I love to drive my car!

I just read the first 5 threads and they were all doom and gloom. Anyone else here really appreciate their porsche? I do!!! I think it's a mechanical artwork and I love to drive it! I understand that people might be frustrated with their cars... hell, I've got a CEL right now! But, when you really think about it, isn't this car great? Just trying to contribute some positivity! -r

Good call, I just picked up my new 2003 Targa, I love it!!! It has been 15 years since my last Porsche (1983 SC coupe). I am glad to be back. Troubleshooting is helpful, suggestions are good but I do want to hear more positive aspects!!! PS - what is a CEL?

cel = check engine light and is often emissions related

All you have to do is look at the poll that was started regarding reliability. So far, it has been solid at 85% with no major problems with the car. That's a strong positive. I've got 18000 miles on my C4S. I drive it to work almost daily for 3 of the 4 seasons, and I sneak it out on good days during the 4th season. I've taken it to the track for at least 2 dozen, that's at least 24, days of DE. The car and I started as novice, and we're now running one of the faster cars in B group the last several times out. We've completed one season of autocross and won my class, earning a set of free track tires to boot. I've driven it to parties and country clubs, and taken it on long tours, enjoying the relatively smooth ride for a performance car and the tunes on the CD player. I even use the cupholder! I've had one CEL (check engine light) triggered by a bad cat replaced under warrantee. I've driven it so much on the track I'm on my third set of tires and second set of brake pads and rotors. Runs better than new . Do I love this car? You betcha'!!!! There is no substitute!!!

Palting, thats a great reply you posted! I think its awesome you are getting the most out of your car. Great picture as well!!

I too, love to drive my car and consider myself very lucky and grateful to even own one. I am 57 years old and did not get my first Porsche until 5 years ago..1985 turbo look. I now have a my99 and just feel great about owning one of the best performance cars in the world. I am not a wealthy person and it took me a long time to afford one of these beauties. If my health holds up I am planning on a used GT-3 in about two years. Not to offend anyone but I think if you need to work hard and save and finally get to own one you tend to appreciate it more than the wealthy person who can buy a new one every year if they so desire. I have had my share of problems but only the RMS replacement was major and Porsche graciaously repaired it out of warranty free of charge. I am somewhat depressed right now as it is almost winter here in the NE and my car goes into storage for 5-6 months. Just can't bring myself to drive it in the winter. I have a friend, same age, with an 1988 944 with only 8000 miles and a 96 993 with only 10,000 miles. Bought both of these cars NEW. They both sit in the garage most of the time!!! What a waste.......drive and enjoy these cars.....It's later than you think especially at my age!!!!

i'm about to put my 4th complete set of tires on at 13k miles and like paltring i will attest to the car having been bullet proof despite what kind of enjoyment 4 sets in 13k miles implies.

Ben, 4 sets in 13K? OUCH! How many of the 13K were on the track? These were pre-SC days, ehh?

Totally agree...I LOVE my car!!!

I'd hate to drive anything else! The C4S is our only car and runs like a charm

I Agree! There is no substitute!!!

I love my 996 and I drive mine as often as I can, any sunny day. Some one once told me that a low mileage Porsche doesn't do you any good when you're in a box 6 feet under...enjoy the car!

"OUCH! How many of the 13K were on the track? These were pre-SC days, ehh?" maybe a couple hundred (DEs and such). yep, all of the 3rd set front tire wear occured before the SC and probably over half the rears.

I agree! I really enjoy my 02 Cab (love is something reserved for the little lady!) The car has been really trouble free, and I am at 23K miles and still on the 1st set of Contis!

I love my car! 17,000 trouble free miles in less than a year. My only complaint is that I can't get any errands done because I never want to drive my truck anymore.

The poll is totally unscientific and unreliable. It is a poll of people who are 911 lovers who will put up with some degree of pain. We need a poll of all porche buyers to see how th reliability issue really stacks up. Bobby

My 996 has been nothing but a joy to drive since purchase. Even if I have a few problems down the road, it's a performance auto and few on par with a 996 go problem free. Remember, we're not speaking about Toyota's or Honda's, etc. I look for reasons to get out for spin and it's my daily auto.

Chitownbob, JD Powers beat you to it. I don't remeber the specifics but as I recall Porsche came in 4th overall and best in sportscars in a recent long-term (3 yr) quality poll. I'm sure someone has a link or knows the details. The constant ranting on this forum and on the 993 forum about the downfall of quality at Porsche drives me nuts. Jim

i've had tons of problems with my 996. in the first year and a half the car was in the shop for 2 1/2 months. but you know what? I LOVE IT! i don't regret for one minute buying it. until this car i was buying new cars every 2 years because i got sick of everything i had. now after 2 1/2 years with my '01 C4 i still sometimes let out a little whoop when i take an exit really hard or do something else that gets my blood pumping! often times i'll go out to run a 10 minute errand and 3 hours later i'll get home (without having done the errand).

Man glad to hear such positive comments. Car almost at 40k miles and it's been my daily driver. Can't get enough of it and boy can't wait til next track season. Regards. Mike

Hey Jim i'm agree with you all the way, This is really incredible. When i read the rants ,those are always the same.. and from the same guys... .So i only makes me smile . By my side my car has at the clock 144000Km (89000 miles) ! is my Bullet proof. Palting and Jeff and the others: great pics! *as i always said you apreciate more the 996 in reality much more than in pics!

I haven't been reading the posts recently and feel *depressed* when I see so many complains about Porsche reliability. The cars that I have owned over the years are Japanese and started to own German for the past few years, and there is no comparison between the two in reliability. Owning a Porsche, which for me started only a few weeks ago, comes with a price. You gain the pure excitement of a true sport car and lose the luxury and some reliability. Cheer me up, please. Post some good stories so all of us can enjoy reading. Thanks!

so is japanese more or less reliable? i guess those who've had marginal reliablity from their p-cars have comparred their experince with other marques. in my household we've had two bmws that ran past 300k and one with 260k miles that were realtively trouble-free. on the other hand, my 996 has had lots of work over the last 50k miles and i'm fearful of what the next 25k will bring, nevermind another 50k!

I'm with you 100% on that. I've had the car for a month and I've had 3 head units, and a leaky RMS already. And I just don't care. This car isn't supposed to be my daily driver, but after living without it for 2 days, I couldn't believe how wonderful it was to drive this evening. Wow!

Just drive anything other than your Porsche for a few days, and then step into the 996 again, you'll see: There REALLY is no substitute! The car is AWSOME and I would buy another in a flash!

i'm glad i started this thread. i knew something was wrong reading so many posts with doom and gloom. i'm happy that you guys have written positive stuff. i was starting to think i was crazy for a while. thanks! -r

From my experience, and also from most consumer reports, Japanese are known for good reliability. I have to admit that I have owned Germans (Mercedes) just a few years ago and it has only accumulated 30K miles. During this time, the MB has had a few blown parking bulbs, fog lights, some warning lights started to lit up out of nowhere, etc. Other friends of mine also have some reliability (although minor) issues with the Germans. I honestly don't recall I ever had a blown bulb with any of the Japanese I have owned. Don't get me wrong. I would still much rather own (more correct way to put it is drive) Germans than Japanese anytime. That's what they are famous for. Bottom line is, again, you gain some, and lose some.

Coupla things. Chitownbob: it was never meant to be a "scientific poll". It was a simple poll and I set it up to genuinely find out how reliable pre 02 996's have been. The results show overwhelmingly that people in general are happy with their cars. Perhaps I should have added "How reliable is your pre 02 996 now that you have owned it for 3 years". I think the last few posts Rob and nova996 sum things up well. There is no doubt at all that I love my car. Every time I get into it the hair raises on my back at the sheer enjoyment of driving it. Every time I look at it it sings out come drive me. There's also that great feeling when I take it out and watch everyone drop their jaw in ashtonishment as I pass them. Then there's the pur of that flat 6 through my Fabspeed. If the weather's great (which isn't that often here in the UK) the top's down and then it's a different car alltogether again. Sheer enjoyment. In fact there's probably nothing more I can think of that is more enjoyable. The problem is not how beautiful she is, its how relaibale she is. I get n the car and drive away and I am sh*t scared that something else is about to go wrongs and possibly cost me a small mortgage to fix. If I could only get peace of mind out of this car it would be perfect. That is my issue.

I've been away from the post, loving my C4S. There is truly no substitute. Infact I did hear an occasional rattling from the glove compartment, I've decided to live with it, than be away from my car for a even a day at the repairs. I think it is gone now, or atleast i havn't noticed it over the wonderful engine note. I don't know what I am going to do over the winter.

I drive my 996 daily and love every minute. I drove my previous 911 every day as well, making the tally 7 years of daily driving pleasure. I doubt most cars are driven as hard as our Porsches I even love driving (mostly sitting) in heavy stop and go metro traffic. Invariably, I always get someone next to me that wants to chat about Porsche's while we patiently wait in queue. Breaks up the trip home. All cars have their share of problems. My wife's BMW was out of service about one month in the first 18 months of ownership! I still thought it was a good car, but the experience soured my wife on ever purchasing another BMW. However, I would consider another BMW based on driving pleasure. I spend alot of time in a vehicle...might as well be something I enjoy. I have had cars of Japanese manufacture prove VERY unreliable. One wiped away the lobes of the camshafts in under 12k miles. The dealer was only kind enough to replace both camshafts plus lifters. No new engine despite talking to the factory rep. I will never own a Mazda or a Subaru ever again.

got mine two days back.. my second and i just cant sleep! waz

My engine blew an internal flange bearing after I had it a month, got a new engine with a Cayenne for a loaner....still love my car. Drive it to work every day, drive it to the track and back...love it!

I LOVE MINE TOO !! putting aside some of the things that should have NEVER left the factory, I still think it is the best.