Had a ride in a 2002 996 today ...

Matt Holcomb · Matt Holcomb's Garage

A friend's (Pelican username: Weapon Of Choice; real name: Shannon) father was given a 996 to evaluate for 24 hours; I was asked if I wanted to have a look and go for a ride.

While I've never been a fan of water-cooled 911s (and the Boxster), I thought it prudent to accept the invite, if only to see what has been changed -- and what is different -- four years after my first 'run-in' with this contentious car.

And what did I think? Well, not much has changed, although they sound better now -- the acoustics department at Porsche has done their homework.

Oh, and they still go like hell, too.

Here's some pics.

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WydRyd · 08-14-2002, 03:56 AM

That's a nice looking ride

However, I'm still drawn to the 993's more than the 996's (even if they are a better car all round).

Yup, I can just see myself in a 993 C4S. OK, maybe not as refined & quiet as the 996, but certainly sexier (to me anyway)

Sarah · Sarah's Garage

My husband's friend at work just got a 2002 996. He & his wife love the car and can't wait to go for "porsche drives" with us & other owners. His friend really likes (wants) our 930...but I will remind him it will never be for sale!!

JonT · 08-14-2002, 10:03 AM

Sarah--how's your 930 compare to the 996 performance-wise on your 911 runs?

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I drove an '00 996 a few weeks ago, and wasn't really impressed - personally, I thought it was kind of a dog. It was comfy, cold and shiny - that's about it.

And I like the styling of the 993 better, but I'm sure back in '66 guys were saying they liked the styling of the 356 better...

Sarah · Sarah's Garage

Hey JonT - Well i'm not sure how to answer that. On my 3 days of drivers training...everyone was going faster than me (911, 993, 996, 944, etc..). But, the driving instructor really hauled bu** in our 930 (it was a blast). There were only a few guys there tracking the newer models. I don't know a lot about the 996, but my husband's friend already wants a turbo and will probably give the 996 to his wife and buy an older model so he can track it (so my husband said).

Rot 911 · 08-14-2002, 01:05 PM

Looks to much like the late 90's toyota celica supra to me.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Kurt V Looks to much like the late 90's toyota celica supra to me.

Ouch! Could you imagine someone parking their brand new $90K 996 and having a bystander say, "hey, nice Supra...I didn't know they still made those"?

Of course the comment would probably come from some SCWDP agent...

stealthn · 08-14-2002, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sarah
my husband's friend already wants a turbo and will probably give the 996 to his wife and buy an older model so he can track it (so my husband said).

Man where does this guy live? I want a new best friend.....I'd look good in a Maclaren F1

ischmitz · ischmitz's Garage

Let me chime in on the never ending comparison between 993 and 996.

A couple of weeks ago I had a chance to drive a colleagues '97 993C4. I was mildly disappointed at the power band that engine had compared to my C4. In higher gears nothing was happening and you had to downshift hard to get some action. Both are relatively heavy cars but the by but dyno felt the difference.

Don't get me wrong here. I love to drive the older 911's and the air-cooled sound is hard to beat or match. And the lighter early car are a blast to drive.

Still I have to admit that the water-cooled engines have undergone some substantial improvements over the latest 993 VarioRam engines. Much wider power band. And believe me when you take it against red line there is some fun, too...

I am still waiting for the first guy to try and swap a 996 into an earlier car. Will there be a fender-mounted water cooler kit

Ingo

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Yeah, but could it beat the WRX there in the driveway?

WydRyd · 08-14-2002, 06:40 PM

That's actually an RX (I think) as it doesn't have the infamous zit on the bonnet

I'm actually noticing those zits on Hyundai Excels now (aftermarket add-on)! What an absolute p!sser...

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

you're right...no scoop. Silly me...guess the bug eyes just temporarily blinded me

Weapon Of Choice · 08-14-2002, 08:15 PM

Nice pics matt,
thanks for commming and taking the pictures of the car.

I have to say, i am sitting on the fence a little. I like both the new and old cars for different reasons. My dad is 56 and wants a good car that has some creature comforts. He has also wanted a porsche for a long time.
Adam, Matt and my self did try for the 993 angle or even the 964 angle, in the end the choice is his, and the 996 is a nice car. it has alot of pulling power down low in the rev range. My dad took off in 3rd gear with matt in the car, and it didnt bat an eye lid.

the silver "WRX" or "RX" is actually my work car. it is an RS, it has done 600 km.

In answer to the question "would it dust the WRX" yes the 996 is a 5 second car to 100 kmh, the WRX is a 6.2 second car. The beefed up WRX, STi is a 5.45 second car to 100 kmh, so even the fasted Subaru make, will not touch the 911 996. the old STi was a 5.2 second car to 100 kmh

so it might dust the tiptronic 911 996 lol.

At the end of the day my father is after a great car and i believe that the porsche 996 is a great car. it might stray from the tradition of the air cooled engines, round healights. it might be heavier than the cars of old, but all cars are becomming heavier to comply with the more stringent crash test requirements world wide. the most important thing is that he is getting into a porsche and a 911 at that

WydRyd · 08-14-2002, 08:39 PM

That's the key WOC

I take my hat off to your dad for realising his dream of owning a 911. I think they're ALL special in one way or another.

Weapon Of Choice · 05:56 PM

The blue car was a manual car, last night he brought home a silver tip tronic, that he has until saturday.

i went out in the tiptronic for a long drive last ngiht and boy does it go hard.

it has a black interior, the standard 17" rims and a bose sound system.
where as the blue one has 18" wheels, the xenon lights and a grey leather interior.

i think my father is going to go the way of the tip tronic. as it is a daily driver and he is losing some movent in his left leg especially around the ankle, he thinks in 5 years it might be very difficult to drive the manual.

i offered to take it off his hands when that time comes, but the tip tronic will end my hopes there

i will keep you all posted as to his purchase discision. he is also looking at a merc clk500 and the bmw m3. all very nice cars, but when he is looking to myself and adam for advise, you can all bet there is a some bias as to which direction we are advisng him to go

i and 90% sure the porsche is going to be the one. 911 all the way

i will try and get some pics of the silver on up as soon as i can borrow a digi cam.

Weapon Of Choice · 08-15-2002, 08:57 PM

Just received a call from my father.

He brought a new 996 in seal grey