3.4L versus 3.6L ???

I am (with a lil good forutne) going to buy my first Porsche next year. What that Porsche will be I am not yet sure. I like the rear 3/4 view of the 996 very much, and I like the reliability (overall) of the 996. My question is, is the 3.6L a better more refined version of the earlier 996's? Not to mention I like the 2002 face a lil better. I just wanted to get some general info and pros and cons from those who own the cars. Thanks!!!

LOTS of threads on this ...search ealry cars had some issues..but buy the newest car you can afford.

A short list of the changes... - 20 extra hp (24 more than the '99) - more torque at a lower rpm (thanks to VarioCam Plus) - Better aerodynamics (20% less front lift and 40% less rear lift) - 20% stiffer chassis - improved interior - improved oiling (revised pan and baffles for better high g performance) - improved engine cooling (the newer cars run cooler as a result) - better fuel economy (1 mpg, but with $3 gas every bit helps) - improved suspension (reinforced strut towers, revised springs, shocks, bushings, and sway bars). - revised exhaust (better sound) - new headlights (some like the new lights) Now the negs - new headlights (some prefer the originals) - no LSD offered except the '04 anniversary model (option on the '99's) - 55 lb weight gain over the '99-'01 cars - e-gas (some do not like) - MOST system ('03's and '04's only)

Get the newest one you can afford, but don't hinge everything on whether or not it's a 3.4 or 3.6. The 3.6 will feel a bit more torquey down low as far as driveability is concerned, but don't think that means the 3.4 doesn't have any torque. The 3.4 pulls strong and smoothly from low rpms and I never really have to downshift to go up hills or to pass a car if I don't feel like it. It'll pull strong from all gears at low rpms and keep going willingly all the way to redline. I get 23mpg when I set the cruise at around 92mph, so I'm pretty impressed with this engine.

Yup!

The no LSD is a pretty big one I would think... I can't imagine that an LSD isn't std on a Porsche... that is just strange. How big of a diff is the LSD in anything other than track days?

Based on this, it sure seems that way.

+1 The general rule is buy the newest one you afford. Contrary to the list given, NO ONE wants a 911 that looks like a Boxster. This was the worst short cuts porsche did in just putting the Boxster front end on the 996. Have you ever seen a single post or pic of someone back-dating the look of an 02'-04'? Is anyone looking to put a 987 nose on a 997? Yet, there are many that updated their earlier cars. Yes, the Aerokit 1 cars do look nice, mostly because they don't look exactly like a Boxster. Another correction is that the newer cars are 55 lbs heavier than earlier cars. An 02' is 20kg (44 lbs) higher by base published curb weight from the 99' model year. From production improvements across the 2-year long 99' model year, they gained almost 20 lbs from production improvements. The older you go back, the greater the number of recalls and TSBs. Keep in mind also that this does difference is only in base curb weights and includes additional equipment that is standard on the 02+, but was optional on the early cars. Other factors that effect this are also things like wheel weighs make significant differences as the 02'+ Carrera 18" 5-spoke wheels were so much lighter than the earlier 18" Turbo look wheels, that the wheels alone almost completely evaporated the weight difference. don't assume the older car is automatcially lighter. Yes, you can remove 8 lbs by removing the strut tower reinforcements on the later cars, but why would trade this off for worse handling? The real advantages to an early car is simply it is cheaper to afford. A 99' is cheaper than an 01'. An 02's is cheaper than an 04'. This is not saying one will have a better ownership experience than another. just remember that Porsche tries to improve theri cars every year. They are a great option if you can't afford a newer one.

Hey nothing wrong with looking like Boxsters!! It's a beautiful car!!

That's right! And no self respecting Boxster owner wants a 911 looking his/her car either! But hey, can you really blame Porsche? They knew a beautiful design when they saw it.