168glhs1986

When I roll raced my "20k mint" 997 GT3 against my brothers stockish 996.2 (60 to 100) and we were neck and neck....I was like, nah ah. Can't be...

Then we swapped cars to see what I was experiencing wasn't a fluke...it wasn't. About 6x over and over, same results.

Yes, on a track, my GT3 would out rev it, out handle it, out brake it etc... but come on. My GT3 cost over $100 grand and his was $18,500. NECK AND NECK!

Needless to say I sold my GT3 to Doug at SwitchCars for a song and dance (you're welcome Doug) and (3) 996's later here we are.... Drive it and you will be hooked.

For me I will likely stay in my 996.1 Aero car lane but that's just me. To each his own. I found my sweet spot.

GC996

Yeah, 60-100 is a sweet spot in the C-2, which is where you do most of your driving on the track. My C2 had bigger brakes and a better set-up than most 996 GT3/Turbos so I could out brake and corner, but they did get me on the longer straights from 100-145 with the HP. All part of the dance on the track.

motoo344

Yeah probably but who cares? 996 will probably always represent the best 911 values and honestly before the spike in price one of the best price to driving experience values.

dporto

Are you a Bdronsik clone? 🤣

168glhs1986

Haha no way. He likes em so much he sold all of his

However, I know what I like and to be honest with you my 996 window is extremely narrow. Maybe it will open up over time but for now, I'm almost a one trick pony

SouthEastVintage

I think the knowledge base of technicians who know how to work on the CIS and possibly even carburetors on the older cars will start to dry up. New techs perform all their diagnostics on a laptop or tablet. I think especially with the move to EVs, it may become hard to find a shop with the technical know-how, special tools (ie: 5 gas analyzer) in most of the country to work on these cars for less than stratospheric prices. 911SCs are already affordable but I think you could see them permanently become the cheapest 911. Also, most younger millennials and Gen Z aren't tinkerers so if they can't just drop it off at a shop and pay a relatively affordable price for repairs, it won't be for them.

I think the OBD2 Motronic with a MAF sensor is technology that is easy for a lot of techs to work on for many years to come. Also, I think the growing demand for these cars is people like myself who are around 40 who have always wanted one but are just starting to be able to afford one.

barbancourt

I disagree with this. There is nothing wrong with the 997’s aesthetics. It’s aging beautifully, IMO. The big difference to me is that the 996 was disliked by purists and is now on the upswing. 997s were never disliked by the masses.

GC996

Its always tough being the trail blazer. You always get the criticism. But as time passes you get the accolades.

The 996 has gone from criticism to now getting the accolades. As it should.

Putt-Putt

Huh. Didn't think 997 owners needed to defend their car's aesthetics. With the 996.1 bad press meant its beauty was hiding in plain sight. Is this the case for 997.1?

barbancourt

I am a 996 owner. I used to own a 997. I love both cars.

Nate.Evans

I think once people start realizing the 996 is the bridge of pure analog and technology, it will start going up. You get the driving experience of the air cooled motors with all the feedback in the steering wheel, engine noises and just enough electronics but no driving nannys other than ABS and psm, but it doesn’t feel as sterile and “polished” as a 997. The 996 just feels more rough around the edges, but in a good way.

Especially now that cars are all so polished feel so similar with all the electronics, it’s just a matter of time.

168glhs1986

I couldn't agree more. I was a non believer. Owned everything else but the 996 (Had a bigger budget I guess and never gave it serious consideration) then my brother wanted a 911 and all he could afford was a 996.2 c2 with 25k miles for $18.

Needless to say when we picked up that car and I drove it around, that entire experience changed my perception.

The 996 has always been a wonderful driver, now the body style is coming into it's own, creating a perfect storm of demand.

Chris(MA)

Projecting and predicting the future is a tough game for a reason. Who's to say a lot of cars won't end up being scrapped? With evs on the rise gasoline production and consumption will decline and so the economies of scale might make it astronomically expensive. With it priced into the stratosphere the rich will pick their cars carefully and a lot may end up melted down.

There are also generational effects, younger people may not want all these cars, they don't have the same wants and values as old farts like us. A lot don't even care about driving, that plus population decline who will even want to own all these cars?

I don't care too much about my 996 appreciating in value, although i do find it frustrating watching the current (last 2-4 years) of classic car bubble inflation pushing cars I'd like to own completely out of my reach. Some of the price inflation is insane...

CharlieBravo

Beyond the depreciation curve of newer models… probably yes as it is the first mass produced model and continues to be the most controversial of all 911s. Gone are the days of sub 20k 911s…ever.

dporto