Final Analysis 996

Howard Agency · 03-25-2006, 12:08 AM

OK, have put 300 miles on the car.
This may be the best car I have ever driven. It's fast, handles well, very comfortable, good looking IMHO. Fuel economy good, solid one piece feel. Quiet, Tiptronic is better than stick for 95% of driving. A/C and all the gadgets work as well as a Toyota. Drives easily, but from 4500 - 7200 is a real animal.

It is not, by my definition, a 'real' Porsche. If the scale goes from MBZ to Porsche..
MBZ: Bank Vault
BMW/Audi: Crisper edge
996: Crisper yet
Real Porsche: Oh Yeah!

Drive across country with the family: MBZ
Drive across country with my wife: 996
Drive Mulholland or A/X on a nice day: Real Porsche

Real Porsches weigh under 2200 lbs, are air cooled, noisy, and fun. 356's, early 911's, and even 914's. A/C and P/S are for wimps. Real men drive Real Porsches.

My garage is blessed.

Doug&Julie · 03-25-2006, 08:01 AM

Very cool. What a great stable of cars!

I didn't realize it was a tip. How often do you use the "manual" mode of the tip vs. leaving it fully automatic?

Having a new one and an old one makes you appreciate the qualities of each. You're living the best of both worlds man!

RideShoot&Drink · 03-25-2006, 05:12 PM

Congrats on your purchase! It's hard to overlook the value in 996s these days. Most likely you've made the right decision choosing 996 over 993 despite 993s appeal. Enjoy your car!

avalad2 · 03-25-2006, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Real Porsches weigh under 2200 lbs, are air cooled, noisy, and fun. 356's, early 911's, and even 914's. A/C and P/S are for wimps. Real men drive Real Porsches.

Well said!!

Maltese Falcon · 03-25-2006, 09:58 PM

Hi Howard

The garage is filling up ! What type itty bitty speaker is that in the 914 ?? I'm finishing up Matt's '74 and shopping for sounds right now.
Enjoy the ride--the 996 pulls like a small block in 5 and 6 !
Marty

450knotOffice · 450knotOffice's Garage

Congratulations on the purchase of the 996. I'd love to have one as my "daily driver".

I've gotta say, though, that I do consider my 2570 pound Carrera a real Porsche, even if it does weigh more than 2200 pounds.

hbkramer · 03-26-2006, 05:06 AM

re speakers..check out an audi sedan S5000 ? rear deck at your local salvage yard if you are on the budget plan. small but effective bose stuff

Howard Agency · 03-26-2006, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 450knotOffice
Congratulations on the purchase of the 996. I'd love to have one as my "daily driver".

I've gotta say, though, that I do consider my 2570 pound Carrera a real Porsche, even if it does weigh more than 2200 pounds.

OK, OK

Hell, by that rule a C-GT wouldn't qualify, either.
Marty, what speaker? Real Porsches don't have stereo's.
Doug, it does a pretty good job finding the right gear by itself, but the lock is nice in the twisties and hills to stop it from hunting. Don't know if it's just this car, but 3k in 5th is between 76 and 83 mph indicated. Enough difference ticket/no ticket in CA. Will check with hand held GPS.

It has a funny. Stomp on the brakes and the horn blows. Nice for making eye (and finger) contact with pedestrians. Dave at TRE thinks it's probably a short next to the air bag actuator.

As expected with a car with this mileage, lots of little things need to be fixed, but that's part of the fun. thanks all for the nice words.