Underwhelmed by 996 test drive

[gareth h]

I had decided to replace my diesel Beemer which has served me well with a 996 porsche, thought I had found a car which fitted the bill, 2002 manual targa, 80k miles, good service records, recent IMS etc.

the car needed a few cosmetics sorting which I was comfortable with, however took it for a test drive, and was underwhelmed which was a bit disappointing as I t was on my bucket list to own a 911, not sure how to describe it but the car seemed to bob when accelerating in a straight line, which was disconcerting, seemed ok through corners.

does anybody have any experience of them? I'm not sure whether it is a trait or if the suspension was a bit tired and needed a refresh.

have found a place that does an airfield experience in a 996 gt3 which I am tempted to try just to see what a well sorted car drives like (which was how I ended up with a caterham last year!)

[SET3]

Hi
You might find the suspension possibly past its best and sending them back to be refurbished could be a good idea. Least you could set the ride height etc and know it's set up perfect. However you maybe better off with just a basic C2 with Mo30 setup. The roof assembly etc on the targa would weigh a lot but be a nice car for touring Europe etc. I had a 993 targa for approx 8 years and loved it.

I currently own a 99GT3 clubsport spec and a Caterham K SLR. The Porker is as solid as a rock, ride hard and very raw but hell of a car. Similar sort of ride to the Caterham but obviously just feels a lot more sturdy. Both cracking cars.

When you drive the right one you will know it. It takes a while to gell with them and drive them hard and get used to its handling etc. Don't lift off and if any doubt go faster 😀😀 happy hunting..

[Rocketsocks]

I've had a 996 C2 for a few weeks now. It's taken a while to get the hang of how to drive it, and I guess I've still only scratched the surface of what it's capable of. I absolutely love it and wish I'd bought one years ago.

I also have a BMW M135i. Since getting the Porsche, I've hardly driven the little beamer, and in fact it will be sent back a few months early. There is never any sense of occasion with the car. My advice would be to give the 996 a try. They are fantastic driver's cars and a real performance bargain right now.

[Yiliterate]

It might be to do with the tyre pressures. My 996t felt slightly odd when the tyres were at the recommended pressure but then I read that the pressures quoted in the manual were actually for a fully laden car...

[LordHaveMurci]

996 will feel so different to your BM you'll wonder wHat's wrong with the Porker! The feedback through the wHeel, the slight bob from the front end, the feeling of the engine in the arse...

5yrs in for me & still learning

[gareth h]

Just a thought, I did have 2 adults in the front and one in the rear, would this have an effect on the way the car drives (obviously its going to have an effect on performance!)

[Rockster]

gareth h said:

Just a thought, I did have 2 adults in the front and one in the rear, would this have an effect on the way the car drives (obviously its going to have an effect on performance!)

Yes, performance will suffer some. Also, aarrying 3 adults brings the car closer to its fully loaded vehicle weight which requires upping the tire pressures some over the pressures suitable for a less heavily loaded car.

[Noble P4]

Get a long term 996 owner to test drive it...until you know its a good or a bad one you will not be able to say if Porsche ownership is for you.

I have not had mine long and was happy with it until I had the suspension geo set up on a full lazer jobby.

I'm now overjoyed with it!

http://www.alineyourcar.co.uk/ Ask for Kev, lots of Porsche experience.

Edited by Noble P4 on Sunday 13th September 19:35

Edited by Noble P4 on Sunday 13th September 20:18

[NNH]

I had a 996 C2 for 50k miles and 2 years. As others have said, it's very sensitive to suspension geo, and also I found that tyre wear made a big difference. After getting sick of chewing up rear Pirellis every 10k miles I switched to Michelin and was a lot happier with the car.

I had a 3 month break where I was driving other cars, and when I came back to the 996 it felt "weird" but after a few miles I was happy again. The bobbing front end is normal, but if it's all over the place then something's not right.

I hope you give it another chance - it's an amazing car once you've got used to it!

[heebeegeetee]

Noble P4 said:

Get a long term 996 owner to test drive it...until you know its a good or a bad one you will not be able to say if Porsche ownership is for you.

I have not had mine long and was happy with it until I had the suspension geo set up on a full lazer jobby.

I'm now overjoyed with it!

http://www.alineyourcar.co.uk/ Ask for Kev, lots of Porsche experience.

Edited by Noble P4 on Sunday 13th September 19:35

Edited by Noble P4 on Sunday 13th September 20:18

In my opinion - unless you know for a fact that this has been done to a car, indeed any car that has adjustable suspension, then any test drive or any opinion on any such given model is meaningless.