When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'd like to introduce myself and share my story as it led me to acquire my first 996 last weekend. I've always been a huge Porsche fan, initially owning a 987 and then 981, which I just recently sold to purchase my 996. About 4 years ago I also acquired a 993, which I was hoping would be my everyday modern classic.
Ultimately the 993 has taken on more of a garage queen status for me. I've poured tons of time and money into the car and it's simply too precious to be driving everyday over bumpy roads and leaving in a parking lot at work under the beating sun, only to come back to at the end of the day to be uncomfortably hot on the drive home. I love the car and everything about the driving and ownership experience, and I wanted to expand that enthusiasm into a more practical everyday 911. I started shopping for a 996 or 997, and ultimately settled on the 40 Jahre.
I think critically comparing between models to determine the "best" is a fruitless exercise. They are all beautiful and unique to me - each generation, and each model. The 996 stands out to me as as a special generation because it represents a time that Porsche made a courageous leap into the future, both in engineering and design. I absolutely love every element of Pinky Lai's perfectly proportioned, sleek little torpedo. It's aged enough now to appear retro, but at the time it was also futuristic, which gives it an interesting position in Porsche history. By contrast, the 997 that came after seems much more cautious and predictable, although it is also timeless and beautiful in its own right.
I picked up the car in Vancouver last weekend and spent 4 days driving it back to Western Canada through the Okanagan valley and Rocky Mountains. We spent a couple days in Kelowna to visit friends and stopped at Mission Hill winery. Then another night in Lake Louise to see the sights. This trip has been on my bucket list for a while and it was truly a dream come true to finally pull it off.
The car is totally stock right now. In terms of future maintenance I plan on replacing the water pump (not sure when it was done last - I've heard the plastic impeller needs periodic replacement), and I have a coolant smell coming from the interior vents when the heat is on - likely the heater core. In terms of upgrades I plan on doing the suspension (probably H&R or Bilstein), Fister exhaust, and Porsche Classic Communication Management.
And below are some obligatory pictures! Look forward to getting to know all the 996 owners on Rennlist. It's been such a welcoming community and an absolute wealth of information and advice on my 993 journey.
Welcome to the 40th Anniversary and 996 club. The 40th is such a great example. I've had mine for almost 3 years now and have enjoyed every minute of it. I'm sure you will do the same, congrats and thanks for sharing!
Congratulations again! Our 40AEs are "new owner twins", both being acquired by us on the same day.
Thank you for sharing your story. We seem to share very similar views and sentiments as to what the 996 represents within our broader Porsche enthusiasm.
The weather here in the Seattle area has been crummy this week, but next weekend promises actual summer. I hope to get good photos and do an intro write up sometime after.
My 40AE goes in for preventative maintenance (including IMS Solution) on Monday and will be gone for the better part of the week. It's not gone, yet, and I'm already dreading not having it near...
Thanks everybody!! I've already started the work - just got my mufflers off and waiting for the FD units to arrive. Going to do the water pump, thermostat and heater core this weekend.
Ordered the H&R Street coilovers, Tarrett front camber plates and Rennline motor mounts. Should hopefully have it all next week. I hope to somewhat replicate the responsive, playful suspension setup I have in my 993. PCCM+ will have to wait until my dealer gets them in later this year.
Although I've done lots of work on my 993 myself (camber plates, motor mounts, rebuilt 3-piece wheels, new seats, steering wheel/*****, classic radio), it was mostly the creation of the previous owner. So it's nice to have this 996 as my project car from the ground up.
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Slideshow: Long before engineering consulting became trendy, Porsche was quietly helping other automakers build everything from supercars to economy hatchbacks.
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Slideshow: Some brands build cars. Porsche builds traditions, obsessions, and a few habits that stopped making sense decades ago but somehow became part of the charm.
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation
Slideshow: A small Polish tuner has reimagined the Porsche 911 Slantnose for the modern era, blending 1980s nostalgia with widebody tuning culture and serious performance upgrades.
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Slideshow: Porsche has created a Japan-only 911 GT3 Artisan Edition that blends track-ready hardware with design cues inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Slideshow: Porsche's latest electric Cayenne Coupe blends dramatic styling with supercar acceleration, turning the brand's midsize SUV into a 1,139-horsepower flagship.
Intro thread - 40th anniversary edition
