jwetering - You're 'new' 2002 996 looks just like my one. I picked that up about a month ago too...
I think you sum it up perfectly and I would also tend to think that the majority of the people who criticise the 996/997 have probably never driven one. It is one heck of a good car and far easier to live with on a daily basis...but there is just something about the air cooled cars.