rodsky

I have a 997.2 C2S and a 996 40th. I think some 997 owners exaggerate how much better the 997 is. It certainly is better but the way some people describe it - they are supposedly in different leagues. Thats not really the case. Then people post ugly pics from a 1999 and say look. The 996.1 head lights were not pretty. I dont mind the 996.2 ones. The 997 lights are nicer and more traditional. The interior on my 40th was very nice and it was as quick as a 997 S. Although it did have the X51 package that gave it 345HP total.

To say the 997 is MUCH better is a little exaggeration. Its prettier and its much more refined and its more in line looks wise with the 911 heritage. But my 2004 996 40th was not hugely outclassed by a 2005 997S. Thats why i waited for a 997.2 S to get what I would consider a fairly big jump.

stevepow

Headlamps for me - I could nitpick other bits maybe, but never got that far - could never get past the headlamps. The car has a distinctive face, not a good thing to mess with. I think - I hope - PAG figured that out. New Coke / Old Coke kinda thing. I want my 911 to look like a tricked up Beetle - that's how they are supposed to look.

That said, there are plenty of nice examples of 996 out there and headlamps are a silly superficial thing to worry over, even though I am silly and superficial - I still am generally a 911 fan, no matter what year model. 993 is still my fav body style. 997 is just close enough to pass.

johnnyreb2010

i'm having fits with one of mine right now, it has a haze over it & i've tried everything, just can't seem to get it clear, why in the world would you make a headlight where you have to buy the whole unit instead of jus the lens for it,also to me the 996 really looks plain without the spoiler, even with the little spoiler that comes on it, just seems like it needs something else

Alfaguy2

Before the 997 even existed I would have loved to buy a 996 and could have afforded one. I was on the point of buying a few times but each time I could not abide that 996 interior. I did not much like the exterior either - especially at the front.

When I was spending so much I asked myself why should I even think about it when I don't really like the car. I could have a used Ferrari or Masserati for that money - so I waited.

Then the 997 came along.

hdpt73

997's angled larger bumper was designed to save money (more plastic)
The newer the model, the more profit per car as it cost less to build because of manufacturing improvements (hence porsche laughing at the rat race wanabes). So a 911 is a 911, ask 95% of the ppl who don't own porsches and they probably can't tell the year apart. "Interior is better" is a joke as leather interior is leather interior, no matter how it's shaped it's still leather wraped around plastic molding unless you compare Aston or Ferarri leather to Porsche leather. Microsoft windows is Microsoft windows, they are all OS. Toothpaste is toothpaste. Some of you 997 owners are psycing yourself out because no matter what you buy, in a few years someing NEWER will come along and the rat race starts again. Save the 10,000 and take your family out on vacation and build memories a few times. Then when you look at your interior or headlights you won't have any regrets.

997_rich

I'm willing to admit that I basically made the choice based on headlamps. The cost difference between a 2004 996 and 2005 997 wasn't that much. There are some great things about the 996 but those headlamps are a dealbreaker for me.

I'd almost go back to 1997 just based on headlamps but the performance was marketly lower than the 996/997 and I'm trying to spend more time in the drivers seat and less under the car. Regardless, I'm rarely driving this car to the extreme limit (though I do get out ocassionally and give it a good whipping) and even older lower performance porsches are fun.

Hey, give me a break- I bought the car partially on it's beauty (my perception of beauty). There's no shame in that. If i was all about performance per dollar I'd be driving a corvette or something.

Edgy01

I really like the night driving experience with the Bi-Xenon headlights. Were those standard on the 996? They are hands down the best headlights I have ever had in a car.

Optical TDI

What will be the discussion between the 997 and the next gen 911 (can't remember the # right now) owners? Will the new 911 owners beat up the 997 owners on a few characteristics? Porsche generation warfare here or what? Most comments are civil and respectful when it comes to these comparisons, but some comments we could live without - but it's a public forum nonetheless, so it's not surprising.

And yes, I do like the 997 exterior and interior better than my 996. If money were no object, then it would be a 997 turbo without question.

Edgy01

I suspect there will be less of an argument between the 997 and 991 owners when the 991 comes out. For several years (even as early as 2000) there has been a lot of grumbling about the look of the 996 and that was well before the 997 was announced.

Psycho Sid

Guys, honestly i don't get it !

I have never experienced this with the Ferrari crowd (they do have other short comings ) , so why does it seem that there's a lot of complexes with both 997 and 996 owners floating around?

You know how many people would love to own a 911, any 911! (like all boxter owners )

I've got some nice rides but I love my 996 the most... (wanted to stipulate that before my next remark) lets be honest if someone was to offer you a 997 for free would you say "no thank you, it'd rather take a 996"?
of course not, you'd keep your 996 and take the 997

Oh that brings me to the following, what's with all this low balling of 996 prices?
Jheezzzz, we're getting ripped off up here in the frozen North, I paid $65 K for my '04 C4S 2 years ago, add tax and warranty you're up to $76.000,- !!!!

Now add to that another 30 K. in custom work (at least!), giving a total well above the $100.000 mark and honestly... no one (read 997 owner) can make me feel like I'm the poor cousin of anybody at that price !
Stupid for paying that much?... maybe

I say be proud of what you've got and enjoy it every minute, cause in these economic times you never know what tomorrow brings... the new 998 maybe?

Cheers,

Sid.

jakes dad

Holy Cow!!!!

You guys and gals sure are tough on the 996's.. I never thought there was that much pent up animosity regarding these Porsches???
I kinda like the looks of the cars...

chsu74

Hey! That is my car. Picture taken by the previous owner in Chicago. How come no one is mocking the original 1st gen GT3 looks?

Those headlights were designed to be in an aero body like the GT1. I think it is one of the nicest and original Porsche designs.

However, I do agree with everyone about the stock look. There is so much of the "x factor" lines missing in stock form.

Larry Cable

Because the 1st gen GT3 was goregous ... (mine)

chsu74

..and still is. This look is rare; as much as I want to get something else.

Larry Cable

Yep, I actually think the .1 GT3 was sleeker than the .2 ...