c2 owners

Does anyone feel sometimes that are cars are too "plain?" I sometimes look at turbos with envy --new 997 jealousy. I know im crazy and seeking therapy daydreaming about other cars. oh well -- stuck inside from the rain Mike

I would agree, in the base platform, but with mods, oh my the fun you can have. Wing, wheels, trim, interior the list can go ON and ON until your wallet cries mercy!

Of course. That is why they make newer cars. Take solace in the fact that, outside the Porsche enthusiast group, few people actually notice the difference between a 996 and 997.

If you had a Turbo you would probably feel the same way, you would want the Carrera GT

My 2000 C2 is near stock, but oh how many people ask when I got it and are amazed to find out that it's not brand new.................... I still look at it and think what a beautiful car it is - the lines are basically the same whether you stick on an extra wing here or a bit of lego there. Don't get me wrong, but when you look at older 'classic' cars, don't you think the ones with mass mods look a bit...............tacky?

Thats what drove me to the decision to buy a turbo... I love the 996 in its base form. But everytime I see a turbo i just drool. I did see a 996 with a teck art aero kit, and it was smokin and would have considered buying it. The turbo just got me though. 911 lines are classy in any form and the are all beautiful cars. I think its personal taste. Most people dont know the difference between a 996, a 996TT or a 997. Its a slippery slope for sure. Youll always want the "next step up" from what you have. your car is super nice. Be happy with what you have. Or maybe put an aero kit on it if it makes you happy to make it a little more aggressive. Lets be honest.. do you really need to get to 60 in ~4 seconds?

It all depends on where you are coming from. If you drove a beater all through college, worked hard to get a great job and saved every dime for your C2, (OK, like me), the C2 is never going to get "plain". I just consider myself lucky to own and drive one everyday. If, on the other hand, you grew up around Ferraris and Astons, even a Turbo won't cut it. A C2 will certainly be "plain". The key is to always set your sights on something higher (maybe the 08 M3 or 996TT for me), but never stop wanting what you already have

My 2 cents: When I first saw a champagne colored 996 in the late 90's I couldn't understand where the buggy headlights, upright windscreen, and rear fender flairs had gone. I compared it to a Ford Probe routinely. A light colored stock 996 (especially at US spec height) is a very plain-looking car. Aeros, Turbos, 997s are all improvements.

Plain?? I don't think so!! Hotness..... More...

Thats smokin Ray.

i hate to add to your neuroses on this subject (and esp in this rain), but i recently picked up a 997 b/c, among alot of reasons, i felt the narrow-bodied 996 looked a bit too feminine from the rear (i know, that didn't sound right to all you dudes out there), whereas, the 997 is a lot more masculine with its curves (i know, again). although, i still think the 996 is a great car and still looks good.

It's all personal preference. I LIKE the simple, classic look of the C2/4. I don't like the "busy" style of the Turbo. PS--I usually associate MORE curves with women!

I have a standard 2000 C2, and I have very efficiantly cured my jealousy: I took a 2007 997 for a 1/2 hour spin, and realized that the difference is minimal, with the exception of a smarter looking dashboard. For the price difference of $50k, it's not worth it. Then I tested a 2004 GT3. An awasome car, but the interior is identical with exception of a 9,000rpm tach. With every day driving in Houston traffic, there is virtually no difference. The only real difference would be the DE events. But for an additional $50k? Not worth it. I'm a happy plain 996 driver!

I live in Silicon Valley which is filled with expensive exotic cars. Despite this my Porsche does get a lot of attention and nice comments from people. I have a totally stock C2 with no extra bling....not even clear side markers. I really don't think the 996 C2 is plain at all and it's obvious to me that people around me thinks it's a very nice car. Of course I dream of a turbo or a new 997. And my beloved Porsche does look kinda plain when it's parked next to a Ferrari 360 at our Saturday Santana Row meetings. But am I willing to spend another $50K to get a 997? Or another $150K to get a Ferrari? 997...no Ferrari....I WISH I had that kind of money to spend on a car!! I for one is very very happy with my plain C2. I smile every time I got out in the garage. And when I park it look back lovingly until she is out of sight. Fiance thinks I've lost my mind completely....

I think that the essence of a pure sports car should be all about the driving experience and not about the bling. I really like the simplistic design of the 996 interior and exterior. I believe that the 997's are more luxurious looking than the 996, but I would not buy a 997 for this reason. There are many other cars with better looking interiors and more agressive body styling than the 997's, but from a overall driving experience you will be hard pressed to beat a 996. Like others have said you would have to spend a lot more $$$$ to get a better performing car.

Funny coming from a fellow 40th Anny owner - with GT Silver paint, the turbo bumper and GT3 skirts, I think our cars are quite distinctive. If you lower yours and put on some 19" RG5s (like my car), you'll get a thrill every time you walk out to it...and PLENTY of compliments.

Look at my avatar, I like the way my car looks over stock 996 turbos even though I have inexpensive wheels, the only mod I have done in the looks department.