Menu toggle

Love for the 996

IUI696

New member
I love driving, maintaining and looking after my first Porsche 911. A 996 C2 Coupe 2004. I’ve always loved 1990’s 911’s, the 964 – 993’s. Great shapes and I recall when they went for £10k - £15k and not without their problems back in the day (1995ish onward).

Today circa 2017, I still love the 964 – 993 911’s but I find something strange happening. Apart from the cost going through the roof of these and earlier 911’s now becoming unaffordable for a common enthusiast. They seem to be void of previous problems and teething issues, but now an apparent fault free model – to the online purists.

The more I want to see encouragement for a 996 online, the more I seem to see the 996 dislike / haters (not all but a majority). How this 911 is ugly, unreliable, design faulted, unconventional! (what 911 has not had teething problems yet nothing than can’t be fixed).

I don’t want a 911 on it’s worth or rarity. I want a 911 on how it makes me feel and drives. I find my 996 turns heads, is reliable, is fast, is efficient, is easy to work on, it’s beautiful in my eyes.

I had a stranger ask me if my 911 was a 993. I noted no, it’s a 996. I was advised you don’t want that, no good, you want an air cooled 911, yours is not a good car! I also noted in the Porsche Post Magazine, a Q&A article to the rear from Hexagon. Who have a stunning collection of rare high end cars that I appreciate. Jonathan Franklin, rightly or wrongly has a negative view of the 996. He, Hexagon and everyone are allowed an opinion.

All cars can have issue’s. But fundamentally I think the 996 is a ground breaker, is revolutionary. It’s fast, efficient, user friendly, easy to work on, a drivers car and daily driver. I love my 996 and I feel the need to stick up for it. I look online and there seems to be so many negative people and comments about it. In life nothing is prefect, it’s what you make of it and how your fix it…

On a final note. I recall when the 924, 944, 968 and 928 models, all watercooled and seen as not worthy some years ago. But are now seen as appreciated classics with rising values. My watercooled 996 is not about value or investment, but about enjoyment regardless of worth, rising value or investment – it puts a smile on my face – priceless..…
 
I second everything you say, and nearly three years down the line and hassle free I'm still very much in love with my 996 ??????and just to add nearly 95000 and still spinning on the original ims bearing ,and it never uses a drop of oil !!! #porscheperfection
 
Morning , just to add to this , I bought my 996 C4S a couple of mouths ago and I "LOVE" it too.

its been 20 years since I last owned a 911 , my last car was an SC coupe and I've regretted selling it ever since. I've been looking at buying another 911 for around 2 years now And I was torn between either 996 C4S or a 997 S , after looking at both models in detail and looks I found for me that the 996 Gen2 was a unique and beautiful looking car.

This car will hold up against any 911 and stand the test of time, it's an amazing machine.




 
Echo what others have said. This is my second 996, and both were faultless. Great drivers car, reliable comfortable, and look fantastic in my opinion. Prices for good 996s can only go one way. Anybody that is interested in a drivers car, rather than headlight shape, will love this modern classic.
 
IUI696 said:
the more I seem to see the 996 dislike / haters (not all but a majority).

99% of whom have never owned or driven a 996.

Try to find any owner who hates / hated their 996.
High end dealers are only interested in one thing ‘large Profit margins’ IMHO.
Buying the most expensive Porsche will not get you the best Porsche.
 
I've had my 2002 c2 for 3 months now and have done 3,200 miles in it and love it so I agree with everything you say [:D]
 
The 10 year anniversary of my ownership of my C4S Cab is coming up next month - during that time it has been round the Nurburgring, driven the isle of Man TT route, done the North Coast 500, driven the Antrim coast route in N.I. , driven on the Porsche experience track at Silverstone, and been round Knockhill circuit Scotland - as well as some more 'ordinary' trips !
Still only done 32,000 miles - what a brilliant car !
Chris
 
I used to have a 3.0 carrera, and now I have my 996. The 996 is fantastic. Everyone has there own opinions but I love mine. There great and when the rest of the world catches on so to speak, no doubt like all the others before,prices will climb.
 
Had a 986 Boxster S for 7 years, and 3 years ago, as it approached 100,000 miles, decided to go for a 996. I wasn't looking for a C4 cabriolet, but stumbled on mine and it was love at first sight. Thanks to the ill-informed who badmouth the 996, the price was low enough to make mine affordable. I couldn't be happier. Every drive (top down, always) is a joy.
 
I'd second everything you said, if I wasn't the 11th person doing so [:D]

I've had my 996.2 C2 for about 2 years now and it's a great car, every drive is fun and rewarding - even when I drove from Berkshire to York in torrential rain and limited visibility the other week. It's not a high miler - still just under 50k, but I've put about 20% of those miles on in the time I've had the car. Yes, there are a lot of negative comments out there, but as with most things those who have something negative or ill-informed to say tend to be the ones who shout loudest. It's always better to be in a well-informed minority!



 
Welcome to the club!

Totally agree with all you've said too. It annoys me the level of negativity out there on the Internet, that it should slightly dull someone's happiness.
EVERYONE's an expert apparently. They merely re-post what they have read and spouting nasty comments somehow makes them feel better, with little or no basis in knowledge or experience. You'd never buy any car if you listened to everything out there. All cars have faults.

End of my rant.

Good on you that you enjoy a great car to the full. Wish you many happy years of ownership to come sir. Pinky would be proud.

David.

 
I agree entirely on everyone who has said what a great car the 996 is . My C4 is a lovely car to drive with a huge grin on my face every time i start her up she fires into life , lovely to drive & most people look on & guess think i wish i had one of those to look good in driving about , so this is my opinion a great looking car that i love to drive makes me feel as tho i am privileged to own her , like to look @ her from all angles & you know what always think what a beautiful car she looks so glad she is mine .
 
It’s so wonderful to note the positive and really great response to my post, thank you. It’s great to hear the pleasure of ownership and it’s not just me that gets a bit frustrated at the negativity to the 996.

I recently noted this online article regarding the 996.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/a9982953/why-the-996-generation-porsche-911-will-never-be-collectible/

This bit of online journalism seems to be by someone who has never owned or driven a 996 (I may be wrong), but by someone who basis an opinion on collectability, rising values, 911 prospecting and rarity! Not driving pleasure or enjoyment, as noted by every single person who commented to my post.

Before I bought my 996, I reviewed as much as I could. I felt the wind taken out my sails with these online articles, You Tube posts etc that I started to question if I should actually buy a 996.

I used the negative as a positive to educate myself and went for it, glad I did as mentioned.

On a final note: A nice article on this variant of the 996 – this 996 is one of the smallest series production batch Porsche ever made!!

https://www.vierenzestig.nl/porsche-996-gt3-rs-road-challenge-registry/

Thanks Simon
R1 - 2004 C2 996
 
IUI696 said:
It’s so wonderful to note the positive and really great response to my post, thank you. It’s great to hear the pleasure of ownership and it’s not just me that gets a bit frustrated at the negativity to the 996.

I recently noted this online article regarding the 996.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/a9982953/why-the-996-generation-porsche-911-will-never-be-collectible/

This bit of online journalism seems to be by someone who has never owned or driven a 996 (I may be wrong), but by someone who basis an opinion on collectability, rising values, 911 prospecting and rarity! Not driving pleasure or enjoyment, as noted by every single person who commented to my post.

Before I bought my 996, I reviewed as much as I could. I felt the wind taken out my sails with these online articles, You Tube posts etc that I started to question if I should actually buy a 996.

I used the negative as a positive to educate myself and went for it, glad I did as mentioned.

On a final note: A nice article on this variant of the 996 – this 996 is one of the smallest series production batch Porsche ever made!!

https://www.vierenzestig.nl/porsche-996-gt3-rs-road-challenge-registry/

Thanks Simon
R1 - 2004 C2 996



The day I start listening to Americans about how to build a sports car, it'll be a cold day in hell.
 
Looks very clean and looked after. I've had mine 3 years and still look at it every morning with a huge smile.
 
I gave up reading that first attached article. More of a hate fuelled rant. He got it wrong about the 914 but has learnt nothing. Furthermore he seems to like the GT3 and Turbo, but aren't their interiors and headlights and paint the same?! But as they're faster they're acceptable...

Articles like this just mean that prices will remain low enough for a period of time whilst more people can buy their dream car and in time they'll of course rise and he will be wrong again, whilst in his well built mustang!

On a last note, someone should really tell that journalist to research the engine failure rates of the 3.8L fitted to the 997 he recommends. Don't get me wrong, I'd buy one in a heartbeat, but he is giving more advice to his followers...


 
Again i agree whole Heartedly all i can say is their are so many missing out on a opportunity of owning such a beautiful car as the 996 . In time these cars will without doubt come into their own, maybe 6 months, maybe 6 years who knows but i know is this for certain it will be a sort after car in time when people stop knocking it for all the wrong reasons, also may i add this is prob just my opinion these people may never have drove one either which is more of a laugh,anyway i love my 996 & am always itching to start her up lovely & drive her lol
 
Totally agree. I have had my 996 facelift cabriolet for three months now and put about 1500 miles on it, every one of them enjoyable. I love the interior, the way she handles and the way she looks. I particularly like the headlamps and how they do that clever little dip when you start the car with them switched on. The smooth snarl of that flat six echoing in the garage when I start her up always puts a smile on my face.
She has in fact added about a minute or so to my commute time - I cycle to the station and whereas before I'd grab the bike out the garage, jump on and go, now I open the garage, gaze fondly at the car, grab the bike, admire the car some more, then jump on the bike.
 

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Back
Top