I have a 3.4 Carrera. This is the best drivers engine option. The reason being that the 3.4 loves to rev. It’s much more of an immersive experience than the 3.6. Values are rising. 7 years ago you could be them at about 9k. Now for one with say 120k miles is perhaps 15k.Lower mileage ones which are manual with no sunroof and aero kit are now £ 20k plus. Don’t forget those Porsche GT1 headlights either.
Well, I just picked up a C2 3.6 and love it. The extra torque in the midrange is addictive. And still pulls hard to top. Plus prefer the turbo light. However, if I would have found a nice gen 1 a would have bought that. So buy on condition I would say. Best bargain of the century!
I also have a 3.4 Manual, and it's incredible. Have owned 5X porsche's adn this is the best drivers car ... vry very capable sports car and massively underrated. Get one while you still can, the earlier the better and definitely a manual coupe.
I love my 996 like no other car I’ve owned. It’s no overstatement to say that Porsche 911 is in a class all of its own - no other car comes close for the experience for the same money or any money! Buy the best you can find and you will never regret it. Great content and presentation as always, Joel - love your work, keep it up 👍👏🏻👏🏻
First time in 996 as soon as I hit 3rd gear I couldn't buy it fast enough. Most enjoyable car ever. I've driven 69 shelby, mustangs, bmw, viper, all were fun and all probably faster, but the 996 is a car I have a constant smile driving. The engineering is just perfect!
As an owner of a 3,4l 98 manual model, I think your video showed exactly why they are a great, that feeling you get every time you want push that engine, its ready, crying come on give me more. Not all cars give you that feeling. All cars have problems, due to design, owners, maintenance or bad use. All potentiel buyers should be wary and do their due diligence before buying and prepare the necessary budget for up keep and the unexpected events. Personally I bought mine, for me, and frankly I does not matter what other people can think about headlights, water cooled, IMS, etc, they are missing the point, the majority have never driven one.
This video is kind of like watching someone trying hard to sell you a turd while they know its a turd. I mean the turd is good as fertilizer but its still a a turd.
I moved from a 2001 Boxster S to a 996.1 3.4 2000 C2, the 911 feels so much more whole and the sound is much better, performance wise also a great upgrade. Really nice video and compare, thanks!
Loved my 996 Carrera and would have another in a heart beat. Purchased from and sold back to Roly at e-Porsch. You’re spot on about the engine note….they sing to you at high revs.
10:04 god damn you have no clue how hot this engine has been running at this point. 105° at the gauge + around 10°-15° degrees since the thermostat is not located at the hottest spot in the engine. Biggest mistake you can make on these Carreras with city driving at warmer temperatures is not turning on the AC. By turning on the AC the fans should spin up. Might also just be that the radiators have been clogged up with leaves and dirt. This + driving under 2k rpm is the main reason these engines go bad.
I said the exact same things when I had my 2001 C4 with the same factory sport exhaust (mine also had the factory short shifter which is EVEN better!!)... I can't wait to buy another one when it makes sense for my situation .... Love that car!!!!!!
I very much enjoyed the video. I bought a Boxster S for my 30th birthday in the mid 2000's and did numerous road trips all over Europe, including our wedding in Tuscany and Honeymoon on Corsica. Then kids arrived and Audi estates took over. For my 40th birthday, I claimed back my youth with a 996 Turbo S and have enjoyed it ever since. I actually preferred the handling of the Boxster, I never felt it wanted to kill me! The Turbo S is a real treat though, mine has got a few more dashboard squeaks than the one you drove, probably due to the harder suspension, but in my 8 years of ownership, it has been very well behaved, except for a mouse infestation that meant an engine out wiring repair! Having recently purchased an AMG C63 estate as a daily, it's interesting to drive the 996 and AMG back to back. Let me know if you'd like to feature the Turbo S, it is a June 2005 car, one of the last built, with only 38k on the clock...
Great driver .. have 996.2 for 8 years … came to love that the lights gave them a unique niche that opened up a great price point. They are as expensive as other P-cars to maintain but they have a unique spot in the long history of Porsche.
I bought a 996 from 1998 with Tiptronic and sports seats 10 years ago. It had a minor overhaul, including a new timing chain and 1 cylinder. Since then I have driven it 60,000 kilometers without any problems. Because the car is so light, it is wonderful to drive on curving roads. It is a real driver's car and the costs are not too high. You have no depreciation and you have the most iconic car in the world, really everyone from young to old loves the model. Every kilometer is a pleasure and I don't know what you could buy for 25,000 euros that is more fun!
Hi there,I’m thinking of buying a 2004 carrera auto/tiptronic. How is the drive feel for you? I Would in reality love to get a manual but in Ireland there is not a huge amount to choose from. To be fair I am looking for a convertible so that makes the choices even smaller. I’m changing from my 2003 boxster manual which I absolutely love but could use the extra seats in the back
Thanks for the review! Has to be the best sportscar bargain of the century. I like the underdog Porsche. Got a 996 C2 3.6 since a week and it is fantastic!
I’ve owned a 996 for 4 years now. Great car. Fast when you want fast or you can plod along in 6th at 30mph. Mines is up for sale for but I keep thinking I will remove the add and keep it a few more years. Good video and you seem to like the 996. 👍 (buy mine🤣)
Love my 996 C4! Had a 1977 911S, my first love! The 996 C4 is a different driving experience over the 911S in as much as its a more refined car all around!
I always wanted a 911 ever since I was old enough to know what one was. My first drive was a '68 SWB Sport which at the time was just £7K but might as well have been 70k to me and my budget. Years later I was able to buy a C2 3.6, manual with aero in silver with ox blood interior and no sunroof. I had it for 6 glorious months before my being a pauper meant I had to sell. What a glorious thing to make some great memories with though.
I had a 2007 V8 Vantage followed by a 2000 996 C4 and loved both of them. The 996 was definitely my favourite of the two for driving feel, though. Had to sell the 996 for cash towards a house purchase but took a 986 Boxster in p/ex - it's a fine car but I still want another 996! Next time probably a C2 with aerokit, though I'd have no problem with another C4.
Joel, at 10:44 you seem to be having an organism - with some justification! This car could make a great buy for someone looking for Porsche quality and performance but at a real world price.
Good to see you back on form. I found your channel while looking at BMWz4s I didn't buy one in the end but am still considering it and prices are starting to drop again as I supect will Porsches etc. I never really got the Range Rover thing, fabulously comfortable but but just so wrong in the town. If I lived in Dubai or Abu Dhabi id have one but not here. Your comparison to the Boxter is interesting, and i think you should try a Cayman next. I wonder if dynamically the Cayman is better than the 911 and whether the Boxster might be too. The performance is probably more accessible for the average driver as well at half the price. I also noted your interest in the M6, a friend had one a few years back and while it was actually pretty relaible the maintenance costs were pretty hefty but a good subjest car for the channel.
I don’t think there was anything wrong with your boxster Joel, these were always just a fair bit quicker out of the box. The C2 did 0-100 in 10.8 sec in the original Autocar Road test (the c4 a bit slower), the boxster 14.2. That’s quite a gap!
Remember being on a trackday at Goodwood in 2002 with the Ponce, sorry, I mean Porsche, owners club with their new porky 911's. I was in a new Mini Cooper. Long story short, same lap times in amateur hands. The Mini ate them up in the corners, they pissed off down the straights, up their arse next corner, rinse and repeat.
I have a 996c4s with a flat 6 innovations engine, amazing car and no more bore scoring or ims to worry about, and 400 hp. Amazing chassis and car, very underrated. Ims over rated but bore scoring is a concern on these. Not all have it but some certainly do.
My ONLY criticisms of the 996 are the rather cheap feeling indicator stalks, and the fact the steering wheel doesn’t have height adjustment. Other than that it’s an exceptional everyday sports car. Good overview Joel.
reliability is better on cars that are being driven, seems a lot of problems stem from not driving these and then taking them out when they were standing too long. Mine has over 210.000km and I just met a nice gentleman with one that had over 245.000km. Both on their original engine, never opened, nothing. You only ever read about those that have been abused and are broken though. Tiptronic cars often fare better because the Tiptronic keeps them from bein over-revved.
Wouldn't generalize. I daily drive my 996 and it is as reliable as a Corolla. Keep m96 engines running every few days, change oil every 3000km and your good:)
Before you buy have a proper PPI performed by a specialist. Pull the spark plugs and boroscope the cylinders. Bore score, IMS issues, oil/coolant mixing, cracked cylinder heads, disintegration of plastic chain guides. These issues will drive you to the land of broken dreams. Some may get lucky and find a decent example. If you’re unlucky it’s an M96 $30,000 rebuild. Just a note from personal experience. Good luck!
M96 rebuilds go for about 10-15.000€ in Germany, and that's when they send the cylinder head over to GB to get it fitted with steel inlets there. So how did you arrive at your prive point? There was just a video of a German bloke who got his engine re-done, new cylinder liners, oil pump, all the tiny bits, gaskets, etc... it was all together around 11.500€ incl. tax at a known repair shop for M96 engines. Apart from that: If you have oil in your coolant or vice versa, it is not always a cracked head as these companies want you to believe (to charge loads of money). Saw a few engines now where it was only the oil cooler in the back which is watercooled and had an internal leak where the substances mixed. Cheap part to fix, but you have to drain all the fluids and probably flush the cooling system AND the engine 1-2 times afterwards. When the cars were under warranty, Porsche sometimes just replaced the engines because it was cheaper than diagnosing the problem for them. Some owners were never notified and only found out when they wanted to sell the car that it didn't have "matching numbers" anymore, because the engine had the X mark for a replacement part.
@@Richardmurden not really. Less than 10% of all cars were affected in any way, and that includes all the misdiagnosed ones. If you use them as a normal daily driver, they are extremely reliable. Moreso than any Audi I`ve ever owned. Or any other car for that matter, my Targa is now more than 20.years old ans has zero rust, even though it parked at the curb for more than 10 years.
@@Kommunisator you must be lucky then as I know of two in my friend group, one with coolant mix cracked head and another with bore scoring, cost them a fortune to put right, so for me they just aren't worth the gamble, more a case of when than if. And when it does go wrong boy does it cost
@@Richardmurden The most important thing, as with any used car: Validate who owned it before you and how they treated it. I have a habit when going for a test drive to sit as a passenger and let the owner drive. If he immediately wants to "show off" what the car can do, I back away. The difference here is, that due to the low entry price these cars had at some point, a lot of people bought them who were not heeding this advice, then sold them on to others who didn't care etc... And the last owner got a car that looked nice, sounded nice, but was a ticking timebomb due to invisivle use and neglect. Plus: Replacing the engine will cost at least 15K if you grab a new one cheap and have a cheap shop do it. These engines were not produced in large numbers like those of other cars you can get for the samr money. But if the engine goes on an AMG65 or M5, it is as expensive, if not more. Audi RS4 B5 needed both turbos replaced at 160.000km as part of the regular service, that alone could cost more than 8000 Euros at Audi. For a planned service! Ask some Ferrari owners avout engine out timing belt and clutch replacements...
I have had my 2002 996 Cabriolet 6 speed for 2 yrs and it has been a lot of fun. Just what I wanted. It's not my daily driver with 22, 800 original miles on it. I have 2 other cars for daily. I also have the hard top for it. paid $22k for the car. I am sure its a bit higher now.
Great to see your cheery face and positive chatter back online. Keep going strength to strength Joel. Oh and thanks for now causing me to go to autotrader and look up 996s😂😂. Cheers, Kevin.
I remember going to look at one of these with my dad when he was after another classic. Awesome car for the money, but he ended up going with a 2.8i , 4 speed capri. One of the reasons being if something went wrong he could fix it himself, imagine something going wrong with the Porsche it’s going to be an engine out job most the time and imagine the deep pockets you need for that.
Not SO slow actually, and it seems that in the Turbo they used a slightly different one that can be modded to shift faster. It learns a bit from your driving style, so if you never used a kickdown, never used manual mode to wring out the gears, then it can feel sluggish for a while. Start doing that though, and the shifts are feeling somewhat different. Now, this could be all down to my imagination and getting used to the shifter, but is is quicker than similar ones from the same time period.
I own a 996 tip for 4 years now. These are bullet proof rather simple designs just flush fluid and change filter if you hear it lag or wobble between gearing in cold weather. You get use to the lag time and doesnt bother me at all. As a matter of fact I owned a 2011 panamera first gen pdk and shift time was the same as my 996 tip. As long as you know your car, shift time is not really important since you anticipate the lag....just like when turbos kick in. I prefer the 3.6 engine without cable shifting in cold toronto weather. What a car!!!
@@bigmacdaddy1234 why do you assume that? Really depends on the country and the driving education you get there I think. From my experience, a 996 is so easy to handle that over 90% of drivers with 2-3 years of driving experience should have no. problem maxing it out every once in a while. It's just become difficult to find times when the road is clear enough due to the increased traffic in the past two decades. Or you have to go to the eastern part of the country, there are some roads where you barely see anybody at any time of day that are unlimited.
@@Kommunisator Max out where? The roads have speed limits and traffic. You are never ever going to legally "max out". Most of the time you are just driving to Walmart anyway. Additionally, most drivers are terrible and have no idea how to actually drive a car to it's limits. That takes training and a race track. 99% of the people will run out of driving skill long before they run out of car.
Great video as always. In the USA, the Porsche 996 is currently 30% overpriced at the moment. It's a good car but not worth what people are asking. High mileage examples 100,000 + are going for $35,000. That is insane. The car drives good, but to be honest a 2016 + Mini Cooper handles much better. The 996 exterior has a very nice design, however the interior is a weak point. The ergonomics are not the best. Your leg will hit the center console, the other leg will hit the door panel, no cupholders, and the seats are not supportive at all. If you develop a transmission problem, good luck trying to get it fixed. It will not only be expensive but very difficult. Additionally, the automatic has a pinion bearing that requires a special machine to remove and most transmission shops will not touch it. If you need an engine rebuild, get a lot of money ready and after the rebuild it probably still won't work right. The windows have a bunch of microswitches that are very annoying to fix when they don't work. The convertible top has a complicated clamshell design with microswitches everywhere that is hard to fix as well. Premium fuel will get you 15 MPG. Not cheap to run. I owned two of these cars and for the asking price today, the juice is not worth the squeeze. If you want a fun to drive car, better off buying a brand new Mini Cooper S and get a four year warranty. However, if your dream is a 996, only buy one if you can get it below 30% of the asking price otherwise the juice is not worth the squeeze.
Your comments about ergonomics are subjective. I'm 5'6" tall and have no problems with legs hitting anything lol. Also, both my wife and daughter can sit in the back comfortably, although the rear seats are hard, as we are a short family. Regarding mpg, I do commute to work sometimes but I always come home a favourite fast bendy route, and I'm averaging 28 mpg! By the way, my car is a 996.2 C2 manual. I'll never sell it!
Look for aftermarket parts, and get a good non-official Porsche service garage. Brake discs and pads for a facelift 996 are about 400€ front+back if you shop around (Brembo or similar quality), all filters are cheap mass produced items and easy to replace, spark plugs are a tad annoying to change, but you can get to them very easily if you jack up the rear and remove the mufflers (which on an older car probably need to be welded anyway, they split at the seams). The biggest problem with these are old rubber and plastic parts that get degraded/brittle. Especially on the facelift cars that have the extra air pump for emissions stuff. There are some fine plastic lines with rubber tubing that go all over the engine, and these shatter like glass if you are not careful. And one of them goes to the front of the engine near the firewall, the end is almost impossible to get at without removing the engine - you have to at least lower it and probably remove the intake plenum. So a lot of stuff is very time-consuming, but not expensive per se.
I own a 1999 coupe in black and originally wanted a 70's- 80's air cooled but settled for the lesser money and regret it to this day. I'll be honest, for me any water cooled 911 past past the 993 is of no interest to me. Can't stand the larger size. To the 1999 996 credit it is the last of the drive by wire throttle and it isn't as gaudy huge as the later models. It's just not my cup of tea. This made me learn not to settle next time.
Have driven both a 996 and 997, now own a 987 Boxster S 3.2. I just don't see the value in the extra cash for a 911 over a Boxster. I think if you are the kind of person that perhaps looks down on the Boxster as an inferior car - then maybe you'd have the 911 - but otherwise the Boxster is the better driving car. 987 has 280bhp in 3.2 guise, so not a million miles away from the 996 3.4
the more I look at these ,,, the more the expensive engine issues show up ,,, an engine is the price of the car ,,, would I pay twice the price of the car if the engine scores ,,, nope , would I pay twice the price for one fixed , nope , and theres the problem .
From experience, the horror stories aren't nearly as bad or frequent as the internet makes them out to be. Find yourself a good one from an honest seller with great history and you'll be smiling!
@@itsjoel Wise words ,,, Id like to borrow one for the weekend first ,, lol but who wouldnt , I live with a 130 bmw but really like Caymens , but a 911 seems like a better compromise ,,, ah its not easy to decide.
And "what obvious reasons" make my Tiptronic 'less desirable'? 😄 it was revolutionary technology and is used in all cars now as standard! it's an automatic and a proper manual keeping the gear (without the clutch, yet faster than doing it by hand), also preventing gear changes at inopportune moments, such as when cornering. It is more superior in every way + up to 20% more fuel efficient. insert song *'we rollin, they hatin'* 😜😄
There’s a mad craze towards manual cars especially in the UK at the moment, hence the ‘obvious’. I do quite enjoy the tip myself though and would quite happily have one over a manual
@@TiptronicSS The tip is good for cruising and if you get in a traffic jam. The manual shifter on the 996 is sublime, you can operate it with a flick of your pinky. However the clutch needs some well-trained legs, especially in a traffic jam... not fun if you use the car as a daily driver. Also, the fuel economy is actually slightly worse with the tip, although not as much as with a similar car of the same age where a normal slushbox would mean 1-1,5 litres more consumption. (Volvo 850R manual vs auto was 10,5 to 12 litres/100km for me) That said - I like the tiptronic, and if I want a manual there's a MX5 NA sitting outside with the BEST manual shifter ever fitted to a roadster. Stick sits directly on top of the gearbox, no extra linkage, no cables, it feels like operating the bolt on a well-oiled rifle.
Dude... you went quiet for a while and I understand why, BUT holy s*** you’ve rocketed back with some brilliant content this last few weeks!!
Appreciate that mate, thanks for watching!
@@itsjoel I should be thanking you. You’ve done brilliantly. I love a Porsche too. Take it easy 🙌🏼✨
Yo
I’ve owned two 996’s. They are great cars. If 996’s had round headlights, no one would be debating if they were good or not!
I have a 3.4 Carrera. This is the best drivers engine option. The reason being that the 3.4 loves to rev. It’s much more of an immersive experience than the 3.6. Values are rising. 7 years ago you could be them at about 9k. Now for one with say 120k miles is perhaps 15k.Lower mileage ones which are manual with no sunroof and aero kit are now £ 20k plus. Don’t forget those Porsche GT1 headlights either.
Well, I just picked up a C2 3.6 and love it. The extra torque in the midrange is addictive. And still pulls hard to top. Plus prefer the turbo light. However, if I would have found a nice gen 1 a would have bought that. So buy on condition I would say. Best bargain of the century!
I also have a 3.4 Manual, and it's incredible. Have owned 5X porsche's adn this is the best drivers car ... vry very capable sports car and massively underrated. Get one while you still can, the earlier the better and definitely a manual coupe.
I love my 996 like no other car I’ve owned. It’s no overstatement to say that Porsche 911 is in a class all of its own - no other car comes close for the experience for the same money or any money! Buy the best you can find and you will never regret it. Great content and presentation as always, Joel - love your work, keep it up 👍👏🏻👏🏻
First time in 996 as soon as I hit 3rd gear I couldn't buy it fast enough. Most enjoyable car ever. I've driven 69 shelby, mustangs, bmw, viper, all were fun and all probably faster, but the 996 is a car I have a constant smile driving. The engineering is just perfect!
Right on! Well said
The critics of these cars often haven’t driven one. They’re great.
You’re a natural and talented presenter, making car reviews really entertaining. Well done Joel.
As an owner of a 3,4l 98 manual model, I think your video showed exactly why they are a great, that feeling you get every time you want push that engine, its ready, crying come on give me more.
Not all cars give you that feeling. All cars have problems, due to design, owners, maintenance or bad use. All potentiel buyers should be wary and do their due diligence before buying and prepare the necessary budget for up keep and the unexpected events. Personally I bought mine, for me, and frankly I does not matter what other people can think about headlights, water cooled, IMS, etc, they are missing the point, the majority have never driven one.
This video is kind of like watching someone trying hard to sell you a turd while they know its a turd. I mean the turd is good as fertilizer but its still a a turd.
I moved from a 2001 Boxster S to a 996.1 3.4 2000 C2, the 911 feels so much more whole and the sound is much better, performance wise also a great upgrade.
Really nice video and compare, thanks!
Loved my 996 Carrera and would have another in a heart beat. Purchased from and sold back to Roly at e-Porsch. You’re spot on about the engine note….they sing to you at high revs.
10:04 god damn you have no clue how hot this engine has been running at this point. 105° at the gauge + around 10°-15° degrees since the thermostat is not located at the hottest spot in the engine. Biggest mistake you can make on these Carreras with city driving at warmer temperatures is not turning on the AC. By turning on the AC the fans should spin up. Might also just be that the radiators have been clogged up with leaves and dirt. This + driving under 2k rpm is the main reason these engines go bad.
I said the exact same things when I had my 2001 C4 with the same factory sport exhaust (mine also had the factory short shifter which is EVEN better!!)... I can't wait to buy another one when it makes sense for my situation .... Love that car!!!!!!
996 4S are currently selling for $120k - $150k in Australia, prices keep going up on the 996
I very much enjoyed the video. I bought a Boxster S for my 30th birthday in the mid 2000's and did numerous road trips all over Europe, including our wedding in Tuscany and Honeymoon on Corsica. Then kids arrived and Audi estates took over. For my 40th birthday, I claimed back my youth with a 996 Turbo S and have enjoyed it ever since. I actually preferred the handling of the Boxster, I never felt it wanted to kill me! The Turbo S is a real treat though, mine has got a few more dashboard squeaks than the one you drove, probably due to the harder suspension, but in my 8 years of ownership, it has been very well behaved, except for a mouse infestation that meant an engine out wiring repair! Having recently purchased an AMG C63 estate as a daily, it's interesting to drive the 996 and AMG back to back. Let me know if you'd like to feature the Turbo S, it is a June 2005 car, one of the last built, with only 38k on the clock...
I bought a 1999 C4 in blk with grey interior on 7th Jan 2024.
Let them be underrated, it's the only 911 we can still afford 😂
Yes good point. Don’t tell anyone!
Great driver .. have 996.2 for 8 years … came to love that the lights gave them a unique niche that opened up a great price point. They are as expensive as other P-cars to maintain but they have a unique spot in the long history of Porsche.
BEST CAR CONTENT ON RUclips RECENTLY; LAST FEW VIDS HAVE BEEN AMAZING!
Glad you think so!
I bought a 996 from 1998 with Tiptronic and sports seats 10 years ago. It had a minor overhaul, including a new timing chain and 1 cylinder. Since then I have driven it 60,000 kilometers without any problems. Because the car is so light, it is wonderful to drive on curving roads. It is a real driver's car and the costs are not too high. You have no depreciation and you have the most iconic car in the world, really everyone from young to old loves the model. Every kilometer is a pleasure and I don't know what you could buy for 25,000 euros that is more fun!
Hi there,I’m thinking of buying a 2004 carrera auto/tiptronic. How is the drive feel for you? I Would in reality love to get a manual but in Ireland there is not a huge amount to choose from. To be fair I am looking for a convertible so that makes the choices even smaller. I’m changing from my 2003 boxster manual which I absolutely love but could use the extra seats in the back
Thanks for the review! Has to be the best sportscar bargain of the century. I like the underdog Porsche. Got a 996 C2 3.6 since a week and it is fantastic!
I’ve owned a 996 for 4 years now. Great car. Fast when you want fast or you can plod along in 6th at 30mph. Mines is up for sale for but I keep thinking I will remove the add and keep it a few more years. Good video and you seem to like the 996. 👍 (buy mine🤣)
The M96 engine has one of the best exhaust notes of any 911.
Great content Joel ! Missed all your vids.
Ive got a my99 Impreza turbo saloon,
335bhp, the boxer engine is a pleasure to drive 😍
Love my 996 C4! Had a 1977 911S, my first love! The 996 C4 is a
different driving experience over the 911S in as much as its a more
refined car all around!
I always wanted a 911 ever since I was old enough to know what one was. My first drive was a '68 SWB Sport which at the time was just £7K but might as well have been 70k to me and my budget. Years later I was able to buy a C2 3.6, manual with aero in silver with ox blood interior and no sunroof. I had it for 6 glorious months before my being a pauper meant I had to sell. What a glorious thing to make some great memories with though.
I had a 2007 V8 Vantage followed by a 2000 996 C4 and loved both of them. The 996 was definitely my favourite of the two for driving feel, though. Had to sell the 996 for cash towards a house purchase but took a 986 Boxster in p/ex - it's a fine car but I still want another 996! Next time probably a C2 with aerokit, though I'd have no problem with another C4.
Joel, at 10:44 you seem to be having an organism - with some justification!
This car could make a great buy for someone looking for Porsche quality and performance but at a real world price.
Looooool
Great review on the 996.1 brilliant analog experience prices have been on the rise
I drove one of these through Europe last month, it is a fantastic drivers car
Good to see you back on form. I found your channel while looking at BMWz4s I didn't buy one in the end but am still considering it and prices are starting to drop again as I supect will Porsches etc. I never really got the Range Rover thing, fabulously comfortable but but just so wrong in the town. If I lived in Dubai or Abu Dhabi id have one but not here. Your comparison to the Boxter is interesting, and i think you should try a Cayman next. I wonder if dynamically the Cayman is better than the 911 and whether the Boxster might be too. The performance is probably more accessible for the average driver as well at half the price. I also noted your interest in the M6, a friend had one a few years back and while it was actually pretty relaible the maintenance costs were pretty hefty but a good subjest car for the channel.
Great content - what about a road trip to all the abandoned race tracks around the UK? Could make for interesting content..
Smashing it with the video content Joel
I don’t think there was anything wrong with your boxster Joel, these were always just a fair bit quicker out of the box. The C2 did 0-100 in 10.8 sec in the original Autocar Road test (the c4 a bit slower), the boxster 14.2. That’s quite a gap!
Do have a soft spot for the 996, great video!
Remember being on a trackday at Goodwood in 2002 with the Ponce, sorry, I mean Porsche, owners club with their new porky 911's. I was in a new Mini Cooper. Long story short, same lap times in amateur hands. The Mini ate them up in the corners, they pissed off down the straights, up their arse next corner, rinse and repeat.
I have a 996c4s with a flat 6 innovations engine, amazing car and no more bore scoring or ims to worry about, and 400 hp. Amazing chassis and car, very underrated. Ims over rated but bore scoring is a concern on these. Not all have it but some certainly do.
Buy it Joel ! 👍
996 top end is 175mph - 0-60 5ish seconds; come on. I have a 2001 911 Carrera 4 and it rips so savage. I love it.
Lovely car, my gfs dad has a 4s such a great drive
My ONLY criticisms of the 996 are the rather cheap feeling indicator stalks, and the fact the steering wheel doesn’t have height adjustment. Other than that it’s an exceptional everyday sports car.
Good overview Joel.
I kinda love the indicator stalks, they're dainty and different!
I actually like that steering wheel. I'd definatelly put full colour porsche badge on it tho.
I wish we got the Carrera 4 996.2 in the USA. We only had the C4S.
Joel, thank you just thank you
lovely cars
I prefer this GT1 lights early version. Later ones got cup holders under centre vents and a glove box
I recently got a 996.2 cab myself
YES .old skool car content..perfect........
glad you're enjoying it, cheers
Very cool car . Love it !!
Because it was what people think was porsche first "water cooled" try. But they're wrong. The turbo and GT 996 are amazing.
Porsches are complete cars, they do everything well.
Other sport cars only do one or two things well.
99 996 tip C4...love mine
Great cars, reliability issues will always tarnish it. This is proper steering not this electric garbage nowadays.
reliability is better on cars that are being driven, seems a lot of problems stem from not driving these and then taking them out when they were standing too long. Mine has over 210.000km and I just met a nice gentleman with one that had over 245.000km. Both on their original engine, never opened, nothing.
You only ever read about those that have been abused and are broken though. Tiptronic cars often fare better because the Tiptronic keeps them from bein over-revved.
Wouldn't generalize. I daily drive my 996 and it is as reliable as a Corolla. Keep m96 engines running every few days, change oil every 3000km and your good:)
Before you buy have a proper PPI performed by a specialist. Pull the spark plugs and boroscope the cylinders. Bore score, IMS issues, oil/coolant mixing, cracked cylinder heads, disintegration of plastic chain guides. These issues will drive you to the land of broken dreams. Some may get lucky and find a decent example.
If you’re unlucky it’s an M96 $30,000 rebuild. Just a note from personal experience. Good luck!
M96 rebuilds go for about 10-15.000€ in Germany, and that's when they send the cylinder head over to GB to get it fitted with steel inlets there. So how did you arrive at your prive point?
There was just a video of a German bloke who got his engine re-done, new cylinder liners, oil pump, all the tiny bits, gaskets, etc... it was all together around 11.500€ incl. tax at a known repair shop for M96 engines.
Apart from that: If you have oil in your coolant or vice versa, it is not always a cracked head as these companies want you to believe (to charge loads of money). Saw a few engines now where it was only the oil cooler in the back which is watercooled and had an internal leak where the substances mixed. Cheap part to fix, but you have to drain all the fluids and probably flush the cooling system AND the engine 1-2 times afterwards.
When the cars were under warranty, Porsche sometimes just replaced the engines because it was cheaper than diagnosing the problem for them. Some owners were never notified and only found out when they wanted to sell the car that it didn't have "matching numbers" anymore, because the engine had the X mark for a replacement part.
You certainly need a brave pill to buy one of these, fraught with potential issues as you've stated, such a gamble of a car
@@Richardmurden not really. Less than 10% of all cars were affected in any way, and that includes all the misdiagnosed ones. If you use them as a normal daily driver, they are extremely reliable. Moreso than any Audi I`ve ever owned. Or any other car for that matter, my Targa is now more than 20.years old ans has zero rust, even though it parked at the curb for more than 10 years.
@@Kommunisator you must be lucky then as I know of two in my friend group, one with coolant mix cracked head and another with bore scoring, cost them a fortune to put right, so for me they just aren't worth the gamble, more a case of when than if. And when it does go wrong boy does it cost
@@Richardmurden The most important thing, as with any used car: Validate who owned it before you and how they treated it. I have a habit when going for a test drive to sit as a passenger and let the owner drive. If he immediately wants to "show off" what the car can do, I back away.
The difference here is, that due to the low entry price these cars had at some point, a lot of people bought them who were not heeding this advice, then sold them on to others who didn't care etc...
And the last owner got a car that looked nice, sounded nice, but was a ticking timebomb due to invisivle use and neglect.
Plus: Replacing the engine will cost at least 15K if you grab a new one cheap and have a cheap shop do it. These engines were not produced in large numbers like those of other cars you can get for the samr money.
But if the engine goes on an AMG65 or M5, it is as expensive, if not more.
Audi RS4 B5 needed both turbos replaced at 160.000km as part of the regular service, that alone could cost more than 8000 Euros at Audi.
For a planned service!
Ask some Ferrari owners avout engine out timing belt and clutch replacements...
I have had my 2002 996 Cabriolet 6 speed for 2 yrs and it has been a lot of fun. Just what I wanted. It's not my daily driver with 22, 800 original miles on it. I have 2 other cars for daily. I also have the hard top for it. paid $22k for the car. I am sure its a bit higher now.
I got an 08 cayman 987 and yep… over 5000 rpm Porsches just pull!!!!
great your back on
Welcome back
Great to see your cheery face and positive chatter back online. Keep going strength to strength Joel. Oh and thanks for now causing me to go to autotrader and look up 996s😂😂. Cheers, Kevin.
Thanks Kevin for the comment, I've been browsing the classifieds for a 996 that I can't afford ever since too!
Love a 996 me
Haven’t said much about the awd.
Before I watch.. Joel, you are so right! 993's etc are really great but waaay to expensive for what they deliver.
Love the look of the 993. Absolutely timeless. But if they’re worth the money, than the 996 is grossly undervalued
@@itsjoel Agreed
Love my 996.2 Carrera 4! It's just perfect small, light and nimble unlike the fat and heavy new 911's. 🦆🍳
Buy it, and buy it now.
My Dad had one a few years back, regrets selling it so much
The 996 is the best bang per buck; beside loads of fun, it will only go up in value.
Early ones got clip-on cupholders see little holes in side vent..
Did you mention how much this one is Joel? I can't see the price on the website...
Best to call and ask! Circa £15k I think.
@@itsjoel thanks!
Underrated, indeed😊
I remember going to look at one of these with my dad when he was after another classic. Awesome car for the money, but he ended up going with a 2.8i , 4 speed capri. One of the reasons being if something went wrong he could fix it himself, imagine something going wrong with the Porsche it’s going to be an engine out job most the time and imagine the deep pockets you need for that.
The 3.4 carrera has 300hp, not 315. The 3.6 came in with the facelift (which had more HP)
I corrected this with some text on screen later in the vid!
Porsche all day every day.
The 996 gets more attractive as it ages. The last slim bodied 911
Agreed!
Funfact, the automatic is a 5 speed borrowed from Mercedes. So the same as in the E55 amg. Slow gearbox. But a very very good one.
Not SO slow actually, and it seems that in the Turbo they used a slightly different one that can be modded to shift faster.
It learns a bit from your driving style, so if you never used a kickdown, never used manual mode to wring out the gears, then it can feel sluggish for a while. Start doing that though, and the shifts are feeling somewhat different.
Now, this could be all down to my imagination and getting used to the shifter, but is is quicker than similar ones from the same time period.
I own a 996 tip for 4 years now. These are bullet proof rather simple designs just flush fluid and change filter if you hear it lag or wobble between gearing in cold weather. You get use to the lag time and doesnt bother me at all. As a matter of fact I owned a 2011 panamera first gen pdk and shift time was the same as my 996 tip. As long as you know your car, shift time is not really important since you anticipate the lag....just like when turbos kick in. I prefer the 3.6 engine without cable shifting in cold toronto weather. What a car!!!
It's faster than what 99% of the people can handle anyway. So it doesn't really matter.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 why do you assume that? Really depends on the country and the driving education you get there I think. From my experience, a 996 is so easy to handle that over 90% of drivers with 2-3 years of driving experience should have no. problem maxing it out every once in a while. It's just become difficult to find times when the road is clear enough due to the increased traffic in the past two decades. Or you have to go to the eastern part of the country, there are some roads where you barely see anybody at any time of day that are unlimited.
@@Kommunisator Max out where? The roads have speed limits and traffic. You are never ever going to legally "max out". Most of the time you are just driving to Walmart anyway. Additionally, most drivers are terrible and have no idea how to actually drive a car to it's limits. That takes training and a race track. 99% of the people will run out of driving skill long before they run out of car.
Love the Vantage design but 911 all day for maintenance and quality
need to try a vantage next!
Hey bro, do some more road trip challenge vids if you can! But good job anyways!
More to come soon!
I just got quoted £3k for mine on we buy any car hahahaha
You must buy one, if not this one, then another 996, go on do it.
I would love to. When funds allow!
Great video as always. In the USA, the Porsche 996 is currently 30% overpriced at the moment. It's a good car but not worth what people are asking. High mileage examples 100,000 + are going for $35,000. That is insane. The car drives good, but to be honest a 2016 + Mini Cooper handles much better. The 996 exterior has a very nice design, however the interior is a weak point. The ergonomics are not the best. Your leg will hit the center console, the other leg will hit the door panel, no cupholders, and the seats are not supportive at all. If you develop a transmission problem, good luck trying to get it fixed. It will not only be expensive but very difficult. Additionally, the automatic has a pinion bearing that requires a special machine to remove and most transmission shops will not touch it. If you need an engine rebuild, get a lot of money ready and after the rebuild it probably still won't work right. The windows have a bunch of microswitches that are very annoying to fix when they don't work. The convertible top has a complicated clamshell design with microswitches everywhere that is hard to fix as well. Premium fuel will get you 15 MPG. Not cheap to run. I owned two of these cars and for the asking price today, the juice is not worth the squeeze. If you want a fun to drive car, better off buying a brand new Mini Cooper S and get a four year warranty. However, if your dream is a 996, only buy one if you can get it below 30% of the asking price otherwise the juice is not worth the squeeze.
Your comments about ergonomics are subjective. I'm 5'6" tall and have no problems with legs hitting anything lol. Also, both my wife and daughter can sit in the back comfortably, although the rear seats are hard, as we are a short family. Regarding mpg, I do commute to work sometimes but I always come home a favourite fast bendy route, and I'm averaging 28 mpg! By the way, my car is a 996.2 C2 manual. I'll never sell it!
@@wilbertmcmaster8025 Your MPG computer is wrong. It didn't even get 28mpg when it was new.
Hi emailed you, i have a tech art edition 996 turbo x50 you can borrow for review, awesome cars
Hey, I can't find your email, could you send again? Thank you! hello@itsjoel.co.uk
Resent -thanks
parts and servicing have always scared me off these... :(
it's not that bad at all.
From experience owner my boxster S, parts and servicing was compatible to running a BMW. So nothing scary at all…
Look for aftermarket parts, and get a good non-official Porsche service garage. Brake discs and pads for a facelift 996 are about 400€ front+back if you shop around (Brembo or similar quality), all filters are cheap mass produced items and easy to replace, spark plugs are a tad annoying to change, but you can get to them very easily if you jack up the rear and remove the mufflers (which on an older car probably need to be welded anyway, they split at the seams).
The biggest problem with these are old rubber and plastic parts that get degraded/brittle. Especially on the facelift cars that have the extra air pump for emissions stuff. There are some fine plastic lines with rubber tubing that go all over the engine, and these shatter like glass if you are not careful. And one of them goes to the front of the engine near the firewall, the end is almost impossible to get at without removing the engine - you have to at least lower it and probably remove the intake plenum.
So a lot of stuff is very time-consuming, but not expensive per se.
I'd rather pick a Porsche than Maserati. I would be difficult to decide if 911 or Boxster would be the winner.
For me, I'd have the 911 now having spent extensive time in both. Probably a RWD Carrera 2 though.
I no its boring but I'd love an e92 m3 4.0 v8 lump 414bhp and they are still sensible money
They're awesome cars, and definitely far from boring. I drove one on a video a few years back and I pretty much wet myself
Sound was very bad but idea is great
I own a 1999 coupe in black and originally wanted a 70's- 80's air cooled but settled for the lesser money and regret it to this day. I'll be honest, for me any water cooled 911 past past the 993 is of no interest to me. Can't stand the larger size. To the 1999 996 credit it is the last of the drive by wire throttle and it isn't as gaudy huge as the later models. It's just not my cup of tea. This made me learn not to settle next time.
It’s not 315bhp, that’s the 3.6 gen2. That’s a 3.4 300 Bhp
thanks for the correction!
@@itsjoel however I do have a 996 3.7 Hartech 350bhp Manual gen1 coupe if you fancy a comparison 😁
Have driven both a 996 and 997, now own a 987 Boxster S 3.2. I just don't see the value in the extra cash for a 911 over a Boxster.
I think if you are the kind of person that perhaps looks down on the Boxster as an inferior car - then maybe you'd have the 911 - but otherwise the Boxster is the better driving car.
987 has 280bhp in 3.2 guise, so not a million miles away from the 996 3.4
Absolutely correct and personally as a fun second car, it has to be a convertible.
@@jjefferyworboys8138 I'd have a Cayman in fairness if it was the right car but I do like a convertible it has to be said 😄
Great video but the Maserati and Porsche are totally different. Ones a sports car the other a sports tourer. Different roles, different cars.
I'd say there are both sports tourers, the 911 is literally designed to be the ultimate daily driving sports car. The Porsche jsut does it better.
@@itsjoel The Maserati wouldn’t know which way the Porsche had gone up the Stelvio Pass !
You’ve quoted the horse power for the 996.2
I put a little text slate later on to correct it.
@@itsjoel yes, saw after!
😎😎😎
Easy… the headlights…
Sorry bud, you need to do more research, all 3.4 ltr cars are 300bhp not 315bhp!
the more I look at these ,,, the more the expensive engine issues show up ,,, an engine is the price of the car ,,, would I pay twice the price of the car if the engine scores ,,, nope , would I pay twice the price for one fixed , nope , and theres the problem .
From experience, the horror stories aren't nearly as bad or frequent as the internet makes them out to be. Find yourself a good one from an honest seller with great history and you'll be smiling!
@@itsjoel Wise words ,,, Id like to borrow one for the weekend first ,, lol but who wouldnt , I live with a 130 bmw but really like Caymens , but a 911 seems like a better compromise ,,, ah its not easy to decide.
@@tomthompson7400 Well a 130 is a difficult car to replace because they're so good!
bro u take too long to get into the main points lmao
And "what obvious reasons" make my Tiptronic 'less desirable'? 😄 it was revolutionary technology and is used in all cars now as standard! it's an automatic and a proper manual keeping the gear (without the clutch, yet faster than doing it by hand), also preventing gear changes at inopportune moments, such as when cornering. It is more superior in every way + up to 20% more fuel efficient.
insert song *'we rollin, they hatin'* 😜😄
There’s a mad craze towards manual cars especially in the UK at the moment, hence the ‘obvious’. I do quite enjoy the tip myself though and would quite happily have one over a manual
Loves the tiptronic box so much you named your RUclips account after it 😅😂
Sportscar = Manual.
The end
@@Holdeenio exactly 😄😂
@@TiptronicSS The tip is good for cruising and if you get in a traffic jam. The manual shifter on the 996 is sublime, you can operate it with a flick of your pinky. However the clutch needs some well-trained legs, especially in a traffic jam... not fun if you use the car as a daily driver.
Also, the fuel economy is actually slightly worse with the tip, although not as much as with a similar car of the same age where a normal slushbox would mean 1-1,5 litres more consumption. (Volvo 850R manual vs auto was 10,5 to 12 litres/100km for me)
That said - I like the tiptronic, and if I want a manual there's a MX5 NA sitting outside with the BEST manual shifter ever fitted to a roadster.
Stick sits directly on top of the gearbox, no extra linkage, no cables, it feels like operating the bolt on a well-oiled rifle.
Hi
Why? Its ugly and the interior quality is worse than Lada. But I’m sure theyre GREAT cars :)
I couldn't disagree more!
Terrible audio
and you reviewed the worst one , 3.4 carrera 4 😬
It's the one the smart person buys !
probably the best engine of the bunch...
@@itsjoel umm not really , I’ve had the pleasure of owning both and the 3.6 revs a lot more free and just has more top end
You drove it like a grandpa, do a proper review and not like this is the last 996
Good to see you back, utterly on form and smashing it. Loving this and all the new content. Go Joel ❤
Drive it faster