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The new one may be “better” but valets sure as hell cant tell the difference. Every time the wife and I go out to dinner we find the valet always parks it right up front next to the $200k Ferrari (we’re in LA, so lots of big $ cars everywhere you look). Pretty funny and makes me feel kinda smart for spending $20k and not $100k on a new one. Not that I could even if I wanted to. Plus I’d bet the new ones are not 5 times more fun to drive than a 996.
owning the "worst 911" is like dating the ugliest Victoria's Secret model.
And by extension, whining about the shape of the headlights is like objecting to the earrings that a beautiful woman is wearing. It tells us much more about you than about that woman.
Just to clarify by no means did I buy the car as an investment, but I just felt his overall perspective was crappy. I bought it for a fun toy, that being said its a really fun toy!!!
I've owned 30 cars myself (not counting what I've bought for the wife). I've driven many more. I recently made a list of the most awesome cars $20K can buy, and the 996 is on the list. The '03/04 Mustang Cobra almost made the list but didn't.
Ever see a Mustang interior after 20 years and 100k miles? Ever compare that to a Porsche or Audi interior? Want to compare squeaks, rattles and ride quality in them? No way; it's not even close. I've owned 9 Mustangs for the record and 3 Porsches. I will likely own more of each as time goes on (GT350 maybe.... great toy), but seriously take everything you read in any autorag with a huge grain of salt. These guys are deranged folks that get to drive everyone's cars for free. They have no say in your world. Look at what they really own and drive. It's usually not what they put down in words when writing an article for a deadline.
I've owned 30 cars myself (not counting what I've bought for the wife). I've driven many more. I recently made a list of the most awesome cars $20K can buy, and the 996 is on the list. The '03/04 Mustang Cobra almost made the list but didn't.
Ever see a Mustang interior after 20 years and 100k miles? Ever compare that to a Porsche or Audi interior? Want to compare squeaks, rattles and ride quality in them? No way; it's not even close. I've owned 9 Mustangs for the record and 3 Porsches. I will likely own more of each as time goes on (GT350 maybe.... great toy), but seriously take everything you read in any autorag with a huge grain of salt. These guys are deranged folks that get to drive everyone's cars for free. They have no say in your world. Look at what they really own and drive. It's usually not what they put down in words when writing an article for a deadline.
My last two mustangs were bought model year new (2015) and both had more rattles than my 996 (...which has none after 15 years)
Had a 1995 Mustang GT 5spd soft top that I added a Paxton blower, exhaust from headers to tips, 3.73 rear etc etc. talk about squeaks and rattles and cowl shake!! Was it fast?? Scary I’m a straight line but couldn’t hold a candle to my 996.
I just went for a quick blast up Litte Tujunga (tight canyon road just north of LA). The 996 was flawless. I refuse to believe I’d have had more fun in a 991 for 5 times the price.
One aspect, not just in this article, that bugs the crap out of me is production numbers. The 964 and 993 ran for 10 model years and there was round about 125k of them produced. The 996 ran for 6 years (if we don’t count 05) and 165k produced. Granted, there were fewer of the other models, but neither one is rare. They were all mass produced cars. The newer 997’s and 991’s are even more prolific. That being said, and taking into account that 75% of all 911’s are on the road today (if you can believe it), that would say that all of them are hyper inflated or they truly are worth the price of admission because they are great cars.
As much as I’m into these cars, it takes my brain a second to register the model when I see any of them. I have to look at specifics to identify a 996 from a 991. At first glance they all look the same, like a 911. I’m talking only a fraction of a second for me, but to the average person looking to get into the cars, I’ll bet they have a very difficult time.
When it comes to mechanicals, they all have expensive Achilles heels. How much does it cost to stop a 964 from puking oil all over your garage? Valve guides on the 993 aren’t cheap. How is that different from an IMSB? At this current point in time it’s a bunch of 60-70 year old men whining about change. We’ll do the same with the 991 and beyond, it’s already started. “They’re not analog”, “All the computers take away drivers skill”, “they’re all fat pigs”. Soon it will be “but it’s got an electric motor”.
I've had Lotus Elise SC, Vette Z06, Jag XKR-S, two 997 911's, 986 Boxster S, and currently own a 2013 GT500, and a 996 C4S. Three of these cars have more than 500hp. Which one offers the best all around driving experience??? IMO the 996 C4S. It's just a very solid package for what it is and a tremendous value.
Truth be told the 13/14 GT500 is legit. Very solid car, no rattles, and a pure beast to drive. Actually surprised me how good it is. Mine is set up for a straight road and she put down 720hp at the wheels with a few bolt ons. However it does not have the finesse nor the sporting rawness of the 996.
I disagree with the editor's opinion about the 996 in general...But I'll be honest. 5 or 6 years ago I never thought I'd own a 996; I was a 997+ snob. For this mistake I apologize.
I've had Lotus Elise SC, Vette Z06, Jag XKR-S, two 997 911's, 986 Boxster S, and currently own a 2013 GT500, and a 996 C4S. Three of these cars have more than 500hp. Which one offers the best all around driving experience??? IMO the 996 C4S. It's just a very solid package for what it is and a tremendous value.
Truth be told the 13/14 GT500 is legit. Very solid car, no rattles, and a pure beast to drive. Actually surprised me how good it is. Mine is set up for a straight road and she put down 720hp at the wheels with a few bolt ons. However it does not have the finesse nor the sporting rawness of the 996.
I disagree with the editor's opinion about the 996 in general...But I'll be honest. 5 or 6 years ago I never thought I'd own a 996; I was a 997+ snob. For this mistake I apologize.
997 snob. Lol. I was and still am a bit obsessed about getting a 997.2 but for some reason the 996.2 really got its hooks in me.
A quote from the contemporary review of the 996 C4S said something like "This just may be the best of the 911 lineup. This makes it the best 911 ever."
Here is a contemporary long-term review of a 996 from C&D. https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...term-road-test
People aren't that different and what was good then is still good...mostly.
If he's wrong, I get to drive a fun car that will be worth a pile of money someday.
If he's right, I get to drive a fun car that didn't cost me a pile of money to buy.
I have trouble finding the part where I lose. Anyone who buys ANY mass-produced car in hopes that it will become a collectible better have a crystal ball (or at least a very accurate Magic 8-Ball); I'm sure there are plenty of Delta 88's and Cutlasses in mint condition in garages all over South Florida, but I don't think we'll be seeing one rolling across a Mecum block any time soon.
Someone brought this up last time and there's a long thread on it. I agree the author, I don't think the 996 will be valuable. If you want to break even with running costs + purchase price, good luck. But the rest of the article is just an unfettered attack 996 that is often unwarranted. I do wonder why so much venom. He harbors no ill will towards the 997+ and he has a nice article about the 986, so it's not water cooling. Do the lights really bother him that much?
Between "fried egg mobile" (which is witty writing for middle school, but really?) and listing "character" as the difference between a "good" 911 and a "bad" 911, it's clear the author isn't being objective. Automotive writing is by nature subjective, but I don't think it's necessary to demean the 996 (or those of us who like 'em) in the process. It's the automotive journalism equivalent of being the 9th grade bully who never lets anyone forget you wet your pants in third grade.
Headlights have absolutely zero impact on the driving experience. Completely absurd that there’s that much focus put on them. Seriously, who gives a sh*t??
Thing is- when I bought my 964 IT was the ugly duckling of the Porsche world. It wasn't old enough to be cool and the newer cars were "better" for whatever reason. At the time I would have bought a 996 in a second if I could have afforded it!
I bought the 964 because it was what I could afford at the time. I bought it to drive it. The Porsche community is a fickle bunch- what is looked down upon at one time may be tomorrow's darling. Good cars are good- regardless of what "they" say. The 996 is a great package.
Back in the late 80's, I bought an unloved 911T with the intent of building a Carrera RS replica (or 'tribute car' as they call them these days). Heck, who could afford a real RS?? The parts were all available to put together an RS, all you needed was a good friend to help you source those parts, and in my case, that was Paul Resnick of PAR Porsche. I distinctly recall pitching Paul on the idea of buying-up 1970-1973 911's as I was absolutely convinced that these cars would be highly prized and collectible in the years that lie ahead, because Porsche got it so right with that series of 911. We never did it, and years later I look like a genius but certainly not the wealthy one that could have been if we had taken action rather than just talk.
I absolutely believe that the 996 is getting caught in the Porsche-value updraft that has been happening. Why? Well, they are fundamentally incredible performance cars that signaled the future of the post air-cooled 911, and they are within reach of mere mortals. A fantastic chassis coupled to a DOHC/24 valve engine that retains the 911 essence and sounds? Buyers will increasingly come around to realize how good they are, and the values will rise. In fact, they are on the rise right now; yep, you missed the bottom if you ask me.
Wish I had enough spare capital laying around to buy-up the good ones, because I do believe there will be a run on them in the years that lie ahead.
Here's my RS replica that I built back then and wish i still had it...
05-18-2018, 03:30 PM
