[Aerkuld]

I'll put my opinion forward. I have had an '87 911 for the last three and a half years and love it. I picked up my 996 just over a month ago as a daily driver and it's an amazing car. It's very different from the earlier models and does feel more like a Grand Tourer at first, but the sports car is definitely underneath when you want it. It looks heavy, but I wouldn't call 3000lbs heavy and with 300-325 bhp you will never say it's slow. A friend of mine has owned one in England for a couple of years and describes it as "the most usable sports car in the world" which I would say sums it up nicely.
I did need to change front rotors on mine, but it was super easy - probably the easiest car I've ever done the job on. If everything else is designed to be done so easily this should be a pleasure to live with.
I certainly don't regret buying one. You know it makes sense!