"JasonStern911" (JasonStern911)
01/21/2014 at 01:11 • Filed to: None
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"JasonStern911" (JasonStern911)
01/21/2014 at 01:11 • Filed to: None | 5
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There are two types of car enthusiast posters online. People who talk about driving, and people who actually drive. The 996 epitomizes that. People who talk about driving bash the 996 - look at those headlights, it's water cooled - not air cooled. But then, those that actually drive realize that they cannot see the headlights from the driver's seat, and the 996 is still rear-weight biased, so adding two small radiators in the front of the car barely affects the weight balance (and make the car closer to the 50/50 bias talkers claim is so optimal). And how many air/oil cooled cars are still for sale? None? So why is the 996 so hated on forums when the NEW BEETLE is just about as far away from the original Beetle as possible? So bash the 996 for being water cooled (unlike 0% of new cars) and having ugly headlights - haters have proven their understanding of cars when the prioritize that over power to weight ratio, handling, factory support, aftermarket support, race heritage, etc.
Milky
> JasonStern911
01/21/2014 at 01:23 |
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The odd one out will always look weird, I think thats just the way it goes.
Manuél Ferrari
> JasonStern911
01/21/2014 at 01:32 |
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I actually like the headlights in the pic you posted. I think those ones debuted on the Turbo and then the rest of the range got them at the mid cycle refresh.
These were the original ones:
I don't care for the original ones. Not because they were shared with the Boxster. I just didn't like the shape or the yellow/orange bottoms. But that being said I get your point. If someone has a nice 996 that he/she gets a lot of enjoyment from then who cares what the headlights look like. Driving a 911 is a unique experience. If someone has owned an early 996 from new or got a deal on a used one then great!
I really dig the 996 Turbo's looks. I remember when it first came out. I got a poster and put it in the garage for my Dad and I to gawk at. It was so powerful and modern looking. I think the Turbo was the best looking 996. Whereas with the 997 I prefer the looks of a C2, C2S or GT3.
The 991 is another generation where I think the Turbo is the best looking model in the lineup. I saw a Turbo S at the dealership a couple weeks ago and oh my goodness. It is even wider in the back than the C4 and C4S!
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Manuél Ferrari
> Manuél Ferrari
01/21/2014 at 02:16 |
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And one more thing - any 997 owners who think they are superior to 996 owners have their heads up their rear ends.
The 996 and 997 are closely related. The performance bump from a late 996 C2 to an early 997 C2 wasn't that big. Both cars shared underpinnings. And from the back it's hard to even tell them apart.
kanadanmajava
> JasonStern911
01/21/2014 at 05:42 |
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I'm not big fan of 996. Most obvious reason is probably the fact that 996 replaced 993 which I prefer a lot more. 993 still used the old 911 body but had a lot of updates. Especially the suspension was modified a lot and many 993 suspension parts were used in 996 too.
I would have liked too have more 993 instead of replacing it with more modern 996s. In some markets the 993s are now more expensive than earliest 996s.
996 looks really silly with those omelet headlights. 997 is better looking and the GT3 is one one of the most interesting cars that have been sold in this decade.
I'm sparing my money for a Porsche but '78 year model is my target as even 993 is a bit too modern for me...
BKRM3
> JasonStern911
01/21/2014 at 07:12 |
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Just as rusto said, it's the early 996 headlights that bug me. The refreshed version in the pic you posted looks pretty cool, I think, especially with the turbo/aero kit cars.
No, it's not the headlights that bother me on the 996 - it's the interior. Have you seen the dash? Steering wheel? Everything? It's terrible, and it's not very 911-ish. The return to the flat dash in the 997 was a real triumph. Of course, you do see the interior while driving...or at least while stopped. I can't get past it.
TheKingOfBirds
> JasonStern911
01/21/2014 at 07:26 |
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As soon as I get my wife's car paid off I'll be looking for a 996. I hope everyone keeps trashing them so as to keep the prices down .
Sinanigans
> JasonStern911
01/21/2014 at 08:04 |
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Never been a fan of that front end, but I've always loved the car as a whole (esp, love the 996 GT3's). I got a ride in a Stage II 996TT and was blown away.
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awe46m3zcp
> JasonStern911
01/21/2014 at 08:52 |
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I can't decide what looks worse the 993 or the 996. They both remind me of this girl from high school. She had the most amazing body if you were behind her in the hall, and she always dressed to excentuate it. Her ass, her legs, even her tits were heavenly. It wasn't until she turned around that you noticed she was cross eyed. To make it worse if you got to know her she had a really good personality too. She was 95% perfect, but you would always see that 1 flaw everytime you looked at her. I do hope she was able able to find someone that was willing to accept it, and love the rest of her enough to make up for it just as the 996.
Brian Silvestro
> Manuél Ferrari
01/21/2014 at 09:34 |
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Came here to say the same thing about the headlights, I love the look of the later ones honestly, and the early ones are take it or leave it. Either way, if you're having the fun in the drivers seat why should you sweat about what the headlights look like?
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Manuél Ferrari
> Brian Silvestro
01/21/2014 at 12:19 |
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We should all love the headlights
Cause they caused the cars to depreciate hard! The 996 Turbo didn't have the IMS issues. So anyone that wants a hell of a deal can go buy one now for a steal!
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Brian Silvestro
> Manuél Ferrari
01/21/2014 at 12:21 |
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Right! So much car for so little money
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Manuél Ferrari
> Brian Silvestro
01/21/2014 at 12:22 |
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If only your dad was OK with buying used
He could have so much HP!!!
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Brian Silvestro
> Manuél Ferrari
01/21/2014 at 12:22 |
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SO MUCH!!!!!!
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Brian Silvestro
> Manuél Ferrari
01/21/2014 at 12:27 |
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> JasonStern911
01/21/2014 at 12:37 |
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How a can drives is much more important to me than how a car looks, but I'd be lying if I told myself that the design of a car is not important.
A car is a tool, but it's also a "jacket" that you wear, if you will, and there are some jackets I just can't see myself wearing, regardless of how comfortable or warm (or fast or fine-handling) they are.
I'd drive a 996 (great bargain entry to Porsche for many enthusiasts) even though I do dislike the headlights, but I sure can't see myself wearing a current-gen Camaro...
I want a car that I'll never get tired of looking at when I walk up to it at the end of the day, and one that always elicits a "look back" every time I get out of it. A car's aesthetics go hand in hand (for me) with the sounds it makes. I want a car that excites all of my senses.
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Manuél Ferrari
> Brian Silvestro
01/21/2014 at 13:59 |
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8000 miles
WOW!
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Brian Silvestro
> Manuél Ferrari
01/21/2014 at 14:05 |
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I know! It looks flawless...
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Manuél Ferrari
> Brian Silvestro
01/21/2014 at 14:08 |
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you gotta take your dad to a car shrink
he needs to get over his fear of used cars!
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Brian Silvestro
> Manuél Ferrari
01/21/2014 at 14:09 |
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I know it bothers me so much! Also, if "Car Shrink" is a job, I need to change majors...
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Manuél Ferrari
> Brian Silvestro
01/21/2014 at 14:37 |
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That would be the best job ever!
Actually it is a real job. That's what Automatch is :)
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Brian Silvestro
> Manuél Ferrari
01/21/2014 at 14:38 |
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Wow you're right. He just hides it by calling it "consulting." Genius.