Tried a couple different seats: Cobra Nogaro, Sparco Evo

Im only a month into ownership but the stock seat was absolutely roasted (torn, peeling, hardened). I already had the Sparco, which was intended for my prior car, and initially installed it in the 996. Both seats were mounted on the PCI slider mount. Good fitment in the car, easy install, no real issues. The Sparco is definitely supportive, would be great on track, but is quite the challenge to get in and out of, and I'm not crazy about the esthetic, if we're being honest. The Cobra looks a bit more appropriate inside this particular car. Its significantly easier to get in and out of. Support around the legs is obviously less than the Sparco but its still a major improvement over stock seats. The materials are pretty good too. Overall, definitely keeping the Cobra. Very happy with it. Would love to get a matching pair but I need the folding passenger function for my son in back, and my wife wouldnt want to sit in any sort of bucket. I'd like to get a better feeling shifter next, and perhaps a smaller diameter steering wheel (with the airbag still). Anyhow, nothing groundbreaking here, but figured I'd share for those interested.

How is the shape of the backrest? I'm used to U shaped seats that you sink in to, whereas the stock 996 seat is very much V shaped and I feel like a metric hex key barely fitting in a slightly smaller American hex bolt. Did any of the seats you tried feel wider than stock?

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Are you referring to the shape of the bottom or the back rest? The bottom of the Sparco was a lot tighter than stock, but was comofrtably supportive from the kidney-to-shoulder area. The Cobra bottom is more supportive than stock but more spacious than the Sparco. The Cobra backrest is similar to the Sparco, but feels a bit more curved across the back instead of flat. For reference, im like 5'8", 165 lbs, somewhat/formerly athletic or average build. The stock seats have zero shoulder support, so they of course felt very flat and open there. They always felt a bit narrow around my kidney/side areas, but not stiff enough to actually hold me.

You can try to find a set of used leather 996 GT3 seats or Recarros. My GT3 seats are extremely comfortable and supportive for both street and track driving. I will from time to time make a drive from Chicago to Phila in my 996, and my back feels better supported than when driving my Audi Q7. You can make adjustments by adding or removing velcro pads under the cushions for various support areas. There are a couple of challenges to be aware of. 1. I am 61 and still work out, so its not a problem getting in and out of the seats, but it can be difficult for some. 2. You can't use the back seats for kids. They have no way to get out. 3. Your spouse/partner may or may not like them. My wife is 5'1 and doesnt like the seats because she sits to low. I made a foam pad with velcro for her to use under the seat cushion, but she has no interest. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. She always tells me its my car not hers, so I can do what I want with it. When I can't get in and out of the seats in 25 years, the car will go to my son. With Sabelt Harnesses Without Harnesses

The problem with the Porsche race buckets is they're now $10000 for a nice set.

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They are expensive. The best alternative was the Recarros which are pretty much the same without the elephant ears and at a substantially smaller price. But a bottle neck developed during the pandemic and Recarro had company troubles that made them tough to get. Knowing what I know today about the GT3 seat, if I was to set up another 996, I would look for a set with beat up leather for a low price and get a leather shop to re-apolster it. Same can be said for the recarro version. Unfortunately I cant remember the name of the Recarro seat. But someone will know it.

Love my GT3 Euro Buckets.... They are uber-$$ now.

For some of us, those GT3 seats would be worth more than the cars they are in. I can�t fathom spending $10k+ on seats - I�d like to know what some of you do in your day jobs

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I am a big fan of the Recaro Pole Positions FIA seats I put in my car. Have driven from NC to Chicago with no soreness or typical seat fatigue. I�m a small guy, so the narrower FIA version is ideal, but the ABE are a wider version and wasn�t impressed with the way they fit me personally when I recently sat in.

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Probably the Pole Postion ABEs, which i strongly considered as well.

Seeing as OP really only "needs" one seat, you can typically find OE GT3 bucket singles somewhat regularly and they are significantly cheaper than a pair. That would be my first choice. The seat you have is comfortable but it definitely looks a bit out of place. Recaro Pole Position ABE would be the only non-OE option I would consider personally as those came in the 993 and were actually available for purchase for the 996 via PM for a period of time.

I put Sparco QRT Performance seats on GT3 sliders in my black 6TT and they are very nice.

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How so ? The one thing I would advise with the Nogaros is the fitment of Cobra's own ultra low floor adaptor and side mounts. They allow the seat to be placed far lower than any other mounting arrangement whilst retaining runners. I tried a Sparco Evo in this same car, no matter what side mounts I used, I couldn't get it low enough to be comfortable.

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I agree with you. Your seats look fantastic and very suitable in your car. A pair of the plain blacks would look great in my car too, but it'll have to be just 1 for now. I have The PCI mount and sliders, and the Cobra sits notably lower than the Sparco, and could go lower still. Cobra actually put thought into their shell shape to allow for more drop compared to the Sparco. But either way, they're significantly different seats. I wouldnt have even tried the Sparco if I didnt already own it from a prior application. Good seat but not what I wanted for this.

Cobra seat looks fantastic. It honestly looks like it was made for the car. Congrats. I just installed a set of PP seats and they’re easily the most rewarding mod I’ve done. Before buckets, it always felt like the car was on edge. Once I switched, I realized it wasn’t the car, it was me sliding around in the stock seats. With buckets, you’re planted and connected, and you can actually feel how much more the car has to give instead of feeling like you’re about to slip. Getting in and out takes a little getting used to, but you figure it out quickly. The easiest way is to back in with your back toward the passenger side, then rotate into position once you are seated. For getting out, using your hand on the door sill helps a lot. You might fumble it the first few times, but it becomes second nature pretty fast. Congrats again, looks awesome.

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Nice! And i totally agree on all points. The reason i bought that Sparco was due to a sore lower back after a track day in my prior car. Didnt realize it til the night/day after the track, but I had clearly been physically bracing my body within the car/seat to keep from sliding around. And yes, there is certainly a technique to getting in and out. Placing your left hand on the door sill and right hand on the seat, and lifting up and over helps a lot.

I have seen several makes of seats for sale, a few I haven't heard of and wonder if they are any good. Companies like Braum (viper model), Corbeau, NRG, Bride, etc.. in Addition to the seats the OP listed, are any of these better (in what way) than the others? Thanks.