996 Buy

[Falco_Mark]

I have been going back and forth trying to decide between a 3.2 Carrera or a Boxster S and have never found the right deal. Just missed a good Boxster S deal. (At least I guess I missed out James?). Being in the Southeast does not help.

Now I find a '99 996 with 36,000 miles on the factory replacement engine, 126,000 total, that needs tires, maybe some TLC. I know the shop very well that has been maintaining the car and installed the new motor. Firm price is $15,500

I know, PPI, but do y'all think this car will serve as a good "starter" Porsche?

[jr993]

Fair price. Would definetly choose that over a boxster. Nice 3.2 can be had at that price, just depends on what you like. All three are very different imo.

[dienstuhr]

Agree with jr993 that these would be quite different cars. Never driven a 996 or Boxster but would guess that they feel much more "modern" and heavier than my 3.2. I don't have power steering either, and I would think that makes a 3.2 a lot more "vintage" feeling. Not to mention the sounds and smells of aircooled goodness are unique! Can you drive some different cars to get a feel for what you like?

Good luck!

d.

[Falco_Mark]

Thanks guys. All I've ever driven is a 70s 911. And I'm thinking that is the way I want to go, I have old BMW motorcycles, so I like the Boxer motors. But living in the south, having modern A/C would not be a bad thing, and I see my 'First' Porsche as a temporary assignment as I get more involved and work down the decision tree. This 996 sounds to have a very know history, and that is rare with cars around here, that is driving a lot of this. It is here, available, priced right and known.

[vracer]

I had a 2000 Boxster S. Fabulous car! The 996 will be an "almost new" car. I have an '89 3.2. It is definitely one or 1 1/2 generations old. As much as I enjoy it, would I really want it as an only driver??? Don't forget, these cars had somewhat dated tech when they were built in the late 80's. They are basically warmed over 70's technology.
Mama, please don't send me out to the woodshed.

[Falco_Mark]

I hear ya vracer, and I hope the Luddites don't flame us. The Porsche will not be a DD.

I do want to experience all the P-car World, so I see an air-cooled and a water-cooled at one time or another and the different iterations of water-cooled. I think the Boxster does a nice job of invoking a 50s era persona.

[racer]

300hp for $15.5 or 200hp for $15.5?

Great modern AC and suspension or old school no ac and old torsion bars?


The two cars couldn't get further apart imho. A 996 is a lot of car for the money and has performance that eclipses all naturally aspirated 911s that came before and gives "turbos" a good fight!

A 3.2 911 can hardly outrun modern camry in the 0-60 race.. but yes,, it has its own special goodness that makes "logical' comparisons make no sense.

If not a DD, but purely a weekend toy, follow your heart instread!

[Falco_Mark]

Indeed racer, that's what gets me into trouble, I have old BMW Boxer bikes cuz I like 'em. I also have an Aprilia cuz it flys, I have modern BMW bikes for the effortless features. Sadly, I can only afford one Porsche, so I think it will serial monogamy car-wise. And I gotta start somewhere, so I've been cruising for the 'best' deal. Just missed a great boxer, missed a great 3.2 a few months ago. Maybe this is my water-cooled? We shall see.

Life would be so much easier if it weren't filled with choices, or budgets!

[dienstuhr]

Originally Posted by vracer

I had a 2000 Boxster S. Fabulous car! The 996 will be an "almost new" car. I have an '89 3.2. It is definitely one or 1 1/2 generations old.

Heh... Carrera 3.2 begat 964 begat 993 begat 996 begat 997... so our 3.2's are more like 4 generations out of date, or 3 generations behind the 996.

But still super-fun to drive - no school like the old school!

d.

[techweenie]

All valid choices. Having owned several 3.2s (have one now) and a couple Boxsters, I am a big fan of the Boxster driving experience.

[Falco_Mark]

Well... It is never a good idea to drive something if you are not prepared, mentally / monetarily / spiritually to buy it. So I made the mistake of accepting the PO's offer of a test drive, even though the right rear is the donut spare.

It will be getting a new set of..Pilots? T/As? And a service, been sitting more or less for 2 years, before I pick it up this weekend.

Boxer motor motorcycles? Check
Boxer motor car? Check

Now, all I gotta do is get that Ko-ban outboard running and life will be ordered as it should be.

And Bill, thanks for the coaching a few months back, this did not turn out as I expected, but what ever does?

[dryslick13]

Sorry to highjack OP, but will be in the market for new "old" car. Selling new Boxster and looking at 911s. Thinking 996 might be good. Looking for cab or coupe but need to be able to haul 2 small kids around in the back. Is one better than the other? Cab looks like it kind of messes with your head room in the back. Also a little scared of the IMS, Crank issues on the 99-01 models. Budget is under $25k. Is the 4 a lot worse than the 2 for drivability? I get a lot of snow here and have to climb steep hills with lots of sharp turns. Would there be a year that is better than others? Was thinking that I might be able to find a 02-03 for this price in a Carrera 2 coupe. In this price range, what should I be looking for?

[Christien]

If the 996 was the 3.4L version, I'd take a boxster S over that in a heartbeat. I find the 3.4 to be sluggish. Couple that with the fact that the lines on the 996 do very little for me, and it'd be an easy decision. But I'd also happily take the lesser power and comfort of the 3.2 Carrera any day of the week. It's plenty comfortable (compared to old 70s 911s) and has enough power to make it fun. If you just want power, buy a Corvette.