996 40th v Boxster Spyder v 996 Turbo
Discussion
So.... Whats our collective thoughts on my next car purchase. I've had a 996 C2 for a few years now. Nice low mileage car which I have had no problems with. It's up for sale on the classifieds as I fancy getting something a little bit more interesting and/or limited. I'm an out and out 996 fan boy, I know the alleged reliability pitfalls of 996 ownership and to be honest they don't bother me at all (partly as I've not experienced them thus far). I only do 1-2k miles per year, so this is a third car for me.
So I fancy a change... options are:
996 40th Anniversary - a relatively limited edition car - about 100-150 in country - nice spec 996, powerkit etc etc. I have always loved these and this seems a relatively safe place to put my money while keeping my 996 fascination going... i love a ltd edition! Obviously not that different to what I have other than a bit more power, spec change.
or
996 Turbo - again keeping to my 996 mantra. Needs no introduction. More expensive to find a decent one with the right history, and outright speed is not necessarily what i am looking for, but its a Turbo and they are addictive to drive. Price's seems to have settled of late.
or
987 Boxster Spyder - slight curve ball choice, but these get such great reviews from owners. 100 or so in country. Seems to offer a visceral driving experience and very different to the Turbo for example. Seen a few of late and other than having only 2 seats, I must admit to being quite tempted getting a manual with the seats, exhaust etc.
While there will never be a collective consensus on this, it's interesting to find out what people think....
So I fancy a change... options are:
996 40th Anniversary - a relatively limited edition car - about 100-150 in country - nice spec 996, powerkit etc etc. I have always loved these and this seems a relatively safe place to put my money while keeping my 996 fascination going... i love a ltd edition! Obviously not that different to what I have other than a bit more power, spec change.
or
996 Turbo - again keeping to my 996 mantra. Needs no introduction. More expensive to find a decent one with the right history, and outright speed is not necessarily what i am looking for, but its a Turbo and they are addictive to drive. Price's seems to have settled of late.
or
987 Boxster Spyder - slight curve ball choice, but these get such great reviews from owners. 100 or so in country. Seems to offer a visceral driving experience and very different to the Turbo for example. Seen a few of late and other than having only 2 seats, I must admit to being quite tempted getting a manual with the seats, exhaust etc.
While there will never be a collective consensus on this, it's interesting to find out what people think....
Well, if it is any help , back in 2010 I moved from a 996 Turbo (Tiptronic, my first auto box) which I had for 6 years to a new Spyder (PDK) Given that there was almost a 100 bhp difference between the two cars, I never missed the Turbo power. The Spyder ( which I kept until last year when I switched to a 718 BGTS) was great fun and handled like a dream. The exhaust sound was also much better than the turbo ( and putting on a tin hat, I find the 718 GTS exhaust sound better, more of the time than the Spyder!) My vote would therefore go to the Spyder.
I've had both a 996.1 Carrera and a 996 turbo.
My opinion is there's no point in going from a 996 Carrera to a 996 Carrera, especially a 996.2 Carrera. Never been a fan of the 40 jahre (I hate the chrome wheels!)
I'd be looking for a turbo, and if you want to make it extra special, put in some buckets and a decent exhaust.
My opinion is there's no point in going from a 996 Carrera to a 996 Carrera, especially a 996.2 Carrera. Never been a fan of the 40 jahre (I hate the chrome wheels!)
I'd be looking for a turbo, and if you want to make it extra special, put in some buckets and a decent exhaust.
I had one of the last of the line manual 996 Turbo S followed by a manual 987 Spyder so should probably pipe up.
The Turbo was ballistic. Being honest tho, that was about it. I ignored all the advice that warned me that other than being ballistic I might find the whole ownership experience as being a bit meh. I kept it for over 2 years but I could have sold it after 2 months since I felt like I'd done the whole Porsche Turbo thing in that time. It was a fabulously accomplished car and if you lived in a city and had to have a single car that ticked all the boxes, including the mundane ones like being practical and even slightly subtle then there can't be many better ones. My Turbo S ownership overlapped with having a V8 Vantage which, in terms of being a more enjoyable but far slower car, suited me better.
The 987 Spyder was a different experience. I also had an F360 Spider and an MX5 so had the 2 seat convertible bases all covered. However I thought the Porsche was just lovely to look at and when the perfect spec one popped up I just wanted one. Again tho, after a bit over 2 years I let it go. It was certainly a more memorable car to own and drive than the Turbo. It looked better, sounded better and was plenty fast enough and if I wasn't already spoiled for choice and always finding it was 3rd choice to take out on a sunny day I would have kept it.
The Turbo was ballistic. Being honest tho, that was about it. I ignored all the advice that warned me that other than being ballistic I might find the whole ownership experience as being a bit meh. I kept it for over 2 years but I could have sold it after 2 months since I felt like I'd done the whole Porsche Turbo thing in that time. It was a fabulously accomplished car and if you lived in a city and had to have a single car that ticked all the boxes, including the mundane ones like being practical and even slightly subtle then there can't be many better ones. My Turbo S ownership overlapped with having a V8 Vantage which, in terms of being a more enjoyable but far slower car, suited me better.
The 987 Spyder was a different experience. I also had an F360 Spider and an MX5 so had the 2 seat convertible bases all covered. However I thought the Porsche was just lovely to look at and when the perfect spec one popped up I just wanted one. Again tho, after a bit over 2 years I let it go. It was certainly a more memorable car to own and drive than the Turbo. It looked better, sounded better and was plenty fast enough and if I wasn't already spoiled for choice and always finding it was 3rd choice to take out on a sunny day I would have kept it.
I've had a 996 C4S, 996.1 C2 and now have my second boxster spyder.
In manual with the buckets, spyder alloys pse its a great combination. It has to be a second or third car although I know Khushy on here has done over 100000 miles in his. I like to keep mine pristine and do up to 2000 miles in the summer months in mine.
Dont see the 40 year 996 as anything special personally do my vote would be a spyder or very special condition turbo so that you actually feel you have something different.
Money fairly safe in either!
In manual with the buckets, spyder alloys pse its a great combination. It has to be a second or third car although I know Khushy on here has done over 100000 miles in his. I like to keep mine pristine and do up to 2000 miles in the summer months in mine.
Dont see the 40 year 996 as anything special personally do my vote would be a spyder or very special condition turbo so that you actually feel you have something different.
Money fairly safe in either!
I had a 996.2 Carrera 4 for 5 years and replaced it with a 987 Boxster Spyder which I kept for 4 years.
Wish I still had the Spyder!
On the right road, in the right weather, in the right spec, they offer a truly joyous experience. A perfect sportscar.
In the rain, with 200 miles ahead of you to face on the M6... actually it’s fine, air con will keep the screen clear, the hood will keep the rain out but it is noisy though with the roof up on the motorway.
Wish I still had the Spyder!
On the right road, in the right weather, in the right spec, they offer a truly joyous experience. A perfect sportscar.
In the rain, with 200 miles ahead of you to face on the M6... actually it’s fine, air con will keep the screen clear, the hood will keep the rain out but it is noisy though with the roof up on the motorway.
Can't comment on the spyder, or a normal 996 for that matter. I usually change my cars every year. 6 years+ ago I went for a 996 Turbo with the rare X50 pack (bigger turbos etc...), love it, haven't looked back. Best car I have ever owned. It does need a decent exhaust to bring sound to match the performance, and I would suggest tracking down an X50 for a test drive, the old school turbo character adds to the experience compared with the standard K16 car, and the manual is a peach.
I really don't understand this 'too capable' & 'boring' talk. It feels just as alive (and more so) than its stablemates
I really don't understand this 'too capable' & 'boring' talk. It feels just as alive (and more so) than its stablemates
Edited by shantybeater on Thursday 21st March 22:03
So it seems I’ve done the reverse to everyone else. I went from a Spyder (buckets, sport shift, PSE) to a 996 C4.
The Spyder was phenomenally capable - devastating on track - but although an “event” not that accessible on the road. It was like a grown up Elise with a bigger performance envelope.
The 996 on the other hand had character that I could feel and savour on the road, it was more practical, but really, no less of an event. The cabin, the weird engine layout, the tactility and noise were all on a par with the Spyder for enjoyment if not outright performance.
I get the limited run thing and I would support you getting a Spyder out of your system, but I’d be surprised if you didn’t go back to a 996 within a couple of years.
The Spyder was phenomenally capable - devastating on track - but although an “event” not that accessible on the road. It was like a grown up Elise with a bigger performance envelope.
The 996 on the other hand had character that I could feel and savour on the road, it was more practical, but really, no less of an event. The cabin, the weird engine layout, the tactility and noise were all on a par with the Spyder for enjoyment if not outright performance.
I get the limited run thing and I would support you getting a Spyder out of your system, but I’d be surprised if you didn’t go back to a 996 within a couple of years.
treacle said:
Yes, I can see that happening, I'm a 996 fan as I say, but the 996/7 turbo or something else itch, needs to be itched I think...
.... or maybe 997.2 something or other... choices!
If I was after a 911 the 997.2 would be top choice , more reliable engine with the basic architecture carried on even until now in the likes of the gt4 and gt3, and also though subjective better looking!.... or maybe 997.2 something or other... choices!
renmure said:
The Turbo was ballistic. Being honest tho, that was about it.
I completely disagree.(but it's funny how PH hasn't agreed on this for the last 15 years!).
I loved my turbo, the handling was immense, the feedback/steering feel was just amazing.
Being 95% RWD most of the time, they don't feel 4wd and they can drift no problem!!
Don't forget, it was Evo's car of the year in 2001, and Evo champion the 'thrill of driving' above all else.
Another comment on the benefits of the spyder is that you shouldnt get unexpected bills for quite some time. Not something you can say about the 996. Dont get me wrong Im a 996 fan too but also like to budget and the spyder scores well with no depreciation, very low running costs and total reliability.
treacle said:
Looks great in Seal Grey!
Thanks 
and as for the reliability. The mezger needs no intro on that front. Check out this 590,000 miler:https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-ma...
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