Why the 996 Porsche 911 is MISUNDERSTOOD 

I am glad it is unloved by most people, because that's the only reason I am driving one instead of a golf GTI.

The "purists" can have their opinions about the 996 appearance, but they can't argue the driving experience nor the fact it pretty much SAVED the company... well done 996!!!

Somehow that Prototipo complements the interior perfectly. Bravo to the owner!

Currently saving up for a 996 or 997 which ever comes first but I’m also wanting to get another C6 corvette and go for the z06 this time. Amazing review

I did already own one - unfortunately the Motor did not last/ gave up and I sold it. Even though this happened to me (this was a 5 figure loss for me), I again want one. I agree, they are underrated and hated for no real reason. I like the 997 as much as the 996... I also could afford a 997, but I dont want to. If I buy another 911 again, it will be 996 again (it is the cheapest of the bunch and I dont want to spend another 20 or 30k extra to drive 997). The later models still need to grow on me. They are maybe "less" Porsche than the earlier ones (one could hear this argument the last 5 decades I guess). Instead of a 991 or 992 I would rather buy an R8 instead or also an F-Type (which is also on my "want" list). Nice video, really liked it!

My early build 996.1 is an awesome daily and occasional Nürburgring tool. It has 200k km now and going good. I love everything abt it, the good and the bad. I did an IMSB ceramic upgrade and I don’t really worry abt engine. My car is stock with b8 and pse as “upgrades”. The C2 can have the 220 lsd option as mine has and is good. I think is a great 911 that drives close to an air cooled and do most of the new stuff. My track car is a 991.1 RS and doesn’t make me unlove the 996 at all.

Would love to have a 996.1 C2 coupe. Love the look. My 981 Boxster base is such a pleasure to drive don't know if I 'd still be happy after trading. definitely going to try to test drive one soon. Thanks for the video.

I have a stock 99 C4 coupe. Love it a great drivers car especially as a 6speed manual.

Just got mine last year and I love it ❤

IMO the 996 is a car which is hugely undervalued due to the (exaggerated) engine issues. The chassis and the suspension are really really good. It does not seem to rust at all. The 996 has the best steering feel of all the cars Ive driven. It is better than the rather bouncy (herecy) air-cooled steering and it still has more feel than anything afterwards. Nowadays the Porsche steerings are ridiculously light with a lot less feel. I would put the 996 steering even above the (European) Escort MkI. Though, never driven a Caterham, Lotus or a new Alpine which have the reputation of having fantastic steering feel. The 996 chassis and suspension are very good. Anything after that is just marginally better and it is distinctly better than the air cooled, even the 993 which in turn is much better than anything before it. The frameless door closing sound is not up to the air cooled but the chassis is bullet proof. You will be hard to find any rust. The M96/01/03 engines are not the most reliable Porsche has done but nor are they the most unreliable. Im sure that percentage-wise the 964 engines have had more rebuilds than at the same mileage than 996 Carrera engines. You got to remember that they built about three times as many 996s as they did 964. And the gears in 996: too long like in all pre 991 911s. And the mileages of the 996s are very high compared to other 911 (engines). The gear change mechanism is not exactly good but you can make it significantly better by changing it to a short throw stick system and there are plenty of them available for various thickness of wallets. Any 911 is fantastic car. I have yet to drive a car that gives more Fahrspass. 996 has the best value in terms of smiles/miles/cost in the 911 range and probably the only car to give more for the buck is an Miata NA, the first one. I drive a 996.1 C2 and if money was no object I’d get a 996 GT3 RS. If I’d buy a new sports car, it would be Alpine A110. The new 911s are just too big and perhaps too good too. And certainly too many nannies and processors. Great cars but they’ve lost the intimacy, cuteness and personality.

Real world weight for that car is 3000 ish lbs. 2900 lb is a BS google search result that comes up. Probably dry. My 996 took 60 lbs of coolant.

Own a 1998 C2. Love it..!

Fantastic 911

This speedometer has a really nice feature 😂 My 996 has not. Maybe it's because it's a 996.2 ..?

Great sports car!

I love my 996. It’s a motorcycle that you can get inside of. Get some.

Tu mets sans cesse des a-coup dans le volant, soit la voiture a un problème de direction, soit c est toi qui ne sait pas conduire dans les virages 😅

I will be seeking out a 996 as my gift to myself for finishing flight school. I absolutely love the 911 and identify with the 996's ugly duckling status

It's not misunderstood. It has the horrible IMS bearing problem, lousy ergonomics (your right leg hits the center console, your left leg hits the door panel and the seats are awful). No decent cupholders. No arm room. It doesn't track with confidence on the road (which is why your steering is shaky in the video). No glove box in the early years. Lousy gas mileage. A crappy plastic interior. Goofy looking headlights. Sorry but it's a loser. They want $25K these days for a used one with high mileage. Not worth it. Better off with a new Mini Cooper.

I love my 996.1 it has 95000 on it and it feels brand new.

I love the 996

IMO the 996 is a car which is hugely undervalued due to the (exaggerated) engine issues. The chassis and the suspension are really really good. It does not seem to rust at all. The 996 has the best steering feel of all the cars Ive driven. It is better than the rather bouncy (herecy) air-cooled steering and it still has more feel than anything afterwards. Nowadays the Porsche steerings are ridiculously light with a lot less feel. I would put the 996 steering even above the (European) Escort MkI. Though, never driven a Caterham, Lotus or a new Alpine which have the reputation of having fantastic steering feel. The 996 chassis and suspension are very good. Anything after that is just marginally better and it is distinctly better than the air cooled, even the 993 which in turn is much better than anything before it. The frameless door closing sound is not up to the air cooled but the chassis is bullet proof. You will be hard to find any rust. The M96/01/03 engines are not the most reliable Porsche has done but nor are they the most unreliable. Im sure that percentage-wise the 964 engines have had more rebuilds than at the same mileage than 996 Carrera engines. You got to remember that they built about three times as many 996s as they did 964. And the gears in 996: too long like in all pre 991 911s. And the mileages of the 996s are very high compared to other 911 (engines). The gear change mechanism is not exactly good but you can make it significantly better by changing it to a short throw stick system and there are plenty of them available for various thickness of wallets. Any 911 is fantastic car. I have yet to drive a car that gives more Fahrspass. 996 has the best value in terms of smiles/miles/cost in the 911 range and probably the only car to give more for the buck is an Miata NA, the first one. I drive a 996.1 C2 and if money was no object I’d get a 996 GT3 RS. If I’d buy a new sports car, it would be Alpine A110. The new 911s are just too big and perhaps too good too. And certainly too many nannies and processors. Great cars but they’ve lost the intimacy, cuteness and personality.