Porsche 996: The Black Sheep Of The Family

"Andrew Fails" (fails) 10/07/2015 at 23:33 • Filed to: Porsche, 911, 996, Carrera, review, KC, Kansas City

23

100

A lot of vehicles get much more hate than they deserve. I’m not talking about the PT Cruisers and Corvairs of the world, although I have opinions regarding them as well. No, today I’m talking about the 996 generation of the Porsche 911. Porsche, as a company, tends to not change its ways without dutiful consideration. That’s why the ignition is still on the left of the steering wheel in all vehicles, as it has been since their LeMans racecars of yesteryear pioneered the change and why the 911 has resolutely placed the engine in the wrong place since 1963. Their fan base reflects this adherence to tradition, and does not adjust to change well.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

The 996 was a drastic re-imagining of the 911. It was the first non air cooled engine. It was an all new chassis. It was an all new body, without the iconic round headlamps. The new headlamps were even described by many detractors as resembling fried eggs. Ouch. Unsurprisingly, the faithful were displeased. But time marches on, whether we like it or not. The 911 was forced to adapt to meet the challenges of the new world, or get left behind. Thankfully, it rose to the challenge.

This is Ethan Wyatt, and his mother Ann’s, 996. It is a lightly modified 1999 Porsche Carrera. It was bought by Ethan’s father, Mike, as a red 911 had always been his dream car. Now that his father has passed, Ethan and his mom took over caring for the prized Porsche. Fret not, this is no trailer queen that has never seen a wheel turned in anger. Porsches are, above all else, built to be driven. the Wyatts’ 996 is no exception. It has nearly 90,000 hard miles under its belt, and has shouldered each one without complaint. Sure, the front lip has some pitting from the occasional track day, and sure, the BBS wheels have a bit of ingrained brake dust, but that is as it should be. It is a car designed to take every ounce of punishment you can dish out, and never break a sweat.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Many of the cars I’ve been driving as of late require a bit of manhandling to extract the best from. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , for example, took a firm hand to tame. Stomp it, throw it, kick it, slam it, and be rewarded with magic. The Porsche, on the other hand, is a precision instrument. More of a scalpel, and less of a hatchet. The steering and shifter are both shockingly light. I guess having no engine over the front axle has quite an effect. The steering is not loose or vague, like in some luxury cars, it is just…delicate.

This requires a steady hand to drive quickly. You need to plan every move in advance. That pendulum weight is always hanging out over the rear axle, ready to sling you straight into a tree. That is not to say that the 911 is unstable. It pulls out of a corner like nothing else. Get the move right, and that extra weight just presses the rear tires into the pavement, and flings you out the other side. Once you’ve picked your line and your speed, you are committed. Don’t second guess the chassis. Use your head, trust the machine, and you’ll be fine. Do just like Ron Popeil says, “set it, and forget it.” Do all your finessing before corner entry, and then once you clear the apex, let the rear end settle, pin the throttle to the floor, and listen to that flat six scream as you charge forwards.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

In some cars, especially naturally aspirated ones, there is the sensation that you are going to break something the higher you rev it. A niggling concern at the base of your spine that something is going to fail catastrophically if you continue as you are. There is a physical limit to how fast you can spin red hot pieces of metal before they shatter. In the 996, that is a foreign concept. Do whatever you want. It’s fine. The motor will take it. 7,000 rpm with that boxer engine bellowing behind your head is like nothing else in the world. It feels like the car is egging you on. “Come on, you’re not even trying,” it seems to berate you. Heel-toe the downshift and kick those revs skyward, it doesn’t mind. If you neglect one single millimeter of that tachometer, you’re missing out.

I’ve long been a Porsche fan, even though I’m a bit rusty on the nomenclature. This makes me a bit of a heathen, I know. But I’ve never been bogged down too much in regards to the details of chassis codes, or engine displacements. I’m much more concerned with the intangibles of a car. How does it feel? More importantly, how does it make ME feel? Is it light and playful like a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ? Is it rowdy and aggressive like Kingston’s E30? Every Porsche I’ve ever driven, from Caymans, to Cayennes, to 911s, just seem to…work. Not just in the sense that they don’t break, although the Wyatt’s 996 has fewer squeaks and rattles than my own car, even though it is a decade older. I mean that everything has the feel that it was designed by an engineer first, and a stylist second. Even when they are not the fastest vehicle in their class, they seem to just offer the most driver engagement.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

The Wyatts’ 996, like all great Porsches, is more than its numbers. In an hour of hard driving, I only checked the speedometer twice. The overall speed is irrelevant. That’s not to call it slow, but top speed alone misses the point. It is a car of sensation and precision. How fast it feels like you are going is so much more important than that easily ignorable readout. It is like riding a motorcycle. You glue your eyes to that redline, and every other gauge is irrelevant. Just wind it out higher and higher, and work on getting your lines smoother and faster. It is a car that rewards delicacy, and punishes hamfistedness.

So is the 996 the beginning of the end for Porsche? No. I think it is the end of the beginning.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Fails is a freelance photographer who sometimes pretends to be literate. You can see his portfolio at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . He is talking in third person because it makes him feel mysterious.

William Byrd > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 08:45

6

I’ve always liked the 996. Not being a Porsche purist, I never saw any issue with the design. I would drive one.

Ryan Sweeney > William Byrd 10/08/2015 at 08:54

1

My grandfather had one for awhile. It was a ton of fun to drive. If I didnt have a massive dog Id be looking for one to daily.

Spoon! > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 08:54

5

One of the few Porsches I would consider buying, especially in the turbo flavor. As yet it isn't suffering from Porsche Tax and crazy pricing. This or a used Cayman S are on my list.

Andrew Fails > Spoon! 10/08/2015 at 08:57

0

I was amazed at the prices on them. Totally reasonable.

boneheadotto > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 08:58

41

The worst thing about the 996 is its horrible interior. no matter how OK you are with the exterior you will not be ok with the interior that looks like it was designed by pontiac.

Andrew Fails > William Byrd 10/08/2015 at 08:59

2

They drive amazing. Granted, I don’t really have much experience with air cooled 911s, but this was sublime to drive.

IAMTHEGAWKER > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 08:59

0

marshknute > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:00

2

As a sports car, the 996 is more than deserving of the 911 nameplate. The engines were better. The performance was better. The build quality was better. It was the best 911 ever.

But aesthetically, the 996 was such a hopeless failure. Porsche managed to turn the iconic 911 into yet another late-90’s jellybean car. Everything about it is soft and melty and meh.

The only way I’d drive a 996 is if you gave me one for free. And even then, I’d put it up for sale immediately and get something that’s actually desirable.

scoob > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:03

34

Dat view count. Illuminati confirmed!

Jordan Clifford > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:06

2

I learned to drive stick in a 1974 911, and let me tell you there is no comparison between that and a 996 c4s. Pops and I went to Monterey in 2014 for the annual PCA parade, and I got 2 laps at Laguna Seca. With my dad holding on for dear life, I took a couple of corners at less-than-gentlemanly speeds, and it felt like the car was on rails. This article brought back all those feelings and made me giggle like a schoolgirl.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > Ryan Sweeney 10/08/2015 at 09:07

3

Pfft take out the back seats. Make a seat delete that levels the floor with the deleted seat bottoms and throw the dog back there. Its not that small.

Discerning > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:07

5

I like both sets of headlamps.

I would be exceptionally happy with a 996 GT3. I wouldn’t even have to worry about IMS failure!

Mark Bour > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:08

6

The 996 is an ugly duckling, but every so often there is one done tastefully that just looks ‘right’, and this is one of them.

Unfortunately, the interior is still an abomination that they didn’t get totally right until the 991.

colinrichardson > William Byrd 10/08/2015 at 09:10

1

I really didn’t like the design when it came out, but I think it’s aged pretty well.

Squad41 > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:11

0

Wow. No talk about the pinless hand grenade inside the engine? (IMS bearing)

Squad41 > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 09:12

3

The worst thing about these is that the IMS bearing fails and the engine explodes.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:12

14

996TT is basically the perfect sweet spot of all cars (porsches and non-porsches) to me with 415bhp, 6spf manual, rear-biased awd, decent fuel economy when cruising, and a sumptuous and quiet ride.

Also, it’s a Mezger block, which doesn’t have IMS bearing concerns; which by the way are completely overblown in terms of failure rate anyway, especially with cars that get driven regularly

damnthisburnershitsux > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:13

2

It is a car that rewards delicacy, and punishes hamfistedness.

That line speaks to it’s target audience; dentists, doctors and other professionals, people who value precision and forethought. A much different audience than say a C7 or Viper.

AsphaltAthlet > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:13

6

I love my 996 4S - the wider rear end design that it shares with the Turbo and the red bar is so beautiful! :-)

blacksapphire08 > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:15

1

Out of curiosity I checked prices in my area and couldnt find any in area for less than $20k which still seems pretty steep for a 15-20 yr old car.

AsphaltAthlet > Squad41 10/08/2015 at 09:16

1

Not competely correct - the early models with the 3.4 l engine had these problems, the 3.6 l ones installed with the facelift of the 996 never had real problems.

somemarine > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 09:18

0

I keep looking at these cars and I can forgive a lot...but those early steering wheels are terrible.

KSEGGFTW > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:18

0

I never got past the 996’s looks, especially if you consider what came before it - the 993 - and what came after it - the 997 - both which had an amazing design’s.

I’ve been in a few 996’s over the years, and it’s the only 911 where I can honestly say it feels.....cheap, no doubt due to Porsche’s financial woes at the time. You can tell they had to cut costs.

Black sheep indeed.

macanamera > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:19

4

Heck, I drove a late model 996 C2S every day for a year and in my mind it’s still one of the best cars I’ve ever had.

Paullubbock > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:25

12

Yea, the 996 is the first water cooled generation that took the most punishment from the purists, but that is ok. That just means purists are idiots. You see Porsche didn’t forget it was supposed to be a 911. It was supposed to handle like a 911, sound like a 911, accelerate like a 911, stop like a 911, go through corners like a 911 and that is how it is engineered. Not only that but it is faster, safer and better handling than the previous generation. So, if the purists want to whine about water cooling and interior materials and headlight looks. Good, it makes all those REAL 996 911’s cheap enough for the rest of us. Thanks purists for your idiocy.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 09:27

12

As long as it doesn’t feeeel like a GM product when you sit in it. THAT is how you know its a GM product...just sit in it.

Andrew Fails > blacksapphire08 10/08/2015 at 09:27

3

Compared to the air cooled Porsches, it’s cheap. When’s the last time you saw one of those for under $50k?

JeffCronin > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:28

2

I Love my 996 C2 Cab. I know it’s the least wanted of the most undesirable 911 generation and it still puts a smile on my face every time I get in. Having this as a summer daily driver in Minneapolis makes the long winter worth it.

The pic is not mine (I don’t have a photo here at work) but it might as well be, all the way down to the chips on the front bumper.

Sadly I have to put her up for the winter soon...

JNova > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:29

1

Ive driven turbos from 87, 92, 02, up to the brand new ones. The 996 is awesome and is amazing to drive and well worth the money they go for, but the 964 IMHO is the bees knees

Crackerjacktype0 > blacksapphire08 10/08/2015 at 09:29

2

997 showed up in 2004 as a MY 2005. 996 is nowhere near 15-20. More like 11-17.

@tomob > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:31

3

My first and only Porsche - a ‘99 996 - base model. I drove it for 5 years, tracked it a log and put 60k miles on it. This is a great driving car and for me - it was bulletproof.

I drove it through Chicago winters with snowtires and took loooong road-trips to the Rocky mountains in the summer and Blue Ridge mountains in the spring.

I think I’ll get another one some day.

Crackerjacktype0 > Paullubbock 10/08/2015 at 09:32

1

The first water cooled. And technically it’s oil cooled not air cooled before anyway. You want to blast purists for their stubborn preference at least get that significant part correct.

Brian Silvestro > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:33

5

this hero was at the rallyx a couple of weekends ago

Paullubbock > Crackerjacktype0 10/08/2015 at 09:34

0

I meant water, fixed

drock905 > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:35

0

But supposedly you can’t buy a NA version, the motors need a lot of $ to make sure they don’t grenade themselves right? Is that an unfounded claim? The Porsche forums seem to think it’s a justified concern.

The turbo on the other hand has the different motor and the prices are still going down before the inevitable rise in the next few years.

I test drove a 996tt a few months ago and I found the car kind of underwhelming though.

William Byrd > colinrichardson 10/08/2015 at 09:35

0

Agreed, headlights aside, it looks like every other 911 to me though.

William Byrd > scoob 10/08/2015 at 09:36

1

lol, that’s great.

drock905 > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/08/2015 at 09:37

0

996tt are cool and I’d but one if the price is right but I found it a little disappointing.

Derel1cte > blacksapphire08 10/08/2015 at 09:40

1

ITT: Naive man compares depreciation curve of average cars to that of a Porsche 911, Is surprised by results.

gherwilm > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR 10/08/2015 at 09:41

1

The rear seat bottoms Velcro out, no joke. Get one and enjoy.

K-Cro > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:42

0

Isn’t the 996 the one with the “grenade” engine issue that will inevitably need to be addressed? (Or risked by not addressing it...)

gherwilm > drock905 10/08/2015 at 09:43

1

Compared to what?

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > drock905 10/08/2015 at 09:44

3

I think that 30k to 35k they are right now is more than fair for a car with all those features, power, and looks

KAG25 > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 09:46

0

They are cheap now, but that interior buttons are horrible on them

Ryan Sweeney > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR 10/08/2015 at 09:52

0

Hahaha it would be pretty awesome bringing my 100lb greyhound around in that!

Squad41 > AsphaltAthlet 10/08/2015 at 09:52

0

No, in uncertain terms it’s “Completely Correct.” This is a 1999, which came with the 3.4 engine. Those engines have an inherent flaw which cause them to detonate without much warning. Also, the standard 996 was produced from 1997-2001 w/3.4l (5 years) whereas they were produced from 2002-2004 w/3.6l (3 years). So, most of them came with a 3.4l engine. Food for thought.

Michael Cohen > blacksapphire08 10/08/2015 at 10:02

2

What for $20k is a better driving experience? Sincere, not rhetorical question.

AudiAudiOxenFree > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/08/2015 at 10:07

0

Maybe 3 years ago. You won;t find nice driving ones for under $40k now.

fintail > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/08/2015 at 10:20

0

30-35K for a TT??

CraiginAustin > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 10:22

2

I am not an interior guy, but remember this interior was from 1999. Compare it to a 993 or any other sports cars of the era and I think it is in line.

CraiginAustin > somemarine 10/08/2015 at 10:24

1

You can “forgive a lot” but a steering wheel bothers you?

SheerHippo > gherwilm 10/08/2015 at 10:27

1

A fighter jet or the USS Enterprise probably.

n54 & s38 > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 10:28

1

Yup. I don’t mind the exterior for as much as people shit on the 996 headlights. I actually think that the C4S of this generation is still a great looking car. But the IMS issue and especially that interior just kill the car for me.

dismal > Discerning 10/08/2015 at 10:31

0

You wouldn't have to, neither the gt3 or turbo have the problem

Arrivederci > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 10:32

3

Reasons Why I Don’t Want a 996:
- Ugly exterior
- Ugly, cheap interior
- IMS bearing risk

Reason Why I Want a 996:
- Cheapest proper 911 money can buy

I’ll continue to hope the 997.2 will eventually fall to my budget.

zveugen > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 10:34

3

I’ve got to be honest and say that, while I agree they look awful in all the pictures, the 996’s I’ve sat in actually feel really nice. Not really sure how they made something that photographed like a GM, but still felt high quality...

SaveTheClassics > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 10:37

1

If I was going to buy another 996, I would have to a 997 style front end conversion. When I had my 996 back in 2001 it was a great looking car, but now after seeing them go back to the traditional round headlights with the 997 and 991, it just looks goofy. I still think the 996 is a great car, just needs a facelift. But hell, who am I kidding, I'll never get another 996, I'll likely end up in a base model 964 C2.

boneheadotto > CraiginAustin 10/08/2015 at 10:37

0

If this steering wheel does not bother you, you are not a car enthusiast who enjoys driving

SaveTheClassics > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 10:38

3

The interior never bothered me in my 996, but then again I owned one while they were still in production so maybe I was blind to the fact that is was a bad interior.

brandegee > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR 10/08/2015 at 10:40

0

What’s funny is that similar era Saabs have much nicer, more ergonomic interiors than the 996. And that’s.... GM. Sort of. Through a Swedish filter.

boneheadotto > CraiginAustin 10/08/2015 at 10:45

1

I beg to differ. Here is an S2000 whose interior was released in 2000.

Plus the interior you linked to above is a better looking BMW interior and it was re-designed that year to look like this

The porsche interior is inexcusable for its time and even worse now

BiPolarWithCars > Ryan Sweeney 10/08/2015 at 10:53

1

If I can fit a bullmastiff in an Exige, you can get a dog in a 911

kbasa > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 10:54

2

I ride old motorcycles, including a 1995 Ducati 916. I think this generation of 911 is a lot like the 916. It’s rewarding to ride, can keep up on public roads at any sane speed and is modern enough to be reliable. The real commonality is that there’s great reward in just operating them. The 916 gives me that rumble, that feel in the bars and the visceral punch out of a corner. The 996 is the same. Sure, you’re not going to clean up at a track day, but these are vehicles you enjoy just by the simple action of driving or riding them. It’s not about the numbers at all.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > fintail 10/08/2015 at 10:55

2

starting prices, yeah. Check it

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

Ryan Sweeney > BiPolarWithCars 10/08/2015 at 10:55

0

Id like to see pics of this hahah My greyhound is probably about the same size as your bullmastiff (mine might be a bit taller though)

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > AudiAudiOxenFree 10/08/2015 at 10:55

0

pretty much, but that’s where they start now

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

highmodulus > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 10:56

0

All that text and no acknowledgment of the elephant in the room? You know the engine killing, class action lawsuit spawning IMS flaw? THAT’S why 996 (and early 997’s) are cheap and somewhat unloved. Other flaws like the Boxster headlights (bad), not very engaging automatic gear box, and rather ugly interior can be overlooked- but the IMS (and to a less extent RMS leaks) issue is a massive deal. It is also why early Boxsters are heading towards Miata money.

BiPolarWithCars > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 10:56

1

I didn’t realize they were that bad. The steering wheel looks like it was stolen out of a pontiac:

Sendog > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 10:56

3

A 996 is a lot of car for the money today. My 2002 C2 has long legs and pulls hard on the highway up to 7k rpm. I thoroughly enjoy my ride.

Gennaro > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 10:58

1

In Germany you can easily find 996s with over 250 K Kms(that is 160 K miles for you muricans). so too unreliable it is not....and actually over here it holds its vale pretty well(in fact cannot afford, darn)

thecarvlogger > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 10:58

0

In its defense it’s just not a photogenic interior. When you’re actually sitting in it, it feels nice and doesn’t look so bad. It’s covered in leather and sure some of the switches feel a little cheap, but overall it’s much better in person.

aschen > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 11:00

0

“Porsches are meant to be driven”.......

not really the 996s regular 911s, unless you like replacing fragile engines

Andrew Fails > aschen 10/08/2015 at 11:03

0

This one had close to 90,000 miles and hadn’t broken. Doesn’t seem too fragile.

FutureHeelToeHistorian > Arrivederci 10/08/2015 at 11:04

2

The interior does suck, my old NB Miata had higher quality plastics. The exterior is meh, but it’s amazing how much I don’t care about either of those every morning when I hear the first bark of the exhaust.

Get one with 60-80k, throw in a new clutch and IMS, have a blast. When 997.2 get cheap you can make that your 2nd 911. You can have a lot of cheap fun between now and then.

FutureHeelToeHistorian > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR 10/08/2015 at 11:10

0

I’ve got an 03 and to be honest, it doesn’t feel that great either. I don’t have the leather dash, etc and I hear that helps, but all the plastics feel cheaper than in the NB Miata I had. That said, I give no shits whatsoever. The driving experience is great and it has real 911 steering feel.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 11:16

2

And it’s the same with the 986.

“Meant to be driven hard”People didn’t like the front, or the engine placement, or the cooling. But man does it drive well.

Blair > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 11:18

1

The problem with the 996 is that it can’t right after the 993 generation which is considered the greatest of the old 911 ways.

.....the very last air cooled was the 911 turbo S.....that's a very VERY tough act to follow

Nimrodical > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 11:20

2

The headlights come from the 911 GT1 which is pretty special. I have a 996 turbo with the full leather interior. It’s no where near as offensive as some make it out to be. I find it to be awesome and very comfortable. When I’m on a canyon run driving up the tailpipes of a 458 in my $40,000 car I never even notice what the handle on the emergency brake looks like

Nimrodical > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 11:22

3

The headlights come from the 911 GT1 which is pretty special. I have a 996 turbo with the full leather interior. It’s no where near as offensive as some make it out to be. I find it to be awesome and very comfortable. When I’m on a canyon run driving up the tailpipes of a 458 in my $40,000 car I never even notice what the handle on the emergency brake looks like.

FutureHeelToeHistorian > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 11:23

3

Great write up. I agree with the delicacy and precision of the controls, but I disagree a little in that I think the car LIKES to be manhandled a bit to get it to achieve it’s full potential. The car will understeer given the light front end, and some drivers get frustrated by that. But that is the car telling you what it NEEDS you to do:

Trail brake deep enough to really get the weight moving around and use that to keep the nose planted and allow the rear to come around, then pin it and let the natural traction work for you on exit. It is an incredibly rewarding driving experience, no matter how ugly your neighbor thinks the lights are.

MotorsportsAustin > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 11:23

0

This article says very little about why the 996 normally aspirated production mainstream car (not including Turbo or GT2 or 3) is a bad car and doesn’t mention it’s actually what we in the industry called a Toy-orshce-aru.

996NA (non GT) is the spawn of Toyota’s meddling with Porsche after Porsche nearly went under, and the Toyota influence (snap together plastics, inherent cheap feel, as well as internationally sourced components) is blatant.

To sum up, 996NA (non GT) is the worst 911 ever produced. The running gear itself tells the story. The engine is made by Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru) and was manufactured in 2 different plants, hence the main seal leaks. The transmission is a Toyota spec’d manufactured by Aisin (similar crap box to that in the Tacoma). Meanwhile the Turbo, GT2, and GT3 still have 964 cases and gear boxes, actual Porsche 911 parts. There’s so much more to say about these garbage 996’s, but really if you own one you’re a fool or think you got a deal.

AudiAudiOxenFree > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/08/2015 at 11:24

0

Huh. That silver coupe seems suspiciously cheap. If nothing’s wrong, that’s a serious bargain. That yellow car I wouldn’t touch with your ten foot pole.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > AudiAudiOxenFree 10/08/2015 at 11:29

0

That’s what PPIs are for. Aside from the wheels, smoked lamps and hoses, it doesn’t seem that objectionable on the surface.

*shrugs*

AutoSavant > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 11:33

0

I came across one yesterday. Looked like a 2000 Carrera. Very nice dark blue color. I think the headlights look fine when clean and not yellowing like I see on older boxters and not cared for 996s. Unfortunately it was being driven by a douche who cut me off. I had to curb stomp him in the GTO at the next light to establish dominance. I think that era of Porsche was still trying to find itself, but I wouldn’t mind owning one. With the IMS bearing fixed of course. I have a co-worker who has a 996 Carrera cabriolet. Its lowered and has awful looking wheels on it, definitely falls in the “not cared for” category.

boneheadotto > Nimrodical 10/08/2015 at 11:37

0

Unfortunately i think the headlights come from the Boxster shown in 1996. Those lights are fine on a boxster, not so much on a 911. thus why they changed them back on later models.

shirosake > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 11:39

0

This is exactly why I didn’t buy a 996 a few years back - the interior really was horrid. Everything about it felt cheap and bulbus.

shirosake > Mark Bour 10/08/2015 at 11:40

1

I think the 997.2 was pretty decent. They lost the cheapo grey entertainment/climate and had a bit more refinement.

BlueTinCan > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 11:41

1

This. x 1000.

I can handle the exterior looks. Not my fav, but more than fine for the right price. It’s the interior part I have to look at 90% of the time that kills it for me.

TheStigsGermanCousin > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 11:43

1

I like the 996

Nimrodical > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 11:47

0

So you think the 911 gt1 got its headlights from the boxster and not the other way around? Okay, Google 1996 Le Mans 911 GT1.

Bub Rub > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 11:54

0

I own a 996 and would take the interior over the 997 every day of the week. The 997 interior has aged much worse than the 996, in my opinion.

The 996 isn’t like the hand built, Teutonic 993/964 (hell even 944/928) interiors, but it is certainly better than what came afterwards.

Also, the optional 3 spoke steering wheel does wonders for the interior.

I'm Abe Froman > boneheadotto 10/08/2015 at 11:56

0

They're pretty horrible interior-wise. The oldest new 911 I would drive daily is a 997.2 preferably with PDK. The Tiptronic in these cars were horrible.

Bub Rub > Squad41 10/08/2015 at 11:56

0

It was a poor design, admittedly, but nothing $2k in maintenance can’t remedy in a car that is still a giant bargain.

Discerning > dismal 10/08/2015 at 11:57

0

That’s precisely what I meant. Thanks to the GT3’s Mezger engine, I wouldn’t have to worry about IMS failure.

blacksapphire08 > Crackerjacktype0 10/08/2015 at 11:59

0

Im just going off local listings that I found for 97-04 models. Most had close to 100k miles and $20k was the cheapest.

boneheadotto > Nimrodical 10/08/2015 at 12:05

0

i tried googling that but accidentally typed “boxster concept 1993” and look what appeared....from 1993

blacksapphire08 > Michael Cohen 10/08/2015 at 12:05

0

Im not saying you could find a better car but you can get a car with similar performance for less money. Of course you would have to give up stuff like luxury.

FutureHeelToeHistorian > CraiginAustin 10/08/2015 at 12:08

0

Man I love e36 interiors. They feel so driver focused compared the ones that followed.

aschen > Andrew Fails 10/08/2015 at 12:08

0

well there you go conclusive evidence that 996 are reliable for high mileage and heavy track usage. Lets completely ignore that there was a class action lawsuit against Porsche for catastrophic engine failures due to IMS bearing failures.

AudiAudiOxenFree > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 10/08/2015 at 12:12

1

Yup, agreed.