Porsche 996 911 Carrera

As happy as I was recollecting the combination of fun and fear I experienced in my 1987 930, which I sold in 2004, once I decided to reenter into Porsche ownership I opted for a 996 C2 3.6 manual, I can say that I was instantly delighted with the car, a far more sophisticated car with loads of power and predictable handling, I would recommend this car to anyone especially at current price levels. The purist

movement may harp on and on about air cooing etc etc but technology moves on and so must we.

I have had the 996 now for 3 months. It is my second porsche. My first was the boxster. This is an awesome driving car. Fast and furious but refined and dignified other times. Great styling and overall quality are keys for this vehicle. The convertible top is convenient and folds quickly and quietly.

The only thing i wish it had was a light that showed when the spoiler extends and is extended off the back.

Rather average off make but then power that thrills. Handling amazing.

With little kids the effort of getting them in and out is difficult. Over all a great car with the good lines to match. Will buy another in future.

Thats what the 911 inspires in it's owners. Just the shear raw ability of this car gives you more than confidence in your driving skills, it gives you competence.

I am new to Porsche ownership having owned my C2 for only 3 months.

Whilst I was obviously fully aware of the long history of Porsche and the 911, until I went to view my first example I had never appreciated what a masterpiece in design the 996 is.

My previous car was a Subaru STi 5 Type R. The comparison between these two cars is interesting.

The Subaru is 2 door, 2 litres, delivers about 330 bhp, is four wheel drive, weighs approx 300kg less and is capable of sub 4 second 0-60 time.

The Porsche is also 2 door, 3.6 litres, delivers about 320bhp and in the C2 model, is two-wheel drive,and is capable of approx 5 sec 0-60.

Having driven the Subaru for eight years, it takes a little time to adjust to the different nature of the Porsche, but I am already well on the way to becoming yet another devotee of this oustanding car.

I purchased my 996 C2 just over a year ago, CPO from a Porsche dealer. For me it's a daily driver and much like the other posts the car takes some getting used to. My first reaction was that you need to pay more attention while driving as the cars speed and close-rate puts you on-top of the next car before you know it. Once you used to the power and handling, you've fine.

You'll also need to get accustomed to everyone from the gangly teenager to the senior citizen ogling over your car, face it, it's the car that everyone wishes they owned.

I've had zero problems other than preventative maintenance which is costly but you know that going in. The car looks fantastic, is great fun to drive and actually holds its value well.

I've had 3 996 facelifts, two C2's and one C4, And i'm now looking to buy my 4th after a couple of years out driving diesels and contemplating ending it all every time i turn the key and feel the whole car shake!! At present these cars offer outstanding value for money, my first back in 2002 set me back £56,000, i can now buy that same car, albeit with an extra 0 on the odometer for £20k They're probably approaching some what risky territory with reliability, my last car was a C4 and that had a new gear box, fly wheel and two clutches under warranty with just 11,500 miles on the clock.. Porsche have ramped the warranty price from £700 a year back in 2002 to over £1300 a year now, Which for someone like me who's going to use the car on Saturday and Sunday during the summer is just an expense that will seem needless until the thing breaks..

Performance V Economy is actually reasonable, my 996's have returned better average MPG than my Mini Cooper S (2004) Audi S3 (2007) and golf Gti (2005) .. on a 70mph cruise along the M4 you'd get 30mpg with ease, floor it around B roads and you'll end up in the low 20's, just like my Mini with half the engine and half the power!

The inside in comparison to any modern sports car is poor, Aston, Audi, BMW all have the 996, and the 997 for that matter, hanging it's head in shame.. BUT.. it's a classic, it has heritage and they won't depreciate from the £20k mark with any particular speed.

I finally took the plunge and swapped my Mazda RX8 for a 7 year old 911 Targa C2 Tiptronic S.

When I took it for a test drive one drizzly afternoon in Leicester I thought, "What's all the fuss about?" After the RX8 the controls felt heavy, the interior hopelessly dated and I couldn't even get comfortable in the damned thing.

After a couple of days pondering I had it taken over to a Porsche main dealer, where I spent half an hour wandering around and chatted for almost the same to the technical manager. Jeez, that service bay was like a hospital ICU ward! Rubber gloves, white aprons and the technical manager in a pin stripe suit! But honest to God, there's something about those cars that is just different. Anachronistic they may be, but they have an integrity that only comes with 40 years of technical development and a pedigree that few other vehicles can match.

The 111 point check confirmed that this was a genuine car with no major mechanical faults that drove well. So I took the plunge.

When I picked the car up the sun was shining and suddenly that lovely all leather interior made the Mazda look like a cheap toy. I found the foot rest for my left foot (!) which suddenly made sense, and those controls felt beautifully weighted and almost fluid in their touch, unlike the fizzy sharpness of the RX8.

And that engine. After the fast-spinning Maz, no slouch in itself, this beautiful turbine-smooth boxer is blisteringly fast and the sound...whoa, baby. My favourite trick? Just about 70-75 m.p.h in the middle lane, give a couple of stabs on the wheel mounted '-' button and hit the big organ pedal hard. Just watch all those around you think they've selected reverse gear by mistake, and listen to that boxer roar as you rocket forward.

I've driven and owned dozens of cars, many of which I have enjoyed. But this baby is different. It's a car for life, and I love it.

I have had my 996 Carrera 4 for 8 months and I love this car! I have had quite a few nice cars in the past, Clio V6, S2000, TT V6, GTV Cup but none of those even comes close to the 996! no other car I have driven has it all like the 996.

The only small grumbles are, hard ride, better with new Michelin Porsche N2 tires, Tiptronic is great around town but when you want to push it always changes up so manual is best to keep the engine on the boil!

Economy is really good I get almost 300 miles from a full tank (£56) I get around 26 mpg not bad really!

Not taken in to an offical Porsche as yet it will need a service soon so I will see, some good non Porsche garages about.

A 996 is amazing value for £25K you get a car worth £65K! why buy a new TT etc when you can have a 996? add to that the small amount of money you will lose when you sell, all makes sense!!

I had a scooby prior to the 996 and I can say that the 996 has much more immediate performance than the scooby. You could use 99% of the scoobies performance whilst the 996 you have to respect and be smoother on the inputs. Mine is in superb condition despite being 9 years old, not a spot of rust and all components still feel tight. Only items that have needed replacing are the front drop links - hardly a chore and only £45 a side. Great Car.