I love mine. I first looked at another 04 non-ae and once I got into the 40th I was sold. Not too many of them around. So you don't get O another Red or Black Porsche. The HP increase keeps you up there with the new cars that are being made today.

 

I love my 40th. Many consider it to the best of all 996 C2's.

 

Boy with all the great accollades this thread is getting, maybe it's time to sell!!!

Thread hi-jack: What would you replace your 996 AE with? I think it would take a 997 Cab for me.

 

997 Turbo for me. If all goes well, that will be the replacement.

 

I would take a 6GT3 or a 997S over the 40th. Both are considerably more expensive right now.

 

1. 996 GT3 w/ retrofitted backseats
2. 997 GTS Cab w/ LSD

I want a car I can autox competitively in SCCA. But I also have kids to tote around. Either of the above would make me happy, but both cost substantially more. One day...

 

I love mine. Compared to my 993 it is a rocket. Never drove a 996 turbo so can't offer advice. Seems like prices have comedown and can be had cheap. I purchased mine in like new condition for 38.5k. Needed tires and had 26k miles. Make sure you get the luggage with the car.

 

Can you do that? I'm assuming they don't come with rear seat belts. How do you retro-fit them?

 

I didn't get the luggage
Looked at two and niether one had it...
would be nice saw some on ebay and tried to buy but the guy bumped the price from $350 - $900 WTF?

 

its been done by redcar1. a few others too i think. probly not cheap.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-gt2-...at-in-gt3.html

no luggage here either. =(

 

my luggage was stolen by the dealership. Car was traded in and I bought it about a week later. Called the original owners and they said they turned it in. The dealership claims that the detailers took it.

I was pretty upset.
But I got the car with 42k miles for $33k. It needed a window regulator and after about a year it needed a clutch because teeth broke off of the pressure plate. Being autocrossed probably didn't help that but oh well. It gave me a chance to do the LNE ceramic bearing install.

 

I love my AE! But I didn't get the luggage or the original owner's manual...bummer. My car is #817 and the sales guy that sold it to me wants it back! No such luck for him! I have 30,000 miles on the car and I plan on keeping it forever.

 

Suncoast has the manual for about $30.00

 

yeah too bad the luggage is about $2500

 

hi!
I am late to the party but I have been a 996 AE owner since September 2010 here in Seattle.

Absolutely love it.

I'm a french national living in the NorthWest and was driving a '02 Tagra in France.
The AE and the Tagra don't even compare. The AE is a thriller, a real 911 with the push in the upper range.

I find it to be very firm too. On I-5, with the PZeros and the suspension it is loud and stiff... hate those metal joints in the road.

I think it is a unique car in the 996 range. Had the money for a TT but wanted a normally aspired, somewhat collector type car. It feels more analog and it is perfect for me.

Sure I like the 997S, and that may be next. But the AE with the color, options and feel is hard to beat.

I have 27K miles on it. it is number 405, and it is my daily driver.

Ordered and received an alcantara steering/gear **** plus a short shifter that I need to instal (from Suncoast).

So far these are the only mods (other than the clear repeaters).
The OEM steering wheel is too thin and slippery in my opinion.

I also agree that it is too quiet. I am thinking about fixing that.

This is my first post even though I have been reading here for quite a while.
I am happy to be a part of the gang.

Pierre.