993James993

Wife needs to replace her car soon. We have done the research and had decided on a Boxster or Boxster S. But now I am seeing tons of 1999 996's for less money. The car has to be a tip and a cab is her preference. Am I missing something obvious? Is there any reason to avoid these cars?

jimhsu

there are so many of these 996s made and sold that they are priced lower than you would expect.

I am not sure I see a lot of 996s for less than comparable-year Boxster or Boxster S, though. Very close maybe, but generally still a little higher than the 986s.

the 99 through '01 3.4L engines are also more prone to failures. Exact incidence is unknown, but believed to be low; but if it happens to you....to you that incidence is 100% failure.

Other issues: some just don't like the fried egg headlamp look up front, and it is shared with the Boxster thus losing some luster.

CN

The issue is strictly cosmetic. These are fabulous cars and a great deal. They only suffer from an unpopular appearance among some Porsche owners who are fussy about round headlights and pronounces rear fenders. Other than that, they are every bit a 911 as any other and certainly outclass the Boxster by an order of magnitude. Get it and enjoy this great piece of machinery.

cabrio993

MY 99's, besides their well known self granading engines and other first of the run mechanical issues, their looks or lack of, makes them one of the least desired 911, even amongst 996 owners.

They made some improvements on the 2001's onward, but still the bland, Ford Probe look, cheap plastic interior remained. Some of the engine gremlins were improved though.

996's are a great bargain and excellent value, but I would look for a 2001+ model year for almost the same money.

This, however, wouldn't be a car that I would own without an extended warranty.

Pedro356C

Mass production? Too many flooded the market after lease returns? No appeal as collectible? No water cooled enthusiasts on the block? Maybe everything combined or maybe is just the "skinny butt"!

I'm no expert but I hear the 1999 3.4 engine is an invitation for trouble...

YA911Fan

I had a new 00 996 manual coupe. Lots of minor but annoying quality issues. It was an entirely bland, antiseptic driving experience. A very disappointing 911, imo.

Maybe a later MY Tip Cab would be an OK grocery getter for the wife. It's cheap and vaguely sporty...

Ritter v4.0

Try before you buy.

I can't speak for you or your wife but I, like you, was thinking about one as a second P-car and was somewhat swayed by how inexpensive they are. That is until I drove one. 10 mins was all it took. Not for me.

I got a '92 964 that will be track ready for similar money to a hi-mile/plain jane '99/00 996. Not an apples to apple comparison perhaps but you get the idea- there are alternatives.

Kigiin

I test drove one when they were new back in 1999. Like Ritter above, only took me about 10-15 minutes to tell that it wasn't for me. Very bland, both the exterior and interior.

However, for the wife, the feminine perspective may be totally different. I would let her weigh in - especially if the right car came up.

Rob

mikestash

I may be the contrarian but a 996 is still a pcar and while doesn't live up to a 993 (ahem), it still drives like a 911 (a watered down one, but a 911).

Pros for a 996:
- Good value (lots out there)
- More space for stuff than a boxster.
- Better crash worthiness because more "car"

Cons for a 996
- Boxter handles better IMO (especially the s)
- Early 996 's 99/00 had a bad metalurgy problem with the engine blocks resulting in engine cracks and requiring a full engine replacement. If that happens to you, that is 8k.
- all pre-99 911 and 997 owners will make fun of you because of the way the cars looks

Have her drive one and see what she likes. An incredible deal for mid $30's.

Mike

Martin S.

Rear Main Seal failures, throw away motors...Porsche dealers don't real tear into them...have heard the same about the trannys, no dry sump...a Porsche feature on the 911 since inception. The die hards want an engine that will run just as well up side down as right side up...theoretically a dry sump engine will do this.

The inability to distinguish a Boxster and a 996 in one's rear view mirror is another turn off for some. Water cooled...vs air/oil cooled is a turn off for some as well. No optional limited slip differential in the post 99 models.

993 cars have a very limited range of motion when it comes to alignment. Those wanting significant negative camber will have to go to a suspension mod to get 1 1/2 degrees negative in the front. DOT race tires used for autocross, Time Trial and Club racing like lots of negative camber.

On the upside...technically the 996 is a very modern with varioram and vario cam, 4 valves per cylinder, 2 banks of cylinders in contrast to six separate cylinders on a 993, water cooled is a + with water's ability to carry away heat more efficiently contrasted to oil and water. Aerodynamically they have a lower C.D., less drag than a 993. Actually the 964 is the most slippery 911 seen up through the 996 model run. The 996 convertible has built in pop up roll bars. If the car gets to a critical angle, they will pop up...a great feature. The 996 has some digital instrumentation, a + for some. The Tiptronic is a 5 speed, in contrast to the 993 4 speed Tip. The new Tip is well sorted out and gets lots of power to the ground. I drove one a while back and was pleasantly surprised.

I suspect that a 996 that is well maintained, and NOT tracked, will last a long time. The convertible treatment is world class on the 996 compared to earlier 911 models. I'd get a 996 cabriolet for the street but I think I'd want an extended warranty....the down side, the same issues that seem to haunt the 996 today, will be here in the future, when it is time to sell the car.

red911c2

Don't get it for her, unless you can shift your manual 993 REALLY well, she'll pass you in her 996 cab TIP...

In all seriousness, 996's are a great deal right now!

YA911Fan

slightly OT...

No it won't. Gravity feeds oil to the scavenger pumps so it has to remain somewhat upright.

Gary996

I owned an '02 C2 Coupe and really enjoyed the car. I chose an '02 because I liked the cosmetic and mechanical upgrades (3.6 motor, new headlights, better quality interior). This car was an awesome grand touring car (more GT than sports car IMHO) and I enjoyed driving it and had no mechanical problems with this car. The 996's are a very good value right now and I don't think you can buy anything close to the performance for the $.

2ndof2

How about an M3 convertable instead? Trunk, 4 seats, looks good, and plenty of performance. I think they look better too.

Martin S.

It written above, "slightly OT...

"No it won't (Run Upside Down). Gravity feeds oil to the scavenger pumps so it has to remain somewhat upright."

So says you...whether it will run upside down or not, is immaterial: Lots of us choose to believe it will. And as we know, "Perception is Reality." And it is one more brick in the wall as to why we love our 993 cars!

In all seriousness, the 996 5 speed Tip car really hauls butt. This is a very sweet transmission...especially when coupled to a 911 engine!