K-Roll's Porsche 911 Generational Comparison: 996 vs 993

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
08/03/2014 at 13:00 • Filed to: porsche 911

Well, Here we go...In this segment of the generational comparisons, we take a look at the first of the "Wassers", and what is regarded as the most controversial redesign of the 911, in it's 50 year history; I am of course referring to the "fried egg" face that is the 996. I miss the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! :(

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996(1999)

The first drop

Now I'm gonna be honest with you all, when I say, the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ! Honestly, it really doesn't! I'll also say that it's also not the greatest design either, it's not perfect, but it's not the bane of the 911's existence. There is a perfectly good and reasonable explanation for why it looks like this..

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Back in the 90s during the run off the 993, Porsche was teetering back and forth near bankruptcy(no joke); The 993 and it's air-cooled engine, while successful, was very complex and expensive to produce, even if it was much cheaper than the previous 964. The problem was that the air-cooled engines was with ever-changing regulations in various countries in regards to emissions and noise pollution, and the fact that these engines had very specific and expensive parts and pieces, it was time for a change.

The other problem was actually production numbers. Many more people wanted 911s, resulting in higher production demands; more than Porsche could build per model year wuth something like the 993. So with this all in mind, Porsche needed to start fresh; dropping the air-cooled Boxer, and creating a design that would not only be easier to manufacture, but cheaper to make via cost reducing on the parts. How'd they achieve this? By making sure that the new Boxster at the time and 996 shared as many parts as possible; and in doing so, saved much money. This is the 911 Porsche and the common people needed, but not the one most hard core enthusiasts were looking for.

This was a major departure from not only the last gen, but the all of them. The overall shape of the car was a 911, but much more "futuristic"-looking in a way. The 996 was much longer, softer and much more streamlined than the 993.

Just like the 993, the bumpers conform to the lines of the body; smooth and perfect. But you'll notice that the turn signals and fogs are missing from the bumper. This is where we move on to the most controversial part of the redesign...

The headlights:

Also, look at that smiley face. :)

Now, every car enthusiast that hates them says that "Round headlights are a Porsche tradition/trademark!", or that "It looks like a Boxtser, yuck!"; while the latter is true, there's a reason for the way they look, and that's cost reduction. Porsche designed the headlights to be a one-piece unit that could perform five functions: the main beam, running lights, parking lights, fog lights and indicators. In doing so, this single unit also increased the production rate of the 996.

Now there are aftermarket headlight covers for the 996, but they don't really make it better in my opinion...

The side mirrors have been moved from the doors to the side of the mirrors; the roof-line appears much lower as well.

Moving on to the rear, the electronic rear deck-lid vent is still here; albeit, more blended in and color matched as if it were never there.

We now move on to my problem with the 996: the taillights/reflector.

The 993 was the last 911 to come with the awesome-looking rear reflector that connected the taillights and it looked very form-fitting and flush.

Now, the reflector is gone and the taillights now look separated. Now I bet you're wondering what happened to the reflector? It's only on the Carrera 4 models now, to distinguish it from the regular Carrera 2......SMH(I especially hate this because when I get a 911, it will be a C2 or C2S as I don't want AWD, but I want the reflector).

(Note, that the with the taillights,reverse is above the red portion; that way, with the C4, the reflector and red portion remain flush)

Dual exhaust remains as well, as it is the "thing" now. Overall, the car's exterior isn't bad, it's the most outrageous change in the 911s history, but it's soft curves and lines really make it stand out in a way.

Among the minor changes, the fuel door was moved from the left to the right side of the car. The third braking light is moved just above the rear deck-lid vent/spoiler.

Now, for the most tragic part of the car: The interior

Before you see it, let's take a look at the 993's

Now, prepare yourself for the radical departure that is the 996.... -_-

It just looks cheap(maybe it has to do with that cost reduction stuff). It looks like the plasticy Mustang interiors of the 90's; it doesn't have that premium and simplistic look that the 993 had. The 996's exterior is straight-forward and simple, the interior is not. As for the changes, the gauge cluster is now bunched up together instead of it's much cleaner and previously segmented look The radio unit is huger and takes up a huge portion of the dash; and you've got a big red hazard button that looks like it came out of a '90s Ford car. Hell, the entire interior looks like belongs in a Ford!

The seats are wrong as well. While they appear to be more comfortable, they look less sporty than the 993's.(993 above, 996 below)

The interior doesn't say "Porsche 911" to me, except for the traditional five gauges but that's it really.

The car has it's faults, quite a lot actually, but just because it doesn't look like your idea(or mine even) of a 911, doesn't mean it isn't one. Even with all the hate and criticisms, at the end of the day, it is a 911, and that's all that matters.

Next time, on Generational Comparisons, we take a look at the sweet and delicious glass of water that is the 997. :)

DISCUSSION (26)

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 13:04

996 is the best!!!!!!!!!!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
08/03/2014 at 13:10

Is it?

WRXforScience > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 13:28

A 996 article that doesn't mention RMS or IMS issues, what bizarro world are we in?

Flavien Vidal > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 13:30

Main argument about the 996 is that it's still a 911 and that it's pretty cheap in comparaison to the other ones... It's also confortable and fast. I like it. I might even get one... It's definitly not my 911 of choice, it's actually the last 911 I would chose, but it's still a 911 and it's somewhat in my budget so... :)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > WRXforScience
08/03/2014 at 13:31

This series is just for looking at the exterior and interior changes that the 911 has had over the past 50 years. This is the article you want to read if you wanted to hear about it; I even linked it in the post.:

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/oppo-i-have-a-…

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Flavien Vidal
08/03/2014 at 13:32

Go for it! :)

WRXforScience > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 13:39

My comment was meant to be a little tongue and cheek, I am a big fan of your articles and had even read the linked article back when it was first written.

My younger brother bought a '99 996, without knowing about the issues but fortunately bought one with enough miles and few enough issues to keep from costing him an arm and a leg during its 18 months of ownership.

oldirtybootz > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 13:47

Now you've got me reading about 996s, but I cant even go buy one in Fourza!

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/08/porsch…

http://www.classicdriver.com/en/article/car…

http://www.total911.com/in-praise-of-t…

I'll just come out and say that I love the 996 despite its flaws. The 964 and 993 were the first Porsches I was exposed to, but it was the 996 that stood as *the* Porsche by the time I got seriously into cars. My earliest issues of C&D were filled with 996 vs Ferrari 360 comparos(there's another car I have a soft spot for, especially compared to the hideous 458) and the 996 Turbo was among my favorite cars in NFS Hot Pursuit 2. I've never driven or even sat in a 996, or any 911 for that matter, but even looking at these unloved Porsches takes me back to what was a much simpler time for me. And me being the nostalgic fool that I am, that's all I need to love these cars.

Is the 993 a purer 911 experience? Of course. Is the 997 a much prettier car? You bet. But Porsche likely wouldn't be here today without the 996 and 986.

Oh, and like I said the other day, I'm glad you decided to stick around.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > WRXforScience
08/03/2014 at 13:47

18 months of IMS/RMS Torture? Sign me up! Hahaha no. :)

Thanks for reading. :)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > oldirtybootz
08/03/2014 at 13:50

That's the point! without the 996 or 986, there would be no 997 or 991; no Porsche! Even the Cayenne helped! As much as people rag on it, they need to understand how pivotal of a car the 996 is.

Now, why can't you go buy one in Fourza?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 13:57

Great stuff.

WRXforScience > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 13:58

He didn't tell anyone in advance about picking the 996, I had helped him test drive a 1-series, a 3-series, and an E-class then put off the blue he sent a picture of a maroon 996. I sent him back a PDF file about the RMS and IMS issues.

A year later and some oil drops on the driveway was his sign to get out of the Porsche. Unfortunately, he jumped into a 10 year old E55 AMG Mercedes (the supercharger bearing sounds a little too loud after two years, so maybe he will jump ship again soon).

oldirtybootz > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 14:04

Not paying for the Porsche pack. As much as I want it, I don't feel like spending the money on it.

I did, however, just buy the Banjo Kazooie bundle.

mcseanerson > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 14:08

I like the 996. I actually can't stand the front end of the 993, it just looks weird to me. I'd rather have a 964 or a 996. Obviously if money was no issue I'd like the newer models as well but as far as budget minded Porsche prospects go the 964 and 996 are my top two. Non 911 variant would be a used cayman which is awfully tempting.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > WRXforScience
08/03/2014 at 15:15

He's not car savvy is he.... :P

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > oldirtybootz
08/03/2014 at 15:16

I bought it, and I LOVE IT!!! I like my 944 Turbo, 993 GT2, 930 Turbo, 997 Sport Classic and more! :)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > mcseanerson
08/03/2014 at 15:17

Non 911 Variant for me would be a Cayman as well. For some reason, I can't stand the Boxster.

WRXforScience > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 15:23

He had expensive tastes and cheap budgets. I'm trying to keep him out of an early Viper for his next car but I'm afraid that until one of his adventures cones back to bite him hard he won't learn.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > WRXforScience
08/03/2014 at 15:25

I've got an idea....Let him buy a $25k Maseratti. When it breaks and leaves him stranded, maybe he'll get the picture. :P

I'm full of ideas if you want to hear more :)

oldirtybootz > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 15:29

I'm sure I'd love it and it's damn tempting, but it's hard for me to justify paying for something I firmly believe they should offer as free DLC given the circumstances of their initial omission from the game. As a customer who shelled out $60 for the game in the first place, I don't feel that I shpuld have to pay for these cars that shpuld have been included just because of some BS with EA's licensing of the Porsche brand.

That 997 SC is so tempting though.

And I have purchased cars before, so its more about the principle of this.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > oldirtybootz
08/03/2014 at 15:42

Yeah, I bought it used for $30 so I had no problem shelling out another $5-10 for my Porsches. You should see me Carrera 2.7 RS........MY GOD DOES IT SOUND AS SEXY AS IT DRIVES!! :d

Axial > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 15:46

Kinja'd!!!

It looks like it's scheming...

mcseanerson > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
08/03/2014 at 15:59

I think the reason I don't like the Boxster is because it just seems like Porsche's take on the Miata and in that case I'd rather have the Miata.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > mcseanerson
08/03/2014 at 16:23

Oh no. I'd take a Boxtser over a Miata.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Axial
08/03/2014 at 16:50

Such evil....

Bruce > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
04/06/2015 at 01:28

My 2002 996 smokes 993 every time because it's more advanced and liquid cooled engine produce more power than air cooled with less stress. Do you think Porsche engineers make newer Porsches with less power and handling than previous models? This is the argument of air cooled fans thinking their bloated VW is better than 996-997.