francars

^^^^ That's why I like you!!! hahhaah ^^^^

GVA-SFO

I had for a very short time a pre-02 ..before my (still current) 02.

A lot of issues in a single question, as :

1) Engine/power feeling:
I still remember of a huge difference, mentionned above as being the VarioCam surge.
The horse power is not the diff, the real diff is the feel that the power comes in a much more "solid manner".

2) 2wd v.s. 4wd:
This is personal, but as a daily driver, since I had a 4wd, I will NOT go back to a 2wd anymore.
Under the rain, i.e.: new rain after days of dry, IMO, 4wd offer huge benefits.
I also agree that the 4wd offers a much more firm steering feeling
Sure, if this is a car that you will use on sunny Sundays, then, 4wd is not a relevant chaoice.

3) if Cabs :
To remember that 996 (cab) since 2002 have a smaller rear windows, ..but in real glass, no plastic anymore. I used to have cab (i.e. Carrera 3.2) with plastic rear windows, and ..to change it when it becomes opaque, you had to change to entire roof, that was not too "funny".

So, I have the same opinion as writen on Excellence : I (very) much prefer 996's, ..after 2002.

ivangene

"I am sure the new cars are just right around that next turn!"

(meanwhile I will be looking at older cars, thank you very much)

911mike99

C4 will handle better. C4 tires gripping to the road will keep your 911 on the road better in high speed corners.

Torontoworker

Understeering pigs in highspeed decreasing radius corners. I see C2's cut inside them all the time without the washing out that C4's do. Mind you, C4's are better when you get off line and into the grey area - seen lot's of good saves that a C2 would have been in the fence in the same situation. Snow? No contest. Rain? Depends on the driver and tires. C4's chew up the front tires quicker then C2's. (One would say they match the rear wear rate better then C2's!)

Everything is balanced off on what you want out of a car or what you do with it or what you can afford. I'm not into the my models better then your model dick measuring debates - I like all Porsche's and wish I could afford to own every model made.

fpb111

" I hope that guy takes good care of that watered cooled pig and gets bored quick so that it has low miles and I don't have to use many Franklin wrenches for repairs when I buy it."

fpena944

I've got an 02 myself but my first instructor when I started going to DE's had a 1999 996 when I first met him (he now has a 997 GT3 though!).

On the track that car seemed very fast and capable. So although the 02 model might be more powerful I wouldn't call the 99 model a slouch by any means. It's overall performance is probably more based on who's behind the wheel than the car itself. Granted the 02 does have some improvements but if the 99 is what you are after then go for it.