61 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHFirst drive in a 996, these are highly underrated!
Leading reported evidence
Use because a particular model becomes 'hot'
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I refuse to get bent over and violated for the price of a new one (I've never owned a new Porsche), or similarly used because a particular model becomes 'hot'.
First drive in a 996, these are highly underrated!
Read full discussion summary
Leading evidence: 'Use because a particular model becomes 'hot'' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'best ac/climate control system i've experienced' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Use because a particular model becomes 'hot'' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
I find it almost impossible to drive it below the speed limit, feels faster than my 964, handles great, sounds awesome and has probably the best AC/climate control system I've experienced to date.
First drive in a 996, these are highly underrated!
closest you can get
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
IMO, the mk1 c2 versions are probably the closest you can get to the older Porsches in terms of raw, lightweight, less refined ride out of the 996 lineup other than a cup car.
First drive in a 996, these are highly underrated!
Frequently discussed actions (1)
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Use because a particular model becomes 'hot'
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I refuse to get bent over and violated for the price of a new one (I've never owned a new Porsche), or similarly used because a particular model becomes 'hot'.
First drive in a 996, these are highly underrated!
Reported and suspected causes (2)
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
best ac/climate control system i've experienced
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
I find it almost impossible to drive it below the speed limit, feels faster than my 964, handles great, sounds awesome and has probably the best AC/climate control system I've experienced to date.
First drive in a 996, these are highly underrated!
closest you can get
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
IMO, the mk1 c2 versions are probably the closest you can get to the older Porsches in terms of raw, lightweight, less refined ride out of the 996 lineup other than a cup car.
First drive in a 996, these are highly underrated!
Coverage and how to read this overview
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
61 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T113718Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Had an opportunity to drive a low mileage 2000 Carrera 2 today and I'm just floored at how exceptional it was. Civilized one minute, goosebumps the next. Incredible sound when driven hard.
Sure I really like air-cooled Porsches, even own one, but given $25k between an excellent 996 vs a tired SC or 3.2 driver, I wouldn't think twice. The watercooled 996 still delivers the wonderful Porsche sounds and thrills with the benefit of modern refinement and creature comforts.
An absolute steal at these prices and without a doubt the best Porsche value in today's market.
Welcome to the dark side. It's like you found out your water cooled had a hot sister that isn't very popular but puts out faster and is a lot of fun to ride..
Nice to hear some positive feedback for a change. Lots of 996 bashing going around by some who have never 'driven' one. You'll soon be banned from the air-cooled crowd.
IMO, the mk1 c2 versions are probably the closest you can get to the older Porsches in terms of raw, lightweight, less refined ride out of the 996 lineup other than a cup car.
You picked a good model for comparison.
The 996 sucks in general. The GT3's and Turbos are even worse than the base model. Anyone looking to offload their POS GT3 or Turbo for low money, feel free to contact me.
I have owned a '96 993 and a '99 996. Loved them both. I actually bought the 996 as the 993 hit 99k miles and I was driving it from Connecticut to Florida frequently. The 996 delivered the creature comfort better suited to those long rides ... and also delivered exciting, heart-thumping driving experiences. I now own a '07 C4S and love it immensely for all the same reasons and more.
Now you can share your wonderful 996 experience with your "thirsty" fellow 993ers.
Heh. As others have pointed out, they're only underrated by people who believe the "996 is teh devil" bullsh!t that appears far too often on the Interweb.
The reviews - and they were numerous - that claimed the 996 was "the best 911 ever" when it came out weren't incorrect - they've just been drowned out by all of the "eew, the headlights" and IMS bearing hand-wringing...
Love the Macan (wifey's). I'll take it any day over a Pani; it feels more quick on it's feet and nimble than the Pani. Feels more like my 996 with enough room for the kids and gear.
WTF is a Pani? I'm assuming it's a really unfortunate abbreviation for Panamera. If so, damn...some things are better spelled out.
If you buy a set of Weathertechs for one, did you just buy some Pani liners?
Exactly this. The Porsche snobs keep another great model down.
My summertime daily driver is an early Boxster, so I knew it was going to be good, just happened to a bigger step up than I could have imagined.
Think I'll sell my Boxster and Audi and welcome a 996 as my new year round DD. Now to find a Zenith Blue Carrera 4
I don't understand this thinking at all. Why buy something and then not enjoy it on purpose? I have a warehouse full of collector cars, Corvette, 67 Camaro, 911, AMG, street rods, etc., and drive them all, all the time. I maintain them and use them. So far, I've put 116k on my S class AMG, 110k on another one, 151k on yet another, and 122k on my 911, all still rockin'. I've put well over 100k each on three different 944's. I could care less what the next guy thinks about any of them when it's time to sell, I've already gotten my money's worth. For me, it's easier to drive and enjoy them, that's why I bought them all.
Who are you saving your car for?
I'm another newbie to the 996 and the water cooled world. I had my '86 Coupe for 18 years and loved it. Participated in HPDEs for about 10 years. Sold it last summer. over the years there was also a '78SC, an 80SC and a '64 356C. I enjoyed them all.
A few weeks ago I picked up a 2003 Aero. Hands down the most fun to drive so far.
I'll chime in here: I've owned only air-cooled 911's for over 35 years and just recently bought a 996. I have to say I too am impressed with the car, especially its ride, handling and power. Granted it's more refined than its air-cooled brother, but that's not a bad thing. I'm not giving up my 993S as I'm still basically a traditionalist, but I have only positive impressions of the 996. I'm blessed to have both a 993 and 996.
Cheers.
After owning a 964 for many years I recently acquired 2003 Cobalt Blue C4S with sport exhaust and the x73 suspension package. I love the 964 and my 69 911T but the 996 is my current favorite. I find it almost impossible to drive it below the speed limit, feels faster than my 964, handles great, sounds awesome and has probably the best AC/climate control system I've experienced to date.
I have absolutely no regrets with the purchase.
isla: Your car looks bad ***. I have a great color, but LOVE the color of your car. I even like the twist wheels on it! But I like my wheels better.....
;-)
It's all true the 996s are just plain ugly. Horrible drive and POS technology. They aren't worth crap and never will be. Absolutely no reason to hold on to these worthless under achieving slow unreliable aging cars.
Only reason I even drive one every day is just to save the mileage on my 84 and 2011 pcar.
I mean seriously it's my daily car and my favorite ride in the world -- oops I mean it's my beater car. It even sounds like an old piece of junk when the PSE is on, almost like They could figure out how to install a proper muffler. What junk.
If anyone in SoCal wants me to haul their 996 away, I'm happy to provide this service for $50 per car.
It's really the least I can do to get these eyesores
in my garage
off the road.
I've always felt this way about all cars. The best way to get your moneys worth on your investment is to drive it and enjoy it. Leaving your ride in the garage because you don't want to run up the miles is sad.
Yes and no.
I agree that it's somewhat sad that people don't drive their cars, BUT, without the collectors I bet we wouldn't have what support there is out there for older cars (or older anything) so it goes both ways.
I just think that whatever floats peoples boats, and as long as they are enjoying what they are doing with their money.
Several things. I loved the lines. It fit me perfectly. Comfortable but supportive. Very smooth comfy ride but still felt like it was on rails. Quiet interior until i floored it. The car is 14 years old and feels like i drove it off the lot yesterday.
It WAS going to be a temp porsche until 2018 or so when I raid the 401K for a new one built just for me.
Now after owning it for a couple of weeks i might never sell it.
Yes. Currently on my third one. Ought never to have parted with #1 and #2. Plan to drive, and fiddle with the current one ('03 C4S) until it's perfect, or falls apart from sheer overuse.
Whichever comes first.
I intentionally re-entered Porsche ownership with a 996 after 928/964/993/996 ownership, because I liked the last one, and because they are in my opinion seriously underpriced. I refuse to get bent over and violated for the price of a new one (I've never owned a new Porsche), or similarly used because a particular model becomes 'hot'. It also dispels any potential for the 'don't overuse it and ruin the value'.
Nonsense. Drive it, and repair what wears out. After all, let us be frank: It's not like drinking the last existing bottle of 1922 Chateau Margaux. It's a car. There are lots of them. Civilization will go on, if you wear yours out.
I just hit 80K miles on my 996 C2, and plan to keep using it as a daily driver for a while. My apologies to those living close to the on-ramp of I-40...
I have to many vehicles including antique cars and multiple motorcycles. The Porsche doesn't get driven often enough but when I do get to drive it I always love it. It gets cared for well and has a good home. I don't plan on ever buying another sports car, the 996 will always look good in my eyes and the performance is great along with the fact that its comfortable and handles great. Thanks for the IMS problems, if not for that I probably wouldn't have been able to afford one.
No it really doesn't but I'm still going to think about that for the next 3-4 years while I enjoy this one.
It would be really nice to order one straight from the factory EXACTLY the way I want it. However, even though I CAN afford that, I'm not sure I am WILLING to afford that after driving this one.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
