Five Ways A £25,000 Porsche 996 C4S is Better Than The New 992 GT3 (And One It Really Isn't)
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- In today's video I drive the old Porsche GB 996 press car - a stunning yellow example of the fabled 911 and a member of the family rapidly gaining in favour.
I discuss five reasons this is much better than the new GT3 I've spent the week with, and one reason it isn't
#996 #Carrera4S #GT3
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I'm sad I didn't get one... It was extremely affordable, but I thought it would keep depreciating... But yall youtubers ruined it, lolololol
Great to see the 996 get some appreciation! I have a Turbo: bulletproof engine, bonkers fast but civilised at regular speeds. Thoroughly recommend one, or any 996 in good condition👍
Miss my Midnight blue 996 C4S - brilliant car.
Buying a low mileage one owner 986S, a Boxster, when prices were absolutely bottomed out in 2016 continues to be my biggest car coup. I have got to have some of those sport technic wheels.
Change the airbox and throttlehouse of the 996 or of a Cayman get big horsepower jump .and take out the snorkel if you like sound.boxster rule mid engine
Porsche 996 C4S are great, I have owned mine now for over 2 years now, but I have used big $ on my car. All work done at Porsche Classic center, rebuild engine to 3.9L, AOS, IMS, RMS every possible upgrade to engine, radiators +++ Suspension to öhlins + every bushings + balljoints. Full Kline exhaust system, upgraded interior with hardback sport seats, new OEM red seat belts, Porsche PCCM, repaint brake calipers, all brake line new + brake disc + pads +++ I was considering to buy new Porsche 992, but I think its cooler to own 996 C4S I love the look of this car :) Cant understand why people dont like the headlights + the rear of C4S are very nice. + newer Porsche looks too big
Sorry, but for the asking price the 996 is not that great. Terrible interior ergonomics. Too cramped inside. Your leg hits the dash, the door sill is too high for your elbow to rest on. The center console is a mess. The shifter is too far forward, no decent cupholders. Back seats are useless. Drivers seat is not comfortable enough. The car is too expensive to fix and it does not drive all that great. If it were half the price it would be great, but it's not. The juice ain't worth the squeeze.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 what type of Porsche do you drive?
@@KingReza
I agree with no e of this guys points apart from the lack of cup holders .
However , When I’m buying a 20 year old sports car cup holders are not a high priority 😂
Have you done a video of your 3.9 with the Kline exhaust? I have a 3.9 and am trying to decide on exhaust.
@@mh230483 No not done video, also my exhaust system is inconel :) The sound is insane
I think you've highlighted an issue I have with todays supercars in general. I genuinely think fun drivers cars reached their peak in the 2000s. After you get beyond 500-600bhp, it's much harder to enjoy one fully on public roads. Can't beat an old fashioned un-strangled lump with a manual gearbox. This car is from a time when turbos were only there for one purpose, to give you a kick in the back. Btw, this is the best far channel full stop, thank you!
"So from that point on I realised that I really was, a Porsche person"
*currently owns 3 Ferraris and 0 Porsches*
😂
I didn't say I was very good at it, and I do own one Porsche! The 968
@@JayEmmOnCars How do you like your 968?!
The rear reflector makes it actually look like the traditional Porsche. Air cooled cars all have it and that's a big part of their appeal. This version is the best looking 996 hands down. Air cooled prices are already out of reach from most car enthusiasts but the 996 prices are ridiculously low. These are seriously undervalued. Amazing sports car bargains.
Your 100 percent correct about the rear reflector, its reminiscent of the air cooler cars and that's why I love it so much. The 1996 in this spec is simply beautiful.
@@blairwilliams136 996 4S rear is absolute perfection. Only 993 has better looking rear end ... that fat ass... (especially the widebody S-model) but this is much nicer than any of the newer versions (997, 991 and 992). I want one so much.
@@detonator2112 “that phat ass”, aye but you do be spitting rn 😭😭 i own a 1999 996 4, in time im gonna bring it into the new age and keep it forever
The GT3 will cost you 7-8x the price of the 996, but I don't think it delivers 7-8x the fun. So get the 996 and still have buckets of cash for other fun things. (Full disclosure: I am a 996 owner.) :)
I always loved those C4S of the 996 generation, the rear flanks are feminine but agressive.
That and a 987.2 are genuine future classics of good value now.
Greetings from Portugal!
Keep the good reviews
Interesting comparing this car with the 992. I can agree with what you said about Porsche often being less expensive for parts. Not always, sometimes their pricing leaves me scratching my head it’s so ludicrous.
My 996 engine went ping. Costly AF.
this was the one i was waiting for .....Cracking Video for Easter. I have a C4S silver over black and many owners of pre and post 996's have said to me that its the only one of the 996 era they would own. Everyone seems to like the C4S. I think its because most people see it from the back and its the best rear 3/4 of any Porsche - hands down.
Nah.. best Porsche rear 3/4 is the 993 Turbo
This car was done by Friends Green Porsche for the customer. Anyone thinking the bill is excessive needs to watch the video, or all of their videos, to see why customers choose them to service cars like this. The work performed was obviously done to meticulous perfection and, as a result, the owner will enjoy many stress-free miles. The work included the PCCM, exhaust bits, interior package, etc. Not just a "mechanical refresh." If I were in Europe they'd be doing mine too. Great video as always, Jay. Spot on closing remarks.
Scratched a very big itch last year and obtained a 996 40 Jahre. Appreciate all comments about C4S and the 996 in general. The ‘I don’t like the 996 because of…’ brigade are just going to miss out on the greatest sports car bargain of our times. My 40 Jahre: not silly money, looks fantastic but, big but, with X51, LSD and M030 is a fabulous drive. Just fabulous - especially on UK ‘B’roads. Also, it’s my daily driver.
8:50 After having so much money spent, the amount of smoke at high revs is a concern.
He said he spent the money on chassis (suspensions), engine will be next… I have 997, had to do engine first… :-/
Why would you want an electric car when cars sound like this!!!!
Great vid. Thank you. The 996 is a great car and for some the ONLY affordable 911.
Call yourself everybody’s 3rd favourite but your intro music certainly is my favourite 🤣.
Look forward to it every time
The 996 a great drivers Porsche all weather long distance sports tank. Love the sleek racing style take lights over the Cod eyes. Go the raw analogue 996. A Pinky Lai artform Icon !
Frankly, if he spent £18K on redoing that car, he got TOTALLY screwed over.
To take a car to a garage and just say "make it great", you get what you deserve.
Give it a bit of thought yourself and I bet you could have done exactly the same for £5-6K.
I know that's absolutely nuts.. he didn't mention everything was replaced with factory suspension bushings it should not cost that much to do four-wheel drive Porsche or not. Somebody should Will Smith the owner....👋
I bought my Volvo 1800e for half that cost LOL with non adjustable steering wheel stainless ,steel exhaust factory alloy wheels, fuel injected, four-speed manual with steering column flip lever for overdrive....... And I have less mileage 57,000 original miles and I rebuilt the rear suspension for $200 myself including parts 🤣
I guess the guy was off earning way more than he was paying to have the work done though. You've got to play to your strengths somtimes
Sold my C4s a few years ago. Put 30k miles on it. Had it looked after by PARR. If you use original parts and want it as it should be James is absolutely right. A 911 is never cheap to maintain but with depreciation so low the overall cost is rather good.
@@brijkotecha8300 well, with a very small amount of research you can find out that TRW make the suspension and steering parts on behalf of porsche and Bilstein make the dampers, and by buying direct from them you actually get original porsche parts, but at roughly 25% of the cost of buying direct from Porsche themselves......
But if people want to buy from Porsche, go ahead!
For those watching from outside the uk. Dont be too discouraged if you find a version you like with m030. I will agree that the suspension is too harsh but that is more an indictment of road quality in the uk. It would be perfect for Spain for instance.
Oh...also consider installing the 997.2 gt3rs gearshift (not the ssk). It made a world of difference to mine and is a 1:1 replacement; easy install)
My C4 is on mo030 and I agree it’s rather to firm at low speeds but works really well once the pace increases 👍🏼
M030 is only harsh if it's knackered.
I owned a gorgeous midnight blue/gray 996 C4S (6 speed manual, Sport Techno wheels, white gauge faces) for about 6 years. The only 'modification' I made was replacing the air-box with a large K&N cone filter. Yes, the interior was far too plasticky for the price-point, but it was always wonderful to drive and nearly bulletproof.
Stunning, so few cars can pull off yellow but that C4S looks epic! Brilliant video 👍
I was going to sell my 997.1 S because they command so much right now, but I have reconsidered and are now in the process of refurbishment and improvement instead. I think these older, non electronic, Porsche’s will be the cars to own in the future.
For sure. I think any Porsche in manual especially will just never stop being wanted. Even the massive 992
“Car Obsessed, flamboyant, fat man”, this is one of the reasons I enjoy watching you videos so much. You make fun of yourself and don’t care what other think. More power to you Sir! Keep up the great work, enjoying the videos.
Really want a 996 C4S or Turbo , the price has rocketed so much I’m the last couple of years. Not sure I can bring myself to part with that much cash now.
Nice vid, James. My 981 Cayman is roughly half the age of this but I’m starting to see some big bills, too. Not £18k, admittedly, but definitely chunky enough to remind me it’s a Porsche. Will always happen sooner or later I guess.
Prospective 981 buyer here! Like what? I've always heard that they're very stout cars.
@@themadhatter444 They are stout, don’t get me wrong. Mine’s done 72000 miles and things are starting to wear out, that’s all. Standard servicing is reasonable but Porsche bits aren’t cheap. Buy well and maintain regularly and you’ll be fine 👍
@@nickgreen2497 Thank you!
I just replaced EVERY SINGLE supension arm on my 996, I went with Meyle parts und did all the work myself, ended up paying 1000€. Also did a complete brake job all around new discs and pads, that was like 400€ for brembo parts. So if this is your second or third car and you have basic understanding of mechanical work, it is really not that expensive to maintain these cars. If the engine goes thats another story of course.
A pretty good measure of whether a car is beautiful is whether one had a Bburago scale model in one’s bedroom as a schoolboy - and my silver 996 was between the F40 and the E-Type.
Yes, I've got a C4 996. Granted, I'm trying to move on to something else, but after nearly 10 years of enjoyment (and a Hartech rebuild), I've loved the thing :) Won't be my last Porsche either.
The 996 was the current Porsche when I was a teenager, so I’ll always consider it the blueprint 911. Glad to hear it finally getting some love!
Great review: real world. Very easy for journalists that don’t buy or live with a GT3 to say that it’s miles better in engine and sound.
5:55 "Speed Yellow" adds 10mph to your speed when getting pulled over...
does this guy have a twin? because he's putting out more videos than about 20 other automobile channels i'm subscribed to, combined!
if not, bravo!, if so, bravo! bravo!
He is doing this like a real job, he is clearly taking it very seriously.
I'm a Porsche person as well. My dad had a 924 way back in the 80s and while other kids loved the Countach or the Testarossa, I always preferred the whale tail and wide hips of the 930. My love for the brand only increased as I learned more about cars and the fact that Ferraris are fragile things, Lambos aren't always the best driving experience, but you could actually use Porsches and they were generally user friendly cars, save for my favorite 930 and it's snap oversteer. Porsches tend to be more understated as well. They're still beautiful cars, but pulling up in a Diablo or a Gallardo is an event. Driving a 430 or a 355 and you'll have plenty of attention on the road. That's ok sometimes but I'd rather not always be the center of attention when driving.
I learned to drive in my moms 924 back in 1981. Finally got my own Porsche last year, a 981 Boxster S, my dream car, everything I hoped Porsche ownership would be!
Third? Who were the no. 1 and 2? Mr. Clarkson and May, I presume?
Also, something about 996.2 Carrera in Speedgelb is somehow just right. Not the prettiest, but I wouldn't mind being seen in one.
GT 1 inspired headlights, wide body, perfect rear end. Best looking 911 - just a great design
I like the original headlights much more. They pay honest tribute to the gt1. The second gen are sharp and look forced into the design
Agreed. The .2 headlights look almost like they conceded to the 'must have round headlights' brigade but not the penny pinching accountants that said it must all be in one easy to fit light unit.
@@arryc3947 Exactly. I think they made a change to make them look different to appease the grouches but not necessarily to make the design more pleasing to the eye. The sharp corner looks forced...
I'm a 996 fan. Great car. But let's face it the 996 headlights are one of the biggest f*ckups in the entire car history.
@@detonator2112 at the time I didn’t think it was a fuckup. We bought one in 1999and still own and drive it. We just saw it as the evolution of the Porsche 911. It won multiple car of the year awards when it was released, and saved the car company. It wasn’t until years later that people were moaning about it. Also, it sold mor copies than the previous two generations combined so apparently people didn’t think it was such a big fuckup. TBH if the kept the old form and just stuck ina water cooled engine I would have liked that too. The new ones seam all hyper carish and gt like. I’ll take my 300hp go cart.
@@paulbellas8797 Yes I've drived many 996's. I love the car. Not to take anything away from it. It's still more analog and actually very small car compared to 991 and 992, which aren't real 911's anymore. They are amazing cars technically but they're so big that there's very little of the original 911 feel left. I still think the headlights are a f*ckup hehe. But I'm willing to forgive a lot of things for those prices. You can buy three or four 996's for the price of one air cooled well sorted car. That's nuts. Cheers.
My favourite 996! Love the bigger rear lights on these and the Turbo style body...
That exhaust does nothing for it. Just sounds chavvy and misses the deep bass of the flat six.
Best modern Porsche by far is that c4s however for me personally a c2s is the one 👌👌
I had a 996 C4S in Polar silver with metropole blue leather interior and completely agree it had a great rear.
I had no issues with the car over many years and miles use and like so many cars I’ve had I wish I had kept it - but I’d need a large car park for them all.
I bought a 996.1 with the same exact color a year ago - interior and exterior. Love the combo and it’s an awesome car.
I'd like to point out I'm the 13th most popular car obsessed flamboyant fatman on you tube myself lol ... I'd say I'm the fattest by far lol.
V true re cost of running an older performance car. Munich Legends look after my "good car and drives great" car, and I could easily spend £6k to £8k to get it to their standard. Wonder if the modern classics craze right now has forgotten that
i do like the way this 996 sounds
Just traded my R129 SL500 for one of these , manual in Arctic silver.
Absolutely stunning drive, perfect combo of analogue, involving drive whilst being practical and comfy enough to use regularly.
Sounds like that specialist saw him coming. there was absolutely no need to spend £18k at all. A full Hartech rebuild is cheaper than that.
As far as value goes these C4S are a great buy in the uk. They look awesome and have all the power you need from a daily driver. Not so much here in Ireland. You won’t get near one for £25000 unfortunately
No they're not good value, their prices have gone up a lot in the past 2 years because they are considered one of the best looking 911s ever made and are becoming collectable given their age.
You can get a 997 Carrera S for £25k which is a better car in every single way.
@@luked4587 I’ve never driven a 997 but a few friends have driven them and have liked them but I think I’d still go with the 996 for my money. BTW the argument is irrelevant where I’m from you won’t get near a 997 for 996 money there easy a €30000 difference. (Turbo exempt from that). Different market over here really. I’d like to drive a 997 and see for myself someday.
Litera driving my dream car, speed yellow 996 c4s. Oter one is 991 gt3 touring.
I’ve had one of these for 4 months and I’m in love with it.
I haven’t driven the 992
I just go by the car I drive and it’s bloody magnificent.
I had brackets installed which have given me about 5-6 inches extra legroom,
So it’s now absolutely perfect.
Great video. Miss my C4s to this day. Had one a few years ago. Did some serious miles in it. Fun to drive, great noise and plenty quick enough. The rise in revs and urgency at 5500+ rpm was missed in your video. Almost like a second cam. That was the bit of the Rev range I loved the most. 996 C4s encourages you to drive and the harder you push the more reward you’d get. Never had any issues with it, solid and dependable. I loved my car. 👍🏽
I agree - surprised there was no mention of the step up at high revs - my 997 c2s is glorious at the top end (and the lower end, and the mid range for that matter). Perhaps the engine in this particular car is past its best.
That 996 C4S really suits that yellow paint job
As a fried egg lover a 996 is devine.
I put the Bilstein B16 PSS10 and renewed all the bushes and renewed also the AR-bars - and the total cost was under 3000 Euros. Only a complete idiot would pay 18 000 of a reworked suspension. I’ve also done to engine out of the car services with all the IMASB, RMS. thermostat, water pump, renewed chain tensioners and slides, renewed starter, AOS - you name it and I have probably used altogether around 10 000 Euros on it.
If you can afford to put 18 000 for service, the 996 is not the right car for you. You should opt for a 997 or 991 or 993 or 964 in that case.
Looks great in the speed yellow. Sounds fantastic too. I wouldn't be willing to spend the best part of £15-20k bringing it up to standard though.
Thanks for this video, Jay. Currently cross shopping these with a narrow body 996 or a 997.1. Havent had the opportunity to drive either yet. Living vicariously through you lol
I have a 997 C4. Absolutely lovely in every way
Seems like all the comparison pros of the 996 would be even more applicable for the 997.2 vs 992.
996 is a good car, but imo it’s become more popular, and prices have risen, is a lot to do with the price gap that existed between the 996 and 997, that just the fact the 996 was the most affordable to get into during the Porsche boom in the last 2 years.
Also, I went to Cranfield Uni! (Saw the sign on the roundabout).
I own both a Touring ( 991 ) and a 996 C4S , both superb. But 996 so much easier to have fun in.
what the hell did he do for 18k gbp?
Yes a 996 is better & more special to drive than the newer 911's because it's smaller, more connected to the driver, with more input needed to get the most from it. I believe this to be the same with most performance cars, the newer the car, the faster, the uglier & less special to drive. Advancement in technology is definitely not a bonus for a performance road car imo.
While the 996 generation is arguably the weakest offering from Stuttgart, its still a brilliant drivers car. Just because it's "not as" good as the better generations, doesn't mean it isn't good.
Context is everything, the 996 is a better 911 than those that went before it, you can argue all day long about looks and water cooled engines, but it was just simply better
They have just got too big and lard arsed. Wider is better for the 'stance' apparently. Always loved the 'narrow body' Ruf turbo myself!
FGP video on this very car was good, detailed the extensive work carried out to bring it up to an exceptional example
I don't know what it is about the Turbo engine you don't like sir, I mean it's a twin turbo'd Mezger unit and they're incredible, torque from low down is so strong and when it hits 4k they just take off and rev out super quick, but you can also drive it very gently and it's very compliant and smooth. It's an amazing engine in a wonderful car , I think you should drive another , mine is an 05 manual with 9k miles and I live in the Scottish Borders , you're welcome to come and give it a shot.
Some interesting comments and thoughts. You are fortunate to be able to compare back to back like this and pick up on some things that (I think) just become a non issue in isolation. 992 feels tiny to me for example, versus the day to day car. Slightly apples with oranges too. How about reviewing a 996 GT3?
Great points in there, I’m doing the same with my 997, bringing it back to life and enhancing where I can. Videos like this inspire me when I’m skint and loosing faith!
Hopefully I’ll get you in it when it’s done.
1x FGP IMS “kit” (EPS IMS bearing upgrade, renewal of threepiece
clutch, renewal of rear main oil seal, minor service)
£1,249.00
1x Renewal of cam shaft chain tensioner £66.20
1x Renewal of O/S/F side light bulb £5.00
1x Renewal of front windscreen wipers (Bosch) £29.00
1x Diagnose inoperative retractable spoiler - replace entire
spoiler mechanism and wiring loom with good used units
£445.00
1x Renewal of steering column stalk assembly £314.64
1x Adjustment of engine lid catch £32.50
1x Replacement of cup holder unit with good used unit £114.50
1x Diagnose and repair fuel cap lock operation £16.25
2x Re-finish head light face £59.00
2x Renew rear light £871.44
1x Renew O/S side skirt £142.11
1x Renew front splitter £158.47
1x Renew engine bay light £9.00
4x Refurbishment of alloy wheel £299.00
1x Renewal of brake discs, pads, backing shims and wear £828.00
sensors all round
4x Renewal of lower control arm £560.00
1x Four-wheel alignment £120.00
1x Installation of numerous missing under tray fixings £10.00
1x Clean and protect front PAS pipes £5.00
1x Clean and protect brake pipes throughout £20.00
1x Renewal of exhaust manifold for stainless steel unit, renewal
of manifold gasket, renewal of manifold bolts (manifolds =
£400.00, bolts = £58.56, manifold gaskets = £20.30, labour
estimated 4-8 hours/£260-£520 depending on how many
bolts snap and require drilling and tapping)
£998.86
1x Remove and re-weld/fabricate seams of exhaust back box,
re-weld cracked welds, refit with new exhaust fitting kit
£720.00
1x Renewal of oil pressure sender £99.00
1x Supply and installation of 997 GT3 short shifter £349.00
1x Re-trim of gear stick and hand brake in suede alcantara with
yellow stiching and reconditioning of gear stick knob
£280.00
1x Renewal of ignition switch surrounding trim £55.69
1x MOT £49.00
1x Renewal of coolant expansion bottle £291.53
1x Renewal of water thermostat with low temperature unit (no
labour charge, as covered with manifold work)
£49.95
1x Renewal of N/S/R undertray (no labour charge, as covered
with IMS work)
£31.12
1x Renewal of front air duct undertray £78.26
2x Renewal of front wheel “wheel-house protector” £211.68
1x Renewal of centre untray (no charge due to break occurring
in-house - Car rides too low for workshop entry slope)
£0.00
1x Renewal of front headlight self leveling rod, front leveling
rod bracket and rear leveling rod bracket
£60.95
4x Remove brake caliper, sub-contract full refurbishment, refit
to car with new brake caliper pipe
£711.50
1x Sub-contract following work to body-shop: Remove surface
corrosion from 4x wheel arches (sand to bare metal), respray
2x front wing, 2x doors, 2x rear quarters (glass removed), fill
rear bumper number plate screw holes and respray
£1,620.00
2x Renewal of coolant radiator connecting hose £170.90
1x Renewal of N/S front to rear low pressure air con pipe £299.00
1x Air conditioning system re-gas £59.00
1x Renewal of rear centre brake light strip £195.57
2x Renewal of rear suspension “toeing” arm £357.50
1x Supply and installation of 4x Bilstein M030 suspension shock
absorbers, 4x genuine Porsche M030 suspension coil springs,
2x genuine Porsche spring retainer, 2x front suspension top
mounts, 2x front suspension top bearings, 2x front
suspension bump stops
£1,443.44
1x Supply and installation of PCCM+ with satellite navigation
SD software, additional cubby compartment, and climate
control screen surround trim
£1,499.00
1x Supply and installation of lower centre console (retrofitting
due to GT3 console delete currently being fitted) (good used
sourced parts - left “leatherette” not inclusive)
£157.77
1x Renewal of wheel bolts (standard length), with existing wheel
spacers removed. Supply and fit good-used genuine Porsche
locking wheel bolt
£72.99
1x Fill tank with high octane petrol £67.55
£15,283.37 + VAT
Thanks for sharing!
Where did you get these prices from?
That’s a beautiful car. I really want to drive a C4S eventually to compare to my early C2, hopefully I’ll get to soon!
Agreed fantastic colour
I have 2002 C4S with that original sports exhaust with the valve and I think it is brilliant. Don’t understand what you are talking about regarding the high end power, mine is full original car and has excellent power curve, rewarding to rev all the way to the red line?? Very rewarding to rev out.. not sure maybe you have driven an example with some engine issues?
Yes you are correct, he's either not driving the car correctly or it's broken. It has good mid range torque but then has a flat spot ( they all do ) around 5200 rpm then peak power is right at the red line. Saying this engine is not being keen or rev or pointless to rev out is complete rubbish.
I've Dyno'd mine to prove it also.
I watched this vid again and I have something more to say. I have a 996 C2. It is a fantastic car. I think for smiles/miles/cost the best cars since 1980s are 996, MX-5 NA and S2000. However, 996 is not perfect. My critique is here.
The gears are too long - like almost in all Porsches. Australian company Albins makes shorter final ratios.
The gearbox, two mass flywheel and the clutch assembly are not exactly the best. The gearchange in old Porsches is not very good. You can get better shifter and stiffer engine mounts that will help a lot. However, the two mass flywheel and the G96 box - simply are not the best designs. To go for a lightweight flywheel an 8th bearing mod is really needed to the crank case.
I swapped to the Bilstein B16 suspension and Powerflex bushes. Now, I would probably put the PU-bushes only to lower lateral links. I also think the OEM front AR-Bar is too stiff. Coupled with a little bit too much anti-dive at front the pot holes really hit the car. It could use a little longer links all around (a trend since 996).
Having said that, I still think it is absolutely magnificient car to drive. The grip level of PS2-era UHP tyres is already in a level way above standard tyres. It is a very reactive car - both by steering and engine response. It is a car where you can and you will learn to use the rear weight for your advantage. It is not a widow maker. It is actually probably the easiest car to drive I have ever driven. The rear weight horror stories are quite out of reality with this one in my experience. If you spin you’ve done something horribly wrong. Last winter was the first winter I had it on the road and I did 550 km, mostly “rally practise” and it turned out so easy. The amazing thing is that if you are in a slide and you give more gas it will rectify it even at big angles. For the snow I ended up disconnecting the front AR-bar entirely and obviously damper settings were at softest at front and almost softest at rear. I lifted the car about 7 mm. My (summer) ride height is -22 mm at front and -25 mm at rear. It was still too low.
This car has given me so much joy to my life. I feel so full of gratitude when Im on a curvy B-road with it. Everything else vanishes. Just me, the car as one and the road, sceneries, sensations of acceleration, cornering and braking. But there is definitely something wrong with the odometer because every 25 km commute becomes double, tripple or more and when I get there I feel like no time has passed and I’d like to do it again. I always feel batteries charged when I step out of it. I have P-friends who have 993s, 996 GT3, 991.2 GT3 RS, etc. I doubt anyone of them is really more filled with gratitude and joy than me. To be alone on a beautiful road in a 911. There is something magic about these. No other car has given me the same sensation. I’d love to try a Lotus (Elan, Elise,…) or a Caterham though - something light with high power to weight and with real suspension. That is the recipe for Fahrspass.
Thanks for you critique, I agree the front AR bar is too stiff. I am curious what 'To go for a lightweight flywheel an 8th bearing mod is really needed to the crank case." means. What is the bearing mod? The car that I believe is missing off your list is the Elise. A ridiculously fun car for back road blasts.
My good man, I have been subscribed to you for quite awhile, and I just want to say that if EVO or Carfection doesn't pick you up soon, I'm going to be really upset. You deserve all the success coming your way!
3rd Favorite? I guess no.1 car fatman would be Clarkson? PS: Thanks for introducing Roastr, great app!
My first ever Porsche c4s - need to get back in one again soon!
Am so excited watching this… sold my e46 m3 and am picking up my ‘04 c4s this Saturday coming!😊
I appreciate the insights JayEmm but please stop telling people that 996s and 986s are good, I liked when they were cheap and this isn't helping
You're really dialling up these intros.
Love it
Glad you like them! I thought I'd try something a little different
The 996 is the best one it's just so useable and great value, it's a 911!! also why would you want one that has the same headlights as a beetle or a mini?? 🍳🦆🍳🦆
Looks great in yellow. I had a speed yellow 996.1 GT3 for 12 years. Those seats imo are up there with best seats ever put in a road car.
They're not original seats.
Bizarre comment about it being pointless to go beyond 6k revs my 98 Carrera is best when taken to 7k revs in each gear sounds and feels glorious
The only reason an M96 will not feel alive up top in the rev range is if tha Vario cam system is faulty. If functional they all make peak power at 6800 rpm,and given that it rev limit is circa 7300 , you do get the best performance ( and pleasure/ by revving it out). They do not feel weak up top up at all.
But yes it does have great torque between 2500-4500 rpm too.
Just hammered my 996 160 miles across the country yesterday, sunny , dry day, even my aircon works! It’s light, nimble, can rev it out without being too illegal. Just thinking, I don’t want to change it for a new one as my wife keeps telling me to. I have replaced most things on it mind, but still cheap to run. It handles a lot better on fresh tyres, as the old ones went hard due to little use.
You're not fat, you're just easy to see!! Anyway, who are the other two James?
Jay fancy comparing the 996 4S to the 997.2 4S cabriolet wide body ? Still think, this is the Porsche to own. Let me know if interested, I will lend you the car for the day.
I don't like how the C4S looks, but by gum, it sounds superb.
I thought all Porches were silver... Is that a respray?
Or black😆
Bwahahahah. Every 996 C4S for sale here in Au today is silver!
@@CathodeRayNipplez Yeah us Aussies are a bit skint in the imagination department.
I should add my current Porsche is green and my previous was orange😉
@@EarlX99 Admit it, you ordered silver cars and took them to Yiannimize.
I replaced my 03 C4s with an 02 Turbo. It’s actually cheaper to run.
Interesting video James.Some comments calling out a rip off..I thought I recognised the car and to watch a video of the work undertaken watch Friends Green Porsche Prep Book Ep26..On RUclips or their website they are 996 and 997 specialists
A sheep in wolf’s clothing compared to the turbo though?
Luv my 05 4s with x51..its was the 1st Porsche i acquired..im not a yellow fan but its griwing on me a lil
Good review. I had a C4s with the X51 Carrera power pack and that is prob the ultimate non GT3 N/A 996. Dog ownership meant moving it on but I would have another. One thing I noticed is that the yellow car in your video does seem to smoke out of the left bank of cylinders (right exhaust) and the exhaust tailpipe was oily. Constructive comment to the owner - Deffo worth checking this NOW!
Indication of bore scoring 😢
9964S - There is no substitute. Pure automotive art.
You are more than welcome to drive my 996 turbo anytime you want.
im sat here and its like listening to mozart, that exhaust makes a gorgeous noise.
Is waiting for the Jeremy Clarkson classic breast joke!... Ah that's ok, still a great video, I think I would've just gone for the classic Carrera or Carrera S personally
There is video of this car being prepared on utube, it was a very extensive list
Press car? Good be a good thing..especially with original carbon buckets.
lol that opening… he’s such a relatable chap, makes me want to grab a beer with him to talk cars. By the way, 996 C4S owner here so I’m tremendously biased when I watched the video.
Mine's a diet coke
@@JayEmmOnCars 👏
I think the 996 is prettier than the round headlight porsches, there, I said it
997.1 Carrera S with a Hartech 4.3L conversion, 6 pot front caliper swaps, 350mm rears and the bigger 4 pot calipers. You can purchase carbon ceramic aftermarket rotors that are far cheaper but just as good if not better quality so pop in some Pagid RS pads to match 👌🏻 I'd lower it by 25mm (in total not in addition) with some Eibach springs and keeps PASM dampers. Weld the PSE flaps open (lol sorry I just can't help myself!). Would consider the aftermarket "pepperpot" 19" alloys as they look superb on 997's. But I do have the 19" Carrera Sport multi-spokes optional wheels that were selected on the build sheet. Those rear 305's have monumental grip! Even the 295's on my winter wheels do too! Defies the laws of physics! So these are a couple of things I'd consider to do but it's a 1 owner, built to order car with an outstanding selection of options selected when the first owner was kitting his car out. I got it at 27k miles @ just under 12 years old. So it was brand new. Kept in a heated garage it's entire life. Immaculate history for both servicing and maintenance. Scoped once a year too.
Great content as per, keep up the good work chap. 👏
It’s nice to find a 911 with plenty of the thoughtful options. There’s a big difference between a mostly basic silver/black & an interesting paint/leather combo with no blank buttons.
Great video Jay and very honest (as usual) pointing out worts and all without rise coloured glasses. The bit at the end when you said what you'd really like in a 911 if you could spec it - I bought a 964 C4 Manual about 15yrs ago which had been Supercharged. It was great....the power delivery was unique, in a good way. Don't have the car any longer though. It was featured in a 911/Porsche World magazine article when the one of previous owners told the story of the tuning journey. Well known guys in Warrington did the job - Ninemeister.
996 was the future of Porsche when it came out. Unfortunately, many Porsche fans are reactionary. 964 is underrated for this reason too. I think backdating is a crime.