FastM96

When looking to purchase my 996 the thought of having a rear wiper was not a deterrent to buying a car; I actually would have preferred to have the option. For better or worse my car doesn't. I see that almost everyone here hates the rear wiper, even to the point of removing it and plugging the hole. Does this relate purely to aesthetics or is there another reason? Curious.

Nickshu

I love the rear wiper. I don't have one.

chuck911

Well, let's see.... thanks to near-perfect aero no water or road film gets on there no matter how hard it rains or how far you drive. With something like Rain-X it runs off even when sitting still. Which without wipers the Rain-X will last seemingly forever. Granted water will bead up a little when stopped. Which, stopped, so who cares? Instant you move away it goes. That leaves snow. Anyone running wipers to remove snow, well the blades could be frozen to the glass, there could be ice under the snow that can only be scraped off, and even best case scenario where everything works the wipers still only clear their little swept area leaving you to drive around with the equivalent of a great big neon sign blazing "I'm too freaking lazy to scrape the snow before driving!"

On the plus side however you have added an extra gizmo that breaks up the most iconic and aesthetically pleasing profile in all of automotive history.

Audidude

Small stakes issue. Gives the OCD guys cause for concern.
I find it handy at times.

Nein_11

Rear wiper was a dealbreaker for me when I was purchasing a 996. Call me crazy, but I very much dislike they way they look on these cars.

Dr_Strangelove

100% aesthetics.

Personally, I see rain 6-7 times a year so the car's chances of seeing it are slim. I don't need it at all. Also personally, 100% aesthetics. Per the title, I don't hate it on other people's cars, I just prefer the look without.

Audidude

We see rain dozens of times a year - that's the "green" in "clean, green New Zealand" 😉, so a rear wiper is useful, if ugly in some eyes...

Atrox

911Syncro

The rear wiper is a good match to the character of Porsche cars. The company culture has always been to produce cars that are ready to go, can drive them anywhere, reliable, and very usable. The earliest Porsches won rallies and hill climbs and all kinds of racing. Porsche intended the cars to be used every day, and then perhaps race on the weekends. But somehow people started seeing them as "special exotic cars" and comparing to Ferriaris, etc., and they became valuable and became garage queens. On those cars maybe a rear wiper looks out of place. I like the wiper after all on my C4S, I like that the car has AWD, and fog lights, and doesn't leak, and has ABS and PSM for safety, and things are built to high quality, roof rack mounts, and they are reliable, and can use them every day in all kinds of conditions. 996s are not lambos or F40s or McLarens. Rear wiper is good match to the Porsche culture.

FastM96

Graduating from a 951 I figured the rear wiper was a valued item and useful if I could get it on my 996, but not a deal breaker. This probably means I value aesthetics and utility equally which seems to validate my choice to drive a Porsche. It is entertaining to see some people make such a fuss over it.

jim010

We have it on her 996. Doesn't bother me at all, and she likes having it. I don't think it really changes the aesthetics, but that is of course a personal taste thing. Maybe I would think differently if it were on my Mustang. But I usually see it on 996s so I guess I am just used to it.

Hula

The rear wiper is part of Porsche's DNA. Mine, unfortunately, doesn't have one. I drive year round and really miss it in the snow.

Audidude

Mine's on the window...

roguiethegiant

As Hula mentioned, you are all aware that Porsche basically invented the rear wiper, right?

I have one on my 996 coupe and love it. Doesn't scratch my car nor do I think it detracts from aesthetics. In fact, I sought out a wiper when looking to buy. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Astro