First foray in Porsche ownership. 996.2 C2

I’m 6 months in to ownership with my 996.2 C2. The need for rear seats and having always had an interest in 911’s the hunt for 996/997 began. Coming from kit cars and lotus’s the drive was just as important as the look. Condition and history were top of the list as well as one non negotiable, it needed to be guards red. This narrowed the market considerably. I test drove a well spaced 997.2 which on paper seemed to be the perfect car. It had a few issues but all were due to be sorted and looked to have been looked after. However I jumped back in my lotus after the test drive and just didn’t have that buzz a new car should give and didn’t feel the drive compared to the Elise (probably an unfair comparison) so decided to walk away. Fast forward a year and a guards red 996.2 popped up less than 30 miles away. Advert was a little ropey to say the least with no information on service history or reference to any work the car has had other than an alternator and steering pump change. The pictures were equally less than impressive but it was worth a look. As soon as I saw it the buzz was back. After spending a couple of hours with the sellers I couldn’t believe my luck. The car was everything I was looking for, owned by a lovely couple who had had the car for over 10 years along with a boxter. Nearing retirement they were down sizing to one car but their passion shone through, sharing stories and experiences from when they first purchased the car from Belfast all those years ago. After a test drive and review of the extensive service history I knew we’d found the right car and a deal was done. The only down side was one of the rear alloys was dented, somehow it didn’t affect the tyre holding pressure but we agreed this would be sorted before collection. A replacement wheel was found and all 4 refinished to my taste. This added about 3 weeks to the wait time before we could collect but it was worth it as I would have changed the wheel colour anyway. One of the biggest surprises when I viewed the car was the history and work that had been completed over the years. As I previously said, there was no real mention of this in the advert but the car has clearly been loved and looked after with all the usual ‘must do’s’ being addressed. There’s a fully stamped service book and has predominantly been looked after by 2 specialists while under the last ownership, Centre Gravity and Zuffenhaus, but did visit Porsche Solihull in their first few years of ownership for some big ticket items. Along with normal service and small remedial bits she’s had the below: *Full suspension refresh at CG including a set of Bilstein B6 sports. *AC pipes, RMS, New clutch and Flywheel, new brake lines and hoses done at Porsche Solihull *New water pump. * Dansk Exhaust silencer set. *IMS replaced. *New alternator. *New power steering rack and return line. *A/C condensers and rads. I reached out to both Centre Gravity and Zuffenhaus who both knew the car and were really complimentary. CG said they’d known the car and owners for over 10 years and were sad to see they’d sold up but that I was getting a goodun. It was clear after the first few months that I wouldn’t be getting much time in my Elsie and with a wedding booked in for next year I decided to let her go. I’ve had lots of sports/performance cars over the years but this one really got under my skin. A slightly fettled early S2 k series car. So much fun both on and off track and despite the reputation the k series gets, It was rock solid. A sad day but lots to look forward to with the 911 I decided to plan a few trips with the car and really just wanted to get to know it for the next 12 months before making any decisions on what direction I’d want to take it. Something I’ve jumped straight into doing on previous cars. This was always going to be very much a road car but I do enjoy a nice spirited drive and so wanted it to be capable. So far I’ve managed to put on over 2500 miles with a lovely family trip over to wales, taking a run through the Brecon Beacons and some of Wales's finest roads. The car was fantastic and proved to be a hit with my partner and 6 year old who is car mad, and more importantly, proving itself as the perfect road trip car. We had a friend’s wedding down in Devon later in the year and so took the opportunity to take the Porsche. Plenary of space for the 3 of us and so much fun caving through the Devonshire roads. Managed to find a great little Air B&B with a lovely view. There have been a couple of bits I wanted to address. Firstly, the accelerator pedal had an annoying creek and notchy feel. Turns out it’s quite common and just needed to be taken apart and cleaned/greased up. Easy little job with your head in the footwell and now super smooth. Next up was the shifter, the throw was just too long for me. After looking at options and speaking with a few on here I reached out to Alex for one of his kits. It arrived yesterday and was fitted in a couple of hours. It’s now perfect, exactly what I was looking for and a great bit of kit for the money. Fitting was straight forward with just a few common tools. Lot of plans forming but for now, I’m just going to continue to enjoy him (He’s called WEZ for obvious reasons) and get out as much as possible.

A great intro' story and lovely pics of a stunning car. 996s in Guards Red are quite rare and always lovely to see. I love the Welsh roads too and hope to go back there soon. Did you stay in the Nevadd Arms? We did and likened it to 'indoor camping' Great food though.

Also found you can easily get 2 set of clubs in the back and a trolley in the front which is an added bonus.

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We didn’t no, I live in Worcestershire so traveled through mid wales down to Tenby in the south. No real planned route home and we came across Nvadd arms at the point we were getting a little hungry so pulled in. Very dated but it had a charm. Proper homemade pub food and I recall the portions sizes being massive.

Lovely motors...tell me more about the pedal " refurb ".

The car came with a decent factory spec which I feel really helps it stand out from the crowd, with the obvious ones been the guards red paint and areo side skirts and spoiler. X71 Aluminium painted instrument dials X76 Aero side skirts X97 Aluminium shift knob X98 Handbrake in Alu/Leather 425 Rear wiper 446 Wheel caps & coloured Porsche crest 567 Windscreen green tint 650 Sunroof 680 Bose sound package 936 Seat covers rear leather XAG Carrera static rear spoiler XRL 18” sport design wheels XSX Seat belts Guards' Red I know they’re not that popular but I’ve loved having the sunroof and if I were to have spec’d the car, It would have been included. The interior details make a real difference as well to me, not sure if this is something you could spec or was standard as don’t feature on the spec list Alcantara headlining and red stitching

Great looking car and for the money one of the most underrated cars you can buy with some of the negative press the 996 has had over the years. Good to see you are enjoying the experience and your 996 will get you down the road with just that bit more comfort compared to the Lotus even though they are great cars.

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If you Google 996 sticking accelerator there’s quite a few write ups on it. I think I followed a guide on Rennlist. Essentially it just needs a clean due to a build up of dirt over time.

I'd also read something about a hinge swap from Rennlist and also seen the small screw video on YT

Welcome to 996 ownership! What a fantastic find, wonder how many people ignored the advert the way you described it. I bet the previous owner was really happy it went to a good home.

Welcome mate looks a lovely motor ! Anymore plans for it ?

Nice 996 The 996 is my favourite water-cooled 911 and I totally get why the 997.2 didn't light you up with a back to back drive from the Lotus , despite owning two 997's that's actually how I feel as well, the 997 is a very capable car for all sorts of driving but it feels a lot more refined and for some that means it doesn't have that raw edge to it that gives it a bit of spark. Guards Red was definitely not in fashion back then, so you did well finding a nice one, the psychology of car colours is an interesting subject, there are actual papers written on it, but that would need it's own thread.

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In the short term I’m going to get a few interior items trimmed. Look at engine mounts over the winter and fit some braided lines and decent fluid. I don’t want to comprise its road manners, however dampers will probably be something I look into. I ran Nitron’s on the Elise and they were fantastic. The B6’s seem good when pushing on but a little crashy at lower speeds. I’d also like it to be about 10mm lower but again, don’t want to compromise usability. Other than that I’ve been eyeing up the Topgear X pipe to add a little theatre to the sound track. Then who knows.

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Awesome ! Iv just done the suspension on mine went for yellow speed racing they got great reviews from the 996 group I’m in a lot of the lads run them and rate them for insane value for money. No complaints from me either they are fully adjustable car feels really planted now Iv gone quite low too. Originally I had m030 suspension on mine

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It’s hard to put my finger on why as clearly it’s a fantastic car, but it just that big bigger and at low speeds didn’t excite me. Seems silly as I was sat in what I thought was my perfect 911. I’m sure had I gone through with it and explored its capabilities I’d of grown to love it. With the 996 I just felt instantly connected. It felt more of an occasion at lower speeds at that little bit more raw. Considering the 997 was over 3 times the price I don't feel I’ve got 3 times less of car, I genuinely can’t believe the value for money these things offer.