Has there been a 911 generation more polarizing than the 996? There are a few years of 911s which are not well liked (I’m looking at you, thermal reactor cars). From the car’s inception through the end of the 993 generation, the most polarizing change was the addition of coil-sprung Macpherson Strut front suspension in 1989. To the Porsche loyal, however, every new iteration of 911 was familiar. Breaking with that familiarity bred contempt. The 996, with its controversial styling, and more importantly its water-cooling, tended to boil blood more than coolant. Hot on the heels of Jethro Bovingdon, Doug DeMuro tries to explain why this ire may be misplaced.
IMS-woes aside, as time goes on we keep finding more to like about the 996. Compared to the later water-cooled cars they are simple, light, and compact. In all of its forms, the 996 is about 2″ narrower and between 100 lbs and 200 lbs lighter than a 991. The 996 Turbo, with its legendarily tough Mezger engine, can be had for a fraction of the price of a later Turbo. In cars with the full leather option, the interior even feels fairly sophisticated. Sure, it’s not on the 991 or even 997’s level in terms of modernity, but as time passes the 996’s turn of the century simplicity is becoming more appealing.
Have we been too harsh on the 996 for nearly twenty years now? With all this Porsche has to offer, and the skyward trajectory of air-cooled Porsche prices, I agree with Doug: The 996 is well worth consideration.
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I bought my 996 for the engine and the suspension. I could care less about the bells and whistles. My 996 accelerates beautifully and corners superbly. I don't even listen to the radio, I just listen to the engine sound. I don't need launch, nav, heated seats, Bose. I need acceleration and handling and cornering. I also like having a Porsche and extra tens of thousands in the bank.
From the article....we find this statement.... " From the car's inception through the end of the 993 generation, the most polarizing change was the addition of Macpherson Strut front suspension in 1989. ". From that point-on, it was clear that I didn't have the rest of the article or be "swayed" by his "obvious" technical acumen......this statement is totally wrong.
Thanks, Will. How would you correct the statement?
Wil,
Perhaps "coil sprung MacPherson strut suspension" would be more correct. To my understanding a traditional MacPherson strut suspension is based on a strut with a coil spring- it's even in the original 1947 patent drawing by MacPherson himself. The 911 system is related, but not identical because of the use of a torsion bar, which comprises part of the lower suspension mount. Because of that(and the difference in how the control arm mounts because of the torsion bar), I've always taken the 911 front suspension to be a variant of, but not a strict MacPherson strut system.
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US2660449-2.png
That image is the 1949 patent drawing- MacPherson actually filed the patent several times under different parent companies, but they are all VERY similar and use a coil spring.
I was not, however, trying to say the 911 traditionally used a Beetle/356 style torsion bar/trailing arm arrangement at the front with transverse bars.
So yes, that extra piece of clarification would have been better for the statement and it will be edited in shortly.
Thanks,
Chris
I own a 2000 996C2 and a 2002 996 GT2 as well as an '89 930. I do HPDE's regularly in the C2. I have 76k miles on it, the original IMS and RMS and clutch, and drive it to and from tracks each time. It is also my daily driver. Maintenance has been a non issue except for tires, etc. the GT2 and 930, while I love them both, get little use and sit on the lift covered up. Yeah cup holders and a glove box would be nice but it is a drivers car and with the Fabspeed exhaust and Forest Green Metallic color, it receives many compliments. Yeah, I'm biased but I love my 996 C2 and need nothing else!!!
Um, the original 901 had a MacPherson front suspension. Perhaps the author meant to refer to power steering, which debuted in 1989 with the C4.
I've just commenced Porsche ownership with the acquisition of a 2003 996.2 C2 manual, black, factory unmodified with mileage of 40,000.
I wanted purity of handling and especially steering, lightweight, performance and value. Nothing fits the bill better. Bargain prices won't last. Gettem while they're hot!
Correction - The IMS fix is not forever.
Still, worth doing
I bought a 2004 996 Carrera 4S last week for $13,500. Great, running condition, just needed new front seats from the salvage yard and minor repairs like the CV boots. OK, its a Tiptronic with 130k miles, but it still pulls like a train and cost less than the price of a 5 year old Toyota.
Wow. Great price! Hope it works out for you. Keep us updated...
I bought a 2002 Targa in March for 21500. It had just crossed over to the 80000 mile mark. The car is in perfect condition and is amazing to drive. The 996 is an insane bargain that will not last. I cannot recommend enough to buy one of these right now while hey are still priced ridiculously low.