Dinicod

The whole argument kills me... It's not a Porsche because it doesn't have round head lights? Ridiculous. Looks good as they are and the fact that it's a variation of the "original look" is only a good thing.

The real crime is the fact that Porsche had the nerve to share the front facia and head lights with two different models - now that's the real crime!

tgt40

If you like it, do it! Myself, maybe I'm biased (gee, ya think?) but I like my 996 lights. They're simply and identifying characteristic of the model. I seem to remember when they came out that Porsche won awards for the design?

Cuda911

From what I've read, the lights and front end were designed for the 911 (ok, ok, 996) first, and then used on the Boxster to save $$ there. It's not the other way around.

Besides, NOBODY except other Porsche owners EVER has anything bad to say about the headlight design. Nobody.

alpine003

I've often wonder if its the actual shape of the lights or the fact that they used it on the lesser and cheaper boxster model and has gotten a tarnished image ever since. Now it's hard to get a real answer from most people as psychologically they've been brainwashed to think of it a certain way.

If it never was shared by the boxster and if the 911's lights evolved from the 996 mk1 towards more of the oval styled boxster shape throughout the years, you gotta wonder how many more people would then would appreciate the mk1 996 lights.

Naturally the < 993 guys are gonna complain about everything else that's not air cooled anyways so I don't place a lot of weight on their opinions.

Dinicod

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to suggest I'm offended that they were used in the lesser priced car. It's just that, using similar styling cues in their product line is one thing, but to use the same exact items in two models, in a Porsche, and in their halo car no less, what the heck's that?

onewhippedpuppy

I believe you would call it "profitable".

alpine003

And reason why Porsche is owned by VW now.

My theory is if the 996/boxster didn't sell so well(also being profitable) along with the subsequent model, they wouldn't have been in the position to try to take over VW and have it backfire on them. A couple top chiefs are still in litigation over that fiasco even today.

Chris 996 911

The 996/986 was the best selling and most profitable cars that Porsche actually ever made to that point. Also made in the highest numbers.

The handmade air cooled 993 almost killed Porsche

Porsche was in the process of purchasing VW in 2004 &ndash; 2008 borrowing money to do it&hellip;. when the financial crisis hit, they were at about 42% ownership. But they were no longer able to borrow money to purchase more stock. And the banks called in on their loans and Porsche had to liquidate&hellip;&hellip; This is when VW actually turned around and saved Porsche from financial failure.

As for headlights I decided to leave mine stock, however still interested in the projector kit that&rsquo;s been selling on here....

Vasir

All of this +1

sjg1138

Great to hear that from someone else. I prefer the 996 lights as well!

rustymon

Well, this may be a happy medium between the covers and the stock look... still different, and BLACK to match the OP's car...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-986-...-/181071052119
I replaced mine with similar a while ago and like it - looks more modern to me but still keeps the style. Yes, a little of a mod-happy look but this is a minor change compared to what else I've done...

Spokayman

The lights in that link look like what's on this car for sale in the Seattle area.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/4317018247.html

Looks OK on a black car IMO.

onewhippedpuppy

I think you could chalk that up to extreme corporate arrogance more than anything else. They could have simply continued on their path as being one of the world's most profitable automakers.

alpine003

I fully agree. Often times these days, you always want more than you have.