After looking at all the discussions about the Porsche brand,it seems like the 996 was a mistake.Why is everyone so negative about this series? My only beef is the headlights.Thoughts

 

First water cooled 911 and being mass produced instead of hand built. The original fried egg lights and narrow body were not at all great looking. It though paved the way and now water cooled are accepted but they did have to throw in more exciting curves and a retro throw back to the head lights to make it more appealing. Truly though the 993 lights are in my opinion not appealing at all and I prefer the earlier lights and curves. The 996 lights are "All in ones" allow the bumper to be free of lights and more modern looking then the 997.

 

Up to the 996 era, Porsches were mostly bought by people passionate about the brand and everything about it at that time. And at that time, it meant one thing only: an air cooled 911. Then Porsche makes a move towards liquid (an idea, not easily accepted by a general Porsche enthusiast). And to add insult to injury, they screwed up the head lights big time. It neither sounded, nor looked like a 911 everybody loved. To make matters worse, the first two years of production (1999-2000) was very problematic. All these factors combined gave the 996 the reputation it doesnt deserve. 2001-2004 cars are a HUGE step up from 993 in every aspect but one - the styling. The 996 was the first water cooled 911. It's what got us to cars like GT3 RS 4.0, GT2 RS, GT3 RSR, GT3 R Hybrid, etc..
At the moment, 2002-05 Turbos are an amazing bargain, IMO.


Stan

 

I know I'm definitely in the minority but I always liked the 996 design. Especially the 1999-2001. I thought the design was clean, unfussy, timeless, petite and sleek. The 2002 update brought a lot of refinements but I don't like the headlights as much. These cars are an exceptional value. JMHO.

 

My 1999 996 was a great driving car and at the moment I think they're the best deal going.

 

I have the 996tt with the x50 option--this car was wider at the back and overall took much of the "plainness" away from the 996 NA model. Also, the turbo was built with a different block in a different part of the factory (with more hand-build aspects to it, as I have read in Porshe books), thus some of the engine problems associated with the regular 996 were eliminated.
My 996tt has 75,000km and drives like a top--no problems. I know fellows on the 996tt forum who have 300,000 miles on theirs. the turbo is pretty bombproof. Again, I have heard other issues about the regular 996.
You can change software and tweak these cars to be faster than a modern GT2 for way less than half the price--so I dont know that I'd say the car is a dog by any stretch of the imagination!

 

people are not happy with the tail ights, RMS and IMS issues. Still great cars but the turbo is a much better deal.

 

Thanks for the replies.I saw a 2002 GT2 with carbon fiber everywhere and 15000km for $89000.Seems like a great buy considering the original value of the car.

 

Those of you who profess that the 993 was the last "hand built" Porsche before the factory was apparently overun by robots and Toyota-style mass manufacturing processes really need to brush up on facts. Kaizen efficiency processes were implemented long before the 996 (think back to 964). To this day very little of the assembly process is done by robots ( watch the doc Ultimate Factories: Porsche) and the 996 and 993 were built on the same line for many months during the transition to the newer model.
And to the OP: there's plenty of love for the 996 based on how many show up to our GTGs.

 

Oh please, clearly you've never owned a 924 or 944 like me.

 

Trust me, the 928 is the real black sheep.

 

Panamera makes it look like a swan.

 

Not sure I agree with you. I think Porsche has always maintained their sales numbers due to wealthy people buying their cars for status symbols. Certainly nowadays the only people who drive aircooled cars are enthusiasts, and the only people that spend time on forums like this are enthusiasts, but I think as much now as ever, the majority of Porsches are bought for reasons other than enthusiasm. I'm ok with that - it ensures the company stays afloat and can provide more cars for me that are 20+ years old!

 

+1

 

Exactamundo.