Newbie...

Hi All, Thought I would introduce myself... My real name is Tim, 28, from Reading in Berks. I've owned a few Skylines over the last 4 years or so, including one I unfortunately bent at the Nurburg Ring, which was nobody elses fault but my own. Its time for me to take the next step and move up a notch, I've looked into many different cars, but think my next best option is to go for a 996 C2 Manual with a factory fit Aero kit (I see one in Black quite often at Nirvana Spa, so if thats you, send me a pm please ). I like to drive, so will be taking the car on many a track day to get the best use out of the car. No doubt I will have many questions while I hunt do the perfect car, as finding technical information seems as tough as it does for the Skyline, so any hints appreciated. I look forward to meeting some of you in the near future.. Moff

Hi youve definitely come to the right place for your research [ ] I spent a year on here before I bought my car

Hi Tim. You have definitely come to the right place - no shortage of oldbies for help and advice here! Take a look here for starters: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=269468 .

Thanks Guys, I'll have a read through them... Its a RWD I'm after, 98 - 01. Has anyone driven a GTS-t Skyline and a 996 RWD for any comparisons ? Moff

Have you ever driven a 996? I'm sure its going to be a whole different world to the GTS-t..Maybe somewhat of a disappointment? It certainly won't be as raw. What have you had done to your cars? What kind of power were they unleashing?[ ]

My Day to day runner is 253 @ the Hubs (approx 300 Flywheel) and the track one is 330 @ the hubs (approx 380 Flywheel) , both without traction control or ABS, as I do like the raw driving feel where everything is down to the driver and not electronics (they are both GTS-t, permenant RWD without ATTESSA, with HICAS disabled. What do you mean when you say disappointment ? Moff

996s have 300bhp for the version you're looking at, so you're not looking for more speed I take it, nor a rawer driving feel. The parts will be more expensive if you track the car, and depreciation will be greater. The car probably weighs more too, and has less scope to improve performance (at a reasonable cost). What is the appeal for you? IMO the GTS is an awesome car at a great price (not having driven one, but heard great things about them)

If I'm being perfectly honest, I would have to say the Kudos of owning a Porsche. I'm also at the point where the next step of tuning on the Skyline is at least £6k (uprating turbo, injectors, AFM, ECU, mapping costs etc etc to see 500BHP) which is money I will not get back. Having done many track days (which have included the likes of Ferraris, Porsche, Masseratti) an extra 100BHP or even 300 BHP at what is basically an amateur level of racing does not make for a faster lap, its all down to the driver. Logically it makes sense to move on to another vehicle. Moff

Totally understand. But you should definately test drive one before you get serious. You really have to be sure of what you want out of a car when you spend that much on one (ie is the kudos enough to outweigh any loss in performance/over assistance, you might be annoyed at on a daily basis) If you're worried about the 6k, you'll probably lose that in 2 years or less owning an 00'/'01 anyway. Then you have servicing and consumables and anything that goes wrong. I'd say at least £1k py. Then you have insurance and fuel on top. Clearly it's not as cheap to run as a Skyline. IMO the real appeal of a 996 is lost on the public roads (the somewhat unique handling characteristics) and on the track, I'd say they are too compromised (in Carrera form) A move from a Skyline may be a bit of a sideways one. Don't get me wrong I love my 996, every drive is an event, I always look forward to it. But once in a while, when I get into a friends Clio Williams or other such giant killers at 1/10 of the price, I get worried![8D]

Well if it helps i have an 03 C2 996 manual and i have to say that my previous car but one a Subaru Impreza Sti V8 was more expensive to run than my 996. It used more fuel, and was higher to insure (more than twice for decent insurance). I think the extended warranty was more to, so in my opinion it will be chepaer to run day to day than your skyline. Yes parts may be more (if you need them), but find yourself a good car and an indy to look after it and you won't go far wrong. Take your time it took me over a year to find the car for me Steve

I have to say I'd agree with the the above posters. I came from an S2000 to my 996 (3.6) and whilst it's a lot quicker it's a very different drive. I do ring trips and I'm sure the 996 will be a lot comfier but I'm still not sure how rewarding it will be. The steering/understeer does take some getting used to but after you have adjusted your style it's great fun and the most rewarding aspect of the car in my opinion I'd suggest looking for MO30 suspension as it will feel a bit soft on the track with standard shocks. I did an airfield day recently with the Mazda Rx7 owners club. My standard car (non sports suspension) was every bit as quick around the short track and the slalom but it did feel very easy and didn't 'feel' all that quick. The Rx7's were heavily modified and stripped so it was a fair comparison.

Hi and welcome Tim! My brother has a couple of Skylines, a looney-tuned 600hp R32 GTR and a standard R34 GTR V-spec. The R34 feels a very very sorted car, seriously well engineered. Despite having 276hp (yeah right!) it feels as fast as my C4S. The R33 on the other hand makes me feel quite ill! I think you'd find a 996 a great car, and if you enjoy a bit of tweakage, there's plenty you could do to it to make it 'yours'. I love the fact that they are such versatile cars, much as the Skyline I suppose. It will of course never be quite as explosive in delivery as a turbo, but the whole package is beautifully sorted and charismatic. Near Reading there are some great indies who will look after the car for you and give you all the proper advice you need, and I'm sure we'll chip in when asked. Where do you get your Skyline looked after? Do you post on the GTROC? As an aside, do you know anyone who might want the aforementioned R32? I'm sure my bro would let it go for a very reasonable sum if you know anyone who might be interested.

Hi Tim, I'm in Reading near J12 on the M4 so if you see an R reg dark blue 996 it might be me. Reading seems to be the centre of the Porsche universe as we have the main dealer, Northway and Wrightune within a few miles of each other. I'm fortunate to live within a 5 minute walk of the OPC so it must have been fate for me to finally pick up my 996 from a fellow forum user (thanks Fidg) last weekend after researching and looking for over a year. There is a load of tech info on this site and on renntech.org. To get at the v. detailed info you'll have to be a member on both forums - PH is also pretty good if a bit more laid-back than here but the classifieds section is superb. I'd also recommend visiting the Hartech webaite and reading their buyers guide - if you want technical info you won't be dissappointed. It'll give you a warning on the possible problems of 996 ownership but also reassurance that there are solutions that won't need you to remortgage to afford! One final comment - if you can get a car with history on the forum here or elsewhere then go for it as you'll find it would have been well-looked after. You'll find that a lot of 996s on the market haven't been and the good ones willl stand out a mile. Rrds, G

Thanks Guys, Robert - I mainly post on www.skyline-owners-club.com but registered on GTROC all as Moff... Whats your Brothers handle ? Monkeymagic - You must take your cars to Dave at Thames Valley MOT, top guy he is My number plate says MOFFS so I'll be sure to wave I need to get out and take one for a test drive is the best bet.. Moff

My bro's handle is jamesbilluk for some reason. He's not mentioned skyline owners club- I'll point him towards it.

Well, I still thinking about a Porsche, but something makes me think about going for a Turbo.. Question is, where can I find detailed specs and models of the 996 Turbo ? Google is no help ! Moff

Go buy a proper launghing machine! [ ][ ] They are awesome!

[/quote] Go buy a proper launghing machine! [ ][ ] They are awesome! [/quote] Whats one of them then, is that a typo ? Moff

Go buy a proper launghing machine! [ ][ ] They are awesome! [/quote] Whats one of them then, is that a typo ? Moff [/quote] 996 Turbo!:- Proper laughing machine!!!!!!!