Benjamin Choi

997 is better looking than the 996, but when you line up the special 996 variants such as the C4S, GT3, Turbo, the 996s look just as good as the 997 special variants, but ultimately, the 997 is the better looking gen.

Sorry, but the 993 is just straight dated all around now.

smshirk

I've never seen or driven a single Porsche that wasn't great. The 997 is a step up from all the rest, just as the the 3.2 was a step up from the SC. Arguements over the air cooled VS the new models will always have merit on both sides, but even the worse Porsche ever built was wondeful. Compare a 912 to a 356.....the 912 is a little bit better, but still a gussied up VW, but it speaks to you in a way a VW never could

DreamCarrera

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bernocco930s - I love your garage. I, and I am sure others as well, would love to see more pics.

JimB

It's probably time for another "show off your garage" thread. It's amazing what some guys have done. I always wonder how they keep them so clean though. Where the hell are all the tools, jacks, oil containers, aircompressors, etc. etc.????

nowata

I hated the 996 when it came out and eventually warmed up to it. I prefer the 997. In my mind it's the best design yet. But the interior is too sterile. Almost VW-Audi looking. Very clean, but not purist.

palladio

Interesting debate. I might as well put on my flame suit and and say that I don't think any of the 911's are particularly "beautiful" in a pure aesthetic sense. I have an acqaintance who is a life long car junkie and as a kid I can remember drooling over all his cars. However, I didn't continue to drool over the 911, the 930 or the later P turbos that went through the garage after I saw them next to the Ferrari 308, the Testarossa, and the 550 Maranello that also shared the same space over the years.

To me the 911 has always looked a bit like a glorified VW beetle. What made the design great to me was not so much looks, but the purist germanic "form follows function" design and the fact that Porsche honed the design subtly over 40 years rather than feeling the need to come out with whatever was "fashionable" at the moment. The design has stood the test of time better than any other in automotive history, which is clearly evident in the high resale values of 911's from every era. You can barely give away one of their 928 flagship cars now, and 944's and other odd variants haven't fared much better in terms of resale (not that they all weren't great cars from a pure driving/engineering perspective).

In my opinion, the 993 Turbo is probably the ultimate expression of the model thus far. I didn't like the 996 much when it came out, just too flat sided and not "curvy" enough for my taste. The design grew on me in time, however, and I have come to love the C4s and TT variants. I respect them in that it was Porsche's attempt to continue to modernize the 911 form within a basic framework. I have yet to warm to the 997. The base model looks better than the 996 from the rear end (more curves!), but the front end and headlights seem to be a step back in a way. It's as if Porsche said "gee we need to make this car more like the 993 because people are complaining" rather than just keeping with the form follows function path of evolution. When designers consciously aim for a "retro" look, to me it's a bit self-conscious and at times just plain silly (anyone here want a '96 T-bird?).

So maybe I'll eventually warm up to the front end of the 997, but for now, my vote still goes to the 993 and 996 C4's and TT's.

MYSTRO

My favorites are as follows, 996 TURBO FRONT, GT2 REAR, GT2 TAIL, TURBO HEADLIGHTS, 993 TURBO REAR FENDERS, 996 INTERIOR, 320 HP OR MORE, WATER COOLED, RELIABLE, CONVERTABLE. I will give the 997 some time as I am sure it will grow on me.

GNR996

Out for dinner last night local strip on a patio, lots of cool cars cruise there, anyways 997S drives by my friend a lady comments there goes your car as it was black too. I saw that it was what it was and did not correct her but the point being that the shape is truly Porsche maybe refined form generation to generation but umistakenly a P-car. Thats is to me for what its worth is were the value is in these cars....it's roots.

Just my 2 cents and thats Canadian.....

Safe driving everyone.....

Lots of curves in them for me.

J-RAD

The 997 is simply the sexiest 911 to date (at least from the exterior)...and that's saying something. It's damn near perfection, especially the GT3 and/or aerokit. Prior to the 997, the 993 was probably the most beautiful, followed by the SCs/Carreras. The 996s are gorgeous too. The only 911 I ever struggled with (and I still do a bit) is the 964 - the front and rear bumpers never looked right.

Duane993

A few comparison pictures 993RS vs 996TT

MYSTRO

Beautiful cars.

Duane993

Actually I think the 996 is the 964 of the water cooled 911 Porsches. The 964 had 75% new parts compared to the prior 911 Carrera. But it was an odd duck with massive bumpers, a different suspension and a quirky all wheel drive system. Initial sales sucked and so have resales. The 993 had only 25% new parts over the 964. But all the 964 styling weakness had been fixed with some great performance refinements, true dual exhaust, a near end to tail swapping lift thottle suspension and a twin turbo with no lag. Sales rocketed and resales have been strong. The problem was the existing manufacturing process at Porsche was so arcane they couldn't design or build a new car at a price anyone would pay. The Boxter was the market test to see if a mass produced water cooled 911 with futuristic styling and modern cost efficient production would sell. They where right. Boxster and 996 sales exceeded all expectations. The 996 attracted more first time 911 buyers than any previous model. It also attracted the fewest number of existing buyers. This was great for Porsche but resulted in poor resale value. Lots of first time 996 buyers never became Porsche repeat customers flooding the market with used 996s that the old air cooled guys still won't buy. Porsche had a problem to solve. They lost their aircooled customer base and the new 996 customer base was fickle. Solution. Revive the styling of the most successful air cooled 911, the 993. The front end is obvious. But even little details, like the side door pockets are retro 993. The new water cooled motors are still an issue for the hard core. Hence the 997GT3 and 997GT3RS where u can still get a track ready Porsche motor. The real bargains now are the 996TT GT2 and GT3. They have all the classic underpinnings but not the classic look. Hence they get hit with the 996 styling discount. I'll still miss the 5 real VDO gauges on the 993. I don't miss the goofy HVAC system and sitting a bit sideways to reach the pedals. No wonder all us old air cooled guys have bad backs.

Benjamin Choi

Looks wise, the 996 GT2, 993 full aero Turbo/S, 997 GT3 top the list for me along with the 996 C4S with full aero following closely behind. The 997S with GT3 aerokit is next and then it's the 996TT with full aero along with the 993 C4S/C2S with full aero.

I'm a huge aero kit fan. I can't stand the stock body standing alone.

Interior wise, I like the 996 the best by far. The 997 is an awkward, forced retro look that's a step backwards from the 996. I'd love to see the 996 swoopy style with the 997 control quality upgrades.

03Targa

I hated this post when it was first made and I still hate it now that it is bizarrely resurrected. I hate it because I read too much of this 'our cars are the best cars' crap over on the aircooled boards. I really am a Porsche nut because I love em all, right down to the 914's and the Cayennes (yes I said it). they are all done with style and awesome engineering execution.

pongobaz

I like the 997 looks generally particularly in GT3 form, but I think they missed an opportunity with the 997 C4S to make it distinct like the 996 C4S. I actually prefer the lights of the MKII 996's over the retro treatment on the 997; but I must be one of the only ones.
The 997 TT exterior is a bit fussy with those ricey LED turn signals and the blingy wheels. the angled cut line from the rear bumper to the quarter panel looks arbitrary; should have stayed horizontal like all previous generations IMHO.
While the interior quality of the 997 is excellent (particularly with the full leather), the design leaves me a little cold; a little to generic missing some of the idiosyncrasies that all 911 (yes even the 996) have had over the years. I love the new seats though. Sports Chrono hump looks like an afterthought and should be better integrated into the IP.
In the end, I like all generations of the 911 with all their faults and foibles. The question is: if the 997 embraced "retro" or "heritage" styling, where do you evolve from there? Back to the more modern looking 996?