The "purists" can have their opinions about the 996 appearance, but they can't argue the driving experience nor the fact it pretty much SAVED the company... well done 996!!!
This is a misconception about this particular model. If any one model “saved” the company it was the first generation Cayenne. What saved really means in this context is it opened the door to production line volumes and the subsequent profits that come with that. A better way to put it is the cheaper, yes cheaper, manufacturing of the 996\986\Cayenne trifecta catapulted Porsche into a more mass market manufacturer overnight.
@@chesswizard31 your probably right, but I would point out, PORSCHE did sell 175,000 996's in one less production year with actual profit margins vs less that 70,000 993's with practically none, if any profit margin. It took 8 years for the Cayenne to sell 275k cars which weren't released til the 997 generation... I still say the maligned 996 led the way in the company's recovery, yes, other factors helped, but the numbers do stand on their own merit... The Cayenne came later, and the 996's per year sales blew it away... But your probably right...
I bought a '99 996 eight years ago and I absolutely love it. It has 73,000 miles on the clock and is my third Porsche. Never had any problems with it. Just routine maintenance. Previously I had a '78 924, and an '82 911SC. The SC was a fun car but no power anything and the air conditioning was sad at best. The 996 has plenty of power, great AC and is comfortable on long cruises. Find one that has the IMS bearing replaced and enjoy the ride!
Currently saving up for a 996 or 997 which ever comes first but I’m also wanting to get another C6 corvette and go for the z06 this time. Amazing review
IMO the 996 is a car which is hugely undervalued due to the (exaggerated) engine issues. The chassis and the suspension are really really good. It does not seem to rust at all. The 996 has the best steering feel of all the cars Ive driven. It is better than the rather bouncy (herecy) air-cooled steering and it still has more feel than anything afterwards. Nowadays the Porsche steerings are ridiculously light with a lot less feel. I would put the 996 steering even above the (European) Escort MkI. Though, never driven a Caterham, Lotus or a new Alpine which have the reputation of having fantastic steering feel. The 996 chassis and suspension are very good. Anything after that is just marginally better and it is distinctly better than the air cooled, even the 993 which in turn is much better than anything before it. The frameless door closing sound is not up to the air cooled but the chassis is bullet proof. You will be hard to find any rust. The M96/01/03 engines are not the most reliable Porsche has done but nor are they the most unreliable. Im sure that percentage-wise the 964 engines have had more rebuilds than at the same mileage than 996 Carrera engines. You got to remember that they built about three times as many 996s as they did 964. And the gears in 996: too long like in all pre 991 911s. And the mileages of the 996s are very high compared to other 911 (engines). The gear change mechanism is not exactly good but you can make it significantly better by changing it to a short throw stick system and there are plenty of them available for various thickness of wallets. Any 911 is fantastic car. I have yet to drive a car that gives more Fahrspass. 996 has the best value in terms of smiles/miles/cost in the 911 range and probably the only car to give more for the buck is an Miata NA, the first one. I drive a 996.1 C2 and if money was no object I’d get a 996 GT3 RS. If I’d buy a new sports car, it would be Alpine A110. The new 911s are just too big and perhaps too good too. And certainly too many nannies and processors. Great cars but they’ve lost the intimacy, cuteness and personality.
My early build 996.1 is an awesome daily and occasional Nürburgring tool. It has 200k km now and going good. I love everything abt it, the good and the bad. I did an IMSB ceramic upgrade and I don’t really worry abt engine. My car is stock with b8 and pse as “upgrades”. The C2 can have the 220 lsd option as mine has and is good. I think is a great 911 that drives close to an air cooled and do most of the new stuff. My track car is a 991.1 RS and doesn’t make me unlove the 996 at all.
Would love to have a 996.1 C2 coupe. Love the look. My 981 Boxster base is such a pleasure to drive don't know if I 'd still be happy after trading. definitely going to try to test drive one soon. Thanks for the video.
I did already own one - unfortunately the Motor did not last/ gave up and I sold it. Even though this happened to me (this was a 5 figure loss for me), I again want one. I agree, they are underrated and hated for no real reason. I like the 997 as much as the 996... I also could afford a 997, but I dont want to. If I buy another 911 again, it will be 996 again (it is the cheapest of the bunch and I dont want to spend another 20 or 30k extra to drive 997). The later models still need to grow on me. They are maybe "less" Porsche than the earlier ones (one could hear this argument the last 5 decades I guess). Instead of a 991 or 992 I would rather buy an R8 instead or also an F-Type (which is also on my "want" list). Nice video, really liked it!
@@alexbruski It had a piston jamming. I assume this was due to the previous owner already having the motor revized/overhauled and maybe the garage which did it was not the best one to pick. I am located in Germany and there are only two, maybe three companies I would trust to do this really correctly. It was none of those unfortunately (otherwise it still would be mine I assume).
I will be seeking out a 996 as my gift to myself for finishing flight school. I absolutely love the 911 and identify with the 996's ugly duckling status
It's not misunderstood. It has the horrible IMS bearing problem, lousy ergonomics (your right leg hits the center console, your left leg hits the door panel and the seats are awful). No decent cupholders. No arm room. It doesn't track with confidence on the road (which is why your steering is shaky in the video). No glove box in the early years. Lousy gas mileage. A crappy plastic interior. Goofy looking headlights. Sorry but it's a loser. They want $25K these days for a used one with high mileage. Not worth it. Better off with a new Mini Cooper.
Been looking at one locally for $30k and, as much as I want a 911, can't justify the 996. It's not just the cost to purchase, but the liability of maintenance issues weighed against other options. A recent GTI can be incredibly fun and a practical daily.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 A GTI is not a car you want to own out of warranty. Had an mk7 GTI and in my 3 years of ownership, had to replace the turbo which is a 5k expense. You can replace the IMS to an aftermarket one on a 996 for less than that. I think the GTI is great if it's your only car that has to be fun, practical and comfortable. For me a 996 would be more of a week end car. You don't take the 996 to go to the drive through and eat / drink in your car.
@mac daddy, last 911 made in the 90s when Porsche was still Porsche. Clean lines and raw feeling of the good ol' cars of the past. I'd pick that 996 over a mini or a gti all day long.
IMO the 996 is a car which is hugely undervalued due to the (exaggerated) engine issues. The chassis and the suspension are really really good. It does not seem to rust at all. The 996 has the best steering feel of all the cars Ive driven. It is better than the rather bouncy (herecy) air-cooled steering and it still has more feel than anything afterwards. Nowadays the Porsche steerings are ridiculously light with a lot less feel. I would put the 996 steering even above the (European) Escort MkI. Though, never driven a Caterham, Lotus or a new Alpine which have the reputation of having fantastic steering feel. The 996 chassis and suspension are very good. Anything after that is just marginally better and it is distinctly better than the air cooled, even the 993 which in turn is much better than anything before it. The frameless door closing sound is not up to the air cooled but the chassis is bullet proof. You will be hard to find any rust. The M96/01/03 engines are not the most reliable Porsche has done but nor are they the most unreliable. Im sure that percentage-wise the 964 engines have had more rebuilds than at the same mileage than 996 Carrera engines. You got to remember that they built about three times as many 996s as they did 964. And the gears in 996: too long like in all pre 991 911s. And the mileages of the 996s are very high compared to other 911 (engines). The gear change mechanism is not exactly good but you can make it significantly better by changing it to a short throw stick system and there are plenty of them available for various thickness of wallets. Any 911 is fantastic car. I have yet to drive a car that gives more Fahrspass. 996 has the best value in terms of smiles/miles/cost in the 911 range and probably the only car to give more for the buck is an Miata NA, the first one. I drive a 996.1 C2 and if money was no object I’d get a 996 GT3 RS. If I’d buy a new sports car, it would be Alpine A110. The new 911s are just too big and perhaps too good too. And certainly too many nannies and processors. Great cars but they’ve lost the intimacy, cuteness and personality.
![Digital Circus Episode 4 [TRAILER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/abZtsmMUbJo/mqdefault.jpg)
I am glad it is unloved by most people, because that's the only reason I am driving one instead of a golf GTI.
The "purists" can have their opinions about the 996 appearance, but they can't argue the driving experience nor the fact it pretty much SAVED the company... well done 996!!!
Much more fun than I expected. Great car
This is a misconception about this particular model. If any one model “saved” the company it was the first generation Cayenne. What saved really means in this context is it opened the door to production line volumes and the subsequent profits that come with that. A better way to put it is the cheaper, yes cheaper, manufacturing of the 996\986\Cayenne trifecta catapulted Porsche into a more mass market manufacturer overnight.
@@chesswizard31 your probably right, but I would point out, PORSCHE did sell 175,000 996's in one less production year with actual profit margins vs less that 70,000 993's with practically none, if any profit margin. It took 8 years for the Cayenne to sell 275k cars which weren't released til the 997 generation... I still say the maligned 996 led the way in the company's recovery, yes, other factors helped, but the numbers do stand on their own merit... The Cayenne came later, and the 996's per year sales blew it away... But your probably right...
I have a stock 99 C4 coupe. Love it a great drivers car especially as a 6speed manual.
I bought a '99 996 eight years ago and I absolutely love it. It has 73,000 miles on the clock and is my third Porsche. Never had any problems with it. Just routine maintenance. Previously I had a '78 924, and an '82 911SC. The SC was a fun car but no power anything and the air conditioning was sad at best. The 996 has plenty of power, great AC and is comfortable on long cruises. Find one that has the IMS bearing replaced and enjoy the ride!
Somehow that Prototipo complements the interior perfectly. Bravo to the owner!
Currently saving up for a 996 or 997 which ever comes first but I’m also wanting to get another C6 corvette and go for the z06 this time. Amazing review
IMO the 996 is a car which is hugely undervalued due to the (exaggerated) engine issues. The chassis and the suspension are really really good. It does not seem to rust at all.
The 996 has the best steering feel of all the cars Ive driven. It is better than the rather bouncy (herecy) air-cooled steering and it still has more feel than anything afterwards. Nowadays the Porsche steerings are ridiculously light with a lot less feel. I would put the 996 steering even above the (European) Escort MkI. Though, never driven a Caterham, Lotus or a new Alpine which have the reputation of having fantastic steering feel.
The 996 chassis and suspension are very good. Anything after that is just marginally better and it is distinctly better than the air cooled, even the 993 which in turn is much better than anything before it. The frameless door closing sound is not up to the air cooled but the chassis is bullet proof. You will be hard to find any rust. The M96/01/03 engines are not the most reliable Porsche has done but nor are they the most unreliable. Im sure that percentage-wise the 964 engines have had more rebuilds than at the same mileage than 996 Carrera engines. You got to remember that they built about three times as many 996s as they did 964. And the gears in 996: too long like in all pre 991 911s. And the mileages of the 996s are very high compared to other 911 (engines).
The gear change mechanism is not exactly good but you can make it significantly better by changing it to a short throw stick system and there are plenty of them available for various thickness of wallets.
Any 911 is fantastic car. I have yet to drive a car that gives more Fahrspass. 996 has the best value in terms of smiles/miles/cost in the 911 range and probably the only car to give more for the buck is an Miata NA, the first one.
I drive a 996.1 C2 and if money was no object I’d get a 996 GT3 RS. If I’d buy a new sports car, it would be Alpine A110. The new 911s are just too big and perhaps too good too. And certainly too many nannies and processors. Great cars but they’ve lost the intimacy, cuteness and personality.
Real world weight for that car is 3000 ish lbs. 2900 lb is a BS google search result that comes up. Probably dry. My 996 took 60 lbs of coolant.
My early build 996.1 is an awesome daily and occasional Nürburgring tool. It has 200k km now and going good. I love everything abt it, the good and the bad.
I did an IMSB ceramic upgrade and I don’t really worry abt engine. My car is stock with b8 and pse as “upgrades”. The C2 can have the 220 lsd option as mine has and is good. I think is a great 911 that drives close to an air cooled and do most of the new stuff.
My track car is a 991.1 RS and doesn’t make me unlove the 996 at all.
Would love to have a 996.1 C2 coupe. Love the look. My 981 Boxster base is such a pleasure to drive don't know if I 'd still be happy after trading. definitely going to try to test drive one soon. Thanks for the video.
I did already own one - unfortunately the Motor did not last/ gave up and I sold it. Even though this happened to me (this was a 5 figure loss for me), I again want one. I agree, they are underrated and hated for no real reason. I like the 997 as much as the 996... I also could afford a 997, but I dont want to. If I buy another 911 again, it will be 996 again (it is the cheapest of the bunch and I dont want to spend another 20 or 30k extra to drive 997).
The later models still need to grow on me. They are maybe "less" Porsche than the earlier ones (one could hear this argument the last 5 decades I guess). Instead of a 991 or 992 I would rather buy an R8 instead or also an F-Type (which is also on my "want" list).
Nice video, really liked it!
what happened with the motor?
@@alexbruski It had a piston jamming. I assume this was due to the previous owner already having the motor revized/overhauled and maybe the garage which did it was not the best one to pick. I am located in Germany and there are only two, maybe three companies I would trust to do this really correctly. It was none of those unfortunately (otherwise it still would be mine I assume).
This speedometer has a really nice feature 😂 My 996 has not. Maybe it's because it's a 996.2 ..?
😂
Own a 1998 C2. Love it..!
Just got mine last year and I love it ❤
I love my 996. It’s a motorcycle that you can get inside of. Get some.
I love my 996.1 it has 95000 on it and it feels brand new.
Fantastic 911
Great sports car!
Tu mets sans cesse des a-coup dans le volant, soit la voiture a un problème de direction, soit c est toi qui ne sait pas conduire dans les virages 😅
I will be seeking out a 996 as my gift to myself for finishing flight school. I absolutely love the 911 and identify with the 996's ugly duckling status
a gift for being allowed to go to flight school.. LOL
It's not misunderstood. It has the horrible IMS bearing problem, lousy ergonomics (your right leg hits the center console, your left leg hits the door panel and the seats are awful). No decent cupholders. No arm room. It doesn't track with confidence on the road (which is why your steering is shaky in the video). No glove box in the early years. Lousy gas mileage. A crappy plastic interior. Goofy looking headlights. Sorry but it's a loser. They want $25K these days for a used one with high mileage. Not worth it. Better off with a new Mini Cooper.
Been looking at one locally for $30k and, as much as I want a 911, can't justify the 996. It's not just the cost to purchase, but the liability of maintenance issues weighed against other options. A recent GTI can be incredibly fun and a practical daily.
@@MisterMonsieur A recent GTI is a much better choice.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 A GTI is not a car you want to own out of warranty. Had an mk7 GTI and in my 3 years of ownership, had to replace the turbo which is a 5k expense. You can replace the IMS to an aftermarket one on a 996 for less than that. I think the GTI is great if it's your only car that has to be fun, practical and comfortable. For me a 996 would be more of a week end car. You don't take the 996 to go to the drive through and eat / drink in your car.
@@felipe_silve Then own a GTI with a warranty. Problem solved.
@mac daddy, last 911 made in the 90s when Porsche was still Porsche. Clean lines and raw feeling of the good ol' cars of the past. I'd pick that 996 over a mini or a gti all day long.
I love the 996
IMO the 996 is a car which is hugely undervalued due to the (exaggerated) engine issues. The chassis and the suspension are really really good. It does not seem to rust at all.
The 996 has the best steering feel of all the cars Ive driven. It is better than the rather bouncy (herecy) air-cooled steering and it still has more feel than anything afterwards. Nowadays the Porsche steerings are ridiculously light with a lot less feel. I would put the 996 steering even above the (European) Escort MkI. Though, never driven a Caterham, Lotus or a new Alpine which have the reputation of having fantastic steering feel.
The 996 chassis and suspension are very good. Anything after that is just marginally better and it is distinctly better than the air cooled, even the 993 which in turn is much better than anything before it. The frameless door closing sound is not up to the air cooled but the chassis is bullet proof. You will be hard to find any rust. The M96/01/03 engines are not the most reliable Porsche has done but nor are they the most unreliable. Im sure that percentage-wise the 964 engines have had more rebuilds than at the same mileage than 996 Carrera engines. You got to remember that they built about three times as many 996s as they did 964. And the gears in 996: too long like in all pre 991 911s. And the mileages of the 996s are very high compared to other 911 (engines).
The gear change mechanism is not exactly good but you can make it significantly better by changing it to a short throw stick system and there are plenty of them available for various thickness of wallets.
Any 911 is fantastic car. I have yet to drive a car that gives more Fahrspass. 996 has the best value in terms of smiles/miles/cost in the 911 range and probably the only car to give more for the buck is an Miata NA, the first one.
I drive a 996.1 C2 and if money was no object I’d get a 996 GT3 RS. If I’d buy a new sports car, it would be Alpine A110. The new 911s are just too big and perhaps too good too. And certainly too many nannies and processors. Great cars but they’ve lost the intimacy, cuteness and personality.