darn I was going with a 348 until 996TTurbo posted those awesome pics of the gt2. j/k I have looked into the gt2 nose and wing on a C2 body - definitely one of the better looking body kits for the 996.
If you are looking for a fun Porsche you can daily drive and track, why not a Cayman S, the chassis and balance are amazzing, and with your track experience/knowledge you know power isnt everything How about a Lotus Exige/S ?? Tons of other cars, just really is a deciding factor of your needs and want out of your future purchase
It sounds like the p car would be a better car for you and your budget. I ownd a 348 spider and I love it. I also own three different P cars as well as a Lambo. I have owned the Ferrari for almost 5 years. During that time, I have done the major service which included the clutch. It is an engine out service. Cost between $4-$6K. Other than that, cost to maintain is minimum. Keep in mind the 348 does not come with power steering (tough to park in tight spaces). That is my only complaint. I have a custom made exhaust and it sounds awsome. My P cars are 73 914 2.0, 91, c2 cab and 993tt. Great cars and the most I had to spend on any one car was oil leak and it was about $1,500. I just drive them and change the oil. I just got my Lambo in Oct 06. What a car. Looks, sound and power!!! Good luck
To me the 996 drives like a German Toyota Supra, it does everything well but without much excitment or emotion. Give a 993 C2S a try, that is the most fun RWD 911 around this side of the 997, plus the price is not going anywhere on those. Or, stop thinking it over and crack the whip on the 348 and don't look back. If you get a 911, you will still be wondering about if you should have bought the Ferrari instead, regardless how much you love it. I know from experience, twice...
Ever go to Speedzone and drive the gokarts? Think of that but with 300hp. Everytime I drive mine (which is alot), I am amazed at how kartlike it is.
Wow, great pics!!! A real Ruf car too . Good advice!! Drive both, one never knows another persons leaning.
Yes sir, IMO i would go for a classic Porsche not a 996 to compare to the feel as a 348, 993 C2S/4S are both awesome, even the 993TT feels RAW and uneditied compared to the 996tt whihc is plain and boring.. I HATE my 996TT coming from my M3, did RWD conversion suspension this and that and had to give it 600 hp and tq just to enjoy it, it just did everything to well with little feel! Its just all what you want once again for the 10th time hah, if yu want involving go with a 348/993 even a Cayman S to be a little comfy and DD it, Exige S tons of cars out there!
On the RUF, you think u got enough rear wing there, dude? Also, I cannot figure out why it isn't a mandatory feature to install that front end with vents above the bumper cover on all Porsches. Exige - gimme a break, it's a toy and not a very well built one at that. Lotus had to get a Toyota engine to get some sort of reliability out of the car for the US. Ok, it's not a toy it's really a go-cart with a fiberglass body. It's also a car I cannot get out of once I'm in it (old knees, tall body). I totally disagree about the 996 - it is not as bad as u make it out. The water cooling gives the engine so much more potential for performance upgrades than the old air/oil cooled mill. Yes, u have to work it to get it to be sharper. AND FERCRISSAKES, stop calling it 4 wheel drive! It's AWD in Porsches. 4WD is in pick-up trucks; AWD is in performance cars, among others.
+2 I actually did buy a 911 whilst looking for a Ferrari. Then I sold the 911 and bought a Ferrari. One caveat: make sure you have a Ferrari mechanic nearby for inspections, questions and repairs. Stuff happens on older cars. I've had to replace a bunch of fuel lines and coolant hoses on my 328 just due to age. It's not like I have daily or weekly or even monthly issues with the car, but it's a huge comfort to have a couple of experts nearby. And the 348 tends to have more issues than the 328.
Its a stock GT2 wing and serves alot of function, its also 8 way adjustable, maybe it would be over 10 seconds faster then a 360CS if adjusted
I've driven a bunch of cars and when considering 49-50K range these two cars fit the bill. I could look at a newer Boxster S or a new Vette but I don't think they're in the same league. The prospect of a 348 has lured me into thinking about throwing refinement out the window (or at least upgrading the daily driver which requires more $ as usually.) I believe I can do the servicing myself having done a few turbo & supercharged project cars and it sounds like once the major is done you guys have had pretty good fortune with reliability. I'd be happy with an occasional component replacement which I'd use this site for tips on retrofits and low cost fixes. I'd get tired of the Lotus in a week UNLESS I'm on a track all the time. I'm looking for a more complete car. It does seem like almost eveyone started with a 911 and then moved up though which was probably a function of it being less expensive.
I have a 348. It doesn't feel modern.....not at all! But that is why I do have a 348! Its exciting, even at the speed limit, and I've had several crazy HP cars that could smoke this or that, bla blah, only fun on the drag or air strip and there is always something faster. This F car is before all the crap gadgets, has what I want and nothing I don't. If I want power to all my wheels I get in my truck with 33" tires, and if I want refinement, comfort and built proof reliability for a great DD, I get into my jap crap luxury car for power everything, navigation, voice comand for everything including the stereo, cruise control with radar, review camera, active handling, bla blah. If your an enthusiast, some times you just want a "Car" and go for a ride. That fact this one looks like art and makes all the right sounds is just icing!
I have a supercharged (EVOMS) 996 with Bilsteins, ssk, FVD exhaust and headers etc. I drive porsche as the daily driver and love driving it. Now, the 348 is a completely different story. It handles better and looks stunning. I could park them both together and no one would even notice the 996 was there. I don't think I'd like to part with either of them.
I could definitely see having a 911 and a Ferrari without feeling like there was too much overlap. If I didn't need a four seater for a second car I might go that route again.
911 is a sort of 4 seater really... Talking of great Porsche's, yes, would love to own a RUF like the CTR2 or the RGT. Talking GT2s, I still would want one of the 993 variants... AND THE NEW 997 GT3 RS IN IS JUST NUTS!!! LOVE IT....
Drove an '03 C2 cab this weekend but I'm not sure it's refinement was good enought to make it that much more appealing. Neither did the steering, road feel, or handling seem overly noticable (like what all the mags write about for P-cars - I actually that a new Boxster or Cayman might be better due to mid-engine and the newer platform.) Kinda like it was only ok at refinement, handling, looks, etc. but not great. Granted, I would add some GT3 pieces to a coupe over time and I'm sure it'd feel better on the track, but oddly I didn't leave there really wanting one. Probably be a while before I get close to a 348 for comparison but I'll chim in with an outsider's observations when that happens. Any takers?
Cabs are cr@p. If you want a vert P car get a Boxster S, despite being hairdressors cars they are actually pretty good sports cars. As I said before the best Carrera's are bog standard C2's with M030 sport setups and GT3's. The rest, well you might as well buy a Merc, they are not remotely sporting IMNSHO they are just fast and dull. Ignoring modified cars, "Lagerlout's rules to the world of Porsche 996 (tm)": Cabs - soft, boring, flexible - chassis that is. C4 - Soft and for people who are scared of rear wheel drive - "ooo mummy I might spin and end up in a hedge" - rear engined Carrera's but "want the look". C4S - For people who really want a Turbo but can't afford one so settle for "the look". Turbo - Pointless unless you live in Germany, sound rubbish, handle like a barge, stupidly effective but ultimately boring. If any of these have Tip, the cr@p factor doubles. Out of the lot, the Turbo is iconic so I can forgive people who purchase them but it's still too fat, overweight and again - not a sportscar. The best 911 by far is the GT3 - period. Only the GT3 could compare to the 348, but to be honest you'd best compare it to a 355 thanks to the girly PS. 348, well more like a much more powerful Sport Carrera 3.2. By the sounds of it you'd be better off going for a Turbo or a Merc as an everyday car because none of the 911's are really going to fill that luxury car gap, they are sort of 1/2 way cars in that respect. My advice - drive a standard C2 with PSE, pref sports model or a Gt3 - that is what 911's are all about the rest are just stocking fillers. C'mon bring it! lol
You think a boxster is a better sportscar than a Turbo? You obviously haven't had the opportunity to drive a Turbo.........just don't be late again for my Mother's hair appointment. Come accross the pond and I'll show you what a "boring" car can do........but you'll have to clean up your own mess afterwards.
lol - Yep, A Boxster S is a much better sports car than a Turbo. A Turbo is a very fast GT. Go over to Pistonheads in the UK and you'll get much the same response as to what a "proper" Carrera is. I think American's have a slightly different bent on what constitutes a sports car to Europeans hence why we generally "dont get" Corvettes etc. FWIW I've driven at least 10 different Turbo's and a couple of GT2's. Power isn't everything you know.
Oh drunk one, Can't argue to much, except for the Turbo which still is not a sports car but is clearly the best in its class in the world - whatever that class is.
OK, educate me......how is the Turbo NOT a sportscar? 415 hp from the factory, world class handling and brakes, great lap times at every road course its been run at, faster 0-60 & 1/4 mile times than the 360 (easily BTW), an extensive racing heritage, and an engine from a LeMans winning car.
I drove the cab because it was the only 996 on the lot at the time. I can't image the coupe being dramatically different. The cab didn't flex that much and I through it into a few corners as well. I just got the sense that the rear engine layout was a little different that I'd like. I personally like rear drive because I like to steer with the throtle or slide the rear at moderate speeds instead of warp 9 as with awd. I can appreciate the Boxster S comments since it's mid engine and is probably more responsive when transitioning and has better balance - I'd probably like it better. And I actually understand that power doesn't always keep the car interesting over the long haul - that's the reason I sold my last Cobra. So the turbo doesn't really fit my type of sports car but I wouldn't say that it is useless.
