BBP,
That's correct. As well as fighting CA emissions standards, it was also difficult to make air-coolers meet Swiss noise emission standards (water jacketed engine parts are quieter too).

The various numbers (964, 993, 996) are internal project designations for each new iteration of the 911 model. Just as a Boxster is a "986" in Zuffenhausen-speak. Usually only the enthusiasts (ie, wackos on this board) will be heard using those numbers. It is not unusual for a Porsche dealer salesperson to give you a blank stare if you ask them to direct you to their 996 inventory.

If you're like a lot of people then your next question is "aren't they running out of 9XX project numbers?" and yes they are. They've got some new project numbering system they've started, beginning with the Cayenne. I'm sure the peanut gallery can find a way to whine about that, too.



Zip: I'm a big fan of just about every 911, 1963-2003. Driven most of them at least around the neighborhood, and they just keep getting better. The 996 is an amazing car. Have you been to the Porsche website? They've got a great option pricing/configuring model there. Careful though, some people have broken 6 digits on the price after adding some options. Just promise us that, if you can swallow the prejudice and jealousy you've seen here and actually go through with the purchase, you will learn the "flash" !!

Why a tip? The six-speed is a wonderful box. Fighting lots of traffic?

Note that the parking assist is cool, but will result in a string of "zits" along the rear bumper of the car that I find very distracting in appearance.

Dave? (dtw) You forgot your PCA promotion pitch. Gotta give you credit, you are loyal to the factory cause, which is the cause of PCA and the editorial section of PANO. The guard ain't just changing...IMHO, it's changed. 35 years PCA, only a few with R Gruppe. Wanna guess which parking corral I chose at the historics? After all, last time I parked in a PCA corral, a guy in a 996 said he didn't want my "old piece of *****" parked next to his new 996. Me? Bitter about that? Naw, never....Class society? Check out PCA these days.

We did decide to get the Tiptronic because we do fight a lot of traffic here.

I will think about the Parktronic, I don't want to blemish the car but we also don't want to back over the little ones running around our neighborhood.

Zip? Who are you?...really. TABS 52? If that's the case, you must be LOL right now. If not? My apologies. And let me say you'd become a perfect member for today's Porsche Club of America. Perhaps only nearly perfect. You didn't opt to buy a Cayenne...

<i>" .... 356 guys didn't like the 911, .... "</i>

I wasn't old enough in 64/65 to have first-hand knowledge, but I'm not so sure that is true Dave. Of course there were/are 356-only fans, but the 911 was a smashing success upon its introduction - a record 12,820 cars were built that first year. I've been unable to find any 'apologies' for the 911 in the motoring press from 1964/65. Conversely, it seems every review of the 996 makes some sort of apology for the car prior to explaining how good it's performance stats are. Your point is well taken though. -- Curt

And then there's this quote from "The Complete Story of the 911":

<font size=1>" Now, the 911 is dead. We know the new 996 is faster, more refined and easier to drive .... this seems to be a fool-proof machine. But the real 911 fans would never approve this. They want a 911 to be exciting, challenging and characterful. They don't want to be treated as a fool. That's why they will miss it forever.

To be honest, Porsche 911 was not really my favourite, but I do admire its legendary story, its unique character, its uncomparable success in motor racing and its forever-young spirit. Having lost an old friend - he was around me since I was born - I couldn't help feeling sorry. Nine-eleven, we miss you !!"</font>

Ok, Brian, I thought you, with a few others, were kind of taking the piss (wow, you can write piss without it censoring you!) out of a newcomer here for his choice of "911". Sorry and I'm really not trying to be down on you, seriously, I hate that stuff here. :)
It really annoys me that us "enthusiasts" can seem unwelcoming, aloof and derisory to what could become a new enthusiast regardless of their 911 choice. It's just unpleasant, likely to ensure someone doesn't return, and the "my 911 is best" attitude and yours is inferior because it's newer, a 2.7, a T, an SC, etc., etc., is the worst attitude. It really spoils the hobby/obsession we all share and puts off newcomers.
Rant over, and sorry for the misunderstanding, Brian. As you now know, a 996 is 911....
Take care :)

Paul, my flash-rusted hulk of a 911 is double flapper '72 just like yours. Look, I'm really sorry some PCA bullies p!ssed in your cornflakes, kicked over your sand castle, -insert grievous injury here- . The truth is, you're being just as bad as they were, if not worse- you're doing it front of the whole forum and giving everyone else a bad name by association. This guy came in with honest, good-faith questions and all you (and others) have are thinly veiled insults. (That or he's a great troll and we've all been had). One word: WTF?!

Factory cause??? I've got big problems with the racing program. I'm tired of watching GT3 cars race each other year after year. I can't believe there's a 911 Turbo Tip. There's more conflicts I have with the "factory party line" so don't put words in my mouth.

Who's to say that in 1972, some Guido in gold chains didn't watch some beautiful pre-A coupe pull up next to his brand new '72S, turn up his nose at it, and call it a POS??

You guys are driving me crazy- look at me- I'm making civil posts to BigBPainta and bickering with a pre-'74 aficionado. Time for my medicine....http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/pint1.gif ...cheers!

-Dave (#1 on the Cayenne Turbo Diesel waiting list)

EDIT- Some things just dont sound right!!!

DTW we all are entitled to our opinions. Mine just get me into a lot of trouble. Always have! I just don care for people who think they are SUPREME BEINGS.

I just wanted to assure everyone that I am for real. Not a Troll, not someone you know posting under an alias.

I am new but not entirely new to Porsche, I had a 924 around 20 years ago that I turbo charged and eventually Flipped and Totaled :eek: but I am 20 years older and wiser (I Hope).

Both my wife and I are looking forward to joining the club again and I must say I was very impressed with our test drive and even though I loved my Porsche 20 years ago the new one felt light years ahead of the old 924. (did I get that model number right ;) )

zip- Hi, do they still make the new 911s available in that metallic Iris Blue color (the slightly purple looking color) or did they discontinue it after 2 years? I always thought the cabs looked great in that color, perhaps your wife would enjoy it too.

With regard to your aftermarket wheel question, I believe the SAC RG5 rim is absolutely stunning on the current 996 (not the modular version). If you dont know which one I'm talking about its the same rim that Champion motorsports has on most of their cars in advertisements. Another good looking rim would be the Fikse FM-10 which was mentioned once before on this thread. My final reccomendation would be the HRE 547.

Good luck on your decision and be sure to post some pics.

Princeton

The Zenith Blue color that is currently our first choice is, I believe, the color you are referring to. It has a slight purple cast to it and is very unique.

Thanks for the ideas for the Rims, I will definately check those out.

dtw? Think about your flamer question...you & I may disagree about tody's PCA and it's makeup, and I doubt we'll ever agree...but it's entirely possible somebody is out there now, laughing his (euphanism for donkey) off. The stereotype presented is just a bit too perfect, don't you think???

If I had 80 or 90 GRAND to spend on a new 996 the last place I would be asking folks for opinions on what kind of hardware to put in my new vehicle is on a B.B. Where 80% of the folks own cars 10 years old and more! Tabbydoll strikes again! No doubt in my mind. Hey thanks though it was entertaining. Good luck with the new car you will never own because if you could you would have had it a long time ago. Instead of that heap (Tabs) you own now. :cool:

Paul,
Conceded, could be a troll.

Also- read carefully- I don't think I've said much about PCA in my posts. Hmmmmm wonder why. I am a member so that I have something to read while taking a...

I used to go to the meetings, thinking they'd be great. In the future (when I actually have a running car) I'll be there for the track events and that's about it. Chances are that you and I agree 100% on PCA. My only thing is that arseholes know no boundaries.

Went to my homeowner's association meeting once, too, thinking it would be this really productive, goal-oriented thing. ***** it, you're right, I'm naive.

-d

Sounds like a great car and I love your interior choice.

Tiptronic, heated power seats, PCM infonavigation and parking assist. What the heck is parking assist.? I am not saying this is bad stuff, but can you call a car with this stuff a sports car. It almost sounds like a computer on wheels.

I must be getting old or turning into a purist. I now see why these cars are being called Lexus clones. Where is the fun of owning a sports car gone? Think about taking a drive in this car. Just set the cruise control, it then shifts for you, it tells you where to turn and then helps you pull into the parking space once you get there. Thank God we are still needed to steer.

I guess the priorities of 911 owners have changed. The hot topic used to be saving weight, adding power, getting better handling...

I'm not saying this is good or bad, the topic has just opened my eyes to what some of you others have been saying for awhile. Yes, it's a 911, but is it a sports car when the car has these kind of options. Can you even get this type of stuff on a Vette, Ferrari, Lambo, Viper...

Sorry Dave... really. But yeah, no doubt in my mind we're being trolled here...stereotype is just too perfect? Change "zip" to "Biff"...and let's not forget his perfect lady, "Buffy". They went to prep school in upstate NY, (where they met) got their BA's at Harvard, then the MBA's and PHD's at "Bezerkely", and shortly after that, bought their dream home in Bel Aire, with a summer place in the Hamptons...just to keep in touch with their East coast roots. Oh, there were struggles along the way, to be sure...but now they are ready to ask us peons on a posting board how to best spend close to six figures for a car? I'm just a small town blue collar guy here...but gimme a break!

Ok, I am going to try this one more time but you guy's are going to think what you want anyway, not much I can do.

Not Trolling, Not Biff, My wife's name is Marilyn not Buffy, neither of us went to Harvard. We don't have a summer home or what the hell would we be doing in Arizona this time of the year!

Yeah, I have a bit of money and can afford a nice car, but frankly, I don't get out much and my wife and I keep to ourselves so this is the best way to get advice. BTW why sell yourself short? I don't care if you are blue collar or no collar, I posted on this board for two reasons. First it seemed like everyone was knowledgeable here and second there was a lot of activity and I figured I would get a couple of responses, but I never expected this :eek:

Not sure what else to say. Obviously I have struck some sort of a nerve here and it is necessary to believe that I am this Tab guy?

Anyway, thanks to everyone that has responded sincerely to my thread and don't feel like you were taken in by anything because you weren't, I really do appreciate what you said.

Phil

Phil,
Stay with us . We have a diverse group of knowleadgeable folks on the board and our differences only makes us better...
911,964,993,996... we're all in this together in some way and you obviously came to the right place w/ good intentions. Stick around and enjoy the enthusiasm. I hope that some haven't jaded your view of aircooled enthusiasts from this post. Load it up and enjoy if that's how you want it.

I like silver, full leather, carbon fiber, sport suspension, 5 spoke wheels and wide body. I think that'd make a beautiful cab!
Enjoy!
Pete w/ a '77 2.7 that I can't get enough of!

Lots of anger and troll-paranoia here. Remember the guy who bought a real RS? Some of you wouldn't rest until he gave up VIN #s, pictures, and a DNA sample.