So many hated it when it first came out that I believe that stigma just stuck to the car. As others have said, the car is aging really well and most of the purists that were old enough to purchase these when new have moved on while people like myself that lusted over these in grade school are finally buying them!
You know. I agree, Sometimes the hardcore fan boys get a little carried away with their criticism. Like when the new vette's came out and had tail lights similar to the new Cameros and the die hards fell apart. I'm like wow we live in an era of some really cool cars, i enjoy seeing the design changes and updates.
Some input from an early 996 owner. I agree with the video, but i think the really weak spot is the cheap interior. The headlight debate is high school snark. The newer 911's are so much better cars, but you are paying looney tunes prices for them.....and they are huge compared to the 996's. For posing, newer 911's are the way to go. For real driving and rowing gears, the 996 and 997's are the last of the real sports cars.
The full wheels specs are: APEX Wheels EC-7RS in Race Silver 18x9" ET46 with 255/35/18 Nankang CR-S 18x10.5" ET44 with 285/30-18 NanKang CR-S The Aero kit is OEM Porsche (post face lift kit) If you have questions on wheel fitment, here's a link to our fitment guides: support.apexraceparts.com/hc/en-us/categories/360000139514-Vehicle-Specific-Fitment-Guides
I love my 996 C2 I've driven the brand new GT3 and GT4, which are both amazing cars, but I honestly think my basic 996.1 gives me more overall pleasure. It's worth very little, but I've had it 12 years and don't ever see me parting with it. I had a 996 Turbo too, which was tuned a little, it was insanely fast, but the standard C2 is more enjoyable for me.
They really are fantastic cars. If you like it, you might as well keep it forever cause what else would you replace it with for the same price? I do love me a 996 Turbo though! Wish those were still easy to find in the 30-40k range.
I have a 996.2 6spd coupe. It was my daily driver for 8 years 8:36 . 170k. Almost no issues. Coils, starter, fuel pump. Still have it, but its not my daily driver now.
Thanks for watching! Mods are pretty basic and most of it was factory optioned! -OEM Aerokit -OEM GT3 Coilovers -OEM GT3 Lower control arms -APEX Forged EC-7RS wheels -Nankang CR-S tires -PFC08 brake pads -Tubi style side mufflers -Recaro Pole Position seat -Tequipment roll bar
I’ve owned probably fifteen 911 variants over past 35 years. My favorite is my current daily driver, a 993. My second favorite was my 996.1. IMO it was the perfect blend of throwback air cooled feel and modern conveniences. I don’t feel they will remain at such bottom $ values forever. Get one while you can!
I have 996 and 986 , love both , its great with top down and able to drive harder with less power in boxster, but the 996 is fast, enough car for city or back road driving, great feedback, like it much better than 997 or 991, they are faster but not as useable.
Love it, looks great in white. I daily my 996.1 and echo your thoughts about it a complete fun and useful package. I’m able to fit my road bike (with wheels off) in the back! Hey what’s your suspension setup and driver’s seat?
Thanks for watching and commenting! The seat is an older Recaro Pole Position on Brey Krause mounts/sliders. The suspension is OEM GT3 coilovers and lower control arms.
The 996 was/is the best that Porsche could do when they built them. Porsche threw everything they could at this design. Not only did it have to sell - it had to sell well. Everyone needs to remember that in the late 90's Porsche was not keeping up with the market and the 'air-cooled' purists were not going to save them. The fact that Porsche still exists today proves that their decision to branch out to develop a water cooled engine, produce the Boxter, and later add a SUV to their marque and now embrace electric vehicles shows that they can both maintain a continuity of design, embrace innovation, and still be successful. Personally I would love an early air-cooled 930. I would love a late model 993. I own a 996 and I am extremely happy with it. Every time I turn the key I smile. The car is over 20 years old, has over 300,000Km on the chassis, and is still quick, nimble and turns heads. People who pick on differences such as the shape of the headlights, or moan that some parts are also used in the Boxter need to take a reality check. I have a Porsche that is a daily driver - not a 'garage queen' - and that's what makes it a 'real' Porsche.
Agree. I drive a 996.2 GT3. Hudge fun to drive and still a quick car. On German Autobahn you reach easily 300 kmh (with only 380 PS) because it is so aerodynamic and small (cw x A = 0.58)
We might not have photos of exactly what you're looking for, but our gallery should help: apexwheels.com/gallery#design%3DVS-5RS%26make%3DPorsche My vote goes for the EC-7RS!
That fitment is a bit more aggressive vs the stock wheels. If you're interested in learning more, here's a link to all of our Porsche fitment guides: support.apexraceparts.com/hc/en-us/sections/360000673053-Porsche Feel free to send in an email to support@apexraceparts.com if you have any questions.
Isn't it messed up that is kind of the general opinion around a "base 911"? Most non-Porsche car people would just glance over the 996. I am definitely trying to change that opinion!
I appreciate the 996 Gen, but today, with the shocking drop of 997/987 prices, it doesn't make sense to buy a 996/986 anymore unless a prior owner has already installed and aftermarket IMSB. in which case, no worries. but I still feel that the 997 is a better choice for similar money. there was a wide gap in prices just two years ago but it has narrowed. I just bought a 987.1 Boxster S for 20K. mid mileage. and 2 years ago I bought the same in Cayman format for 36K. lower miles but comparable. The 997s are mid-thirties now. so unless you find a 996 with a couple of those service items done, which really should have been recalls, you're going to spend the difference.
Great review for a great car... I've listed for a 911 for 40+ years, if not for the "purists" disdain, I never could have afforded entry. LOVE my 996, everything about it including the lights...
I had a 1999 996 and didn't really care for it. Terrible interior ergonomics, uncomfortable seats, right leg hit the center console, left leg hit the door panel, shifter is too far forward, pathetic cup holders, lousy back seats, didn't handle that well and terrible on gas. Looks nice on the outside but the overall driving experience has much to be desired. Not worth the asking price.
I have a 2001 C2 Coupe and would say some of your points are valid. I had a Lotus Elise that beat the pants off the 911 for handling and outright fun, but is a terrible daily car. For me the 996 C2 is a sweet-spot of performance and practicality without getting into the premium prices of the Turbo and 4s. Out of all the downsides you mention, the only one that really bothers me is the cupholders. They are indeed rubbish. You forgot that the interior is also cheap feeling, but I'll forgive it that.
If you are on the fence about the "fried egg" headlamps, look no further than the historical Porsche GT1. That is exactly where they are sourced from, and it is reminder of my 996.1's racing heritage every time I slip behind the wheel. It is an honor to display a piece of racing heritage on my local streets, and should be admired by all true students of Porsche history. As I visited Stuttgart this summer, the 996 is proudly displayed as a historical marker of the 911's journey. Side note, it was interesting to learn that my color, Vesuvius Metallic, is one of the rarest built, numbering in the high double digits or low triple digits for the 14 months it was offered.
The headlights are starting to look good, especially the turbo/facelift lights but the .1 lights are cool looking as well. Being a recent porsche aficionado i never even knew about this generation’s stigma over the non round lights, saw they were cheap so i bought one two years ago, a 996.2 c2 cab (perfect for California) i love my car, it’s beautiful, reliable and still decently fast
Great video! Love the 996, and this one in particular looks the business. Would have enjoyed hearing more about the specs on this particular car, mods made, and why the owner modded it this way.
Nice video and as an owner of the least desirable Mazda Miata in 3rd generation (Nc) I agree 100%. I just do all of what you stated in 1/3 scale in terms of cost. There’s a lot of motoring enjoyment. Plus you really don’t need a lot of power when canyon carving.
Back in the day, I hated them, everyone did (well most people) Now I love them, especially the S4 with the kidney grilles on the front and that curved red strip on the back. Awesome. I went to buy one last year but ended up with a Cayman R. However a black 4S with a Hartech 3.9 engine rebuild has come up! Temped to swap. I think these will become even more sort after in a few years. Interior still bugs me though.
So I have an 02 996 coupe with the aero kit... call me crazy in a little biased but I think with the arrow kit those lights look better than round lights. Anyway my car is pretty popular at the car shows these days. Also have done the suspension lowered BBS 3-piece Wheels could not be happier
As a price reference, I paid $17K for a 60k miles 986 Boxster S with a 3.4 swap and aerokit. I absolutely love the car and it is a weapon to drive spiritedly. These cars are awesome and I’m glad they are finally getting the recognition they deserve (even better as it’s after I bought mine)
Lovely 996! I just bought an early 97 built 3.4 manual carrera... not traction control, silver paint. I love it. May I ask, what exhaust system are you running in your car? it sounds magnificent.
I hated this headlight Design as a kid . Idk y 😅 as time passed it grew upon me and they did a great job gelling it up with cayenne cuz it didnt seem that hard on eyes when i saw the similar headlight design language being followed on earlier models of Cayenne and for this 996 shown here it blends so well with white colour makes it look much subtle than when put together with other colours. Does anyone know what the make year of the one shown in the video ? I would love to know. 1 thing that I love about Porsche body design is that the design is so evolving it so timeless never runs out of style i wish BMWs and Mercedes learn from Porsche lol . How to not kill authenticity its hard to differentiate mercs these days back in early 2000s each one had their own identity.
Believe it or not, people used to hate the flatnose 911's, 944 Turbos, shoot, they even hated the 964 for a while. Look at the value of all of those models today. I think the 996 will have the same redemption story. Especially the 02 - 04 facelift model.
It was fully converted to GT3. So I believe the knuckle itself, GT3 coils, and GT3 arms. Camber comes from the lower arms mostly. The OE top hat might have an additional setting for some camber but most of it was dialed in on the arms.
I sold my 1998 Carerra 2 as it was my daily and I needed something more practical. I’m definitely buying one back at some point. Probably go for the 4S this time.
Congrats on the long term ownership! Yeah it seems like if you replace the IMS bearing and don't experience bore scoring they're pretty freaking reliable cars.
...your car looks very nice and clean especially in white colour...like a cup carrera...got a similar car to yours, 996.2 3.6 US spec and I enjoy every single moment while driving it 👍👌
@@apexwheels i took my m3 to a shop a few weeks ago for a fluid flush and the dude that test drove it was smiling when he got back, said he immediately noticed the difference of weight from the stock wheels to the VS5RS i have on it.. lol random, but thought you guys would enjoy that
Awesome to hear! Yeah nothing like a set of lighter and wider wheels/tires to wake up the handling of a car. That and good suspension followed by good brakes are the best use of spending on aftermarket parts imo
I really DON'T like these videos of the 996!! Because I want to own one myself since I was 6 years old when I played with the NFS Porsche. So with videos like this you guys show the people how awesome this car is and drive the prices up for me!! Btw I Love the video!!
I hope they don't go FULL EV! Porsche do have a stake in zero emission fuel producers, so I am holding out they'll still have ICE in their line-up somewhere.
The Porsche 996 is the gift that Porsche enthusiasts (who mostly hate it) made to normal people. Because they hate it, normal people can afford it and enjoy it... while Porsche enthusiasts take their time to change their mind ;-)
@@apexwheels so true!! You can't believe the number of people, normal people, who really can't tell the difference between Porsches. I can, but I don't care. The car in this video is objectively a blast. Period.
I do respect Porsche for keeping so much of the original design language. Can't say that for most other brands. Agreed though the way they drive is most important.
