Hello again & your opinion asked

Hi all, I introduced myself 2 months ago, at that time without a 996. In December I bought mine in Germany and brought it over to the Netherlands. At the end of the week I expect to receive my licenceplates (finally!) and be able to drive the car at last I bought a 2001 996 Carrera Cab. in Artic Silver/Metrolblue with 24000 miles. - 6 speed - Litronics - PSM - Klimacontrol - 3 Spoke steeringwheel - Leatherseats With importtax (8000 euro's) I paid almost 50.000 euro's. Yes driving a Porsche is also expensive in Europe ;-) So, now my question, I want to install the painted rear/centerconsole in Artic silver. Should I also go for the Artic plastic part surrounding the AC control? (pic 1) Or is that to much (pic 2)? I feel the small console just above the centre console should be in Artic silver. What do you guys think? Greetz, Maximus

Hey Maximus, that's one expensive car compared to the US!! At today's rates that's a $64k car!!!!! I'd go for pic 1 option, looks like a complete solution that's meant to be like that - rather than half and half painted. Also matches the silver exterior, so looks intentional, and helps balance out the large expanse of blue

I'll take #2

I think #2 looks better as well.

actually i would go for another option - i have the factory "rear console painted" option and that only goes as far as the rear console and none of the center part, i.e., none of the CD storage part, or the storage compartment below that. Of course, I prefer the version I have - I think Pic 1 looks too much and Pic 2 looks like it's only half done.......I think it's simply a case of what you think looks best.

#1

#1

Maximus, my name is Max too I bought my 996 in Germany too. You did not pay import tax, you paid registration tax. In Czech the same tax is 300 euros. EU and harmonisation of taxes, my ***. The EU are actually trying to annoy countries that screw you with this greedy tax, well in Holland at least. If it is one market you should really be able to register your car in the country that has the lowest registration tax. Of course governments like yours and particularly Denmark and Sweden do not want to play ball. In Denmark taxes would be 200% making your 50k car 150k I hope it works out for the consumer in the end.

I would do this...

no. 1

congrats..... and i say instead of silver, i say red......yeah......i say red.....oh wait, you have blue interior, nevermind, #1

^ What he said. The rear console alone looks nice, but the lower console/cubbies and upper console/stereo need to be done together not like in #2.

I'd say #1 or leave the center console (CD storage) black. As "spiderv6" already suggested. Yeap my EU friends taxes suck in a lot of EU countries. I'm also European and have previously imported one car from Germany to Austria (now I live in "tax heaven" Virginia with only 3% sales tax on cars but annual property tax). In Austria you still need to pay 7-16% NOVA (on top of VAT) which is a kind of tax on the current market price of the vehicle, depending on the fuel efficiency of the car. First thought in the early 90s to eliminate luxury tax (32%) and reduce it down regular 20% VAT, then nice to have as "VAT harmonization" wouldn't allow for charging VAT within EU. However, I think you got a nice car "Maximus" congratulations! IMHO low millage is hardly ever wrong on these cars (24K miles = 38K kilometers). I experience the 996 cab as one of the most sophisticated convertibles on the market - you'll love it! Now it's time for MODS - get a B&M SSK, then ...

You folks in the US don't know how lucky you are! Okay, you probably do, but that price isn't wildly more than you'd pay for the same car off a dealer lot here in Canada. US prices are crazy low.

Yeah, we do. I'm grateful every single day.

that Canadian prices are higher than the US really confuses me. I know that comparable new and used cars in Europe (forget about Asia-astronomical) are higher than US (BM's, Porsches), but why Canada? or more specifically, why lower in US? More market satuation/volume here?

I say #1

Yeah, I think it has to be supply. Plus, Canada's a different kind of market. Consider Toronto: The GTA has, like, 15% of the entire population of the country, yet it's only served by two Porsche dealers. So it's easy to control pricing to some extent, even on used ones. 996s on dealer lots right now range from $60,000 to $84,000CDN for a C2 coupe, $49,000 to $96,000 for a C2 Cab, some CPO'd and some not (source: Porsche's Pre-Owned search engine). Private sales are all over the place, of course. But I wanted to buy my first one from a dealer, and I ended up paying $52,000 for a car you guys would have snorted at for $35,000.

These painted consoles, are they really just painted on the originals? Is this why they want the core as trade in? Has anyone just painted theirs instead of buying one painted? If so what kind of plastic paint product?

I think there might be a sponsor around here somewhere who could answer those questions...

of those 2 options I choose #1. You got it. Pull the peices off, scuff them up, several coats of paint and away you go. I'm going to be doing mine in the spring.

Yup, that's why so many of us are driving US cars now. I saved about $27,000 CAD vs buying a less equiped car from the local dealers. Close to a thousand p-cars were imported into Canada last year from the US.

After doing my lower console, I felt the interior was still missing something. Maybe I'm just mod crazy, but I like the interior better with the body color matching upper, lower consoles and batwing with aluma look hazard & ignition surrounds, gauge trim rings and MY02 shifter. Actually the blue interior looks better stock then my "mustard" color so you'll be good which ever way you go.

Teach me to buy a Porsche on impulse...

Ok, thanks for all your reactions! To make things a little bit more difficult, what about this subtle, but elegant solution (number 3). Only console and the dash trimline (what is the right word for it?) in Silver. I can remember a post where owners discribe to proces of replacing this line. But it wasn't an easy job. The whole dashboard has to come out? Any advice on "how to" is welcome . Other mods I'm planning for the near future are some nice original 18 inch wheels and an aftermarket exhaust system. Wheeldesign of choice are the GT3/sportdesign wheel, sportclassic wheel or maybe even the Turbolook II wheel. I don't like the Turbolook I wheel. I do like the design of the Carrera II wheel, but I'm not sure it looks good on the pre facelift 996 cab. I didn't do any resarch yet on the choice of the exhaust system, but I think the Porsche "Klappenauspuff" sounds great and I also like the Cartronic and Gemballa systems. Any info welcome I haven't any good pictures of my 996 yet, but included two pictures taken with my mobile... (yes the door isn't closed in the picture which shows its side ) Greetings, Maximus

Here's a shot of mine, call it option #3 with the CD tray surround left in black to draw a nice contrast IMHO... I'll be adding the silver Hazard & Key surrounds to continue that contrasting look. Personalized but still looks stock. Good luck with the new ride. Prost!

The silver trim you describe can be ordered through Erik at bumberplugs.com. He can also e-mail you detailed instructions. If you're not particularily patient it's best to be done by a Pro.

The dashboard does not have to come out. I believe there is a good DIY on RennTech.org that shows how to replace the dash trim.

Maximus, I'm all for the option three! I don't like anything loud in front of me. All black dash keeps my attention to the Tach. I also have option three set up on mine. Here's a 'not so great' pix. CONGRATS on your Carrera!!!

I like pic #1

ja maximus...nummer 3 is the beste optie....en je kan ook alu ringen op je dasboard meters plakken. een nederlandse amerikaan.....en je aan the snelheid houden...of elk weekend naar duitsland rijden!

Say WHAT??

Haha Nicolaas je hebt gelijk. Goed Nederlands trouwens! Guys, Thanks for all the opinions, I 'll post some better pictures soon! Greetings, Maximus