dimnslow

IMHO, I personally like the gradual curves of the 996 vs the 997, but still love the body styling of the 993. I am waiting for the 997 "replacement" for me to trade up.

Although 80% of the body panels of the 997 is different from the 996, they still use the same engine design, with the same RMS design flaw. Given, it's not a common problem, but when it does occur it is so dramatic (from what I read on the board) they should have fixed it. Reminds me of the quick redesign the 993 (95?-98) received from the previous generation.

I also think the round headlight work really well on the 993 with the shorter less-slanted nose, but just doesn't look right to me having the round handlamps with a longer more-sloped 996 style nose... though to each their own.

Just my $0.02.

pongobaz

I agree. I also think that they should have kept the rear reflector on the back of the 997 C4S; it's also part of the heritage. While we are nitpicking, I have to say that the rear bumper/tailight/quarter panel cut line does not appeal to me on the 997. I much prefer the straight horizontal line on the 996; again more in keeping with the past.

10 GT3

Maybe your does. Stock my 02' with the standard suspension was very tightened down until 130 mph, where the front end would start getting light. Switching to a ROW M030 suspension solved that problem.

True: stock vs. stock. The 997 shifter was changed to become 15% shorter and more direct. The sport shifter option decreases throws 30% on 996's and an additional 15% on 997's with a huge improvement in shifter feel and throws for both.

A new clutch wa put in my car when it was certified. They installed a 997 clutch, which has now superceeded the 996 clutch. It feels almost exactly the same as a 997 with a high realease, except a 997 has a slightly lighter pedal. If your release point is shifting, I would suggest having your clutch fluid changed. It is most likely air in the clutch line.

What PSM? My 02' has none. I like to think I am fortunate to have full control of my car and not having to turn PSM off everytime I get into it.

What size and type of wheel and tires are you running on your 00'? I have always been amazed at how much grip the 996's with the optional 18" wheels have. Both the tire width and tires effect this. I have swapped with a friend with a 06' 997 and my car with 225/285 Bridgestome S03's has significantly more grip that his car with 18" 235/265 Conti's...especially in the back end.

My car has not had any problems tracking or wandering with the stock or ROW M030 even with a street track alignment (-.7 camber front/-1.5 camber back). Now that I have upgraded to GT3 control arms, I have bumped the camber up to -1.6 front and -1.9 rear. I do have some tramlining so more conecntration is needed. It about the same as you would experience with a GT3 with the same settings. Again, what size and type of wheels and tires are you running on your 00'? When was the last time you checked your bushings, ball joints and tie rod ends?

arr0gant

I totally agree. The 997 headlights are WAY better and DO bring it back to more of a "classic" Porsche look.

evansaero

Doing the B&M tomorrow


Not sure which clutch they did, but it was do 2 months ago. I try bleeding the clutch and the fluid was done when I had it replaced.
Thanks for the info



Even with the PSM off it's still trying to keep any one wheel from spinning


225/265 18" Pirelli



Funny thing. I bitched at the dealer 3 times about squeaking suspension. I talked to the tech and he when over the suspension for me a couple different times, being that I could not duplicate it on the test drive. He took a damn crow bar to it. He said that it was in good shape

arr0gant

Here's a different view. Still VERY similar!!! Way more alike than the 993.

K996

I still have a hard time telling a 997 'at a glance' from the 996 unless it's coming straight at me on the road. I personally don't see that much 993 in the car at all. :/

But by far the WORST styling decision on the 997 is that terribly ugly rear bumper line. The car already had a tail-heavy look but the angle of that line just breaks it up in the worst possible manner. Like something from Bangle's House of BMW abortions.
Look at arrogant's rear photos above and see how much simpler and cleaner the rear-end of the 996 looks...straight lines connecting underneath the engine cover and all of it in line with the with the bottom of the tail lights. Why mess with it unless you're just doing it so people can tell the cars apart from behind.

MYSTRO

The 02 996 turbo front and headlights is much more sexy and aggressive, than the 997 pre 02 996 and the 993. I feel porsche went backwards on the front of the car.Now I must say the rear fenders look nice.

pecivil

jmho, but the 993 cannot be bettered for looks.

roadsession

reviving a thread from the dead...but I just bought a cabriolet wind deflector for a 997 and it fits my 996 perfectly.

I guess the interior dimensions really didn't change?

Also in my office garage - there are 5 996's and 8 997's.
I can definitely tell them apart but I have to say most general public cannot.

rwiii

There is a great trade-off with the horribly ugly 996 headlights. They make for a remarkably cheap car for us. Seriously, we get a $50,000 car for $20,000 because the headlights are so terrible and we don't have to see them from behind the wheel. That's a great deal in my opinion.

Analog Theory

The only thing I didn't love about both 996's I owned were the headlights. The broken egg design has not aged well (my opinion only of course). I love the classic lines and face of my 993 though....so organic and there just isn't a bad angle (again my subjective opinion only).

450knotOffice

I own a 2000 996. I love it. With that said, I happen to think the 997 looks a bit better. A bit.

I have to say though that I think my old school '84 is better looking than both of them. I'll go even further and say that I think the 993 isn't all that. Yes, it has nice hips, but the front end is not it's best view, and it certainly isn't as beautiful as the old, original 911.

Sorry 993 fans. I just don't see it with that version of the 911.

AndyK

1) see the pics in the post above yours
2) reconsider!

That is one beautiful 993!

niche

+1, but then again, I'm biased!