I just sold my aircooled 911 to buy a 996....

[Hydrocket]

I sure hope I made the right decision. Please talk me off the ledge and tell me everything will be ok....

[mreid]

I'm sorry, but I can't.

[mreid]

Does this make you feel better?

[Peterfrans]

BTDT, start saving for some engine work

Verstuurd vanaf mijn GT-I9195 met Tapatalk

[Aerkuld]

Well, it all depends on why you want the 996 . . .
If you want a car which is faster, more comfortable, handles beautifully, has working heat and air conditioning, is fun to drive, yet easily usable on a daily basis then, yes, you've done the right thing (assuming you can't fit both in your garage). However, if you enjoyed the symphony and smell of the air cooled engine, the raw seat-of-your-pants sports car experience, that wonderful ticking sound as the engine cools after you shut it down following a spirited drive, the vault-like clunk when you shut the door, the look of disbelief on the face of the person in the gas station when you tell them how old it really is, well, sorry to say you're going to be kicking yourself - start browsing the classifieds now ;-)

The 996 is a better car, but the old air cooled cars are a better experience. By far.

[KNS]

That would be a tough decision to make but I think the 996 will have its day years from now (now is a great time to buy one).

In the future when an enthusiast wants a manual gearbox 911 his only choice will be a 996/997 because Porsche will probably have ceased production of manual trannies (I think the day is coming, sadly). The air cooled models will be seldom seen on the road and stashed away in collections - much like the 356 now.

The 996 is a great car if a little cheaply made.

[Peterfrans]

The 996 is indeed a great car. I went through the same decision process. On the one hand an aircooled Porsche is a very desirable car, but it is not very practical for everyday use and in many cases lacking modern safety features that I start to find indispensable in*today’s heavy traffic (obviously applies more to a longhood then a 993). The 996 looks and feels as a much more modern car and I discovered that I use it so much more often than the old Targa I had. Still, after owning one for two years now, there really are a number of drawbacks that could have influenced my buying decision:
- Suffered from engine damage at 50k miles after either the tensioner or IMS failed leading to a hefty bill for the rebuild. There is a lot of scaremongering going on, but it does happen.
- The 996 was my first car that caused serious back-pain due to bad seats ( I am 6’4’’) and seating position. Solved that by mounting 997 sport seats that are brilliant .
- Several little annoyances about build quality. Switch gear is flimsy to say the least and not comparable to a BMW of the same vintage. I had to replace several items.
- Audio options are limited, certainly on the later models with fibre optics. Not easy (or cheap) to integrate bluetooth connectivity. From look and feel a generation behind several of its competitors .
- Trunk space is quite small (I have a C4S), the aircooler had a much more usable trunk.

Good luck with your decision

[onewhippedpuppy]

If you want a 911 that you can actually use every day - you made the right decision. Because the air-cooled experience also includes a rough ride, archaic heating and non-working A/C, lots of noise, the constant odor of oil and gas, and probably a bit of tinkering. The 996 is more comfortable, faster in every way, and can be driven daily. Each has their place, but the air cooled models, especially pre-964, are difficult to live with as a daily driver.

I use my 996 with 97k as a daily driver until the snow gets too deep. If you're worried about the IMS, just replace the damn thing and be done with it. That is the only fatal flaw in an otherwise nearly bulletproof car.

[Hydrocket]

I drove my Targa daily...at least until the snow came. I intend to use a 996 year round. I understand the 996 will be a more polished experience all around. I'm just hoping I'll enjoy that experience as part of the charm of an air cooled car is the fact it's a bit rough (a lot rough?) around the edges.

I do like that you don't feel like you're overpaying to get a nice 996 though...

[onewhippedpuppy]

My biggest knock on the 996 is the noise, or total lack thereof. In stock form it doesn't sound like a Porsche, which is fortunately quite easy to fix with mufflers and an intake. An EvoMS V-flow intake and Fister-D style modified mufflers make mine sound like a proper sports car, but are still subtle when you don't feel like being a hooligan.

[wtbzanzibar911]

Don't listen to the Haters
For reassurance just check
Auto trader and eBay for your 996's , sort from high mileage down and enjoy seeing cars with 200,000 miles plus
I'm a road tripper and wouldn't think
Of driving anything else

[uncle_scott]

You made a good call. I made the same decision, and wouldn't go back. At least not for daily driving. I like the creature comforts, and how comfortable the 996 is compared to my 84 911. Driving 300 reliable horsepower around while listening to music and having working AC is a nice change to the air cooled experience (at least the experience I had).

[jwetering]

You made the right call man. I did the same thing back in 2007 and I haven't looked back once. I've glanced back for sure, but the 996 is just a better machine.

[Yellowb1rd]

They are both amazing machines. You can't go wrong with either (assuming the issues in either model have been addressed). There is no right or wrong decision.

[ChemMan]

Originally Posted by Aerkuld

The 996 is a better car, but the old air cooled cars are a better experience. By far.

Hit the nail on the head!

[Daviboy]

I too was very sceptical of the 996 until 2 weeks ago when I picked up an 03 C4S after selling my 82 SC but I have not looked back I loved my air cooled car but it was just a mission to drive daily and the reason I bought a Porsche was to enjoy it daily. My C4S came with PSE and I must say it sounds every bit if not more like a 911 than the SC did. It has a nice deep rumble that after 3000 rpm sounds like an angry bear wakening after a long hibernation, I am in awe of the road holding ability of this car it is to me phenomenal and a far cry from the SC. Don't get me wrong I still love the air cooled cars and hope some day to have one again but right now I am really enjoying the 996.

[Reebuck1]

You will love it....but......MAKE SURE YOU GET A NEW IMS.....Go to LN it's the best one out there.

[rayng]

Most IMS or RMS leaks for most cars have been addressed by now. The 996 is a great daily driver and is relatively inexpensive to purchase and operate. I've driven my 01 c2 for many years and many, many miles with nothing more than normal maintenance, tires and brakes.

Air-cooled cars are beginning to be too expensive to drive. If you get a WB 993 and put major miles on it, you'll lose money. No regrets. Just drive and have fun. Life is too short. Enjoy in good health.

[ecode]

I just recently went through the decision to buy a 964 or a 996. I ended up buying an 03 C4S on the simple notion that I will be daily driving it. I am only 27 but I have driven quite a few of the aircooled cars mostly SCs. I have to say the pure analog feel of the aircooled cars is a refreshing experience, but for daily use especially in NY, a little difficult. In a few years I would like to get in an SC or older and just have both...perfect world.

[Hydrocket]

Thanks for all the responses..