My foray into 996 ownership

Greetings fellow 996 owners! After a mere 20 days of ownership and somewhat more scouring these pages I thought it best to say hello! I have had an incurable affliction for 911s since my early days (thanks to my dad mostly) and have owned a 76 Targa for the past 7 years. I've been budgeting for a 3.2 coupe to add to the garage for a long time. So long in fact that by the time I reached my goal the blasted things doubled in value! So much for that plan! I was on daddy daycare duty with my 3 year old son recently and decided to take him for a drive out to a classic car shop. There was an R129 SL I had seen in the classifieds. The car wasn't that great but on my way back I drove past the local P-car specialist and there she was. I clearly remember the first one I ever saw. I was on holiday in Rome in December 98 and a brand new silver Carrera was parked near the Spanish steps. It was the most beautiful thing ever. I never forgot how amazing that car was when it came out. So I ended up with a 1999 C2 Glacier white on black tiptronic, sunroof delete, 85k km on the odo, beter condition than anything else I own. Still discovering things about the 996 almost every day, but my thoughts thus far in no particular order ( from the perspective of a hopeless convert/fanboy) : - I really love this car. - The aesthetic things that the popular press criticizes are things I actually quite like! - I like the clean uncomplicated lines of the sides (not unlike the early 911!) but with super sexy hips. - I like the clean GT1-like headlights. For me it really captures 90s Porsche design. Fried whatnow? - I also like that it looks like a Boxster from the front. It is unassuming. When I see one approaching my thought process invariably goes from something like 'cool a Boxster' to 'no saweeet a 911!' - Have you seen the brakes on this thing?!? Oh my..... - It's a tippy! The first auto anything I have ever owned. I do understand why the enthusiast normally shuns it. It works well, but you are indeed a little disconnected from the mechanical operation of the car. Having said that, I do get the impression that it is (paradoxically) more of an issue when driving medium speeds. Faster 'spirited' driving in manual mode feels great! Weird. - I keep opening the doors really slowly, savouring that slight window movement! Loved it 98, still get a kick out of it in 2015. I know, I have car geek issues... - OMG I bought a potential self-imploding car. Well ok if it happens it happens. Play the odds. Its a modern 911 at a seriously discounted price. Can't have everything! I want to drive this car as often as possible so won't worry about it too much. - It may be a 'modern' car, but it sure still is quirky! No cubby, have to open the frunk with a lever, blows dust up from the front fans when driving over dirt, cupholders (original and still with the car) need to get shoved into the airvents, hahaha. This is no normal family sedan! - Can't get enough of that little growl before quieting down into a purr when you turn the ignition. - Nobody in my family believes me when I say it is 16 years old. Is it really?? - Love the interior, love the leather seats, no idea why people go on about the plastics etc. Maybe if you paid $100k for the car you want everything draped in hand stitched leather and alcantara, but I didn't! And it's been cared for. - This car smells great. And not just inside! More dodgy car geek behaviour... Enough enthused banter! Will be around the forum to collect more tips and info as the ownership matures. Cheers from South Africa!

Congrats. Enjoy!

WTF (Way to funny)! It great to see you've "come out of the closet" as a P-car wierdo that we all are. Not all are as brave as you to admit it so WELL DONE I say! Yes the 996's are and interesting car and an interesting bunch of Forum users. The 981 Boxster / Cayman guys? Yawn... the Turbo guys... Yawn... but the 996er's? BAMM! They're super active and all over this Forum. Congrats and enjoy (while the prices are still low!).

Welcome! I forgot how clean the euro bumpers look.

Nice! Still in love with my 996 after 2 1/2 years too.

Congrats! I would like to see my car in front of the Spanish Steps!

I relate to your enthusiasm. I also like the headlights, and the simple lines, and the interior. Mine also has the TIP and it works fine and I actually like it. Yours is an early one with good odds that it will run for many many miles without any disasters. Have fun.

I really love the color of your car and the license plate sets it off. Congratulations and enjoy. I love how you have found all the negatives from the haters and turned them to positives, my thoughts are the same . Cheers and enjoy!

Congrats and welcome!

Nice colour! I was searching for white, but no dice. Congrats! I'm into my third week with mine, love it!

Welcome! Hope you enjoy as most 996 owners do! Post some more pics! I was between a white 99 coupe and my 2002 Targa. However, I preferred the black interior and the fact that the Targa had IMS/RMS done! Also the white was fully re sprayed to white from blue or something like it! Show us the interior! I can see that the steering is on the correct side isn't it! lol

Got a tip myself and no complaints. It helped sweeten the wife into signing off on the purchase so she could drive it as well. We love 996's here so you are in the best company. Can't imagine that there are many 996's in South Africa. Why does everyone else have better plates than the U.S.

I have a tip too. Love it. Can switch to M mode for fun, and D mode when just driving in traffic. The second generation tip is much better than the first. Was in South Africa years ago. A beautiful county!!!

Congrats and welcome to Rennlist. Love the Porsche in white.

Thanks all! I must say, I'm really enjoying the 996 crowd here on Rennlist too! Quite a few 996s in SA actually, but obviously nothing like the numbers in the US. Porsche does pretty well over here. The showroom in Johannesburg is apparently one of the largest in the world and they just bought the Kyalami GP track and are busy refurbishing it. Funny that you guys like the plates! The legally required front one is a bit of an eye sore unfortunately. Here are a few shots of the car in the sun. It is currently sporting black twists. I initially thought I'd get them refurbed asap back to silver, but they have already grown on me. Think it kinda works with the colour combo. It is was done to a really high standard too, so I guess they are safe for now.

Congratulations and Welcome! I hate to be the one to tell you, but apparently some vandal broke into your car and put the steering wheel on the wrong side!

What?! How the heck did the PPI miss that. Pfft! Actually pretty funny. My Targa is LHD and I keep trying to get into the passenger side in the 996 now, haha!