Shark

I am looking at buying a pre-02 996 cab later in the year. I'd like to have an '02 but the price difference is about $20,000 right now.

Can someone summarize the differences between the '99-'01 cars? Right now the '99s are the attractive buy and there are quite a few sub 30k mi cars out there for around $40k, and I'd like to know what you might be paying a premium for if you move up a year or two.

Thanks

Moogle

in 2002 there were many improvments, most notably is the bumping of the engines to 3.6 liter

also the new headlights, fenders, bumpers front/rear.

also interior quality is much improved.

it is very much worth it to get an 02

Srao

Was in the same situation 2 months ago. I searched for a long time and found a 2002 996 with 31k miles for $48k. It doesnt have all of the options that were available, but is exactly the way I would order it, like a true sports car. I definitely would try to go for the updated bodystyle and the 3.6 liter engine, it looks and drives much better. The car is much more well-made than the 99-01 996. Good luck!

fast1

I agree withg your observations but as shark posted, '02s are around $20K more expensive. I think the best deal you can get on a certified '02 in great condition is in the mid $50s. On a purchase from a private seller, I'd imagine that $50K would be a good target but you won't get the extended warranty.

dallasboats

Some things I've noticed.

Amber lights to clear lights
Interior tidbits like the shifter and wheel

What else?? Hopefully, someone will help out and add to this list. Good luck and don't worry about buying an '02 vs. a '99 or whatever. They're all great cars!

Alon

If you're looking at 1999 versus 2001, I believe that the following are the only changes:
1- e-wire throttle instead of mechanical cable
2- option of PSM instead of just Traction Control
3- Alcantara (ultrasuede) headliner instead of vinyl (early 1999 cars had the vinyl)
4- grey and red tail lights instead of orange and red
5- grey lower portion of headlights instead of orange
6- If the interior is black, the plastic bits will be black instead of the early grey speckled finish
7- Availability of Bose as an option istead of just Hi-Fi sound
8- Availability of C4 as an option
9- Less creaks and groans from interior trim pieces (although most would debate that)

I think that was it.

bet

99 vs. 01

The 99's had a different plastic on the dash and the center consol. It wwas dimpled and much harder than the 00+ cars, which is more a "soft touch" plastic. The amber lenses on the front changed mid year in 99.

The trunk/hood mechanism changed sometime in 00 or 01. It went from a pull lever to more of a motorized push button. Small LED lights were added to the doors (I think 01) that illuminate the ignition and door handles. Cup holders were added at the top of the center stack in 00. HP was increased in 00 by something like 4 HP for a round 300 hp number. There may be a couple of other small things.

I think the Alcantara (ultrasuede) headliner was an option and not standard. I also don’t think the Bose was an option until 02 cars. The C4 was available in 99 and it came standard with the drive by wire throttle and PSM.

TurboMark

Subtile but important differences (to some people). If they dont bother you, I would save the extra money B/c basically they are the same car. The 02 values will continue to drop like a rock and the 99's are basically fully depreciated at this point. Other considerations might me the warranty, miles, etc but I am a happy 99 owner. M

SRL

I have to call foul there. While the post-02 cars ARE stiffer, saying they're "much more well made" than the 99-01 cars ignores the fact that they just share way too many parts for that to be true. Far as I know, the common problems that afflict 99-01 996's are shared by the 02+ cars. I'd say both versions are very well made (a lot better than my E36 M3 was, and I loved that car).

Either that or I'm just bitter the 02+ cars are that much better than mine

bet

I have to agree with SRL. “Much more well made” is an overstatement and depending on how you define “well made” completely untrue. IMHO “well made” relates to durability and to an extent build quality.

Yes the 02+ cars are superior when it comes to performance and are stiffer and offer more HP and a better Torque curve and some enhanced aerodynamics. They even have some improved parts that make the car more refined. But there is nothing in the “build quality” of the cars that makes them superior to 99-01 cars. The fit and finish of the body panels are the same. The interior pieces still “snap” into place and are just a prone to creaks and rattles. Arguably the matte finish buttons are better looking but that is more taste than durability and nothing has shown the shinny switches to work any less than the matte finish ones. All the commonly discussed problems are by and large a potential problem across the board with all the 996’s (save the turbo and GT2 and GT3 which use some completely different core parts), as all the cars can suffer from cam cover leaks, RMS issues, rough idles, creaks, rattles, broken hinges on the center consol compartment, etc. In a way it is way too early to attempt to predict whether any of the revisions to the 02+ cars will result in better durability in the long haul and in fact early indications are they are going to be the same, especially when it comes to the replacement of transmissions, engines and other core parts.

chitownbob

I agree with Moogle on the differences except for interior quality. The interior quality of the 01s are not any better or different than a 99. I think that all 996s could use a better interior and Porsche certainly didn't improve with the 01 model.

Bobby

bet

I am sorry Bob this statement is incorrect. The material used on the dash and on the center consol is definitely different in an 00+ car vs. a 99 car. Whether or not it is better is an opinion that can be neither be right or wrong, however, there is a difference in the material used.

turbo951fan

Mine was built in 7/99 and inside it is like a 00 model. The only difference I have seen so far is the egas.

1999Porsche911

If you got the full leather in the 99, you have as good if not better interior (dash included) than the later models. But, it is all subjective.

turbo951fan

Yeahh, I have the full leather, softer leather and comfort seats in my car. I don't want to know how much it was as an option but when I remember correctly from the 750 I had, a sh...load of money.