996 competitors?
06-01-2018, 03:21 PM
#46
Three Wheelin'
To me, 4 cylinder engines started being almost universally completely devoid of torque when 4 valves-per-cylinder came out. The 2-valve 4's don't produce as much top-end power as 4-valves, but they tend to be a lot torquier in general. I guess this is because 4-cylinders are too cheap to be able to apply variable cam technology that would allow them to perform better at low RPM.
06-01-2018, 05:27 PM
#47
Three Wheelin'
06-01-2018, 05:54 PM
#48
Rennlist Member
06-02-2018, 10:05 AM
#51
Pro
Ok, here is one. How about a 911 SC, or the mid-70s 911. The rougher ones can be had for $25k-$30k, but that price is a little higher than the typical 996 range. Would you rather pay around $5K more and have an earlier 911?
06-02-2018, 10:42 AM
#52
Rennlist Member
No, I would rather have a 996 for $20k than an SC or air-cooled 911 for $40k. Unless of course I had more than a one car. I’ve done the daily driver on air-cooled cars before and they are no fun when it gets really hot out.
06-02-2018, 10:44 AM
#53
Rennlist Member
Has anyone driven a Pontiac GTO? They are pretty cheap and not exactly common these days. Ive heard they are terrible, but just by one person who then clarified that “it’s really ugly.” But ugly isn’t what I care most about.
06-02-2018, 10:49 AM
#54
Rennlist Member
As for the air cooled cars in heat, what is the problem? Keeping them cool? Lack of functioning AC?
06-02-2018, 10:54 AM
#55
Three Wheelin'
The only 911's I like driving better than the 996 are the 60's/early 70's (2.4L and under) 911s. Specifically I like the "e" models. The "t" didn't have that much power and the "s" models were too peaky (at least in period). The early (2.4l and under) "s" cars, when new, drove like an s2000 where they could be fast, but not in normal driving. I'd guess most of those early "s" cars that exist today have been tweaked to fix the drivability issues, but they weren't that fun at anything less than 9/10ths in period.
06-02-2018, 11:39 AM
#56
There really isn't anything that compares with a 911 regardless of the model. Other cars may be better in one specific area, but nobody has a better complete package, which is why it is such an icon.
06-02-2018, 02:48 PM
#57
Rennlist Member
I assume you mean a modern GTO. They are pretty fast, and have tons of potential. They were undervalued. Give them a test drive and see if you like them. Only way to know.
As for the air cooled cars in heat, what is the problem? Keeping them cool? Lack of functioning AC?
As for the air cooled cars in heat, what is the problem? Keeping them cool? Lack of functioning AC?
Right, lack of AC on the SC and 3.2 Carrera. Maybe the 964 and 993 are different.
06-02-2018, 03:54 PM
#58
Three Wheelin'
The A/C on my '87 3.2 Carrera, even after A/C servicing at a Porsche dealer, and then again by third-party A/C expert, was only marginal. It blew coldish air.
It's not often that the Italians beat the Germans in any comfort/functionality area, but the A/C on my '86 Mondial 3.2 was much better than the 3.2 Carrera. I think it's more difficult to do A/C effectively on an air-cooled car, so that's probably part of the reason why. Heat can work well on air-cooled cars, but I'm not the biggest fan of pumping in air that has been heated through circulation around the exhaust.
Of course, neither of those A/C's compare to the 996, which can be a meat locker on demand.
It's not often that the Italians beat the Germans in any comfort/functionality area, but the A/C on my '86 Mondial 3.2 was much better than the 3.2 Carrera. I think it's more difficult to do A/C effectively on an air-cooled car, so that's probably part of the reason why. Heat can work well on air-cooled cars, but I'm not the biggest fan of pumping in air that has been heated through circulation around the exhaust.
Of course, neither of those A/C's compare to the 996, which can be a meat locker on demand.
06-02-2018, 06:55 PM
#59
Instructor
I owned an ‘06 (LS2 engine) GTO for about 7 years, fantastic car. It’s really what I’d consider a “GT”, not quite a musclecar, definitely not a sportscar.
The interior is of a much higher quality than anything you’d expect from GM, but with wide panel gaps. Handling is good, for a vehicle that weighs around 3800lbs, but is severely restricted in tire size.
The LS2 is a wonderful beast of an engine, has a healthy lope at idle with the factory cam, and torque EVERYWHERE. There’s a plethora of inexpensive aftermarket support for the engine and transmission (T56), but anything specific to the GTO chassis carries an almost Porsche-like price premium.
Oh, and it takes talent to launch one without scary wheel-hop.
If you can find one that’s been adult-owned, I highly recommend the ownership experience, but it’s more comparable to a 928 in character, I think.
The interior is of a much higher quality than anything you’d expect from GM, but with wide panel gaps. Handling is good, for a vehicle that weighs around 3800lbs, but is severely restricted in tire size.
The LS2 is a wonderful beast of an engine, has a healthy lope at idle with the factory cam, and torque EVERYWHERE. There’s a plethora of inexpensive aftermarket support for the engine and transmission (T56), but anything specific to the GTO chassis carries an almost Porsche-like price premium.
Oh, and it takes talent to launch one without scary wheel-hop.
If you can find one that’s been adult-owned, I highly recommend the ownership experience, but it’s more comparable to a 928 in character, I think.
06-03-2018, 11:11 PM
#60
Shameful Thread Killer
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
To me, 4 cylinder engines started being almost universally completely devoid of torque when 4 valves-per-cylinder came out. The 2-valve 4's don't produce as much top-end power as 4-valves, but they tend to be a lot torquier in general. I guess this is because 4-cylinders are too cheap to be able to apply variable cam technology that would allow them to perform better at low RPM.