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Or did you actuall get a roommate and thats their car?
Ha, no - it's my new daily driver.
Originally Posted by Carlo_Carrera
Looks pretty. Give us some details, why did you buy it?
Thanks, Carlo! I sold my early G500 and needed a new daily.
A close friend runs Porsche Warrington (formely Holbert) and we'd been chatting about the C2 casually. I went up to drive it after I'd made a deal on the G and was totally blown away. I hadn't driven a normal 996 or 997 for years until then - only Turbos and GT3s - and this car offered something that I (and I think others) have forgotten about pre 996+ GT/Turbo cars that have dominated the Porsche enthusiast culture since 2004ish: elegance.
I'll start with a macro view. My perspective on the 996 (among many other things) is that conventional wisdom and group-think create the lens through which people defer opinion. Much of the attitude toward the 996 is routed in subjective and superficial headlines rather than true fundamental problems. General feedback is that the headlights are not traditional and the interior is cheap (I think these things are largely untrue, for the record). Moreover, I think driving meticulously maintained 996s is one of the best 911 experiences out there. The 996 has been in a period that I'd categorize as "aging used cars," a label most sports cars typically wear from 5-15 years of age. During this period, people are reminded that these cars aren't ones to love when they see a '99 996 with, hazy headlights, cracked grey interior, and an aged double-din radio unit, a $7500 asking price, and $10K in needs. That manifests in lack of interest, which of course yields depreciation, but also provides a shadow where the superficial headlines can find false-truth. However, something happens to some of these cars and they start to self-actualize, and I think it's happening with this car. They go parabolic, where all of a sudden, there's renewed interest. I recall a long period where one would have thought 964s gave people hepatitis...
The cars that go parabolic benefit not from overcoming stigma, but rather (in my analyses), it's that timeless foundational traits are overlooked for ephemeral trends that evaporate, leaving clarity and a sense of appreciation. The escalation in consumer demand and preferences in the car industry since the 360 and Gallardo launches has resulted in cartoonish, hyperbolic, gauche designs that are compromised by global safety and emissions requirements. Cars are big, wide, wear 21" wheels, and the darlings of the current crop sport massive wings and irrelevant design cues. They have 800 horsepower but also have start/stop programs, synthesized exhausts, and digital G-force matrices. They're faster than anybody needs and 30%+ more expensive than they used be, even when you account for inflation. They're simply gratuitous. By comparison, having now spent time in my immaculate 2003 C2, the experience is elegent, and frankly, refreshingly Porsche.
The narrowbody C2 (especially a MK II) is tasteful, simple, and infinitely more of a traditional 911 than what they are today. It's small, quick, uncomplicated, and austere much like 911s were originally intended. I find driving it engaging, entertaining, and feel a connection with the brand's original ethos far more than I have with any of the newer cars that I have much experience with. These things define the total package as elegant in my mind. As many of you know, I've had the good fortune to intimately experience many exceptional and unobtainable sports cars, so I consider my opinion one that is informed through extensive context re: modern sports and super cars. The 356 Speedster was a stripped version of the model, yet is the most desirable. In terms of being timeless, less is more. The 996 C2 is a modern chassis and drive train, that drives exceptionally well, with basic creature comforts. That's what appeals to me these days, and that's why I ended up going with the best one that happened to randomly present itself!
What you just wrote very closely sums up how I also feel about the 996 generation, although a bit more eloquently.
Although obviously not air cooled, I think the 996 Carrera was in a lot of ways the last of the "true" 911s. Obviously, the 997+ cars are fantastic, but I feel that starting with the 997 generation, the 911 started to lose its original soul and purpose as a minimal frills sports coupe and has now become a GT car.
In terms of the current Porsche lineup, I feel the Cayman is the "new" 911.
I've liked the 996 since the beginning and the MKII versions even more. When paired with the aero side sills from the MKI (an option on a 2002 car because the MKII aero kit hadn't come out yet) it made for a stunning looking car. My parents had one just like that (white exterior/black interior) and it really stuck with me, so much so that I'm now on my 2nd 996.
Gazed at it with affection, then left it in the garage and drove the S8 to work. Was thinking maybe I should get some cheap 5x130 wheels so I can drive the turbo around in the 50F salty/sandy winter here. Can't expose raw aluminum to that...
Gazed at it with affection, then left it in the garage and drove the S8 to work. Was thinking maybe I should get some cheap 5x130 wheels so I can drive the turbo around in the 50F salty/sandy winter here. Can't expose raw aluminum to that...
Love my 2003 C4 cab! Missed it so much after selling my 2001 that I just kept looking for another. The turbo has the incredible power but everything down to the sweet exhaust note of the sports exhaust is what makes me happier in my C4
12-28-2019, 08:30 PM
