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YOUR RESEARCHThe best non-turbo 996? Opinions please..
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best bargain
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Honestly the c4 is probably the best bargain for the buck
Leading evidence: 'best bargain' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'best bargain' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Use 996 turbo' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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A fleet is probably an understatement - between 996's - and 986's, which are pretty much indistinguishable for 99% of the population until they read the trunk, you can't throw a rock in any direction without nailing an arctic silver Porsche; I enjoy having a car that looks significantly different (and better, but I realize that's subjective).
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Suggestion
The C4S has the best butt in the 996 lineup, but if I wanted an AWD 996, I'd opt for a nicely used 996 Turbo.
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Suggestion
I think I've mentioned before that for simplicity and track use, I like the '99 C2.
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A fleet is probably an understatement - between 996's - and 986's, which are pretty much indistinguishable for 99% of the population until they read the trunk, you can't throw a rock in any direction without nailing an arctic silver Porsche; I enjoy having a car that looks significantly different (and better, but I realize that's subjective).
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1999 for its simplicity?
C4S for the things Jeremy Clarkson critiqued it for?
For what it's worth, Vicky perfectly sums it up...in my humble opinion.
Porsche 911 Turbo Review - Top Gear - BBC - YouTube
While the 4S has a lot going for it (the Turbo look without all that extra dangerous horsepower), I will forever love my '99 narrow-body Carrera 4. Aerokit 996's are some of the best looking 911's. As proof, I offer the following: I never had the urge to buy a 911 until I saw a '99 996 with Aerokit II installed. Bought it. That day.
C4S > mk2 > aero kit mk1 > mk1 IMO
Best factory wheels are the Turbo/C4S twists, GT3, and the Carrera lightweights. Not many people like the lightweight wheels, but I do.
All 996s are amazingly fun cars. I think I've mentioned before that for simplicity and track use, I like the '99 C2. The C4S is very sexy looking and looks even better with an aero kit.
I would say the 99 for the driving experience. C4s for the look. For some reason they look better than a turbo. I also like the x51 cars for their performce.
The C4S has the best butt in the 996 lineup, but if I wanted an AWD 996, I'd opt for a nicely used 996 Turbo.
However, I prefer the rear drive feel of the 996 C2. Heck, if you want the Turbo/C4S look... just update the bumper. I did... and love it. To each his own my friends!
As soon as I saw one in the Dealership with the Aero Kit, I fell in love and bought her 2 days later, almost 14 years later and she is still a beauty - But it is all RELATIVE my brothers
99' c2 with Aero, biased too, bought what I wanted the most...well budget friendly (gt3 is my first choice). Turbo was in the running too if I wanted to stretch the budget, but I'm very happy with mine.
I think the Mk1 aero is going to eventually have kind of a cult following. Not because of any great performance, but because of the iconic nature of the car, and it's classic sporty looks, notwithstanding possible mundane relationship to the rest of the offerings.
The 996.1 headlights are more consistent with the overall lines of the car - fluid and lacking sharp corners like the MK2 headlights. No hiccups in the exterior flow. The only real downside I see is slightly less power, but in the end not a biggie.
Sorry, I'm pretty ignorant about 996's. Why is it such an obvious answer that 1999 models are the best?
Ignorant me would have assumed the last model year (2004) or at least last pre-face lift (2001) would be the best. What am I missing?
GT3 of course, but that's probably not what you meant. GT3's had the Mezger engine, along with the Turbo.
For 'regular' 996's, I personally like the later MkII (2002+) cars much more than the MkI cars. Blahblahblah singlerow IMS etc. fear mongering aside, the MkII's just have a significantly nicer interior and much nicer headlights IMHO. Some people like the early '99's for their mechanical throttle linkage, slightly different cam chains and IMS bearing style. Not me..
Something like a minty, $25K, 50K mile 2004 C2 manual is hard to beat for an comparatively inexpensive Porsche.
I no longer have this car, but it made a perfect inexpensive 911!
do you happen to know if the rear wing is fixed or if it raises with the sport body kit? I have only seen the pictures on suncoast. I think it looks pretty good
It's not an obvious answer. For many years on this board, they were considered the worst 996. In fact, I remember when I was shopping for my first 996 and I spoke with Porsche dealers. It was very common for them to advise potential customers to avoid the 1999 model.
Many people seem to like them now because they have a double-row IMSB, although all the MK I cars have that. There were reports of engine failure in early 996 cars due to engine block porosity and other issues. The cars that are still on the road seem to be mostly free of these early issues.
I think people also tend to like them because there are a few other things that make them more of a "simple" car, like fewer electronics.
If I was in the market for a MK I 996, I would be looking for a 2001 model. I'm not saying I wouldn't buy a 1999 or 2000 model, but I wouldn't actively seek it.
'99 C2 LSD
No electronic driving aids when traction control is turned off. Lots of grip in corners. Lighter than predecessors and followers. Great steering feel. There are faster ones but these have a special driver focus.
Aero isn't needed.
The true aerokit wings are fixed, though both tacos and Aerokit 2 wing blades are manually adjustable.
I agree that aero isn't NEEDED, but it really makes a car stand out from the rest of the 996 fleet.
You are in Cali where there is a fleet of 996's. I live in central Mass. People have nice cars and houses here and some own Porsches but I never see another 996 on the road. Last week I saw 3 Lambo's and one was a Diablo, no 996's though. Don't know why. The cars may be broke, the owners may be broke or the garage door may be broke. The cars are parked which is a shame.
A fleet is probably an understatement - between 996's - and 986's, which are pretty much indistinguishable for 99% of the population until they read the trunk, you can't throw a rock in any direction without nailing an arctic silver Porsche; I enjoy having a car that looks significantly different (and better, but I realize that's subjective).
I have a '99 C2 w/ LSD coupe and I like the drive better than my neighbors '01 convertible. I think the '99 has more of a 'tactile' feel than later 996's, but ones I've driven have all been great. I have not driven a Turbo, but I assume its fantastic.
"Ditto"...
Have road tripped to Southern California. And NYC. Never skipped a beat.
This may sound like a very elementary question, but could someone please instruct me on how to add a photo to my profile?
Thank you.
It's the optics of the car. The taco wing, with the swervy rocker covers just give it a elegant but stout look to the standard 996. I doubt the taco wing or the front air dam mod do anything for the car under ~120MPH, but it looks goooooood.
As a 4S owner I'm a bit biased as well. Although, I do absolutely love the MK1 aero cars.
I'm surprised, has nobody brought up the 40th anniversary cars yet? I believe they're the fastest NA 996s and had some very nice features/options standard.
LUV the looks of the 4S! Were both of you looking specifically for 4S's? 40th Anniversary editions are quite rare as we know. Only 1963 made. Don't think I've ever seen one on the street?
Well, actually it is exactly those. Which ones do you think don't have the double row IMSB?
The GT3 and 2001 turbo don't; but I was talking about the "regular" 996 models. The C2 and C4 do. Are you saying there is a MK I 996 with a single row IMSB? I haven't heard of such a thing.
That is exactly what he is saying. The 1997-1999 Mk1 had the dual row IMSB exclusively. Starting in 2000 there was a gradual and somewhat irregular switch to the small single row IMSB. A 2000 or a 2001 Mk1 can have either one.
Good information. I didn't realize that the switch was made in the 3.4L engine; I thought they were all double row IMSB. In any case, my point was that the '99 model is not "bullet proof" and immune to issues as it has been implied in the last 18 - 24 months. I actually find it comical how quickly the '99 model went from being the worst to supposedly being the best. It would be foolish for us as the "experts" to lead a prospective buyer to believe that the '99 model will not have any issues with the IMSB, porous engine block, or whatever. When i speak to my local independent mechanic about IMSB failures that he has seen, virtually all of them are 1999 cars.
I also think that we are discussing outliers here. Most 996 cars, regardless of the year, will be good vehicles for the average buyer.
I wasn't exclusively looking for a 4s but it was my first choice. I just happened to find one in my price range. I was also looking at targas. I saw 2-3 40th anniversary cars for sale while I was shopping. They were a bit more than I wanted to spend though and in my opinion the wide body 4s look edged them out.
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