The Morning Browsing Session

"Raymundo" (raymundo) 11/29/2015 at 09:09 • Filed to: None

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Good morning, Oppo. It’s another Sunday morning of drinking coffee and looking at car things I want. Today I’ve been solidifying my want for a Porsche but here’s the kicker: I’m not ballin’ outrageous. But that’s okay because the 996 can still be had for cheap; just replace the IMS bearing and off you go! Right? I do have the know how, tools, and space to do anything to it concerning repairs so why not get a 996, right? Can anybody tell me why I shouldn’t get a 996?

Here’s a Carrera 4s for your time.

Jack Does Cars > Raymundo 11/29/2015 at 09:17

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Get a 996, you’ll be proud of yourself.

MultiplaOrgasms > Raymundo 11/29/2015 at 09:25

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Duh, it’s less practical than a Minivan?

m2m, apex detective > Raymundo 11/29/2015 at 09:28

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Related ... is there any opponaut who is or has been in possession of a 996 Turbo (S)?

It might not be the most clever of the choices, but I’ve always wanted to know what they’re like, both to run and to pay for.

Raymundo > MultiplaOrgasms 11/29/2015 at 09:30

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Prove it. Exactly, you can’t.

MachtSchnell > m2m, apex detective 11/29/2015 at 09:46

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The turbo isn't significantly more expensive to run as long as there's good maintenance history and you aren't looking at low-milers

m2m, apex detective > MachtSchnell 11/29/2015 at 09:52

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Let me put it this way ... I’d have more trust in any Porsche 911 running a lot of miles than other cars ... that said, it’s always nice when a car has been looked after and not stood around for ages, simply not being driven.

I’ll look for some numbers ... thanks!

Nisman > Raymundo 11/29/2015 at 10:38

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I like the 996. Thinking about one myself for my next car. The biggest downside for me is that the mileage isn't spectacular. Like why wouldn't I get an Audi S6 5.2 if I'm going to be getting 20 on the highway anyway?

Steve in Manhattan > Raymundo 11/29/2015 at 10:53

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So why does everybody shit-talk the 996?

Raymundo > Nisman 11/29/2015 at 11:05

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You know. I just can’t bring myself to be concerned about mileage when shopping for a “cool car”. My current “cool car” gets roughly 15 MPG and the CRX pulls daily duties to offset that. I guess if the 996 would be the sole mode of transportation... No, I still couldn’t care.

Raymundo > Steve in Manhattan 11/29/2015 at 11:07

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I don’t see too terribly much shit talking going on, but maybe it’s because the 996 just isn’t as striking of a design as past and present Porsches. I don’t know, that’s a pretty subjective view and I think the 996 has a nice subtle design to it rather than a percieved boring look.

Speed > Raymundo 11/29/2015 at 11:28

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If I could swing 30-35k comfortably on a used sports car, the 996 Turbo is at the top of the heap. I’ve driven a few Carreras and fell in love with the turbo. It’s a perfect car in my eyes. Rock solid reliability, seating for 4 in a pinch, AWD for these Northeastern winters, fantastic performance in all categories and Porsche exclusivity.

I’d humor myself by trying out a Gen II Viper GTS, C6 Z06, GT500, V8 Esprit and a few other 30k(ish) performance cars, but I think I’d ultimately take the Porsche Turbo. It just does everything well.

That said, I dig the NA 996’s as well. The problem with them is the existence of the C5 Z06. While I feel the Turbo is an absolute steal in the 30k range, I don’t feel the same about the NA cars in the 15k range. There I’d take the Corvette. It’s a ridiculous amount of car for the money and, like the Porsche Turbo, there’s very little compromise or inherent issues.

Steve in Manhattan > Raymundo 11/29/2015 at 11:38

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I don’t think any of the Porsche studio’s design ‘efforts’ is much better or worse than any other. There are subtle improvements with each generation, in my mind, but put 3 different gen cars together and even the most devoted fanboy might hestitate. At least to me, the 996 is a good-looking car.

Nisman > Raymundo 11/29/2015 at 11:47

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I used to have that opinion 100%, then I bought my current car which gets 30mpg and it’s fantastic. My commute is very short, and for that it wouldn’t matter, but I take 2-8 hour road trips on a very frequent basis. That being said, I’m thinking of getting a high mileage LS 460 to have as a road trip car and a 996 or classic as my daily. It sounds backwards, but my commute is 10 miles round trip and it would be nice to have something fun for that.

Raymundo > Nisman 11/29/2015 at 19:08

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Yeah, of course everything is relative and my opinion may differ given different daily driving habits. Frequent 2-8 hour trips, I would not trust the CRX to do, so I could see the need for better gas mileage when shopping for fun car that can be used reliably as well. Maybe your ideas aren’t ass backwards. Instead, maybe your priorities are just different.

Raymundo > Steve in Manhattan 11/29/2015 at 19:11

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That’s an interesting perspective on Porsche design. But again like you said, “put 3 different gen cars together and even the most devoted fanboy might hestitate.” Unless there is something terribly wrong with the 996, and there isn’t, I think that’s pretty much the only thing anybody would have a qualm with in regards to 911s.

Steve in Manhattan > Raymundo 11/29/2015 at 19:23

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Clarkson described Porsche as having the “laziest” design studio of any manufacturer. I sort of agree, but to be generous, to merely tweak a design that was an instant classic is forgiveable. For me, a DB9 or a Gallardo is a nicer looking car. However, I would not turn my nose up at a properly-equipped Targa. If I were to buy a Porsche now, it’d be a Cayman or Boxster given the mid-engined layout. Drove a 90s 911, drove a 2001 or so Boxster, and the mid-engined car was easily controllable at the limit - the 911 not so much. But that’s me.

Raymundo > Speed 11/29/2015 at 19:23

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Actually that’s a good point, bringing up the C5. Last year I tried to find a C5 in my area that was manual for a while before settling on a S197 Mustang. (Not in the same category, but there were no manual C5s and I’ve also modified the crap out of the Mustang to bring it up to an acceptable performance level)

Having now dabbled in the muscle car realm a bit (the live axle realm), I think I would still choose the 996 simply because it’s something new to me. A rear-mounted flat-six sounds like it would be worlds of fun, and after riding in a 964 with a friend ripping through downtown and playing on on/off ramps, it turns out that engine/drive train configuration is a lot of fun. Plus, the sound the car makes really is something else. It’s a proper signature sound, the flat-6 Porsches. Also, since I’m talking about the overall feel and air of the car, the interior of a 996, in my opinion, is leagues better than a C5. The C5s interior screams utilitarian American 90s. The 996 reminds you that you’re in something special with the care given to design and the materials used.

I completely understand where you’re coming from with the C5/996 debate. At my current stage in life, I think I would still take the 996 simply because it’s differently exciting.

Nisman > Raymundo 11/29/2015 at 20:27

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I think it's just that my priorities are ass backwards, not that that's a bad thing

Speed > Raymundo 11/29/2015 at 21:10

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I think that if you’re truly enthusiastic about the naturally aspirated 996 it’s a hell of a car and a fantastic piece of machinery for the money.

I went through a spell where I couldn’t read and research enough about them, and still dig them, but not until I’ve had the Z. If I had money for multiples though, I’d absolutely consider a 996. It definitely seems like a pretty solid car once the popular nuances are addressed and even then it doesn’t seem that expensive to maintain.

I remember the night I got to drive an NA Carrera. I came back and the first thing I told my friend was, “I get it now!” It felt so solid, planted, precise and.....perfect. The interior may not be as cool as the old school cars, but I like it. Although I’d take the C5Z, it wouldn’t be without giving the P Car at least a look.

The 15-25k tier is a really cool one. 996’s, Terminators, EVO’s, STI’s, Coyotes, E46 M3’s, various Corvettes, FD’s, maaybe MKIV Supes and other tempting machinery.

The 30-40k tier is awesome, especially with the older supercars available. Gen II Viper GTS’s, V8 Esprits, C6Z’s, GT500’s, 996 TT’s, new cars like the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger as well as a host of other fast stuff.