what is an 'early' 3.4 996?
Discussion
Hoofy said:
ATM said:
Thanks
But up close its very tatty. Rust, dents and scratches.
Perfect, then.But up close its very tatty. Rust, dents and scratches.
So now I see it as a bit of a beater which I can just use and not worry about. I try to treat all my cars like this. I try not to get precious about them. It helps minimise the pain when something bad happens.
julian987R said:
ATM said:
seemingly so
Smollet said:
Fast Bug said:
Less is more. Remove a few bits (rear badge and wiper), lower and a nice set of wheels and jobs a good 'un!
I don’t understand why you’d want to remove something that aids rearward vision. 
I did check the price of a rear screen without the hole though and it's £762.22!Smollet said:
Fast Bug said:
Less is more. Remove a few bits (rear badge and wiper), lower and a nice set of wheels and jobs a good 'un!
I don’t understand why you’d want to remove something that aids rearward vision. ATM said:
Hoofy said:
ATM said:
Thanks
But up close its very tatty. Rust, dents and scratches.
Perfect, then.But up close its very tatty. Rust, dents and scratches.
So now I see it as a bit of a beater which I can just use and not worry about. I try to treat all my cars like this. I try not to get precious about them. It helps minimise the pain when something bad happens.
t will park next to you surrounded by 50 empty spaces because they are unable to park without using another car as a guide (this should be in the test!) and then they'll use your car as a door stopper. So best off not bothering and then dealing with the scrapes and dents when it comes time to sell.I park mine under a tree (no choice) and it's always sticky. On the plus side, those dicks who just brush past your car without a care in the world, scraping their jeans studs against the bodywork will get a sideful of sap.
Mark-996-911 said:
Smollet said:
Fast Bug said:
Less is more. Remove a few bits (rear badge and wiper), lower and a nice set of wheels and jobs a good 'un!
I don’t understand why you’d want to remove something that aids rearward vision. I did check the price of a rear screen without the hole though and it's £762.22!Smollet said:
Mark-996-911 said:
Smollet said:
Fast Bug said:
Less is more. Remove a few bits (rear badge and wiper), lower and a nice set of wheels and jobs a good 'un!
I don’t understand why you’d want to remove something that aids rearward vision. I did check the price of a rear screen without the hole though and it's £762.22!Smollet said:
Mark-996-911 said:
Smollet said:
Fast Bug said:
Less is more. Remove a few bits (rear badge and wiper), lower and a nice set of wheels and jobs a good 'un!
I don’t understand why you’d want to remove something that aids rearward vision. I did check the price of a rear screen without the hole though and it's £762.22!As soon as you hit about 30mph the water disperses from the rear screen anyway due to the air flow over the car. I can't say I’ve ever missed having a wiper since I fitting the delete kit.
If anyone does fit one, just out a smidge of silicon around the base of the bung to make 100% sure its watertight
If anyone does fit one, just out a smidge of silicon around the base of the bung to make 100% sure its watertight
Mark-996-911 said:
One of the things I like about 996 is that even just a couple of subtle mods can allow you to put your own stamp on them. Mine was pretty bland I guess but a change of wheel and mirror colour had quite an impact visually. Obviously this is all subjective but it’s the basic shape that’s so nice. The only other visual changes I’d make are yellow brake callipers and a slightly lower ride height. I’d like a ducktail but I simply can’t afford one.
Only thing I didn’t like about 996 was that you couldn’t backdate them as you could with 964 and previous generation. Thankfully I see them differently nowadays and they’ve become more ‘classic’ (for want of a better phrase) in their own right.
What have you done with your wing mirror covers Mark, it’s difficult to tell on my phone?Only thing I didn’t like about 996 was that you couldn’t backdate them as you could with 964 and previous generation. Thankfully I see them differently nowadays and they’ve become more ‘classic’ (for want of a better phrase) in their own right.
Edited by Mark-996-911 on Thursday 23 September 09:56
Edited by Mark-996-911 on Thursday 23 September 09:59
I was thinking of hydro dipping mine in carbon.
Chris Stott said:
Never missed my wiper after doing the delete - and the red just looks much cleaner without it.
Nor me, I got the body shop to delete the RWW and the 3rd brake light, I think the car looks better for it too.I use this https://www.gtechniq.co.uk/shop/auto/glass-metal/a... on all the cars it really does make a huge difference.
ATM said:
Big can of worms here...
Rear engine
If you've never had a 911 then it's hard to explain the difference the rear engine makes. But it is unique and it does make the 911 unique even among other Porsches. As the generations have evolved Porsche have sanitised the rear engine feeling more and more. But you will definitely feel it when you drive one of these. And as you learn to explore its limits you will realise that the grip can be useful as you gain confidence with it. Its not all win win win as there are trade offs. You cant throw the car around or expect it turn in as well as a mid engined car. But you can definitely lean on it more when you are mid bend or looking for the exit.
Condition
My 996 is a 1998 so 23 years old. If you are looking for an early car then it will be 25, 24 or 23 years old. A lot can happen in that time. It is all about condition with these. Mine was tatty when I bought it and it has gotten worse. But mechanically it is quite good and therefore drives well. It is not perfect. If you like your cars to be perfect then be warned you should not buy a 20+ year old Porsche. We have some members here who comment on the door sill kick plates of cars seen advertised for sale. Some of us - like me - are happy enough to extract the maximum enjoyment from a car with the minimum of expenditure and dont give our kick plates. second thought. Mine even has some rust on the rear arch.
Engine woes
The gen 2 engine in your car is much more robust than the m96 engine in these cars. I wont go on about this too much but I will say that I believe the least risky engine of all the standard 996 cars is the earlier 3.4 engine and that is why I mention 96, 97 and 98. At some point the 3.4 engine changed and you dont want the later 3.4 because of this. So this narrows down the number of cars available. Would you be happy buying, owning and driving a car knowing it has an engine which has known problems or weak points?
Price
This brings us onto price. I've no idea what your car is worth but you might not necessarily get into one of these cars and make money in the transaction. The FGP car above is 34 grand. Can you achieve 34 grand for your current car? If you are thinking there are cars around for 15 grand then I'd say you need to forget that idea. Even tips are selling for almost 20 now. There are not many 96 - 98 manual C2 coupes around for sale. Especially if you start being picky about colours or sunroof delete. Then you need to think about wear and tear and stuff which needs sorting if you want to experience these cars at their best.
Experience
I currently have 3 Porsche outside - yeah yeah I'm an idiot - and I am starting to think I prefer the early 966 the best. My car has been modified quite a bit and not by me. I just dont know how to put my finger on why but it just feels better. I'm still exploring other options - as you do - but for now I am still in the 996 is best camp. Perhaps its because its 23 years old. Perhaps its because I know the car. Perhaps its because I have had it almost 5 years. Its a difficult decision. Some days I prefer the other Porches. Right I am rambling now.. If you drive one of these which is in fine fettle you can not dislike it. They just feel right. If you like cars and you like Porsches then you will like one of these. Will you like it more than your current Porsche - I just dont know. There is more to these cars that the driving experience. There is the feeling of satisfaction knowing you own a 911. For some people this is an aspiration. I definitely feel some sense of satisfaction knowing that I get to drive one of these which is 23 years old and it still feels great. If you see a guy in a Porsche similar to your current Porsche and another guy in a 23 year old 911 and you have a chance to talk to one of them, which one do you speak to? I guess thats an unfair question because you already have one and would therefore be more interested in the other one, surely.
Fantastic answer and really appreciate you taking the time to highlight the pros and cons. Have my eyes on a 98 3.4 and will report back. Ideally I'd have both but practically I should sell one and get the other etc.Rear engine
If you've never had a 911 then it's hard to explain the difference the rear engine makes. But it is unique and it does make the 911 unique even among other Porsches. As the generations have evolved Porsche have sanitised the rear engine feeling more and more. But you will definitely feel it when you drive one of these. And as you learn to explore its limits you will realise that the grip can be useful as you gain confidence with it. Its not all win win win as there are trade offs. You cant throw the car around or expect it turn in as well as a mid engined car. But you can definitely lean on it more when you are mid bend or looking for the exit.
Condition
My 996 is a 1998 so 23 years old. If you are looking for an early car then it will be 25, 24 or 23 years old. A lot can happen in that time. It is all about condition with these. Mine was tatty when I bought it and it has gotten worse. But mechanically it is quite good and therefore drives well. It is not perfect. If you like your cars to be perfect then be warned you should not buy a 20+ year old Porsche. We have some members here who comment on the door sill kick plates of cars seen advertised for sale. Some of us - like me - are happy enough to extract the maximum enjoyment from a car with the minimum of expenditure and dont give our kick plates. second thought. Mine even has some rust on the rear arch.
Engine woes
The gen 2 engine in your car is much more robust than the m96 engine in these cars. I wont go on about this too much but I will say that I believe the least risky engine of all the standard 996 cars is the earlier 3.4 engine and that is why I mention 96, 97 and 98. At some point the 3.4 engine changed and you dont want the later 3.4 because of this. So this narrows down the number of cars available. Would you be happy buying, owning and driving a car knowing it has an engine which has known problems or weak points?
Price
This brings us onto price. I've no idea what your car is worth but you might not necessarily get into one of these cars and make money in the transaction. The FGP car above is 34 grand. Can you achieve 34 grand for your current car? If you are thinking there are cars around for 15 grand then I'd say you need to forget that idea. Even tips are selling for almost 20 now. There are not many 96 - 98 manual C2 coupes around for sale. Especially if you start being picky about colours or sunroof delete. Then you need to think about wear and tear and stuff which needs sorting if you want to experience these cars at their best.
Experience
I currently have 3 Porsche outside - yeah yeah I'm an idiot - and I am starting to think I prefer the early 966 the best. My car has been modified quite a bit and not by me. I just dont know how to put my finger on why but it just feels better. I'm still exploring other options - as you do - but for now I am still in the 996 is best camp. Perhaps its because its 23 years old. Perhaps its because I know the car. Perhaps its because I have had it almost 5 years. Its a difficult decision. Some days I prefer the other Porches. Right I am rambling now.. If you drive one of these which is in fine fettle you can not dislike it. They just feel right. If you like cars and you like Porsches then you will like one of these. Will you like it more than your current Porsche - I just dont know. There is more to these cars that the driving experience. There is the feeling of satisfaction knowing you own a 911. For some people this is an aspiration. I definitely feel some sense of satisfaction knowing that I get to drive one of these which is 23 years old and it still feels great. If you see a guy in a Porsche similar to your current Porsche and another guy in a 23 year old 911 and you have a chance to talk to one of them, which one do you speak to? I guess thats an unfair question because you already have one and would therefore be more interested in the other one, surely.
I prefer older, analogue things, mechanical watches, hydraulic steering etc. Love the 996 as it's "my" generation growing up (80s baby).
Swine Enthusiast said:
ATM said:
Big can of worms here...
Rear engine
If you've never had a 911 then it's hard to explain the difference the rear engine makes. But it is unique and it does make the 911 unique even among other Porsches. As the generations have evolved Porsche have sanitised the rear engine feeling more and more. But you will definitely feel it when you drive one of these. And as you learn to explore its limits you will realise that the grip can be useful as you gain confidence with it. Its not all win win win as there are trade offs. You cant throw the car around or expect it turn in as well as a mid engined car. But you can definitely lean on it more when you are mid bend or looking for the exit.
Condition
My 996 is a 1998 so 23 years old. If you are looking for an early car then it will be 25, 24 or 23 years old. A lot can happen in that time. It is all about condition with these. Mine was tatty when I bought it and it has gotten worse. But mechanically it is quite good and therefore drives well. It is not perfect. If you like your cars to be perfect then be warned you should not buy a 20+ year old Porsche. We have some members here who comment on the door sill kick plates of cars seen advertised for sale. Some of us - like me - are happy enough to extract the maximum enjoyment from a car with the minimum of expenditure and dont give our kick plates. second thought. Mine even has some rust on the rear arch.
Engine woes
The gen 2 engine in your car is much more robust than the m96 engine in these cars. I wont go on about this too much but I will say that I believe the least risky engine of all the standard 996 cars is the earlier 3.4 engine and that is why I mention 96, 97 and 98. At some point the 3.4 engine changed and you dont want the later 3.4 because of this. So this narrows down the number of cars available. Would you be happy buying, owning and driving a car knowing it has an engine which has known problems or weak points?
Price
This brings us onto price. I've no idea what your car is worth but you might not necessarily get into one of these cars and make money in the transaction. The FGP car above is 34 grand. Can you achieve 34 grand for your current car? If you are thinking there are cars around for 15 grand then I'd say you need to forget that idea. Even tips are selling for almost 20 now. There are not many 96 - 98 manual C2 coupes around for sale. Especially if you start being picky about colours or sunroof delete. Then you need to think about wear and tear and stuff which needs sorting if you want to experience these cars at their best.
Experience
I currently have 3 Porsche outside - yeah yeah I'm an idiot - and I am starting to think I prefer the early 966 the best. My car has been modified quite a bit and not by me. I just dont know how to put my finger on why but it just feels better. I'm still exploring other options - as you do - but for now I am still in the 996 is best camp. Perhaps its because its 23 years old. Perhaps its because I know the car. Perhaps its because I have had it almost 5 years. Its a difficult decision. Some days I prefer the other Porches. Right I am rambling now.. If you drive one of these which is in fine fettle you can not dislike it. They just feel right. If you like cars and you like Porsches then you will like one of these. Will you like it more than your current Porsche - I just dont know. There is more to these cars that the driving experience. There is the feeling of satisfaction knowing you own a 911. For some people this is an aspiration. I definitely feel some sense of satisfaction knowing that I get to drive one of these which is 23 years old and it still feels great. If you see a guy in a Porsche similar to your current Porsche and another guy in a 23 year old 911 and you have a chance to talk to one of them, which one do you speak to? I guess thats an unfair question because you already have one and would therefore be more interested in the other one, surely.
Fantastic answer and really appreciate you taking the time to highlight the pros and cons. Have my eyes on a 98 3.4 and will report back. Ideally I'd have both but practically I should sell one and get the other etc.Rear engine
If you've never had a 911 then it's hard to explain the difference the rear engine makes. But it is unique and it does make the 911 unique even among other Porsches. As the generations have evolved Porsche have sanitised the rear engine feeling more and more. But you will definitely feel it when you drive one of these. And as you learn to explore its limits you will realise that the grip can be useful as you gain confidence with it. Its not all win win win as there are trade offs. You cant throw the car around or expect it turn in as well as a mid engined car. But you can definitely lean on it more when you are mid bend or looking for the exit.
Condition
My 996 is a 1998 so 23 years old. If you are looking for an early car then it will be 25, 24 or 23 years old. A lot can happen in that time. It is all about condition with these. Mine was tatty when I bought it and it has gotten worse. But mechanically it is quite good and therefore drives well. It is not perfect. If you like your cars to be perfect then be warned you should not buy a 20+ year old Porsche. We have some members here who comment on the door sill kick plates of cars seen advertised for sale. Some of us - like me - are happy enough to extract the maximum enjoyment from a car with the minimum of expenditure and dont give our kick plates. second thought. Mine even has some rust on the rear arch.
Engine woes
The gen 2 engine in your car is much more robust than the m96 engine in these cars. I wont go on about this too much but I will say that I believe the least risky engine of all the standard 996 cars is the earlier 3.4 engine and that is why I mention 96, 97 and 98. At some point the 3.4 engine changed and you dont want the later 3.4 because of this. So this narrows down the number of cars available. Would you be happy buying, owning and driving a car knowing it has an engine which has known problems or weak points?
Price
This brings us onto price. I've no idea what your car is worth but you might not necessarily get into one of these cars and make money in the transaction. The FGP car above is 34 grand. Can you achieve 34 grand for your current car? If you are thinking there are cars around for 15 grand then I'd say you need to forget that idea. Even tips are selling for almost 20 now. There are not many 96 - 98 manual C2 coupes around for sale. Especially if you start being picky about colours or sunroof delete. Then you need to think about wear and tear and stuff which needs sorting if you want to experience these cars at their best.
Experience
I currently have 3 Porsche outside - yeah yeah I'm an idiot - and I am starting to think I prefer the early 966 the best. My car has been modified quite a bit and not by me. I just dont know how to put my finger on why but it just feels better. I'm still exploring other options - as you do - but for now I am still in the 996 is best camp. Perhaps its because its 23 years old. Perhaps its because I know the car. Perhaps its because I have had it almost 5 years. Its a difficult decision. Some days I prefer the other Porches. Right I am rambling now.. If you drive one of these which is in fine fettle you can not dislike it. They just feel right. If you like cars and you like Porsches then you will like one of these. Will you like it more than your current Porsche - I just dont know. There is more to these cars that the driving experience. There is the feeling of satisfaction knowing you own a 911. For some people this is an aspiration. I definitely feel some sense of satisfaction knowing that I get to drive one of these which is 23 years old and it still feels great. If you see a guy in a Porsche similar to your current Porsche and another guy in a 23 year old 911 and you have a chance to talk to one of them, which one do you speak to? I guess thats an unfair question because you already have one and would therefore be more interested in the other one, surely.
I prefer older, analogue things, mechanical watches, hydraulic steering etc. Love the 996 as it's "my" generation growing up (80s baby).
ATM said:
I'm probably similar to you. It's an emotional attachment you can't get away from. Although I'm still dreaming about a conversion to non assisted steering.
I was just watching the CLR walk round video on YouTube and think about that. I must see if Richard documented that part of it in the thread. Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff