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I'm probably biased but I think the 996.2 pulls that "bugeye under glass" thing off better. But it's a great observation, made more so by knowing when it happened. *tips hat*
Don't remember the numbers, but I do remember that the 996 was light years ahead of previous 911 models in aerodynamics. Lights certainly helped. Don't remember numbers versus 997. Suffice to say the 996 cut its way nicely thru the air.
GC took the words right out of my mouth. I'm twice as old - you touch me the wrong way and it's a $3500 bill
I'd hate to see the bill for someone touching you the right way.
More reminders of issues I haven't had - my cupholder (even extended to use both), my visors and mirror flaps are still robust.
One of the great things about these problems though is that the fixes have all been identified, so if they do become necessary it's easier to stay on top of them. "Yeah, they all do that..." is not a great sales line, true or not.
I'm probably biased but I think the 996.2 pulls that "bugeye under glass" thing off better. But it's a great observation, made more so by knowing when it happened. *tips hat*
Oh, you were soooo close.
I'm sorry, the answer we were looking for was "996.1"
The first 996 I saw was my boss's at the time who leased one when they first came out. I was excited to see his new 911, but when he walked me out to parking lot to check it out, I was pretty disappointed with the overall shape of the body. I had a 1987 3.2 Carrera at the time, and I don't remember having any specific reaction to the headlights, but the overall shape I thought (to myself without saying anything to him) was a byproduct of "wind tunnel gone wild", with aerodynamics have too much priority over styling in my opinion.
I wish I could recall my specific reaction to the headlights, but I think I just mentally lumped them into the overall body shape. Today, I'm about as big a fan/advocate of the 996 as you'll find because of the 996's driving characteristics versus other 911 models, but I still don't prefer the overall 996 body shape versus most other 911 iterations. I definitely like the 996 headlight design today, and wouldn't change them even if I could. To me, the headlights look far more aerodynamic and they very much fits the "leap into modernity" that the 996 represented versus prior 911s.
The first 996 I saw was my boss's at the time who leased one when they first came out. I was excited to see his new 911, but when he walked me out to parking lot to check it out, I was pretty disappointed with the overall shape of the body. I had a 1987 3.2 Carrera at the time, and I don't remember having any specific reaction to the headlights, but the overall shape I thought (to myself without saying anything to him) was a byproduct of "wind tunnel gone wild", with aerodynamics have too much priority over styling in my opinion.
I wish I could recall my specific reaction to the headlights, but I think I just mentally lumped them into the overall body shape. Today, I'm about as big a fan/advocate of the 996 as you'll find because of the 996's driving characteristics versus other 911 models, but I still don't prefer the overall 996 body shape versus most other 911 iterations. I definitely like the 996 headlight design today, and wouldn't change them even if I could. To me, the headlights look far more aerodynamic and they very much fits the "leap into modernity" that the 996 represented versus prior 911s.
That's the beauty of both the 996.2 and 996.1. They are understated, professional, mature and they mean business. We aren't talking a boy's car, we are talking an adult man's car. One that is just as comfortable on the street as track in looks and performance.
Add wheel spacers with 18 inch rims and all of a sudden they become meaty. Lower them a bit and they take on a different more aggressive look. Add a different set of wheels and aero and they look even more muscular.
The 996 transcends different eras from the past to the future, with multiple purpose and attitude, truly making them a timeless classic.
But what struck me immediately is how aggressive that silver 996 looks in the background.
I love the 996, but aggressive isn't at all what I see in that silver 996.1 in the background. At first glance it looks to me like a Japanese car that will go unnamed. Maybe it is the photo, and how far in the background the car is, but it doesn't jump out to me to be part of the same lineage of vehicles as the row of blue 911s in the front.
I love my 996.1, but sleek and minimalist is what the design language says to me. Certainly not aggressive.
I love the 996, but aggressive isn't at all what I see in that silver 996.1 in the background. At first glance it looks to me like a Japanese car that will go unnamed. Maybe it is the photo, and how far in the background the car is, but it doesn't jump out to me to be part of the same lineage of vehicles as the row of blue 911s in the front.
I love my 996.1, but sleek and minimalist is what the design language says to me. Certainly not aggressive.
I think that’s the best part of the 996 gen 1 or 2 , or even 997…a stock c2 can look sophisticated and somewhat understated. But an aero car with wheels and suspension looks ready to eat corners at the track. Not many cars can accomplish both of those things depending on how their owner may or may not want to be perceived.
I love the 996, but aggressive isn't at all what I see in that silver 996.1 in the background. At first glance it looks to me like a Japanese car that will go unnamed. Maybe it is the photo, and how far in the background the car is, but it doesn't jump out to me to be part of the same lineage of vehicles as the row of blue 911s in the front.
I love my 996.1, but sleek and minimalist is what the design language says to me. Certainly not aggressive.
That's the beauty of art and design. We all have preferences and we all see something different. But yeah, minimalist would be a word that I would also add to the narrative.
The 996 was one of the most aggressive automotive designs in history. Indeed nothing else from Porsche even comes close...
In the rearview mirror 996 telegraphs: "Out of the way or die". On VA back roads where there is no passing I have cars pulling over ahead of me all the time voluntarily. Totally unprovoked. They see these headlights and they just get off the road. Speed Yellow is pretty intimidating too I guess
Don't remember the numbers, but I do remember that the 996 was light years ahead of previous 911 models in aerodynamics. Lights certainly helped. Don't remember numbers versus 997. Suffice to say the 996 cut its way nicely thru the air.
it’s 0.31 this is a Ferrari la Ferrari number. Other than a few issues when the first 996s came out as early as 1997 these cars were light years ahead. Today with everything that I have on my car (<$23k)tell me what car I can replace it which is as cool and fun to drive. Don’t know how fast you guys drive but these cars are superb at triple digit speeds. In over 9k miles my only real issue was the coolant hose going to the AOS, everything else has been maintenance or performance stuff I wanted to do, I’ll get on this car and drive it to the moon and back with no worries and at high speeds.
Was thinking about maverick flying that old f14 when I decided to bust the tower.
One of the attractive features of the 996 is that it can be base 996 Carrera "minimalist" or it can be Flying Lizards 996 RSR "extreme aggressive". All from the same 996 narrow body. All 996 aero from the factory. It comes down to how aggressive you want to be. Show me another 911 model variant that has that flexibility. I gotta say, the 996 has the best bone structure because you can do so much with it to get different factory made looks.
When i first saw the Flying Lizards 996 RSR in person, i couldnt believe it was based on the same 996.2 narrow body as mine. That's when I realized that the 996 narrow body was special.
The 996 was one of the most aggressive automotive designs in history. Indeed nothing else from Porsche even comes close...
In the rearview mirror 996 telegraphs: "Out of the way or die". On VA back roads where there is no passing I have cars pulling over ahead of me all the time voluntarily. Totally unprovoked. They see these headlights and they just get off the road. Speed Yellow is pretty intimidating too I guess
996 is terrifying to the unitiated
that is a great pic of a great looking car and yes that looks like a mean machine…but compare that to a non aero .1 and “aggressive” is not what comes to mind. Hence my statement above, one of the only cars that can accomplish multiple attitudes WELL. But I wouldn’t say it’s one of the most aggressive designs in automotive history…hell I think a hellcat challenger in my rear view is maybe the most demonic looking I can think of.
that is a great pic of a great looking car and yes that looks like a mean machine…but compare that to a non aero .1 and “aggressive” is not what comes to mind. Hence my statement above, one of the only cars that can accomplish multiple attitudes WELL. But I wouldn’t say it’s one of the most aggressive designs in automotive history…hell I think a hellcat challenger in my rear view is maybe the most demonic looking I can think of.
06-15-2022, 05:56 PM
