Loss of Power- Real or Perceived

So this may seem like an odd post. I recently switched to making my '99 my daily driver and there are times when it seems like the acceleration isn't quite what it used to be. Could this be I've gotten used to the relatively fast acceleration all the time and therefore it's not as "special" or could it be real and there are other causes I should look into. 69K miles and I had everything done at the 60K service that was supposed to be done. Thoughts ?

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Whether I drive one or the other every few days or so or every day or upon occasion drive one for hours and hours and cover hundreds of miles per day for a few days' time either car still feels special. My WAG is with no CEL, no other engine symptoms, the car's performance is just fine. You might be driving the car a bit differently which accounts for the perceived difference in performance or perhaps the temp/humidity where you live/drive is different enough on different days that the car's performance is a bit better or worse. You need to decide if what you are experiencing is real or imagined. Pay attention to when it happens. If it happens on different days at different times of the day that's one thing. If it happens during a drive, at different times during a drive, if the engine manifests some variability in performance, that's something else. If you believe it real consider having the car road tested by someone who can clearly distinguish between the normal but slight variations in an engine's output due to external influences and those variations that can be the early warning signs of a problem.

I have had the same experience as you. I will come back from a two week business trip and jump in my 2003 996 and it feels magical. But as I drive mine everyday that feeling goes away quickly (2-3 days) and becomes the norm, not less quick just what I am used to. But boy do I love those times I come home from a long trip and the car feels amazing!

I don't get to drive mine very much, maybe once every two weeks for a 50 mile round trip, and every blue moon for a trip to Los Angeles. Whenever It does get driven it feels all new again, its like buying a new car every once in a while. I mostly ride my motorcycles for fun and drive my pick up truck to work. I like all the vehicles but none get used as often as I'd like. I been riding the V8 bikes for about 7 years and they don't feel as fast any more as when I first rode them, I think you get used to power on any vehicle after a while.

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'm not alone. I guess it's a good problem to have that most people would like to have.

Maybe this is totally wrong but I tend to look at the mpg a car is getting and compare it to what it should have been when it's new. In my mind, if the numbers are close to where they should be then the engine really hasn't lost a lot due to tuning issues. From there we'd have to go to 0-60 times or some other measurement. In any event these cars are getting older, the transmissions are getting older, and all the moving parts are getting older. They seem to age well, but I'm sure there is a little less zip on them now than when they were new. I'll bet you anything that you're just used to it now and don't notice things as much as you did when it was new.

My 996 was my DD too. A lot of short trips. I also noticed the same thing as the OP. The car felt "sluggish" after awhile. When that happened, I would make it a point to get on the freeway and go for a long drive at higher RPM's. Could be my imagination too, but an "Italian Tune Up" always seemed to make the car run better. That and a car wash.

There are a few free smartphone apps to measure 0-60, hp, etc. I recommend you keep one on your phone when in doubt of your perceived power or lack of. That way no guessing is involved. Coming from 450hp turbo car, my 996 always felt a bit anemic at certain rpm bands. Just remember that torque is a bit on the lower side on these cars, especially lower in the rev band. Also heat soak affects this drivetrain layout more than others like FR cars.

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True and true. When I went from my E36 M3 to the 996, I was pretty disappointed at the lack of torque the "bigger" 3.4 had compared to the M3's relatively smaller-displacement engine. Now, with an E46 M3 as a daily driver, the 996's lack of torque is even more evident. Sometimes I even think my wife's 3.0L A4 has more grunt down low than the 996. I really wish they geared the 996s shorter. Still, as I'm sure you all agree, the 996 does shine in certain ways...

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I kind of like the power band for a daily driver. Can't really get in trouble too much under 3k rpm, and when it opens up it really does open up. Plus, not coming from a 6 figure income, the gas milage is pretty good with the 3.4. Sure it's not the fastest car out there, but it can hold it's own and isn't too expensive to drive around 200-300 miles a week. First is low enough, and maybe I'm driving it wrong, but just have to really wind it up before getting into 2nd and it's off to the races.

I typically use my 4 cylinder as a DD to work. Once I get in the 996 I notice the big difference, after driving it for 2-3 days, it feels like it has lost power. I go back to the 4 cylinder. It's all "imaginary".....I think we just get used to the feel, and "think" we lost power.

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Biggest problem I have with the Jeep or old Jetta is I forget that they can't stop as quickly and corner as well. Oh and trying to put the key in the wrong place and stepping on a clutch pedal that's not there...

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See, that's just it. You have to wind it up to get the the fun zone with these cars. That isn't ideal for daily urban/suburban use since more often than not, the road isn't open enough for it. The odd time that it is, then you have to worry about the police. What I'd like is torque in stop-and-go driving.

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So far I haven't been beat off the line... Granted I haven't lined up to many other power cars, but it takes a bit to beat these. They were, something like, 5 seconds 0-60. It's not super fantastic, but it's also nothing to shake a stick at. With a manual I don't want any more torque in stop and go. Honestly, I want to be able to easily let out the car in first and let it crawl along and not have to worry about spinning tires or things getting too jumpy in first or second. Not that it's a great car in stop and go, but it's not the worst thing ever. Nothing wrong with winding things up either. That's just where the power band is with this engine and cam. What we get in return is a higher top speed and higher HP in the upper rev bands, which is similiar to more race engines other than we're still able to crawl along on the street easily. Not that it's the best engine ever, and only speaking for the 3.4's, but they did a decent job designing it and making it driveable.

Don't get me wrong, Chiamac...I do enjoy the 996 tremendously. I guess I just want the best of both worlds. The 996 kinda does remind me of another all-time favorite - the E30 M3. Had to wind up that S14 as well!

If you want torque at low RPM, you're gonna need a diesel. My 996 does not feel down on power - but that may be because I'm a "performance driver." As an added bonus, I understand that this will cause my IMSB to last forever.

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+996, I still have my e30 m3 and it isn't AS BAD as that. LOL. I also previously had a S2000 and I can't decide which is worse, the e30 M3 or S2000 in terms of peaky power band.

I think you haven't waxed it in a while causing the coefficient of drag to increase. Three fresh coats should fix the issue... well, that and a beer.

Check your tire pressures