New owner likes and dislikes about 996

I've had my 996 C4S for a few months now, so the euphoria of the initial honeymoon period has worn off so I can be slightly more objective about it. (and the decision to spend so much money on a car I don't need!). Likes: 1. Looks the dogs danglies with the GT3 body kit and wheels, I love it 2. Performance great, including grip 3. Engine in the back no issue, sounds good, decent mpg 4. Extremely easy to drive (tip) and park, real everyday car 5. Turns into Tasmanian Devil when I put it in manual on the twisties 6. Glad I bought the Tip - gear change is better than I expected, just need to anticipate when you want to change and do it a second before you would in a manual (and of course remember to change down when you are following slow traffic and go to overtake and realise you are still in 5th like I did) 7. Very comfortable, even on long journeys (sports seats) 8. The buzz of owning such a nice car, every time I press the key or even catch myself looking at it 9. Brakes are great 10. Some people see you approaching in the rear mirror and move over for you Dislikes: 1. Still not sure about how to drive it fast in corners "" the front goes light and I'm not daring to go fast anywhere near a corner in the wet 2. The looks you get from some people, feel like I'm in a fish bowl in slow moving traffic 3. Less chance of being let out by people at busy junctions 4. No glove box "" where the heck to you put anything? 5. C4 boot is"¦.er"¦.small 6. Automatic car with no cruise control, what the heck is that all about, can be tricky sitting at 40 in the average speed zones 7. Rear wiper blade doesn't hug the shape of the window so only clears half of it 8. No radio controls on the steering wheel, have to reach over to tiny buttons 9. Steering wheel doesn't have much adjustment 10. What the heck do you do with a drink on a long trip "" having to balance an open can of diet coke between my legs or struggle to put it in centre console behind me (shortarse) 11. Cleaning the alloys 12. Location of rear wiper button "" what's wrong with it being on the steering like any other car 13. The box people put you in when they find out you own one 14. No electric folding mirrors 15. There are bleeding hundreds of the beggers out there now that I have one!!! 16. Sometimes wish I had a manual But...no it's not for sale WeeJohnyB

Didn't happy to have an Audi TT before did you?

Why not get cruise retrofitted? You can get cupholders that clip on to the air vents. They were supplied with the car, but they often get lost when cars change hands. I bought a pair for mine - they are about £17 each. I made a "rear storage box" for mine. Instructions are on the DIY pages, but I can send you a copy if you like.

Sorry for sounding obtuse but do you really have a C4S or a C4, because all C4Ss had gloveboxes and cupholders (same for all facelift cars) and I've never seen one with a GT3 bodykit...I don't think they will fit[:-] FWIW...don't be afraid to take corners at speed. You have to trust the car....easy to say...but having been on a track in my C4...the limits of adhesion (especially with 4 wheel drive and PSM) are what can only be described as...ABSURD.....don't worry about that 911 trait of front end lightness.....I was driving my car round bends at speeds I wouldn't even have tried on a Playstation and the car just got on with the job.....I was astounded, and so will you be [ ]

The little holes in the air-vents (for mounting the cup holders) are missing on later cars - certainly my 2001 Boxster S doesn't have them.

Go on a track day ... or two. (or three....) You'll get the hang of it.

Mark - you are absolutely right - only suitable for up to MY1999.

Glad you're enjoying it. Re "4. No glove box "" where the heck to you put anything? " Did you realise there are quite large door pockets under a flap you have to push to open, just below the interior door handle. Don't laugh, but I didn't discover mine until I accidentally pushed on that part of the door when trying to open it about 3 months ownership. As for drink holders ... you shouldn't drink and drive ! I came from owning an Italian car that didn't have them (they say italians would only stop in a cafe for a drink, before continuing their jouney) and before that a Subaru Impreza which, if you had a cup of coffee in the holder, and went round a right hand bend, the contents would end up on the passenger door!

Just to repeat a point above...you must have a C4 to have a GT3 bodykit and wheels....a C4S with that stuff on it would look like a frankenstein car! You will always get jealous drivers not letting you out at busy junctions...after driving loads of 911's after all this time it's something you'll get used to! You can actually fold the mirrors in yourself........and if you wanted cruise control you should have bought a Mercedes (PS, I am being light hearted)

Mine's a manual 2002 car. It does have a glove box and a drinks holder that pops out, just above the radio. What year's yours? I don't have any problems with the rear wiper etc for the silly position of the switch. Oh and as for those pratts that want to race you, just let them. You know your car is better but it's not worth losing your licence over. Having said that, why do I always feel the urge to catch the car in the distance and get past it?

I think it is a C4 Tip S by the sounds of it. You don't get the cupholder fittings if you have any of the large interior packs (e.g. mine has carbon pack and no holes for cupholders). However, I bought some really cheap nasty ones from Halfrauds that clip on the air vents, and they actually look fine - in fact one Porsche owner asked if I got them from an OPC! Why do you need to touch the radio - sounds like you need sports exhaust [ ] Glovebox would only end up full of junk anyway - and there's loads of room in door pockets and centre cubby-box for things you actually need! (Handbooks have their own slot under steering column in case you haven't found that yet, and maps can go in seat back pockets if you have them) Lack of cruise is a pain, but not standard on any Porsche I don't think - can be retro-fitted for about £500 IIRC at a place in Wallingford (amongst others I'm sure) whose name I've forgotten!

IMO Cruise is a bit of a waste of time...nice to have but no big deal if you don't. I've only found it mildy useful on empty motorways at night...and I'm only really using it because it's there.....at all other times you have to keep adjusting your speed to match the car in front's.....Active Cruise...now that would be a nice thing to have.

How much are sports exhausts and, excuse my ignorance, but do you have to do anything to the engine when fitting one? Do they sound much better/louder?

Cost is about £1500,00 fitted with the switch (independant). No further mods to the engine are required. Yes they sound MUCH better, not too loud on low rpm, great at the higher rpm's. The switch is a great addition, I often find myself flicking between the loud and quiet mode. Power wise I don't think it adds anything, however throttle response is improved. A great addition and worth the $$$ [ ]

Call your OPC - my local one at Bolton has an offer on for £1495 inc VAT to fit the completed system with the swtitch. Normal price is £1895 inc VAT. After hear Johnny McGirls on the recent PEYT I can assure you it is definately worth the expense.!! They are doing mine next month [ ]

They are great cars. A smile a minute ! RE: Sports Exhaust .. it has to be done, the switch means I can leave home sounding like a BMW and after 500 yards scream louder than a loud thing !!! re: Dislikes: 3. Less chance of being let out by people at busy junctions - AC- i find the opposite, i wind down window and smile first ! 5. C4 boot is"¦.er"¦.small .... AC - C2 .. bigger boot ! 6. Automatic car with no cruise control - AC -should have gone manual ... helps the high spped corners as well 9. Steering wheel doesn't have much adjustment AC - Totally agree, needs reach setting 13. The box people put you in when they find out you own one AC - fair call, everyone things your about to leave your wife re: mid-life etc .. how sad ! 16. Sometimes wish I had a manual AC - see no 6. Andy

Hi, Agree with some of the reply's. My 2003 C4S has cup holders, (don't use them) and a glove box. Rear wiper works fine and switch position is fine. There are C4S examples with body kits out there and have considered a replica turbo boot spoiler but after reflection think it looks best stock. Putting cruise control on a 911 is imho is defeating the point. The car is to drive no matter what!!! Not sure about having radio controls on the steering as never drive mine with the radio on anyway. I drive my 911 with more focus than my other cars and push it that bit more. Sports exhaust is a must sounds awesome but not that slammed saxo boy racer note! Definately consider a performance day. Get to grips with your car in differing conditions and road types. Then move on to a track day. Always worth while getting tuition. Had an opportunity to do a little tack day and had some very good advice from my R14 organiser Ian Foster. Benefited my everyday road use. Regards Alan.

Whilst I agree, it is jolly helpful in minimising the risk of speeding tickets. Get to 40, press the button, wave as you serenely glide past the officer pointing the speeding gun at you. Job done.

I've had mine, 2003 C2 Tip conv in midnight blue(?), for 10 days now and still have a grin from ear to ear. I find the long way home is interesting, as is the Dartford tunnel at midnight (am I sad?). Yes, it's taken me more than 25 years to get one, because I've had to finance the kids through school and uni, but the wait's worth it. Yes, the wife thinks I have a mid life crisis and is sure that I'm about to find myself a blonde b*mbo.

my wife knows i am having a midlife crisis as she IS a blonde b*mbo!![ ]

I've been going through a mid-life crisis for ages now but I do love the C4S and it makes me smile every time that I drive it, apart from the ever increasing fuel stops. It certainly is an addictive car. Mind you, there aren't that many cars out there that make you smile even looking at it parked up in the garage at home! I've even parked up the motorbike and use the car everyday to commute now - which is not at all like me....

I have a targa and just love the flexibility the rear hatch arrangement provides. Having changed from an auto bmw to manual, I can't see myself ever going back - the manual is sublime and the short shift lever adds a bit of precision to procedings! The rear wiper arrangements are fine except, why are Porsche unable to figure out how to fit a washer to help clean the window - I'm not aware of any other manufacturer who hasn't managed to crack this problem! Is it just me or do you ever find yourself adjusting the cigarette lighter instead of changing the volume on the stereo?!! I don this all too regularly! On a longer run I do wish that the seat would go back one more notch. I could go on but overall I've never owned a car half as enjoyable to drive.

Yes I was staggered there is no rear wash and the rear wiper doesn't stay on intermittently when you press the button

There are at least 3 of us! See point 1) in my posting of http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=313828