How Small Mods Completely Change The Character Of This Unusual 996.2 (GT3 On A Budget?) 

JayEmm: "In isolation, this car still is a wonderful thing." Yes, exactly, this is a critical point. Car journalists constantly hop from car to car. Regular owners do not have that experience of constant direct comparisons. The 996 is, overall, an excellent car, and plenty fast for 99% of us. You don't miss things that aren't constantly 'in your face'. A proper driving enthusiast, who buys a nice example of a 996, can really find just as much pleasure in it as a guy who buys a brand new 911. Less raw speed, which is pretty meaningless on public roads anyway, is offset by having far more money in your pocket. FAR more money, by most people's standards.

Lowe the sound of the car. Many channels ignore the sound part which in my opinion are 50% of the performance car experience. Thumbs up for the engine rambles

I loved my 996.1 GT3 which I had for 12 years. It had a Manthey K400 upgrade giving 996.2 GT3 power levels. Best car I've owned and much missed.

Great cars those 996’s. Had a -99 C4 with reinforced motor. It was a tiptronic with M030 AND sport seats and a sun roof. Super daily driver and once you smashed the loud pedal, it felt quite fast too. Afterwards I had a tuned 405hp 996.2 GT3CS with the nomex buckets and 6-point harnesses. To top the madness off, it had cup gearing and a race exhaust... As it was in guards red, I named it “Red Alert”. Insane car. 95% useless on roads, but heavenly on track. Unfortunately I placed it in the Armco on the Nürburgring and was so scared of the car, I sold it after having it repaired. A GT3-esque 996.2 C2 is such a sweet spot into the Porsche craze. Get one if you find one!

I tell ya what.. the sound of these flat 6's are just one of the best sounds of the automotive world!

996.1 are the best looking 911 Porsches with the GT1 headlights. Close second are 996.2. These models saved Porsche and they remain great fun to drive. I own a 996.2 C4S with X51 package and it is a terrific daily driver with near GT3 low end torque. Miles of smiles. 😊

The mistake most make fitting high flow air filters is; performance is not going to be achieved unless the fueling is changed to take into account the increased airflow. I drove a few 911's with K&N filters without remapping the fueling and these cars lost shed loads of low down torque, something 911s are famous for. Also, early 911's with a mass airflow sensor can suffer when an oil-based filter is fitted, as the flow of air through the filter drags oil from the filter and over time coats the airflow sensor. This affects the performance of the meter and the fueling and ultimately causes the sensor to fail. If a high flow air filter is going to be used then get the engine remapped by a well known company to ensure correct fueling across the entire engine rev range.

There's no way this channel has less than 100k I love the style and the attention to detail, you cover proper enthusiast cars and cover what enthusiasts want to know. Genuine pleasure watching your videos and I'm hoping you get the subscribers you deserve

I unloaded all of those old Porsche and their nostalgia. What I kept was a 2012 911 that was a 991. With all the changes in 8 years, my 991 is a long-in-the-tooth Porsche. Except that I love it. Having a loaner 993 911S for a couple of days, was a God-send because when I got back into my 991 I felt that I'd gone from an undeveloped car to a super car. I was so happy to be back in my 991. I've taken the opportunity to stay out of the upgraded 911's ever since. As a result, whenever I get into my 991, it still feels to me like a super car. I just love it. Drives like new. Has plain body work with no vents of any kind and no real wide body parts, except that it is wider than the original FAP 911. It comes close from an overall standpoint of having the classic lines of the original, yet still looking very new. It also has Porsche solution dual dash cup holders; a great stereo system, heated and ventilated seats, lots of leather and 18-way power seats (adaptive). The car is lowered by the factory by a half inch and it has factory wheel spacers and a longer factory front splitter. PDK with launch control and Sports Chrono. I modified the car with a Fab Speed exhaust system and with and with an IDP Plenum and a GT3 air cleaner. That plenum does a lot for the air intake and the car. It feels just wonderful. I also have a Fab Speed tuner, but I can't figure out how to use it. Racing yellow with beige interior. It rocks Southern California roads. AF

Would love a 996 or 997 GT3. Such a pure and raw experience with that engine and gearbox.

Good report, I have a 996 and used daily for many years with total reliability despite nudging 100,000 miles now. The main thing is the driving experience for the cost... brilliant!

Fantastic review as always. The 996 is such an amazing buy right now. They aren’t going to depreciate only appreciate and the basic models are also cheap to maintain, bar this owners few niggles... which I also experienced 😆

Great assessment. My sentiments exactly. And yes, the OEM sport suspensions are brutal. I have a non sport 996 suspended car and an X73 suspended 981S and as delivered 20" Carrera wheels and the 981 is all but undriveable on anything other than perfect roads. Not a fan of the sound of the aftermarket exhaust when recorded or heard from the outside of the 911's but they sound incredible from the inside!

Love it. So close to 100k now wonder what's planned, not including one amazing shirt. 🤔

Never was a fan of the wheel arches on the 911 from early 2000,s. However, the one your driving sounds great. You can hear it smiling.

I had a c4s for 3 yrs, paid 21k spent 6k (diff, wheel bearings, brakes etc) sold it at 77k miles for 20k (probably could have gotten 23k if i had waited for a better figure, but needed the cash) so 3 yrs in a c4s cost me 7k. My wife’s Volvo XC60 was 23k at 3 yrs old, sold that around the same time as the 911, for 15k (lost 8k in depreciation alone in just 2yrs) 996 ownership is a no brainier financially, they don’t depreciate any more.

Solid review Jay.

I think Jethro Bovington had arrived at the same conclusion with his 996? Thanks for the upload.

Love my 996.2 C2 6MT Aerokit. It’s a brilliant analog car that I daily. So underrated. (Weekend car is a 991.2 GT3 6MT, which is brilliant in a different way)

Shout out to the Porsche Owners Club! Car looks great Andy, looking forward to seeing it again at a POC Event soon!

i really think that you deserve more followers! i really love your video!! much love and stay safe !!

Nice sound! Surprisingly good indeed.

I waited. 40 years to buy mine

Brilliant, So true. These are ridiculously good cars for the money. Remember how opinions changed about the 964......these are a gem. I prefer the earlier GT1 headlights and the 3.4 had far fewer worries. 👍🏻

Always wanted a 911 but never had the money. Just bought a 996.2 C2 manual, non sunroof and absolutely love the thing. I know it'll cost to maintain but I don't drink, don't smoke and my kids are all grown. Even just seeing it sat outside on the driveway makes me smile so it's worth every penny. It even has the same mods as this car and all for less than £12K! Prices are starting to creep up but buying cars like these as investments isn't for me.

Great video, lovely looking example that, thanks.

That car sounds lovely!!

The K&N air filter many say reduces horse power. I have one and going to switch back to original airbox. Guy I know said he went back to original and noticed a big difference right away. The exhaust mod is great though. The stock exhaust is rather heavy. Going to say a fabspeed x pipe or other after market not only sounds amazing, but also reduces a decent amount of weight.

99.9K subs! You're getting there!

My Golden retriever approves of this Porsche...

Just bought a late 2004 C4S cabrio manual. Had a 992 C2S and after 3 years went back to a new Audi S3 on the basis that I would get a C4S and wanted that feeling of being in something that needed love. So looking forward to ownership

This channel is growing so fast, you deserve it mate!! One of the best car enthusiast channels out there🙌

Wow, it sounds amazing!!!

I get disappointed with the look of the interior in the 996 then you hear that beautiful engine and all is forgotten think it's a great buy

100k here we come 👍👊😎

What a sound !

What a lovely car. Creeping up in value as well. They say the 3.4 is the better connected drive and revs higher for longer than the 3.6.

Since I discovered your channel recently, I have been watching your videos religiously. You remind me a lot of myself (except you have talent in front of the camera and I only have a face for radio!). I'll like and share your videos everywhere. I am hoping above all hope to buy a v8 Vantage next year, but your videos give me much food for thought - I have always loved Lotus (Lotiii?) so the Evora is very much on my list also. Anyway keep up the great work, good luck with your videos and channels, I hope in some small way I can help you :)

I have a 996.2 C2 manual. It’s a perfect road-going 911 experience. Usefully quick, and a wonderfully connected analogue driver’s car. Don’t know about the M030 suspension, but Ive gone to H&R blue springs for a 25mm drop and the matching Bilstein B8 Sport shocks - big improvement in handling with minimal ride cost, and with 17mm factory spacers all around, the car looks fabulously integrated and sporty. Love it, and great company for my Z4 M Coupe with near identical performance, but a totally different driving experience. Love that one too :)

I think also fried Eggs are now so on trend the white light guys are looking for ambers and the gen.2 boys are asking to be included in the fried egg scene as they are feeling left out 😂 🍳🍳🍳

I agree. I just need to build a larger garage first.

K&N filters don't filter very well. They flow more air (more power) because they don't clean the air well, which results in more dirt going into your combustion chamber and into your oil. If you don't believe me, put a K&N on your car and go off-roading for a few weekends, then change the oil. See how much dirt is in it. My cousins learned this the hard way.

my dream car is still a 997.1 turbo manual but these are good buy

That opening music is a major disservice to a super awesome channel..

I would love to see a review on the 996 GT3 and hear you opinion

My '03 C2 has an LN 4.0L conversion with head work, Cargraphic manifolds and catted xpipe, no mufflers. Lowered on 997 C2S wheels, springs and bilsteins. GT3 throttle body, BMS filter and IPD plenum. 997 ssk. CSF aluminum radiators. GT3 RS poly aero. I don't think I'll ever sell this car.

LOVE mine 2003!

For the curious £9k over 4yrs would be £187.50 a month, not going to buy you much on a finance deal. I welcome any love on the 996 C2, I've owned in excess of 50 cars, all kinds from 1970's classics to 500hp+ 4WD estate cars (yes it was an Audi) and driven a lot more. With everything considered: pleasure vs cost, comfort vs performance, track focus vs road focus, light weight vs high power, this is the best car I've ever owned. It just hits the sweet spot on all the scales. It can cruise the morning commute away or take you 1000 motorway miles in comfort and feel like you've done half that but ask more from it and you shall receive. Jump into one out of something like a Lotus and you'll feel the controls are numb and hard, but once you start warming up the tyres and the brakes, throw the weight around and make the chassis work, everything sharpens up. Driven at 10/10ths it's as good as any experience you can have on 4 wheels and it both flatters you as a driver and asks you to engage, use all your driving skills. You can't work with any of the controls individually to get the most out of it you have to use the brakes, throttle and steering together to make it change direction quickly at speed. Get it right and it's as agile as a house fly, you can hit impossible apexes. Jump into one out of an XKR and you'll be surprised how little you have to compromise on ride quality for the added agility and tactility of the controls. The exhaust note may not be as sonorous as an Aston but it's still evokes motorsport memories and satisfies that auditory element needed for a totally immersive driving experience. The steering feel compared to you average modern car like a fast Audi or BMW product is just a revelation and yet whilst slower than most of the latest M and RS products in a straight line, you would have to be absolutely thrashing one to get away from a well driven 996 on track! My only criticism watching the video was a lack of torque you mentioned at 3000rpm, my 2004 3.6 C2 with a sports exhaust is very strong in that region, in fact notably it's at those lower revs where the M96 is often noted to feel stronger than the GT3 of the day. It's definitely not as strong as a 997 S 3.8 unit but it's certainly not lacking. It makes be curious about whether the design of that particular exhaust or induction kit has lost power in that region? My eyes would be on the cone filter first. See this video for more information: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mc9c07qCuKY.html&feature=emb_logo Otherwise, thanks for the video and keep on enjoying :)

4:02-4:04 V8 911

Could someone list all the aero kit and wing parts on this 996.2. I've had my 996.2 for a year and would love to make some changes to it.

991.1 headlights “fried eggs” - 996.2 headlights ....”crying eyes” either way I love a 996

love these 911's

100k coming James!

I ran one for 3 years and they are truly great cars. But sorry, Hartech say the crank bearings WILL be shot by around 80K and it was not cheap to run at all, so it had to go. Great cars, but a LONG way from trouble-free.

still makes me smile when I floor it!

Hey, that's Andy's car! Nice one!

I need a 996 C4S

How does the sport exhaust lose mid range torque ? That shouldn’t be the case , if the car has been fitted with x pipe cats these can lose a bit of mid range for top end power but the sport exhaust shouldn’t

That unique flat 6 soundtrack is sublime.

The engines are OK on the street if you swap the IMS bearing but they just don't hold up on the track.

996? What makes them look good is the wider stance on the C4s and Turbo.

commentary so british xD love it!

996 is the best 911 across the board for many reasons 👌💪

From a distance and inside the car the exhaust sounds classic Porsche. Close up outside, I'm not so sure.

Love the content but as I use headphones the music blasts my ears and end of video for me

What’s not to like I own a C2 cab, comes out every spring, personally I love the looks including the headlights, I could of easily bought a 997 but like I said I love the 996, mines going nowhere while I’m still breathing 👍

I enjoy my 996.2!

completely agree apart from the M030. I have it on mine … a seal grey C2.2 manual … I love it

Dam it you make a very convincing point.id come to the conclusion that i could never really afford any 911.Watching and listening to that thing come over the hill i fear the obsession and search will be reignited.Great video thankyou

I like the GT2 and GT3's...!!!

Jay, I have a 996.2 Carreras 4S, I am thinking of swapping to an Elise P2 111R, what’s your view? I have driven a 111R and was impressed do you think I would miss the power?

Loved my 996 C4S Loved my 3.2 Targa Supersport If I could get away with turning up to a clients house in a Porker I would get another one. Unfortunately that is mission impossible- even when you explain depreciation or lack of. So, an Audi it is for work - and it’s quicker!

Gen 1 996 has PSM from year of manufacture 2000 even for the C2.

JayEmm: What intake/exhaust mods are on this car apart from the K&N air filter?

can't cozy up to back seats in a sports car. regardless of how useless they may be. i suppose it's the principal of the thing. one passenger is company, two's a crowd.

10:24 my old cycle route!

Certainly make a great daily along side my 986 Boxster S one day

Man, interier in those porshes is HIDEOUS.

Anyone know what the lip on the front of the front bumper is? I cant find it anywhere. cheers

I do dislike the fried eggs but these lights aren't so bad. The car sounds superb.

Had one of these and lost 20k on it bc some boffins said they didnt like the lights, and were offended at water inside the engine, not good when i saved for many years to get a Porsche and watched my savings fritter away in one year

Ride it like you stole it !

Bib made one small addition to his Peugeot 106 diesel to improve the performance beyond measure....he put some diesel in it...

Love the 996! Have had 3 and could have afforded a 997 and even 991.1 but felt so much more connected in the 996. The 40th anniversary edition is the one to get. Basically the GTS equivalent in the 996 world.

996s are the best looking bugs. Change my mind

Don't mean to be harsh, I do like the video(s).

Could you get a used/pre facelift Bentley Mulsanne on the channel please? 100% value kings at the moment, examples fetching sub £60K

Best comment ever, spend a little bit more that is double 🤣😂🥴😂 because that’s a little bit more. Be honest a Porsche can be purchased for around £5000 but running costs will cost around £5000 on repairs and services. For a Porsche that doesn’t need that much work will cost £30000 + yes that’s £20000 mor than the £5000 car plus repairs and services but you will constantly be fixing the £5000 dog you now own....stick with a well looked after example and budget 10% of the purchase cost for annual service costs 👍

I love my 996.2 with a vision motorsport 4.0, bbi control arms and kw clubsports. Better all around than my 997 gt3 except the engine note. 4.0 is too raspy past 4k

Jay, if one wants GT3 on a budget there is also a X51 option or Power Up edition, it was developed in parallel as temporary GT3 plan B, they changed a lot of things including upgraded oiling system that can cope with more than 0.8g. Full story: www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=60293

So, a detailed review but no mention of the missing badges on the back. Has it been in an accident?

Jimmy, the seats are fine, you are an unnaturally wide gentleman! 🥰

I do have to say, the 996.2, 3.6l Carrera 2 coupe is just the Porsche classic dream car, if you don't have enough bottle tops for the GT3.

Needs a badge on the boot. Don't look right de badged

Did you put the microphone near the exhaust?

When you have poor gear changes, gearbox mounts and engine mounts.

Some years from now we won't be able to afford this cars anymore so let enjoy them while we can.

How is your 550 Maranello🇮🇹 ? 😊😉👍🇨🇵

Everytime I see a 996, tthe first thing that comes to my mind is Waterloo....

The biggest problem for me is this VS an E92 M3. You can also get them in saloon form for more room. Those cars are around 15k, much newer and do the same job in a different way. 8k V8 redline in those Vs rear engined drivers car......