'01 & '02 differences

Is there really a big difference between the '99-'01 996's and the '02-present? I was at the dealer picking up some parts and the Sales Rep was motoring on about how great the post-'01 cars are. Night & day according to him, which seems greatly overstated but since I haven't driven either I thought I'd get some feedback from the owners themselves. According to him the extra power/torque make it pull similar to a 993TT in a NA car.

Sure. Aside from some cosmetic changes, they retuned the suspension and added a bigger engine. 2001: 3.4 liter - 300 HP - 258 lbft 2002: 3.6 liter - 320 HP - 273 lbft Not too small of a jump in my book.

Also stiffened the body up. I forget the exact number, but it was a significant percentage. Different exhaust as well. More throaty.

Also different cylinder firing order which gives it a more air-cooled sound.... an 02 with the PSE sounds mean!!!! much better than the 3.4L motors...

I heard that the firing order myth was a falsehood. I know that the difference in displacement does come from stroke and that the bore is identical.

Standard Interior has an improved build on 02 cars. Noticeable difference.

Currently owning one of each, I will say there is a major difference. The first thing I thought was "there is no way the same company built these cars". Significant power increase, stiffer suspension (02 has 030 suspension), much improved interior and personally I like the looks of the 02 much better.

Hey John, how do you find the steering of your new coupe vs your 99 996.. they say the steering of the 99 996 is one of the sharpest from the 996 line... I love hte new 02 996... when you first look at it I think there is slight reservation about the lights... but the more you look the more you like.. the exhaust note sounds WAY better than the 99 as well (I have a 99) as for power... this is where I am confused.. I've driven both... the 02 has much better engine management system and flexibility but I was racing an 02 the other day from 80KM - 200KM and we were dead equal... he saw me coming from behind and I let him accelerate first just to see how much he really had... My 996 has 17" rims and tires... I think that would give an acceleration advantage over a similar 996 with 18" rims... maybe that's why I was able to keep up with him... also the 02 has more weight than the 99 the new cars definitely rock! have fun with it.. Peter

I like the visual changes to the '02, especially with the aero kits. Good to hear the comments about the added performance. I'll need to get a ride from a local PCA'er.

Firing order is apparantly a myth - although I've heard from numerous PSE owners that the 02/03 is actually much QUIETER with a PSE than the 99-01s. So something there changed - maybe the headers? My 99 with the PSE is loud and nasty, not sure I've ever heard anyone say that the newer cars sound any better...

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by c70Pete: <strong>Also different cylinder firing order which gives it a more air-cooled sound.... an 02 with the PSE sounds mean!!!! much better than the 3.4L motors...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"> NOT TRUE! The 3.4 firing order is in Group 0, Section 0, Page 6 of the tech manual and it says: "Firing order 1-6-2-4-3-5" The 3.6 firing order is in Group 1, Section 1-1 (MY02 and newer), Page 4 of the tech manual and it says: "Firing order 1-6-2-4-3-5"

Thanks for correcting me on that one Loren, somebody I know who tunes Porsches all day long had told me that... I guess it aint true... Regards, Peter

c70Pete, Sorry, it was not meant to a correction... so I hope you were not offended. This is one one of those rumours, that just doesn't seem to want to go away.

I think the power is much more noticeable on the lower end of the RPM range (torque). I still think the 02 is faster even on the top end though. As for the steering, I never really noticed any difference. I'll have to drive both tonight and see if I notice any difference. Haven't driven the 99 back to back with the 02 lately cause I had the 99 in the shop to fix a curb rashed wheel and sunroof creaking. OT - I think I may take a family photo tonight of the 02 (me) 99 (wifey) battery powered carrera (son) and pedal boxster (daughter). Is that too corny? (If saying corny isn't bad enough)

John H - I think the PCNA would love you to take such a picture! Might even get a free ballcap.

---- Sorry

My 2 cents. When I was looking for my P-car, I test drove both '01 and '02 models. The added torque combined with the extra horsepower was noticeable. It seemed that the '02 was more flexible to drive in normal traffic (less shifting). However, the aero pkg offered with the '99-'01 models was the primary deciding factor in my selection.

I had an 00 Cab and traded it for an 02 Cab. The 02's are much different, the torque is much better (but I don't think the car is faster due to added weight), the sound is better, the turn-in is quicker, and I like the looks better. The best thing is that I have had zero rattles and other warranty issues after 1 year My 00 was in many, many, times... Roy