Dad brought home a 996

[Nickshu]

So Dad got back into a Porsche last week. He used to do track days with me in my SC before we sold it. He still has the P-car bug. Mine is gone, I'm into other cars now, but maybe it will come back someday for me.

2003 996 Carrera with 18K original miles. 6-speed manual. Factory sport exhaust (sounds great), factory spoiler, and body color seatbacks and center console are the only options on the car. The car is immaculate.

I drove it last week, my first time behind the wheel of a water-pumper 911. My driving impression, I hate to say it, is that it's very vanilla. And not that fast. My wife's Polestar S60 Volvo would smoke it from 0-60 easily...I was really disappointed in this given that it puts down over 300HP. Handling feels like it wants to understeer which is the polar opposite from how I think a 911 should feel, at least way different from my SC's oversteer feel, which IMHO is how a rear engine car should feel.

That said the car is a pleasure to drive, so as a daily driver it will be very easy to live with. It was definitely designed to appeal to Joe public. It just lacks the soul of the classic 911. I hope this came back in the 997 or 991, because it's certainly not here in the 996. Now I see why guys are paying out such big bucks for classic 911's now and 996's are, well, cheap.

Dad with the car:

[billybek]

Maybe it needs to be woken up a bit?
Not a lot of mileage for the age. Have a trusted shop go through it and see if that helps it out.
Tires are probably old and hard too.

[KNS]

At least your dad still craves some excitement, my dad's most recent car was a Prius.

[Oh Haha]

It's a very different feeling in the newer cars. I've been lucky enough to drive a couple 996s.

The turbos are fast but without much drama. They just squat and go!

Did you find the stock air cleaner assembly for your dad yet?

[stealthn]

Not sure i understand your understeer comments, all 911's with rear wheel drive understeer...

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

It's a very different feeling in the newer cars. I've been lucky enough to drive a couple 996s.

The turbos are fast but without much drama. They just squat and go!

I test drove an '01 turbo last year when I was looking. It was fast, but too comfy and boring. I ended up with a Boxster because it felt more sporty.

Originally Posted by stealthn

Not sure i understand your understeer comments, all 911's with rear wheel drive understeer...

Yeah. Maybe it has to do with the alignment that both had. That can make a big difference in how they feel. But yes, 911s have a tendency to understeer more than anything else, but they can be goaded into oversteer with a lift or some brakes as I think we all know.

[Drisump]

I've had the opportunity to drive a buddy's 996 for many enthusiastic miles. I own a "euro" 85 and a 993. If left stock, the 85 is still a fun and engaging car, in my mind the 993 needed some suspension mods to create the car I wanted. It is now a very fun and engaging drive. The stock 996 feels composed, quiet and comfortable...sort of like my wife's 3 series Bimmer. Fun, but definitely more GT than the air cooled cars. I know many in the air-cooled crowd that look down their noses at the 996 but they (996's) do offer an unbelievable value that leaves the purchaser with lots of money to "liven" it up. Despite the recent run up in prices of GT3 and Turbo (996's), they seem to offer a lot for the money as well, true dry sump Mezger engine and many other fancy bits. I'm sure your dad will love the car, my buddy does. Cheers

[onewhippedpuppy]

Tell him congrats! They are excellent cars, especially as a fun daily driver.

[rfloz]

I drove a borrowed 996 a couple of years ago. My impression - the best handling Camry ever.

[sugarwood]

Which year Camry is the 996 supposed to resemble ?

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by rfloz

I drove a borrowed 996 a couple of years ago. My impression - the best handling Camry ever.

Bargain. A 996 is way cheaper than a Camry.