Just test drove a new 996 today
03-30-2002, 04:48 AM
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Just test drove a new 996 today
I've also been trying to decide between modifying my 993 vs. upgrading to a 996. I just test drove a new 996 today and after the test-drive I really find myself leaning more towards modding my current Porsche.
The car I tested was a tiptronic just as my current one is. The tip on the 996 is a definite improvement as it has 5 gears versus 4 for the 993. There is no lugging of the engine when starting in second like there is on the 993. Plus it has an extra 40 hp over my current car. The interior was a definite improvement in luxury. But after finishing the drive I still prefer my car.
To sum it up, for me the 996 was too refined. It reminds of a more powerful version of a Mercedes C230 I drove a couple of years ago. It didn't feel like a sports car anymore. There wasn't that raw feel, the feeling throughout your body as the engine revs, or that instantenous feedback from the steering wheel that the 993 has. My 993 just feels much more like a sports car and the 996 like a luxury sedan. There also didn't seem to be a noticeable improvement in things such as cornering capabilities or body roll. Maybe the 996 would grow on me in time but I'm definitely leaning towards modding my current car to increase power.
The car I tested was a tiptronic just as my current one is. The tip on the 996 is a definite improvement as it has 5 gears versus 4 for the 993. There is no lugging of the engine when starting in second like there is on the 993. Plus it has an extra 40 hp over my current car. The interior was a definite improvement in luxury. But after finishing the drive I still prefer my car.
To sum it up, for me the 996 was too refined. It reminds of a more powerful version of a Mercedes C230 I drove a couple of years ago. It didn't feel like a sports car anymore. There wasn't that raw feel, the feeling throughout your body as the engine revs, or that instantenous feedback from the steering wheel that the 993 has. My 993 just feels much more like a sports car and the 996 like a luxury sedan. There also didn't seem to be a noticeable improvement in things such as cornering capabilities or body roll. Maybe the 996 would grow on me in time but I'm definitely leaning towards modding my current car to increase power.
03-30-2002, 12:49 PM
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POACB
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Alex,
Surely you meant to use the word 'updating' instead of 'upgrading' in your first sentence...? <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />
My dilemma is whether or not to spend the money on mods vs. a 2002 CBR 600. Well it is nearly summer...
--Paul--
97 Carrera
Surely you meant to use the word 'updating' instead of 'upgrading' in your first sentence...? <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />
My dilemma is whether or not to spend the money on mods vs. a 2002 CBR 600. Well it is nearly summer...
--Paul--
97 Carrera
03-30-2002, 03:44 PM
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Alex -
interesting to hear your opinion. I was beginning to think I was insane - I also was unimpressed with the 996. Didn't seem to offer anything (other than improved refinement) - it scored lower in all the key areas (performance, feel, sound, looks) than the 964 and 993 models...
I guess this is always a difficult compromise for manufacturers to achieve. The more competent a car's chassis is, the less exciting it feels at a given speed. Sometimes you can get more fun out of a 1-litre car with skinny tyres that starts sliding at 50mph than with a supercar. For me, the only way to redress this balance is to make a car that in addition to being fast and refined, handles really sharply, and sounds and looks fantastic. I didn't feel that the 996 handled superbly - in fact I greatly prefer the feel of a Boxster S.
Don't know if you've seen any of my other endless ramblings on the subject but I currently have a 965 Turbo, and in terms of looks, sounds and performance it's a lot more stimulating than the 996.
I would opt for spending the money on the 993.
interesting to hear your opinion. I was beginning to think I was insane - I also was unimpressed with the 996. Didn't seem to offer anything (other than improved refinement) - it scored lower in all the key areas (performance, feel, sound, looks) than the 964 and 993 models...
I guess this is always a difficult compromise for manufacturers to achieve. The more competent a car's chassis is, the less exciting it feels at a given speed. Sometimes you can get more fun out of a 1-litre car with skinny tyres that starts sliding at 50mph than with a supercar. For me, the only way to redress this balance is to make a car that in addition to being fast and refined, handles really sharply, and sounds and looks fantastic. I didn't feel that the 996 handled superbly - in fact I greatly prefer the feel of a Boxster S.
Don't know if you've seen any of my other endless ramblings on the subject but I currently have a 965 Turbo, and in terms of looks, sounds and performance it's a lot more stimulating than the 996.
I would opt for spending the money on the 993.
03-30-2002, 08:28 PM
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Your comments regarding the 996 vs the 993 are very common (and BTW I couldn't agree more). The 996 is a very good car...it's just not the "sports car" version of the 911 that the 993 and older are. I have heard from several sources over the life of the 996 that it was specifically designed as more of a luxury GT car. This was because Porsche realized it was losing market share to MB and BMW as their target group (middle-aged executive-types) wanted more cockpit space and luxury. Thus the major change from 993 to 996. Some of you have already heard me mention before that I ordered a new 996 last year and upon seeing it on its arrival, I turned it down and instead began the search for the best 993 I could find. FWIW.
03-30-2002, 11:41 PM
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I couldn't agree more with the views expressed here. I traded a CLK 55AMG for a 993 TT but before I bought the 993, I drove the 996. I could see little appreciable difference between the 996 and the CLK. The 993 on the other hand...
Michael, I'd be interested to read of your experiences that you mentioned. Could you direct me to the post?
Thanks <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
Michael, I'd be interested to read of your experiences that you mentioned. Could you direct me to the post?
Thanks <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
03-31-2002, 04:04 AM
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I drove one 3 weeks ago - with the sports exhaust etc. Current car is a 993.
I was very very impressed - thought that it was definitely a quicker car - with the speed much more accessible too.
The one i drove made a lovely sound - with that sports exhaust, and the sports suspension made the car stiffer than other 996s i've driven.
I think it outguns and out handles the 993 at any given road conditions. A marvellous achievment by Porsche. I remember thinking how impressive a GT3 must be!
I prefer the looks of my 993 - although the facelifted 996 is a huge improvement. The 993 is definitely more of an out and out sports car.
The 996 does have the 911 spirit inside it, its just that you have to go looking for it to find it - but when you do, its mighty impressive. The rest of the time, you're better looked after than any luxury sedan i've driven recently.
I still prefer my 993 at the moment, but that may be something to do with the huge extra outlay i would need to get into a new 996. The 993 looks better imho and feels more of a sports car.
You can have more fun driving at a slower speed - which with the speeds we're talking about may be a good thing! It really reminded me of when i test drove a 993 turbo - again i thought i had more fun at lower speeds in my normally aspirated 993. The TT was a devastatingly quick car but i think the normally aspirated car is more fun at lower speeds.
Just my 2 pence worth but this is a debate that will run and run. Porsche are now selling more 996s than maybe they could ever sell 993s because of its broader appeal. No doubt Porsche will lose a certain proportion of customers who will continue to update/upgrade their 993s (including me?) but our favourite car manufacturer is thriving.
Maybe the GT3 is the way to go - anyone driven one?
I was very very impressed - thought that it was definitely a quicker car - with the speed much more accessible too.
The one i drove made a lovely sound - with that sports exhaust, and the sports suspension made the car stiffer than other 996s i've driven.
I think it outguns and out handles the 993 at any given road conditions. A marvellous achievment by Porsche. I remember thinking how impressive a GT3 must be!
I prefer the looks of my 993 - although the facelifted 996 is a huge improvement. The 993 is definitely more of an out and out sports car.
The 996 does have the 911 spirit inside it, its just that you have to go looking for it to find it - but when you do, its mighty impressive. The rest of the time, you're better looked after than any luxury sedan i've driven recently.
I still prefer my 993 at the moment, but that may be something to do with the huge extra outlay i would need to get into a new 996. The 993 looks better imho and feels more of a sports car.
You can have more fun driving at a slower speed - which with the speeds we're talking about may be a good thing! It really reminded me of when i test drove a 993 turbo - again i thought i had more fun at lower speeds in my normally aspirated 993. The TT was a devastatingly quick car but i think the normally aspirated car is more fun at lower speeds.
Just my 2 pence worth but this is a debate that will run and run. Porsche are now selling more 996s than maybe they could ever sell 993s because of its broader appeal. No doubt Porsche will lose a certain proportion of customers who will continue to update/upgrade their 993s (including me?) but our favourite car manufacturer is thriving.
Maybe the GT3 is the way to go - anyone driven one?
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03-31-2002, 10:41 AM
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I leased a 996 for 3 years. Regardless of how a 993 "feels" the 996 is a superior performer in every objective performance category, especially on track.
However, once the 996 was gone, what did I look for as a replacement? A 993TT. More classic, more solid. As fast if not a tad faster around the track.
If you need a daily driver, and can afford it, buy a 996. If you want a second car or a car to tweak for the track, buy a 993.
Chris
However, once the 996 was gone, what did I look for as a replacement? A 993TT. More classic, more solid. As fast if not a tad faster around the track.
If you need a daily driver, and can afford it, buy a 996. If you want a second car or a car to tweak for the track, buy a 993.
Chris
03-31-2002, 02:51 PM
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Agree with everyone that said a 996 is better objectively. I spent 2 days at Road Atlanta in Nov. 2000 participating in a PDE. The 996s are pretty amazing on a track.
But I like the look of my polar silver 993 c4s better than anything Porsche has produced since. I don't track my car and since I can easily exceed the US speed limits with 2 (or 3 ) gears still to go, the peak performance difference between 993 and 996 is purely academic.
But I like the look of my polar silver 993 c4s better than anything Porsche has produced since. I don't track my car and since I can easily exceed the US speed limits with 2 (or 3 ) gears still to go, the peak performance difference between 993 and 996 is purely academic.
04-01-2002, 01:38 PM
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When I test drove a 996 last week I also inquired about 98 993 C2's and C4's. The sales person told me that when they can get one in it never even makes it to the front lot as every sales person at the dealership has atleast 5 people on a waiting list.