Running a 996 everyday?

[Shnozz]

Hi boys and girls. After many years of running 2 cars (and 1 for the missus) I am finding I spend 95% of my driving time behind the wheel of my winter shed, especially in a summer like this one. It got me thinking about returning to the 1 car and the 996 is about the only performance car that doesn't appear to have big limitations in using daily.

Is it a true everyday proposition? I don't watch the fuel gauge much but can I expect anything over 20mpg? can it be left in pub carparks etc without being keyed? Is it scarey in the wet etc? Its all these things that made me first get a second car back when I drove TVRs and I enjoyed having a car that I could dump in Sainsburys carpark without fear. The thought of doing that in my decent motor will fill me with dread the first few occasions I am sure, but the realisation that I only use my nice car once a month or so git me wondering whether I need to just relax, take any crap that comes with it such as car park dings, and spend a whole lot more time enjoying driving again.

Any general everyday driver experiences welcomed, particularly as to whether abuse is levied at 911s. A few years back a good mate had one and found a lot of negativity from other road users.

[R1_JON]

I had a 996 C2 as a daily driver for 2 years and never had any problems. Averaged about 25mpg from memory. No issues with other drivers or pub car parks etc. Not scary in the wet at all.

Go for it.

[markomah]

R1_JON said:

I had a 996 C2 as a daily driver for 2 years and never had any problems. Averaged about 25mpg from memory. No issues with other drivers or pub car parks etc. Not scary in the wet at all.

Go for it.

No issues in Dublin with car parks and other drivers, for what that's worth.

The car is certainly reliable enough to use every day. I've just traded up to a C4S after 2 years in a C2 and find the smaller boot means I'm having to think a little more about packing.

Averaged about 23 mpg in mainly city driving over 2 years. That's dropped rapidly in the new car because I'm still exploring the effect of the upper reaches of the revs on the sports exhaust!!

M

[elms]

I've used my '99 Carrera 4 as a daily driver for four years now (now up to 60k miles) and can't fault it and its only in the last 2 weeks that I've have some repairs (ball joint and air con compressor) that are other than the routine servicing. Its just about fast enough to keep me amused and has shown major speeds one day and plodded down to Waitrose the next so is completely versatile. Very comfortable to drive on long journeys, maybe I've become immune to it but I dont find it noisy or harsh at all. I've never run a fuel economy check on it, but I guess that 25-30mpg is what it returns on a brisk motorway run. I do tend to get through tires quite quickly though, but from memory they only cost me about £180 a pair (18&quot.

As for leaving it parked, I'm very relaxed where I park it, as I think lifes too short to worry about some moron with a chip on their shoulder and I'm not going to let that dictate to me where I can and can't go. If it gets scratched or dented i'll just get it repaired - simple as that.

Finally I've not had one sign of negative response from other road users, but I don't go cruising about on the pose which perhaps would get peoples backs up.

Get one. You wont regret it.

Hope this helps
Dion

[Ballcock]

Yep , as a daily driver you cannot get better. Spent 18 months with mine as a daily with plain sailing... The arse does step out , but invariably you'll admit to yourself afterwards that you'd been asking for it ...
.. You'd get bored of it very quickly if it wasn't some sort of challenge..

[Davey S2]

Phil

Give me a bell mate.

[Shnozz]

ok mate, will do over the w'end.

[Shnozz]

cheers chaps, helpful stuff and very positive. Thanks for taking the time to post.

[Aggi]

Get one! I've had a door ding from some knob but dont think its anything to do with the car its the other driver! I try and get into the mind set that it will pick up little dings but every year I'lll visit my favourite body shop who make it look like new again! Absolutley love mine gone from a bmw with a steptronic to a manual 996 only gripe is in traffic the manual is a bit of a pain but thats a little like being married to a perfect woman and complaining that you dont like the freckle on the sole of her foot!

[WingedTiger]

I've been using my 996 almost every day for a few months now - just done 1,500 miles this week over several long, and some short journeys. coming from BMW's I'm very surpirsised how well it does over long distances and i get 27.7 mpg if I put in 98 in. so yeas - go for it...but buy a warrenty too!

[Wetwipe]

Over the last 5 years I have covered over 100,000 miles in Porsches
78k in a Boxster (in three years)
25k in a 996 C2 facelift
and 4k in a 996 turbo

all were used every day, the turbo is currently shuttling me from suffolk to manchester every week for work.

the turbo returns 27mpg on a run (of the turbos arent spinning) and gets me where i need to go in perfect comfort

I cant recommend them highly enough

[cityneil]

Got to agree here. Great cars that are very versatile. I get about 18mpg in town and around 25mpg out on the road.

Factor in servicing and tyres and don't worry about other peoples reactions. Never been a problem for me either from other drivers (although when you let people out of side roads they can seem a bit surprised!) or when parking and leaving the car out on the street.

[DustyC]

So first you sell your TVR and buy a 1.8* Then you move out from your girlfriend and in with a bloke. I guess this is the next logical move. Might as well get a pink one mate and let the world know.

• a 1.8 metro engined car with a number plate that points to your sexual persuasion too! Or is it the number plate that made you buy that car?

Oh well, its either that or you are just getting old.

[cardigankid]

All german cars attract negative vibes. If you want let out at junctions and treated with consideration in traffic, buy a big Jag or an Aston Martin or a Vintage Bentley.