do you prefer the 997 "face" to the 996?

i don't. if i wanted a 993, i'd get one!

997 face is not quite what I thought it would be.. 996 and 997 faces are crap compared to the new Boxster...and i don't even like the boxster!!! New Boxster is bad *** looking from the front, very strong and menacing... 997 looks like a VW Beetle on the Atkins diet...........

I own old Porsche so I like the new car. Modern yet a hint of the old. Not to particular excited about the front bumper too many openings and the signal lights are too big.

Porsche mated with Corvette to come up with 997 front Am I the only one to think this? Check those turn signals...

1) Headlights look like the New Beetle to me 2) The 993 is still a better looking car 3) I love curves but hate fat asses

Words not necessary:

That pic in the last posting says it all. The way the front looks on the 997 really turns me off. My 996 looks hot to me and the rear view is fantastic. I wouldnt trade for a 2005 unless I could get the deal of the century. If I eventually get a 997 it wont be for the looks,, it will be for the new technology, suspension and other upgrades. Porsche will still use the 996 look for the 2005 turbos and cabs. Cabman

I proper Porsche 911 face vs cheap Boxster looking face?? Hmmm.....

Hmmm

997 looks too much like a beetle to me. Maybe a mean beetle. The post '02 996 is the best looking one IMO. I'll pass on the 997, and Supercharge my 996 instead while waiting to see what 998 will look like.

I voted don't care. Having seen them both close up I think they both look gorgious. The 996 looks more garessive to me though. The 997 interior is rock solid. It feels like how a Porker should feel. But again IMHO it looks boxy maybe a little tacky. I would rather have the 996 interior if it was as solid. Here's a pic of the 997 next to a C4S I took last week in Cannes at an auto show. Maybe its the colour. But I think the C4S is so much more sexy than the 997. But I do think the 997 is a very classy looking 911. Just different.......and not different enough IMHO!

Nice pics. I was in Cannes 2 weeks ago and saw some nice porsches by the casino but no 997's. I still need to think long and hard about trading in the 03 Cab for a 997 S. If I could only see more of them and get used to the nerdy thick headlights in front and that smiley bumper. I am sure with the proliferation of these new cars the look with start to grow with me... Just like the 996 did,, and caused me to trade in my C2 guards red 993 coupe for a ragtop. And yes, it was a great decision as far as I am concerned. Cabman

997 is a step in the right direction. All they have to do now is put in a cowl vent, bring the tail light lens across the back then pull the dashboard guages apart-then we'll be all set-

franklin i believe you've just described your own 993!

[Image-only post; no author-written text. Original image references:] https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

I think it looks great! Looks much better in person than in pictures. I always hated that the 996 looked just like the Boxster. I had a Boxster for 2 days. The Boxster was/is not for me.

For many enthusiasts and purchasers, there's a negative association derived from the 996 *** 986 headlights and the 996's slab-sides. The 997 is a step in the right direction, although I know many 996 owners think it's a step backwards.

Mark........is this the Boxster headlights and slab sides?

Now that is an awesome 996...People who make broad comments and generalities about the 996 amuse me. "I had a Boxster for 2 days" - very funny... Even though I hated the 993 in and out, I would never make stupid comments about it because It is a great Porsche and just not my cup of tea! I knew a few people who passed on a 993 and fell in love with the 996 and got one...Oh I forgot, the 996 is so bad that the sales numbers have been low for years... The post 02 996 wide body style is the best looking Porsche of all time, my humble opinion...997 is better than 996 and I am sure it will grow on me and hope to have one someday! Robert

I like them all. They all have their own unique look. Its like a face of a child thats yours, you just have to appreciate what GOD blessed us with in this lifetime_PORSCHE. But then again, to each his own.

I am always facsinated by the way in which people have become attached to certain Porsche models. I think it's a measure of the passion which these cars invoke. I, like vove, like them all. At one time, I swore I would never own a 996 - was a big 993 fan (still am by the way) but then I saw the post-02 C4S and here I am. I must admit that I have seen some stunning versions of every Porsche ever made. It all comes down to personal taste regarding color, etc., and the most important is the obvious care which an owner gives to the vehicle. As for the 997 - it looked pretty good to me as well, but I think that both the 993 and the 996 C4S look better - just another opinion.

Sorry the 997 doesn't do it for me...... I'll hang on to the 996 post 2002 anytime... -Eli

Sorry the 997 doesn't do it for me...... I'll hang on to the 996 post 2002 anytime... -Eli

In the end its how its performs, not what it looks like. Frankly, I'm not wild about any of the 996/997 models without the aero. OTOH, I love my 996 and for me theres not enough new value that could get me to trade up for a 02+ except for the GT-3.

Great looking car!!

Thanks Alex I wasn't trying to be a smart **** to Mark's comment.........he's probably refering to the 996's 98 launch (following Boxster, etc) but I couldn't resist a lttle jab. This car has been fun.....a fairly recent pic.....she just turned 30K is coming up on 4 yrs old.

I think the front would look better if the front edges of the hood where at right angles (ala 996/boxster/993 etc)and not rounded on the corners

I finally saw a 997 in person. Nice car, but I like the 996 better (and the 993 as well, for that matter).

Drove a 997 S this past weekend in Orlando (Maitland Porsche). Nice car but with all the traffic on I-4 and getting there and back I hardly could tell any difference between that and my C2 Cab. Of course the dealer wanted my car and $30K (sales tax included) for the S. I have 3,500 miles on the 2003 Cab and I would have to pay a difference of $30K,, No way. The front look to me isn't as nice, the inside is nicer, I couldn't tell it had another 35 or so hp over mine. Is a few more horses and a little nicer interior worth $30,000? Nah.. I ll wait until the new turbos come out, pay a difference of $70,000 and have something that is far superior. cabman

[Image-only post; no author-written text. Original image references:] http://a5.cpimg.com/image/AF/F5/40409775-656c-02000180-.jpg http://a4.cpimg.com/image/7C/B9/31813244-9904-028001E0-.jpg

something in between.....

I was just at the dealer and spent sometime looking at the 997 right next to the 996( I did not drive it). The looks of the 997 are growing on me and the interior is nice(except for the window switches). But I am not ready to trade in my 03 cab for a coupe and 30 K.

I like them both. I'm actually really happy with my 1999 first generation 996. For 40 grand I got a car that goes 0 to 60 in 5 seconds, corners close to .9G, and brakes repeatedly close to 1 G. How cool is that ? I'll be looking for an 05 997 in the 2007 or so. I want the upgraded interior more than the exterior. Like most posters on this board I can write a check for a new one right now but one of the reasons I can is I don't take the first year depreciation hit on a $90 grand car. My heirs will be happy.

I like the 997 face. Not quite as nice as the 964 or 993, but it's great nevertheless.

I wonder if porsche put the exact same mechanical underneath 3 different skins: 993, 996 & 997 and sell them at the exact same price. Which will be the best seller ?

I like both... but if it must be between the 2 - I still like my 2002 C2 Cab.'s face. Would you guys think the average consumer would know which came before which? Doesn't it seem like the order of releases was 993 - 997 - 996? GreggT - great looking ride! That's the face that I'm talking about... (maybe someone can post the models next to each other (in the order above) for comparison.

Lexpilot has it right, I am waiting for couple years and then buy a 997s that someone is willing to dump for their GT3 or C4S or Turbo... My car is great at the price I paid used w/11k on the clock and upgrades! These cars are all cool!

I like the 997 face.... but I also like the 996 face. I'm totally fine with my '99 now that I have the "turbo" front bumper on it.... But I hate the 997 interior.. it blows !!!! In particular, that awful, triangular steering wheel is horrible looking!!! Arrrgh !!! t

My $.02, just saw a black 997S delivered at my dealer yesterday - very nice in person, eventhough I agree with you guys on the triangular, sharp edged interior. My 996 interior has nice organic shapes, albeit of lower quality than it should be even with the full leather. I also agree with Lexpilot on taking the Y1 depreciation hit especially with CPO program these days . . .

My God, what happened to the Porsche folks who asked questions about performance and braking....oh and speed? Does your face look better than mine or my car's? The question is inane, and that so many would answer it makes me worry about the future of Porsche. Maybe it has to do with the Cayenne. Ofcourse you have a right to pose any question. But that number of responces makes me long for high school again. What has happened to Porsche lovers? The drive, the feel, the knowing that unless someone else is driving a Porsche, they really don't know the fun and driving pleasures of these cars? I would drive a "mule" fabricated over a Porsche, and not worry about the looks. I have a 2003 C4S, in my mind a great looking car, however, my 993 or a 997 would be wonderful too. Get5 over this, and contentrate on the car, a wonderful car, not on the shallow cosmetics. Whew... more than 2 cents worth, but this is getting worse than silly.

Sure, the performance is paramount, but a Porsche's 'look' is a large part of the mystique. I'm sure most of us could stare at our car all day long. Perhaps this is why we love to compare models.

Don't like the front-end on either one of them. Kept me from buying a 996 until the 40th came out.

Ditto.

Personally the 997 front end isn't too impressive, 996 turbo front end puts it to shame imho... but the 997 GT cup car front end looks a bit nicer.. still can't say I love it... and prefer the 986 boxster front end, but atleast the gt3 looks a bit better than the current front end imho... even though, it's a bit akward... it looks more... aggresive? don't quite know how to explain it.. it just smiles too much at me... reminds me of a miata, ahh.. don't love it, don't hate it... it's just.. different :>