Differences in early models

I've been looking at 996's, to take advantage of the drop in price (and sell my 993 will prices are still holding), and I found a few that I like. One is a loaded, immaculate '99 (in a smokin' color), an almost as nice (a point or to less in conditon at most in a color that is odd enough to be likeable) '00, and a higher mileage (good condition, but not as desireable color) '01. All are in good mech condition, so they're even there. All are in the 60-75K mile range, which is fine for the price, and price is pretty close to even. ALl have pretty much the same options, but the '00 is reaallly pimped out (of which only a couple of the items are good, but others are not). That being said, are there any finite details between those three model years that differentiate. I'm discounting the "first year jinx" of the '99, since any build problems would have appeared already, and would have been fixed. Thanks!

Bill, there are not a lot of differences in the 99, 00, and 01 model years, with the exception that the 99 may have LSD. I have also heard that the 99 is the lightest of the model years but I can not figure out why it is any lighter. IMO don't put any weight on the year, just pick the one that gets through a PPI the best and the one that you like the best. Good luck and welcome to the water side

good to see you're a believer! most 99's were good, but a bunch have devloped problems over the years. at 60k miles, most of the kinks have been found already, like you said. but tehre are still some "timebomb" issues but they are easily noticable (read: RMS). i will say though, i very much miss out on having cupholders in my '99.

small changes - exhaust muffler is differnt ('99 is 296hp, '00 is 300), no cupholders, no glovebox, no egas, no PSM.....perfect driver's car!!

'99 "C4" has 300hp and PSM

If aesthetics are important to you the 00-01 had a much better interior than the cheap look of the 99.

I forgot all about eGas. It doesn't matter in any way, I just remember that when I had my Boxster, there was a lot of discussion about it. I appreciate you folks latching on that I've left the given's out of the equation (RMS, PPI, etc.). I've already considered that while moving from one model to the other. Look at all the commotion over SAI, valves, etc., on the 993 board. Talk about worry! The main reason that I'm moving to the 996 is that I can put on the hardtop and get back to PCA DE. I haven't been able to go since I got my 993 (naturally, my Boxster had a rollbar), so I'm looking forward to that (all three cars come w/an HT-it seems most Cali and TX cars that I've seen don't have them, while many of the FL ones do-rain?). My wife believes all Porsches are ragtops (and I kinda have that bias as well ). She also misses our Boxster, so going back to a familiar interior will help on the domestic tranquility front. BTW, for "early build" on '99's what VIN range are we talking? All other things equal, it comes down to color and options. The '99 Cobalt is the most eye-appalling. The '00 in violet met. has the most "stuff" (wasn't that the "millennium" color? The car is pimped with the with the icky burled wood, and crest on the seats, but also has lits and the "ss" exhaust- and that "new millennium" <rolls eyes> cachet), but has 10k more miles, and the color is interesting, but is it long term? The '01 has 77k mi. but is the cheapest, and in the least desired color (ocean blue- I've only been looking for blues, yellows, and silver w/no black interior). While I'm going to miss my 993C4, I really have never been in a position where I can capitalize on the price disparity that's been going on in the market place. I have some commitments that will keep me from doing this until October if I don't pull the trigger today. At that point, I might wait until Spring, and start over. Thanks again!

Sent you an email / pm

Make sure that not only your region BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY the track you want to go to accepts the popups as an acceptable rollover protection. The harptop is a serious false sense of safety but does protect your canvas top should you be upside down. My old region and track said the pop ups and hardtop were acceptable but now at my new track (VIR) you are REQUIRED to run with a full roll bar in a 996/986. Hence I just bought a new roll bar for my 996CAB.

What is the"cheap look" on the interior of a '99 ?

Look at a 99 dash and a 00 dash and you will see what I am talking about.

Don't have many '00 around to compare it to.

try e-bay pics.

Keep in mind there are two versions of the 99 .... the early build which was basically the launch edition released in early 1998 and the true 1999 MY which was released in late 1998. My understanding (and experience) is that the bugs were largely worked out in the late versions. M

The 99's have pimpled plastic dash and some more of it on the doors. Also they have the grey spotted plastic surrounds on the vents and center console. One more thing they have vinyl head liners. The 00+ have a vinyl (or leather dash), painted surrounds and seude (Alacantara SP?) headliner. I have a 99 and at first glance the interior differences were big, but after living with it for a while I don't mind so much.

Thanks for the compare/contrast. I was going to say "basketball material" for the material but I guess pimple plastic works as well. I agree though, nothing that is a deal breaker. Yes the 00-01 has the much nicer interior but what are buying the car for? PERFORMANCE BABY!!!!

If you looking for the best driver's 996 that Porsche made (without all the "sissy controls" and weight gain), get the 99 C2. Cable driven throittle. light weight and LSD makes it the best driver's car in the 996 family.

Okay, thanks for the explanation ( don't have time to hunt for the info on Ebay). I don't have the painted surrounds but I do have a full leather dash and doors.

My MY99 C2 has leather dash and the granite grey finish on the trim. I actually like it because it does not show fingerprints and does not scratch easily. To each there own...

Porsche-t, your leather doortrim is immaculately maintained. It looks like it's a brand new car! One thing though, have you thought about swapping out the matt-black side-airbag bezel for the silver-painted one? I did that on mine and it looks much better, IMO.

You're right about various tracks could be different, but I only DE occasionally. So far, it seems that it's okay at Nelson and BeaveRun, and maybe Mid-OH. Those are the ones close to home. I'd love to do then Glen, though. That's always been a dream, and I haven't had the right car since I've accquired the "discretionary income" to afford the occasional DE !

Loren, Love that Red interior. Reminds me of my Boxster (naturally with AS).

The only thing I don't like about my '99 interior is the vinyl headliner, it gets flappin' in the back pretty good when the windows/sunroof are open while you exceed the posted speed limit. I did change to the 3-spoke wheel and the cf Tequipment shift **** though.

To find out most of the differences between the model years you'll want to look at the Service Techniks so... goto the Porsche Techinfo site and select the country Sweden , then click Training Documents and from there you can select different Porsche models (911, Turbo, Boxster, Cayenne, GT) and you'll get list of Adobe .pdf files for each model year showing the differences from the year previous.

MY01 has the little interior light diodes, electronic switches for opening the bonnet and the engine compartment...

Yeah, when you hit around 130, it does make noise. did you change your wheel and shift **** to these? I have the door sills too

Porsche-t, I just went with the all leather 3-spoke wheel, but that is the shift ****, yes. My interior is black with granite grey trim. That full leather interior looks pretty sweet though.

Another '99 interior, with some leather options. Ucube, I also have recently changed out the black airbag labels on the doors with silver ones. Much nicer look. (The color is distorted due to the camera flash)

Damn, you '99 guys' interior puts mine to shame. Big thumbs-up to you, Kevin. That beige interior looks flawless! A 3-spoke wheel will top it off perfectly.

Thanks Charlie. Question: Do you guys think my interior would look better with silver instrument rings? I can't seem to decide.....

I think silver accents highlight light-color interiors better than dark, so yes, your beige interior should look better. My interior is black, so I don't particularly like the sharp contrast. I do have a question on why you didn't opt for a silver horse-shoe on your shiftboot?

I bought the car used, as-is interior except for the console delete, silver door airbag labels, black floor mats, and SSK.

I'll answer your question with another question... Have you ever seen a P-car with aluminum gauge rings that looked bad? Get the rings!

I suppose I could do a search for some alum gauge ring pics.............

I dont like the aluminum rings at all...

I think the rings really add to the aluminum accents... my 04.

Yes, the alum rings definitely look good in your car riad. Do you think they would complement my Savannah interior? Also, do you think the alum horseshoe would look odd on the Console Delete? It really would look like a horseshoe without the front console to butt into.......

Good point, I hadn't thought of that. That does look a bit "incomplete" without the console. However, I'd still do it since I love the look of the silver horseshoe.

http://i1.tinypic.com/24cfdy9.jpg MY '01 interior

Riad - looks pretty good in your C4s... my center console is aluminum free, if i had the horseshoe might make sense. Ross