2001(with some Mods) vs. 2002 996

I am debating back and forth between the 2001 or 2002 996's and I think I have located my car, a 2001. For the 20hp and other small bits I find I need to pay up at least 5-10k for the 2002 and dont think its worth it or I can get close to it by doing some simple mods.... My question is with a Fabpeed Exhaust and the EVO V-FLow intake do you think that puts a 2001 more inline with a '02 performance? HAs anyone with an 2001 done these 2 mods and do you think it has made the car quicker or at least more enjoyable due to the sounds? I without question think the 2002 is a quicker/funner car to drive but I'm not so sure if it was the 20hp or the improved exhaust note? Also, does the intake/exhaust mod negate any factory warranty on the car? Thanks......

The '99-01 cars a a little lighter than their '02-on counterparts, the acceleration difference between them is not that much if any at all. That said, the extra Tq of the 3.6 is very noticable coming off corners at the track.

Alex, I had the same decision to make a few months back - ultimately, I took the 2002 which did cost a little more. There's a thread that was started back ago comparing the pre-02 to the 02+ that could help your decision. Most ppl would agree: buy the most recent porsche you can afford. At any rate, don't let model year prevent you from buying a good example.

02 has a host of upgrades from more aggressive fenders/front/rear, improve aerodynamics, new headlights, improved interior material, bose option, glove box, 3.6L, throatier exhaust. If you don't see the difference in the way 01 and 02 look and feel in&out, get the 01 to save some money. I would not buy 02 for the 3.6L alone. I bought the 02 bc I don't like the 01's looks without aerokit. 01 doesn't look aggressive without aero kits IMO. With 01, you'll probly want to upgrade the exhaust for sound and performance. I bought an 02 bc I like the improvements mentioned. 02 are holding on their value better and most still have warranty left. An extra year of warranty is worth a grand or so alone.

I bought my 01 & put the GHL exhaust & EVO Intake along with the B & M Short Shifter. My buddy has an 03 & from driving them both, they seem on par with each other as far as acceleration goes. His car seems a bit more refined on the road than mine, but I wouldn't give mine up for one that's a couple of years younger. I guess when you own a Porsche, you get attached to the one you have. I would get the one that best fits your budget & don't look back. You can always upgrade later! Bt the way, we both have Cabrios. by the way so the cars are comparable.

Alex the Specialist, in particular, brings up a great point regarding the warranty. When did the car go into service, i.e., how much warranty remains...aside from other advantages mentioned above.

Adding the stuff you discuss does not get you the HP and torque in the ranges you would get in the '02. You know what they say, never enough HP

Mods generally lessen the value of a car.

Get the '02. More power, more torque and at a lower peak RPM, better chassis rigidity, headlights mimic the Turbo and differentiate from the Boxster a little more. The weight increase of the 2002 over the 2001 (about 55 pounds) is more than offset by the hp/torque increase, and the stock exhaust sounds better than the stock '01. That being said, the '02 is probably only .2 or .3 seconds quicker to 60 mph, with 2 or 3 more mph in top speed. If these numbers aren't enough to make the extra cost worthwhile, then get the '01 but put your mod money into the suspension to make better use of what power you have. Excellence magazine did an article on the 996 a few years ago and concluded that the cars do not lend themselves to decent hp gains with simple bolt-on modifications. In the 3.6l cars, Porsche changes heads, cams and other hardware to get 25 hp in the Carrera Powerkit. If Porsche could have done this with bolt-ons, they probably would have.

Hi all, from the title of the Thread : "2001(with some Mods) vs. 2002 996 ?" someone would asume the power gain is the only concern to you.. what about price? interior quality? i have read somewere that 85% of 3.6 engine Vs 3.4 components are new!! revised suspension? looks? (mostly turbo headlights) depreciation of older car 3.4 is older MY than 3.6 i.e less trade value (if it comes to sell it again) i bought a C2 01 cause at the time i couldn't afford the 02. BUT i bought a perfect 01 car with OPC warranty, low mileage and of course accident free at a fair price. i could have bought the 02 with the same amount of money but noway it would be the same quality car....(you know that). take in account what agio said :"Alex the Specialist, in particular, brings up a great point regarding the warranty. When did the car go into service, i.e., how much warranty remains...aside from other advantages mentioned above." this is what you should go for. my opinion: in terms of performance , both stoch differences are not that noticable (but of course 02 is a bit faster) in terms of look 01 does not look bad without at least front bumper and sideskirts from Gt3- or even better with the wing. in terms of reliabillity o2 is the one to go for (unless you have warranty which in this case both cars are equal)

Agreed. For track use I do not think that the difference between the 99-01 vs. later cars would keep me from considering an early car. Of course, consider the baffle kit for the early cars (and maybe even the later cars).