engaging as a 996 911. The m3 however is a jack of all trades and a perfect all rounder, the 996 is not. I couldn't get excited opening up my garage door of a weekend to look at this, nor could I at the thought of driving it - you'd get much the same from a £5k Boxster. People must just be buying these as an investment but where's the fun in that.
If I had £13k to throw at a second car my money would go on a TVR (garage appeal), Elise (driving appeal) or an E46 M3 (garage & driving appeal).
I will also add the M3 is currently more expensive to run than my 996 Turbo, and the turbo has had 6 years to prove how unreliable it is.
On a looks front I believe the 996 is not very photogenic, never has been. In person they look far better. I used to hate the narrow bodied fried egg versions but they now look dainty and well proportioned when the average hatchback is covered in carbon fins rolling 20" rims.
Edited by shantybeater on Thursday 8th November 11:23
STiG911 said:
edh said:
I'm sure the seller of this car would be happy to share with serious buyers the precise details of the work that's been done & why.
There's literally a whole list in the sale ad - did you even read it?
Ah, found it...and travelled back in time to post the comment above yours..
may not be "precise" enough for mr Blade thoughshantybeater said:
On a looks front I believe the 996 is not very photogenic, never has been. In person they look far better. I used to hate the narrow bodied fried egg versions but they now look dainty and well proportioned when the average hatchback is covered in carbon fins rolling 20" rims.
I really like the 996, as you say the proportions look very good compared with the latest bloated cars (not just Porsche). I watched a video a while back by Jethro Bovingdon on his 996, it looks great. As I predominantly go for a drive on them same roads, the 996 does not look too wide or over powered. Cars seem to be getting bigger with the roads staying the same width. Can't comment on the reliability of a 996 as I've never owned one; however they do look like a sweet spot for road driving (for pleasure).Edited by shantybeater on Thursday 8th November 11:23
Video linky if anyone is bothered https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6jCiB9dt0A
Edited by Tickle on Thursday 8th November 12:38
Had one of these a few years ago, 996 carrera. Hated it, understeered like a b
h despite £500 spent at Centre Gravity, managed to offload it. 6 motnhs later the roofs had failed costing £2k+ and a few months later the rear main seal went, £7k job!!
Not bad looking for the price but not a great car...
h despite £500 spent at Centre Gravity, managed to offload it. 6 motnhs later the roofs had failed costing £2k+ and a few months later the rear main seal went, £7k job!!Not bad looking for the price but not a great car...
shantybeater said:
Coming from someone who has an E46 M3 as a daily and a 996T as a weekend toy I'm 100% confident you have not driven one, the driver feedback and enjoyment is head over heels the BMW which is hindered by its practicality. The steering feel and engagement is on another scale and it takes time to learn how to drive the car on its limits. I love the M3 for what it is but it is not as engaging as a 996 911. The m3 however is a jack of all trades and a perfect all rounder, the 996 is not.
I will also add the M3 is currently more expensive to run than my 996 Turbo, and the turbo has had 6 years to prove how unreliable it is.
On a looks front I believe the 996 is not very photogenic, never has been. In person they look far better. I used to hate the narrow bodied fried egg versions but they now look dainty and well proportioned when the average hatchback is covered in carbon fins rolling 20" rims.
This guy knows the score, they weren't making those rave reviews up at the time of release you know.I will also add the M3 is currently more expensive to run than my 996 Turbo, and the turbo has had 6 years to prove how unreliable it is.
On a looks front I believe the 996 is not very photogenic, never has been. In person they look far better. I used to hate the narrow bodied fried egg versions but they now look dainty and well proportioned when the average hatchback is covered in carbon fins rolling 20" rims.
Edited by shantybeater on Thursday 8th November 11:23
One thong- try and drive a 996 like you would drive an M3 (or a 350z in my case) and you will be initially disappointed.
But spend a bit of time and you get repaid in spades.
was8v said:
One thong- try and drive a 996 like you would drive an M3 (or a 350z in my case) and you will be initially disappointed.
But spend a bit of time and you get repaid in spades.
100%. I initially pottered about in mine, relatively speaking, enjoying the sound and just happy that I owned a 911. Then one evening in the summer I took it for a proper blast around the country roads near us and had a bit of an epiphany - it just came alive more and more with speed and suddenly everything made complete sense.But spend a bit of time and you get repaid in spades.
Ahonen said:
I reckon the understeer was more a problem with the cockpit spacer than the car. 996s handle very well.
No, it's an inherent trait of older 911s, hence why those in the know (Steve Rance on here etc) frequently discuss turning in on the brakes to prevent the front washing out.One of Steve's old posts:
"Make an light initial application of the brakes for a few tenths of a second, that loads up the nose. Then firmly apply brakes. it is effectively two stages of braking. Do not bleed of of the brakes after the initial application, keep the pressure on ready for the main application. That will prevent the abs from cutting in early as the front is loaded befroe heavy braking commences. A 911 driver needs to work the nose of the car from braking zone to apex, often by using trail throttle in medium corners or trail brake in slow corners. If you don't, you will get understeer and have to wait to get on the power for the exit".
Ahonen said:
sulli said:
Had one of these a few years ago, 996 carrera. Hated it, understeered like a bh despite £500 spent at Centre Gravity, managed to offload it.
I reckon the understeer was more a problem with the cockpit spacer than the car. 996s handle very well.h despite £500 spent at Centre Gravity, managed to offload it. Some 'interesting' comments.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Mine's an expensive hobby rather than daily driver. I like the clean lines and the fact that it feels still quite quick and agile being around 300hp / 1320kg, give or take. Plenty parts options for them too, both sharing with the Boxster and aftermarket. You can save quite a bit of money on bits if you do your homework. If you were after a 996 the one in the advert sounds worth a look to me.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Mine's an expensive hobby rather than daily driver. I like the clean lines and the fact that it feels still quite quick and agile being around 300hp / 1320kg, give or take. Plenty parts options for them too, both sharing with the Boxster and aftermarket. You can save quite a bit of money on bits if you do your homework. If you were after a 996 the one in the advert sounds worth a look to me.
blade7 said:
Don't drag my name into your spat. Anyway, I can't take anyone seriously that would choose an S2 over a turbo....
Find me a high mileage turbo for £2k fitted with KWV3 and I might have considered it... Anyway as a track car I think N/A is a better option for me - I've done the turbo route already.Olivera said:
Ahonen said:
I reckon the understeer was more a problem with the cockpit spacer than the car. 996s handle very well.
No, it's an inherent trait of older 911s, hence why those in the know (Steve Rance on here etc) frequently discuss turning in on the brakes to prevent the front washing out.It's not really any harder or less natural than the way you'd drive a nose-heavy car; it's just different.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 8th November 14:21
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