Drove an '02 996 today
09-08-2002, 10:24 PM
#1
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Drove an '02 996 today
Well, wanted to see how the new '02 996's are, compared to '99 and '00. First impression was very nice. Car definitely sounds sporty, not like the earlier models. Torque and throttle response was excellent. Fit and finish was also very nice. I didn't like the telescopic steering wheel setup. I lowered the seat as low as possible, and the steering wheel blocked the top of the rpm gauge. No biggie, but I noticed it.
Steering wheel and interior pieces were nice.
Interesting that dealer had no sport suspension cars - unless a customer orders it, no "standard" floor models had it. Sales guy said it's way too harsh for most folks (hmmmm
)
Also, no difference in '03 models. Same power, same everything, but $800 more. What's the incentive to buy an '03?? Sales guy didn't know.
Bummer no mechanical LSD is offered - only PSM. Sales guy didn't think PSM was all that great - his thoughts were if it's offered on floor model you're looking at, great. But to order it, he didn't think it was needed. Not sure how much I agree with this. I definitely believe in LSD, but since Porsche doesn't offer this anymore, then I guess PSM is the closest best thing (but still not too crazy about PSM..)
Getting back in my car was funny. How very different 993's and 996's are. I love how 993's are true sports cars, "detuned" for street. Whereas 996's are a totally different beast - semi-dry sump, no mechanical LSD, more creature comforts...
Would I buy this '02, if I could? No, but maybe one day I'll think about it. Engine was nice and strong, but getting back into my 993 reminded me why we're so passionate about these babies - maybe 993's aren't the fastest bloke in town, but the pure driving experience, aural delight and racing crafstmanship of 993's still gets me totally excited every time I drive it. Whould I get this excitement out of a 996? Hard to tell, but at this time, I see no reason for Yours Truly to consider such an upgrade.
Hope I didn't bore any of you with this post. 996's are definitely Porsche's, but for a guy who grew up drooling over air-cooled engines, 993's are still my flavour of choice.
Cheers <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
Steering wheel and interior pieces were nice.
Interesting that dealer had no sport suspension cars - unless a customer orders it, no "standard" floor models had it. Sales guy said it's way too harsh for most folks (hmmmm
)Also, no difference in '03 models. Same power, same everything, but $800 more. What's the incentive to buy an '03?? Sales guy didn't know.
Bummer no mechanical LSD is offered - only PSM. Sales guy didn't think PSM was all that great - his thoughts were if it's offered on floor model you're looking at, great. But to order it, he didn't think it was needed. Not sure how much I agree with this. I definitely believe in LSD, but since Porsche doesn't offer this anymore, then I guess PSM is the closest best thing (but still not too crazy about PSM..)
Getting back in my car was funny. How very different 993's and 996's are. I love how 993's are true sports cars, "detuned" for street. Whereas 996's are a totally different beast - semi-dry sump, no mechanical LSD, more creature comforts...
Would I buy this '02, if I could? No, but maybe one day I'll think about it. Engine was nice and strong, but getting back into my 993 reminded me why we're so passionate about these babies - maybe 993's aren't the fastest bloke in town, but the pure driving experience, aural delight and racing crafstmanship of 993's still gets me totally excited every time I drive it. Whould I get this excitement out of a 996? Hard to tell, but at this time, I see no reason for Yours Truly to consider such an upgrade.
Hope I didn't bore any of you with this post. 996's are definitely Porsche's, but for a guy who grew up drooling over air-cooled engines, 993's are still my flavour of choice.
Cheers <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
09-09-2002, 02:01 AM
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Oleg, thanks for your thoughts.
It's always interesting to hear others impressions of P-cars, especially when their 911's.
I have yet to drive an '02 so it was good information to digest.
It's always interesting to hear others impressions of P-cars, especially when their 911's.
I have yet to drive an '02 so it was good information to digest.
09-09-2002, 07:24 AM
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I drove one a couple of months ago.
When i got back into my car, it felt like a car from a previous era (which i guess it is).
I thought that the speed was far more accessible in the 02 car.
The 02 to my eyes doesn't have the looks or the proportions of the 993 - as a straight swap, i'd take the 02 car, but if i had to fork out the extra £35k - no way.
Ajit
When i got back into my car, it felt like a car from a previous era (which i guess it is).
I thought that the speed was far more accessible in the 02 car.
The 02 to my eyes doesn't have the looks or the proportions of the 993 - as a straight swap, i'd take the 02 car, but if i had to fork out the extra £35k - no way.
Ajit