Gonzo911

Ya think? I luv vag.

vagluv

I've only been a Porsche guy since i was about 8. Today was not the first time I'd seen a 996, and was definitely not the first time I pondered its existence. I'm sure money was behind the reason it was created, and that's fine. Updates in technology/safety are great. All of my arguments against the car are strictly cosmetic. I can admit that water cooling was a necessary move, and have no problem with a certain amount of driver assistance.

Does it make anyone feel better if I say I don't really care for the design of the 993 either? The difference is, however, I will still have a look around a 993 any time I see one in person, which can be said for me and any other 911 as well, except for the 996. Just doesn't do it for me. It's good that you guys like your cars though. Don't let me detract from that. There's something for everyone, and I was simply stating my opinion on a thread asking if the 996 is a step child.

niche

Tastes change... while I hated the first generation Boxters, they are growing on me... especially as I see their resemblance to the RSK race cars.

The 996 is a great car, but the engine grenading keeps me out of them. I started with 993s and they are still my favorite. However, I hated the 964s. I have one now and I love it. I'm pretty sure an early boxter is in my future too.

vagluv

Don't be dirty, that stands for VW Automotive Group!

b8_rdc

I know folks that have both 993 and 996, they never read forums. They swear by the 996 for smoother driving and better performance. They think I am crazy when I tell them the newer car is worth less.


This thread:

vagluv

I'll also say that I have no problem with the way a 996 drives. It is enjoyable.

996_North

Well. lets all keep in mind for a few years the only cars Porsche put out were the 996 or a Boxster. All other variants failed. Porsche was out of steam and was about to get put into a blender with some sort of merger, and likely disappear. Then the Cayenne added more profit, and bada bing, now they are back up to 6 if you include the 918. Ill agree inferior quality in interior and some other small annoyances exist as a result of this necessary evil, but to say the car is a piece of junk (relative to others) ain't true. But what do i know, I also like the 964, the other "supposed" bastard child of the air cooled world.

relinuca

In re. Porsche's history of odd reliability issues (964s, 993s, and 996s; all of which I have owned), I am a daily visitor to BMW (have a '09 X3) and Mercedes(have a '09 E350) forums, too, and I find the same kinds of recurring issues and paranoia pertaining to particular model groups.

Could it be that the much vaulted German engineering is over rated? Or could it be that too many owners of these fine cars are easily frightened? No offence meant, but its probably a little bit of both.

relinuca

DTMiller

Is there a function that allows these stupid threads to be hidden?

oldsock

Let's all be honest here. I've owned a few earlier p-cars and other sports cars over the years (Triumph, MG, Alfa, etc.), and they all have their own reliability issues, including the glorious air-cooled 911's. The truth is - if you want a bullet-proof, reliable, gas-and-go car, you don't buy this type of car - YOU BUY A TOYOTA!

To answer vagluv's question, "why did Porsche build the 996"? I think the simplest answer is to survive. If Porsche didn't build the 996, there wouldn't be a Porsche as we know it now. Besides, I think the 'fried egg' lights look cool. They look exactly like the headlights on the 1998 LeMan's winning Porsche 911 GT1, how cool is that?

Regarding the interior of the 996, I had an '87 930 back in the day and the interior in that thing was nothing to brag about and let's not even discuss the air-conditioning!

silotwo

Just post a picture of your gorgeous red headed Targa.

My wife has a tendency to criticize and express her "opinion" of what other people own. I constantly remind her that the odds are that people own what they like, and perhaps some people don't like what we own. And unless you own what you do because of what other people think (and some folks do live like that) then how exactly does it affect her life?

DTMiller

spender

First off, I'm going to say that there are waaay too many of these navel gazing "why does everyone hate us" threads in any 996 forum - but we need to get over it. The performance of the 996 and 997 models (within their respective classes) is virtually identical. Even Porsche's published specs (anyone remember that "silhouettes" layout in Christophorus a few years back) show that they are pretty much identical. However, the 996 is an AMAZING deal given its prices - they are still substantially less than 997 pricing, sometimes less than half. So, if you are worried about what a few people think (and most of the population has no clue what the difference is between a 996 and 997, or even a 991) - maybe you should just buy a BMW. If you want a great value on a true sportscar that you can drive the crap out of, get a 996.