2002 Porsche 911 996 3.6L from North America
Summary:
Comfortable and fast, but a different breed of 911
Faults:
Nothing so far. The rear main seal was replaced by the previous owner 10K ago.
General Comments:
Very nice daily driver.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 16th April, 2011
19th Jun 2011, 19:45
Original poster again.
So far I have changed the air filter, cabin filter, and have done an oil change. Cabin filter was an easy change. It just sort of sits in its spot. Air filter required moving a couple of snaps to open up the "container". Oil change was a breeze. Amazingly simple. Unless you own a newer Mercedes or another vehicle that uses a top end oil pump to remove the oil, this will be the easiest oil change you will do. I still have to get used to the computer measuring the oil level. I trust the dipstick more.
On the performance side, I did my first road rally with my "new" Porsche. I was shocked. The 996 can perform. Outstanding in the corners, great power. I was impressed as was the 993 behind me. This Porsche is growing on me. All the downsides (minus the RMS and IMS stuff) has a positive side too. For example, less road feel means power steering and better handling. A couple of the corners I took would have been a greater challenge in my old 911. Still it would be nice to have a 996 and an aircooled at the same time.
Hopefully I can update this review as I own this car, especially in terms of maintenance cost and difficulty. BTW, cost has not been bad at all. Being a newer vehicle, there has just not been a lot that has broken so far.
14th Nov 2012, 11:37
Original poster again... Just sold the 996. I have 90800 miles on it. Great car. It never let me down, but I decided to go with more power. Just purchased a 996TT.
1st May 2011, 18:36
I am the original poster. Just ended my original post too soon.
My impressions of the 996 are positive to this point. Having owned and driven (emphasis on driven) an air cooled 911 for the past 6 years, I have to say this is a completely different Porsche. On the plus side, this is an amazingly comfortable car. Suede headliner, leather everywhere etc. I have two young children and they fit very well in the rear seats. Naturally there are 3 point seat belts in the rear. My 3.2 Carrera had to have 3 pt seat belts retrofitted, and the kids were never too comfortable back there. I could drive this car for hours, and get out and would be fine.
The down side! If you have owned a 3.2 911 Carrera or 911SC, or one of wonderful cars that came before those, you will be greatly disappointed. If those cars were all brothers, the 996 is a cousin - similar, but still a bit different. My old 911 made my heart race. I would go for a drive, get out and I swear it was angry - smoke still coming from the exhaust, no air con... just wonderful. It could tear up the track and then ride home.
The 996 is civilized. I think I will enjoy it for a few years to come, but likely will be back to the air cooled world after that, most likely with a 930.