I have fun in my car. I toss it around and spin up the motor all the time.

My last car was an 1988 E30 M3 with tons of bolt-ons. I loved the car because I could throw it around on my way to work and have a blast almost everytime I drove it. It sounded cool, looked great, actually had a racing pedigree, and held it's own at track days.

I also race 125cc kart on weekends. So I know what to expect from a race chassis.

For a while, I was worried the 996 would be a let down. Soft and uninspiring. But I wanted a daily driver for life in Michigan, where the roads are crap. I went back and forth considering 993 vs 996 vs. E46 M3 etc.etc...

So here I am. Slate grey metallic coupe, 18"s, I installed H&R springs, a B&M shifter, Fabspeeds, airbox mod, and a few minor odds and ends. I've put 7,000 miles on the car in three (3) months. I love it. I can toss it around with no more effort than the M3, but with plenty more speed (which ain't always so good).

I'm sure the GT3 is several steps ahead of my 996, but for where? If life were only track days, then I certainly understand. But seriously, I hit 140 mph on the way to work this morning. I had the car fully rotated at 65mph sliding on an off-ramp headed to my office. Life as usual. I do it everyday. If I had my hands on a GT3, God knows where I would end up. A turbo? Jeez, i just don't need it.

Perhaps my driving style suits this car perfectly. I love to turn the car in hard on the brakes and slide it through bends. I also like to take my girlfriend to dinner, or pick up groceries.

In short, I can't really fault my 996's character, or capabilities. All this talk about 993 vs 996 seems a waste, because our lifestyles, and driving styles differ so greatly. My town is full of brand new tiptronic cabs and tipronic turbos. Dozens of them. Pretty cars, but definately cruisers. Fortunately, there are a handful of driving enthusiasts around here and I hope to meet up with them. So if you're around this place, speak up!

As for my car, I'm going to drive the hell out of it. Rain, snow, traffic, track events, road trips, you name it.

 

AHMEN!

 

Hell yeah! Year round performance, comfort, and style is OK by me

And I don't care what everyone says, the 2002+ headlights are better looking than round ones

 

Thanks for the inspiration post P1CR. Although I do not have a Porsche yet (currently a 2003 Z06), you have brought out a perspective on the standard 996 C2 that I have not yet heard.

Many folks are talking about how they need the TT or a GT3 to get the real deal, but it is clear that the real deal still exists in the standard 996 format.

 

I can't help it. I'm all about driving.

Racing karts gives me respect for the sport. I race in a "spec" class where all karts are equal, and extremely fast. The disparity amongst drivers is huge. You may see 6 second differences in lap times on a 40 second lap.

I bet that if the 996 critics spent more time behind the wheel then at the keyboard, perhaps they would have a bit less to say, and less inspiration to get huge horsepower and giant aero kits.

I'll get off my soap box now.

thanks for listnening.

 

Great and timely post, a 996 C2 with a sports suspension and exhaust upgrade is every bit the visceral experience of an older 911.These cars really shine at the track.
How about some pics of that Slate Gray with H&Rs.

 

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!
P1CR, Did you install just the H&R springs or the full shock/springs, et al?

 

Twice I have tried to convince myself to like the tip. Twice I have gone with what was more fun... the 6-speed. Even got my wife out of her MB S430 and comfortable driving a manual transmission.

 

P1CR...why the badge delete? purposeful, or preference?

 

Alas, P1CR you do not have a real Porsche.
Why?
--It doesn't matter that it was made by Porsche
--It doesn't matter that it was designed by Porsche
--It doesn't matter that it is a rear-engine 6-cyl car
--It doesn't matter that it goes like stink and handles great

--Etc, Etc...

Christ how silly sounding is that.

Cheers,
Chris

 

DJ 996;

I'll work on the pics...

Boca 996

Just the springs. I had a pretty serious group N coilover setup on the M3. That worked living in Atlanta, but now that I'm driving third world country roads, I have to be a little more soft.

waflenutz...he he he...love the name...

Badge delete? Just makes the car more subtle, clean or something. Purely aesthetics.

cmoss

I'm picking up your sarcasm.

By that rational, will the 911 be lost if in fact it gets a new motor configuration some day?

Or will the 911 always be the sports car Porsche made with all the knowledge and race-bred intent they had at the time?

dunno. I'm going for a drive...

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by P1CR:
<strong>I bet that if the 996 critics spent more time behind the wheel then at the keyboard, perhaps they would have a bit less to say, and less inspiration to get huge horsepower and giant aero kits.
.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">P1CR, True!

You know you have the time at the PC keeping the 993 for the next owner, and trying to convince yourself that your car could be a RSR racecar in a easiest way than a 996...... <img border="0" alt="[icon501]" title="" src="graemlins/icon501.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />

 

Enjoy, enjoy, P1CR, there are many 'older' 911 owners like myself who think the 996's are great.

I'd also like to think that as time goes by, the "it's not a real Porsche" crew, who regard anything other than an air-cooled rear-engined Porsche as sacrelige will either see sense or grow old and die out - God knows we've had to put up with the cracked record for long enough......

 

Isn't anybody going to say a word about the wisdom of going 140 mph on city streets ? Get a track !

 

Good luck to you P! My best mate just purchased a 996 a couple of months ago and although I prefer mine I do understand that all Porsches are wonderful cars. The 996 is far more refined than mine for example.

I just have to have the caveman-like howl of the aircooled flat six, especially after some extensive exhaust mods. The 996 seems to have lost this?

Have fun everybody!

(p.s. I think 140mph is perfectly acceptable providing you are not putting anyone else at risk).