upgrading from my 85' to a 99' 996, I think its an upgrade

bezza911 · 01-19-2011, 04:58 AM

OK all, I have been an avid supporter of my 3.2 but I am away all summer and I can't drive it here on the salt in winter, so I have decided to sell it and get a UK 996.
They are throwing them away in the UK, half the price in RHD compared to a LHD, that being said, I have driven a 993 tip tronic and had no issues with it. Is the Carrera 4 that much nicer a car than the Carrera 2, should I go the manual so the wife can't drive it while I am away? So many questions, so little time.

Any thoughts/input etc greatly appreciated.

Bez

racer · 01-20-2011, 12:59 PM

The two models are so VASTLY different, I encourage you to check out a few 996 examples. Yes, they are quiet, heat and AC works, FAST.. but if you are coming from years of Aircooled experience, it might be a short love affair. You will miss the "character" of the older car (at least I did).

You mention not wanting to drive the 3.2 in the winter due to salt. Would you really feel less guilty driving the 996 in the winter? My guess is you will baby the 996 in much the same way.

TIPs are fine if you commute alot. Stop and go and such. Even though you can "shift" them, they aren't the same as a manual or a PDF in their responsiveness. I would encourage getting the wife to drive either a stick or tip.. 2 Porsche lovers in 1 house often becomes a "more than 1" porsche house

2Utes · 01-20-2011, 06:58 PM

+1 on the vastly different character of the cars. I have the privilege of driving both an 82SC and 02C4S. the only real similarity is the engine location and the general body shape. The C4S is a fully modern car regarding amenities. The biggest difference for me is the clutch/shift operation which requires much less effort and a different timing of between the two pedal operations. It is also amazing what it can do from a handling perspective, but it does not have the more primal character of the SC. That said, they are both a gas to drive. Either way you will have a really nice car for your commute. But do drive one if you can before you make the deal.

bezza911 · 07:58 AM

Thanks for that, I just bought a 98 Carrera 2 996 tip t, Silver and black with 2 owners. Low mileage and I get it for the same price as my older 85 3.2. Pick it up on Sunday. I just ordered a book (albeit too late) but I am trying to find the range variances described to me. The one I have bought has a Carrera S badge on the trunk, what is a Carrera S compared to a straight Carrera, or is this just a "spoof" badge that someone has put on it?

The real reason I went to a 996 is I am over the leaks in the targa, rust coming through and the fear factor of it breaking down as my daily driver ( it never did in 4 years) but I found myself always looking at the gauges just in case something was going to happen. I guess I have moved from entry level Porsche 3.2 to a 996, and will no doubt in a few years have a 2nd 3.2 coupe for the classic days...

Thanks Pelicanites!

Paul

racer · 01-21-2011, 02:39 PM

In the US, the 996 didn't come out till '99. I know in Europe it was sometime in '98. Very likely someone just grabbed an "S" and slapped it on there.. "badge engineering" at its finest

jwetering · jwetering's Garage

There was never a 996S, not including of course the widebody Carrera 4S which is a completely different car. The 4S started with the Mark II series (2002 in the US) and it replaced the Carrera 4 narrow body. Your car is not an S and nobody will be fooled.

In North America cars are designated by their model years, but these are always introduced the year before that model year. A typically misleading North American system for classifying things.. In Europe the cars are designated by the year in which they are introduced.

The Mark I cars ran from 1998 to 2001. These had 3.4 litre engines, noses identical to Boxsters, and no glove compartments. These cars came as either Carerra 2 or Carrera 4. The Mk II cars had 3.6 litre engines, noses like turbos (headlights anyway), and interiors with gloveboxes. The british called these "facelift" cars. These cars came as Carrera 2 and Carrera 4S models.

Are you seriously driving a right hand drive car in Germany? Not that there is a problem with that but I am surprised. I have noticed that cars are bloody cheap in the UK also. It doesn't help that the pound is in the toilet.

bezza911 · 01-26-2011, 01:55 AM

Well I just returned with my Tiptronic S, and it is an actual car model here in Europe. The American market had a different launch date, hence the confusion. The "S" of the era (98) was specific to Tiptronic cars only, there is a few references to them, but really the "S" means nothing in factory spec. RHD in Germany, never bothered me before, with the plan of maybe sending it to Australia later. Its quite convenient sometimes as I open the ladies door for them all the time (even if it was an accident) it works a treat!

Now I just need to tidy up the few bits and pieces in the interior that need attention, sort out that vibration I felt at 250Km on the autobahn yesterday and restore the wheels and all should set for a fine summer of road trips!

Can someone please tell me what the part number and name of the lugs/wheelnut/washer looking things that are covering the wheel nut and protect the wheel ? Mine are perishing. Let the learning curve begin.