test drove a 996

i have driven them before,but i just got back from driving another and wow...i have been driving an 87 911 and wow...i have been back and forth about getting out of my car and into a 993 or a 996..i passed on the 993 cause i have had one and dont look at a 993 as a huge upgrade...a/c is still an issue..i am also not an air(oil)-cooled snob(purist)..my intro to porsche was a base boxster and then a 993(coupe) and then a boxster s,and now the 87..the 87 is a blast but after driving the 02 996,my feelings are torn..my 911 felt like slug after driving the 996..i know it should due to modern technology...it was nice sitting at a red light with the a/c blasting cold air..i found a 99,this is whats in my budget..if the ppi checks out,i think its done....ocean blue,full leather(grey)..aftermarket exhaust..looks nice...get this...my wife is in ny where the car is,and she is going to look at it for me!!!!not bad huh?...well thanks for reading,j

do it, all the negative online stuff has knocked down the prices into the toilet. i went from a great 964 to to 99 996 with 51k miles full leather, for a 4500 cost. unbelievable upgrade in engineering, ride, handling AND AC that works like my audi , or for that matter any car. PLUS parts are cheap compared to the air cooled cars, because toyota came in and showed them how to use common parts for the boxster where possible. incredible reduction in the cost of many, many parts. yes, some will bring up the rms, and blown engine issue. but if you take off the motor shield and check the oil where you park, look at the underside of the motor regularly. (yes, you can't see the intermediate stuff), but the odds are in your favor that if you do have the rms leak, you can catch it for $900 with the new design seal included. good deal in this owner's eyes. others will disagree. bob

Do it. About 8 months ago, I moved from a '95 993 to an '02 Targa and I absolutely love the car. Not only is it way more practical for me, but I find it faster, the handling better and there are way more creature comforts for me, my wife and 2 kids. It's the only car we drive on the weekends. Do it, you won't be disappointed. Chris

Joey C....are you related to Joey Carrera? haha. I just got into a 996 as well...still trying to sell my '85. My 996 has become my daily....I find it very difficult to jump into my '85....very difficult. I LOVE the car, just doesn't seem as fun anymore. Oh well. Anyone want to buy my '85 Targa in fantastic shape for 15K? It's for sale at 16K, but I'd sell for 15k. It has 76K miles....triple black...couple of small issues, nothing major. J

Funny, when I bought my 996, drove it for a few days, then drove my 944, I was amazed at how slow and heavy the 944 felt, when I actually thought the 944 was peppy before! This stock 996 constantly amazes me at how fast it is, and how it pulls even in 5th gear. The working A/C and comfortable interior is just icing on the cake!

Do it, Do it, Do it, never been happier with a car. My brother has had several 911s, a slant nose, and a couple 993s, and by far the 996 is a different ride. All beautys but this one rules....

i am really leaning towards doing it...driving both back to back more or less did it for me...the 3.2 is a great car,and a lot of fun,BUT i have kinda had enough..its my daily driver,and although it is fine i am finding myself wanting i bit more comfort..i have said it before,but a/c is HUGE for me..i live in north carolina and need it bad..it felt strange driving this very fast 911 and freezing at the same time...i am 42 and my daily car was made 5 years after i finished high school..its does tell me how great these cars are made,cause mine is fantastic,but its time..thanks guys..its nice to see guys coming from 3.2s and 993s and loving their upgrade..j

I have found in my experience no matter what a bunch of people say on the internet about what car is best, etc. The truth is always the more current a 911 is then the better car. The 996 is better than the 993 no matter how anyone tried to spin the nostalgia bs, the 997 is better than the 996 if for no other reason than refinement of the 996, and interior upgrades, etc. THe 998 will be better, etc. I would go with the newest I could afford. Enjoy!

I have to concur with everybody here. The more you drive the 996, the more you'll fall in love with it. I have a 2000 C2 myself and have used it as my daily driver for a year now AND have four track days with it and it just keeps on ticking like a swiss watch. It hasn't missed a beat. I think you're making a good move.

Agree with everyone else here, and remembering my old '77 911S, '80 930 and '84 Carrera - all black cars here in south Florida's subtropical climate, and just dying with the ****-poor A/C in those air-cooled cars. Plus, my normally aspirated '04 is faster than the old turbo! Do it and you'll never look back.

DO IT! I got my 996 back in March and I fall in love with more and more every day. I love driving it so much it's turned into a daily driver for me. I was planning to keep her for nice weekend drives but I just can't keep my hands off her and I've ended up driving her more and more.....to the point of driving her every day. It's a fantastic car that just keeps getting better. You will not regret it. It's fast and the handling is amazing. I'm a total car fanatic and I have never loved a car as much as my 996. I still smile every time I go out to the garage and get stuck there just staring for 15 minutes. Joey, buy one and I promise you, you will not regret it.

Don't believe in what you read at the 993 board

LOL!

Yeah, the 996 is a pretty good car for the money you get one nowadays! Go for it and have fun! Andy, although I agree that a stock 996 is very nice, there are a lot of things someone can do to the car that makes it even better: suspension upgrade, short shifter, exhaust, ... and last but not least: clutch helper spring removal (great and cheep)!

Joey C go for it you will not regret getting a 996. I got my '99 996 C2 4 months ago and I am still in disbelief that I won such a great car. Mods are definately a must to take the stock car to the next level.

it looks like a done deal....the wants to throw in side skirts and a gt3 bumper in for 500 bucks..they are aftermarket...what the hell..... do i really need a ppi...i know this sounds nuts...BUT..he showed my wife paper work done this year...new clutch,rms,expansion tank..the car has 84k on it..stuff that breaks at this point should not be too bad...if the engine blows well then i am screwed..on a bicycle..thanks guys,joey

That is great news especially if the wife likes it Post pics ASAP

just pull the trigger... and post pics

wife just called and said,"when are you gonna pick it up"...the same girl last week said,"if you show me another car i'm leaving you"...i don't know who's more nuts..anyhow it looks like i will be driving a 996 very soon..i must admit that i will be sad to see my 3.2 leave..but i must say that it will wear off very,very soon..i love swapping cars like this..it seems that no matter what i do,they only last 1-3 years for me..maybe a 996 turbo will come next...i am pretty certain that i will not go backwards..ah a/c...nice cold air..you guys have no idea how bad its been,or maybe you do...thanks for the friendly welcome..joey

Congrats... cool wife.

nobody responded...with the work that has been done,should i skip the ppi or am i crazy..like isaid clutch,rms expansion tank,is done so...what do ya think

I had a PPI done by a Porsche dealer. They missed the two front tires that were worn almost bald on the inside edge. So no PPI is guaranteed to find every problem. But I think if you can live without the peace of mind a PPI brings, go for it. I would still have a PPI done. You never know what is on the way out on a higher milage car - hopefully, and good PPI will detail that, to save you some money before you sign on the dotted line, etc. Good luck!

hmmm ... very compelling arguments in support of the 996. Thanks for the post. I'm pulling the same trigger this week on an '01 w/ Full Factory Aero kit, European racing rims, 20K miles, extended warranty, mint condition. My first Porsche. PPI completed today. All systems go. Will hopefully have it in about a week.