The 996 is a wonderful car if you can get past all the hype both negative and positive.

 

Oh man that must be a nice drive!

When I lived on Oahu, I had a commute that had 2 routes... one was all freeway and the other was 1/3 through the sugarcane fields and was a little twisty, I had an A4 Avant back then. My Cab would definitely get me into trouble if I was back on the island with it.

 

I bought my 996 C2 seven years ago and enjoy driving it every day to commute. I understand that most people (like I do) attend this forum to report/solve mechanical problems but it is nice to read satisfied Porsche owners.

 

This my feeling exactly. My favorite model has always been, and still is, the 1972 911e (with 2.4l engine). The "s" was the top model, but as they were originally delivered from the factory, the "s" was not very fun to drive at anything less than 10/10ths because they had no low-end torque. The 911e felt a lot faster, and was a lot faster in everyday driving, because it had a lot more low-end torque than the "s" (and of course the "t"). Don't flame me about the "s" comments -- most today have been tuned to drive better now, but when new from the factory, that's how they drove.

The reason the 996 is my second favorite Porsche to drive is because it reminds me a lot of the early 911e's. At 2900 lbs (6sp/coupe/2wd) is about 530(!) lbs heavier than the 1972 911e, but with 300hp (vs 165) and power steering, it feels a lot like the 911e in terms of being tossable. Not as visceral as the "e", but a lot faster, a lot more comfortable, handles a lot better, a lot more practical, a lot more creature comforts. Even the torque curve of the 996 reminds me of the early 911's because you don't feel it really come on the cam until you rev it out. I'd still rather have a 911e, but vintage cars beat you up a bit in anything less than perfect weather and the 996 is great to drive all the time, so I call it a draw.

It wasn't "love at first drive" with the 996. My first 996 was a Carrera 4 Tiptronic (back when they were new) and, with the Tip and the 4wd, I didn't find it that sporting to drive even though my wife loved it. The 6-speed/coupe/2wd is a whole different deal -- I love driving it and it is a "keep forever" car. If you get a chance to experience the lightest 996 available, it's impossible not to love it (in my opinion).

 

Matt Farah of the smoking tire has been behind the wheel of several and he bashes the 996 every chance he gets. Don't understand his hate for it.

 

To put another spin on my reason for this thread, in an era of $40k Hondas and Toyotas, the 996 has become the ultimate cost-benefit analysis winner.

I bought mine for $18.5k. I've had 2 trouble-free years with it. It could blow up tomorrow and I would have had my money's worth out of it already, and then some.

The key is to buy well, such as getting one with the IMSB addressed already (as I did), or get it even cheaper with a good PPI and do that job yourself promptly. Then maintain it well. Do all of that, and surely the 996 has to be one of the best deals going today for smiles per mile or dollar.

 

Matt Farah is an moron. I refuse to watch this "expert" spew his nonsense.

 

Adding to your spin...

i did did the latter and bought exactly what I wanted (a well optioned c4s) that was very nice, from the right kind of owner but a bit behind on maintenance (including no IMSB replacement). Used that and the few wear items from the PPI to bid the seller down a bit on his asking price and got a deal. Then spent the next 1.5yr doing all the wear items (including the IMSB) and now have a great 911 that’s more capable than any 911 that came before it.

Even if the motor goes based on one of the other 911 modes of failure (sarcasm), I can rebuild the motor, put it back in a car I know to be up to spec in all other areas and still have less than half of what it cost new invested. And at that point I’ll have years of smiles under my belt.

Im fine with all the public hate, I likely wouldn’t have a 911 otherwise.

 

It's pretty obvious... He's a DOUCHE !

Oooo...I almost forgot, I love mine too - for all the reasons outlined in previous posts, and also because it's got a FSI 3.8 Stage II Track performer motor in it! This is not to say the stock 996 isn't a great car, just that it's really nice to know the motor will be good for the remainder of my lifetime and the extra power is just... extra power

 

Another Sunday morning drive here in Vegas, another non-stop smile...

 

I LOVE my little 996 I wouldn't trade it for the world!

 

Timely post. I sold my 99 aero on BaT back in March and miss it a lot. Sold my motorcycle a couple days ago to get some 911 money! Was thinking 997, but then asked myself why spend $35-$40k just for a nicer interior. Hoping to have another 996 in the garage soon. Just not sure if I want another coupe or a cab this time 🤔

 

I must be the only person that felt like the 997 interior wasn't a big step forward. The seats and _some_ parts of the interior are slightly better, IMO, but the entire console feels very cheap to me. I don't think I've been in one with > 30k miles that doesn't have peeling stuff. I guess you can replace those but it just still feels like a 15 year old interior...nothing revolutionary.

 

Just did an overnight run with some fellow Pcar owners. Led a drive on Route 66 from Seligman through Oatman with overnight in Lake Havasu City. Came back via the back way to Prescott past Bagdad. Must have been 10,000 corners and straights with very light taraffic. FSI Stage II engine. Be smiling for weeks now!

 

My feeling as well - I had considered "moving up" to a 997 and looked at a few. Can't justify it. The full leather interior on my 996 is 95% as good, IMHO, and maybe better in some ways.

The 997 is a little faster, but more isolated feeling, again IMHO.

I think there were still enough old-school guys at Porsche to keep the classic feel in the 996, while incorporating the increasingly Toyota-like manufacturing approach that Porsche adopted moving forward. After the 996, things marched closer and closer to Lexus or BMW - again, just MHO, no slam on 997 and 991 owners. I do love all Porsches...