cheap dash vs full leather

I am considering purchasing a 1999 996 coupe. I am doing most of my shopping on Autotrader and Ebay. My guess is that I may have to travel up to 300 miles to find the perfect car. I have decided on a few options that I really want to get (18" wheels, LSD, good sound system, etc...). My questions is: Does a car with full leather = a dash that doesn't look so cheap? I have read some posts that seem to refer to this but I have never seen the difference myself. Can someone post some pictures of what the difference looks like? What other options should I consider? Lastly, Anyone know where can I find a list of option code definitions? Thanks, Mark

From my experience I had no idea what the dash looked like when it was NOT full leather. We got our car with full leather interior not seeing the non-leather. I recently remembered to check it out and I have to say if you can get full leather, get it. The non-leather dash was not very impressive. The one I saw looked like cheap plastic basketball material.....you know, the one with all the bumps.

PM me (or post here) your email address and I will send you a pdf of the options list.

...email: [email removed] Thanks, Mark

Just emailed it to you Mark. Best of luck to you on your search

I had 'basketball' on my boxster - it was a bit crap full leather on my 996 - incomparable

I have "basketball" in my 996. I think in 2000 the standard switched from the basketball plastic to leatherette, which is a bit more appealing, although not the real leather. The all leather option IS nice to have. I do see full leather dash's going on e-bay all the time, all to the tune of $300-$400

Wouldn't buy one without full leather....gives the car the class you deserve....otherwise, why not buy a Viper?

i hope you're not saying that porsches like mine, which don't have full leather, or fancy carbon fiber trim, have been downgraded to viper quality?

Here is a pic of my full leather interior. I love it. When buying used it makes sense to get one optioned out. Take your time and wait for the right one. It took me a year to find mine. Exact color, option, miles, and price combo. I really did not think I would find it all and then one day she appreared and it all just worked out! Good luck on your search. You will not regreat the desicion if you buy one!

I did not have full leather in my 04 Targa, and I hated the plastic dash - IMO it just looks cheap in the otherwise phenomenal car. I would never again buy a new one without full leather; when buying used, it makes even more sense, since it really won't cost much, if any, extra. No offense intended for anyone that doesn't have full leather, that's just my personal opinion.

We ordered our car with full leather and the large leather package, which means virtually everything in the interior is leather. It's more work keeping all that hide treated, but well worth it.

Other options to consider: * Sport seats (reaaaallly nice) * Unless you live in Cali or Flroida - heated seats! I find them invaluable, and apparently hard to install later * Aero kit - looks great (except the wing), and is damn expensive to retrofit, while it doesnt make the used car much more expensive than non-aero kits * PSE

if you are going the used route, then full leather is definately a must... unfortunately for the original purchaser that paid out his *** for it... when dealers buy these cars at auctions, get it as a trade-in, etc.. there is absolutely nil premium for the option, (maybe a few hundred dollars at most).. give it time and wait until you find one with it, you'll end up paying the same price.. so no sense in even getting one without it..

I think we are losing perspective here. Full leather is much nicer, but it was an expensive option and therefore is not going to be on all that many cars. I think that when buying a used car, the condition of the car is more important than the options or the color. It does make sense to take your time and shop around. It also makes sense to look for more fully optioned cars since there is little premium placed on them, but would you really want to take a pass on a great car because it didn't have full leather?

Actually yes. If full leather is something I value, then yes. I'm buying a very expensive car, so it should fulfill most of my desires. And with so many used cars out there, then I'll rather wait for the almost perfect car than buy something where I every day wished I had bought some other car. Naturally is has to be in good condition as #1 - thats not the point. But at least for me, having the right color, the options I want etc. is just as important.

I would only buy full leather... If your buying a 99 that is a "for sure"..... In 2000 they did upgrade the plastic and it looked better still cheaper in my opinion.... I was one that ordered my 00 C2 with that option and never regreted it...

Prolly the dummest thing I have read on this board. Congrats!! 2 many yuppies thinkin of trim and options and think thats the only thing in a Porsche, what about the raw car? So you guys wouldn't get a cup car?

Actually, your spelling and grammar hardly makes you a Mensa candidate If you want a "raw" car, why not a Viper? WAY more performance than a stock 996. But most people with our levels of disposable income want a car with performance, comfort (options), & style (full leather, CF pkg, deviating stitching, etc.). I would never buy a 996 without full leather

Yuppies? Ha Ha... You sure have never met me... I love when people on these boards make assumptions and have no idea who people really are. By the way, they are called OPTIONS... So that some that so desire, can opt for.. I guess you have no radio, CD or a/c in your car since those are really trim options also and have nothing to do with the "raw car" right? If we all had the same likes and dislikes we would all drive the same cars, color and all... Hmmm.. now wouldn't that be a boring world to live in... I ordered full leather in my 2000 because it looked better. Would I buy a cup car??... You bet and be on the track with it as much as possible.

Mark, go full leather. It makes a huge difference. Also, be ready to expand your search well outside 300 miles. Although there are a lot of 996's on the market, you often have to look long and hard for your perfect car - and trust me, it better be perfect or you'll be posting on the board in 3 months how you wished you'd have held out for this or that... You're in St. Louis, not exactly the Porsche capital of North America. Don't be afraid to hop on a Southwest flight for 99 bucks and drive it back home.

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wasn't even talking 2 u.... this is soo funny 2 me....Sorry guys, say what u say or think what u like. Sure leather looks great, I just think thats a weak reason to reject a 996 if it doesn't have it.....

Rushing my grammer and typing fast is different from making a limp-wristed comment like " I would never get a 996 without full leather" these are sports cars... pull yer skirt up.. do you understand that or should I re-type it ?

vulture.....you are quickly destroying any credibility you have built recently. It is one thing to have an opinion, but it is entirely different to call people out because they desire a specific option. And remember just that, they are options. These cars wuilt built to be both track beasts AND city cruisers. And in any city cruiser you want luxury. So, it is a fine line between the two. I track my car frequently (as does the wife) but also drive around town as a daily driver. In the spring I will be adding another car to the stable and if I do the cup car style route it will be as raw as raw can be if it is going to be dedicated for the track. But, if it is going to be just like the current 996 we have then it will be setup the same way......modded for the track but luxurious for the streets.

I have the partial/ std leather interior, it's OK, but I will order full leather next time. However, I will say the std interior has stood the test from my kids very well, but for this kind of $$ the car should have full leather as std equipment.

Well, sorry for offending you or anyone else. I was just stating my opinion. I think the 996 is a wonderful car and one shouldn't be overlooked because of leather. Options are options and people are people and they will always be different...

LOL..thats why he's a vulture. Full leather is nicer than the pleather!! But you guys can have all wood interior if thats what you like. Wait a minute, will this save any weight to the car??

If somebody could figure out how, then leather would be the new mod eveybody wants

Dell, would you mind sending me a copy as well? Here's my email address: [email removed] Thanks!

sent.

Buy the car you want - leather or no leather- they are awesome. I bought my 996 because it DRIVES awesome, everything else is secondary in my humble opinion. Sure it would be nice to have full leather, but a black interior in a 99 looks pretty good. I couldn't be happier with my car and don't regret it for a second. When I went to look at and drive my 996, I was blown away at how tight it was and in such great condition- I can't imagine dismissing such a great car because it doesn't have leather on top of the dashboard or whatever. When my friends and coworkers ride in it, they are all very impressed and LOVE my car- noone mentions lack of leather on the dash, and the only time I even think I "need" full leather is when I read comments on this board. As has been said, Ebay sells all the full-leather components for good prices - so if you really want it, you can add it later. Don't pass on a good car and wait months and months - and drive hundreds or thousands of miles- just so you can have some leather on your dashboard... that sounds kinda silly to me to go thru so much for something like this.

get litronics, 18", aerokit also. full leather or partial is secondary to the condition or color of the car. if you are willing to pay a bit more, i'd opt for a newer model too. many 01 and 00 are in mid to low 40k while 99 are under 40k.

I've partial leather (metropole int, ocean ext) on my 996 cab. Nice, but could easily live w/o it; I found the full leather on my last P-car of better quality.