Totally. Not sure there is a new car I’d throw that much money at, honestly. The T is by far my favorite modern 911. I think it is just the right thing all around, except for the size but everything is that way now.
They’re great, no doubt. Just eye watering unless you go light on the options. I’d love a 996 or 997 GT3. 100% my kind of car.
The common denominator is that any 911 is immediately recognizable at a distance, even at dusk. Even at my age, having seen or driven quite a few great cars, something clicks in my mind when any 911 comes along. In a world of indistinguishable SUVs it’s just cool to see someone who is a car enthusiast. And if course the basic 911 design is a masterful blend of function and form. If it’s something amazing like the guards red ‘89 911 Speedster we saw a couple of months back, that’s an event. But even a base 996 in white or silver is a welcome sight on the road. You know the owner made the same choice you did and values the same traits in his or her car. We had dinner last night with a couple who owned a 1970 911E Targa with 440,000 miles on it. It was her car, bought in 1974, with one engine rebuild over the decades. The event we were attending was a complete bore, but the enjoyment was in talking about car stories. I can’t say I love the early Targas, but the passion for sports cars and 911s made us new friends. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
A lot of people complain about the headlight shape. Its like the one thing they all know to say to seem cool. I've never seen mine while driving. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Options and color choices make all the difference in the world for 996's in my opinion/experience. My first 996.1 (bought CPO when they first came out) had the 4-spoke steering wheel, did not have full leather, and was a "sea of Savannah Beige" everywhere. I didn't even know about the option choices -- I was looking for a C4 Tip in a specific color for my wife, so I bought when became available in a bordering state. I never liked that interior at all. It was a sea of monochromatic vinyl. I went for years thinking that's just the way 996 interiors were. Years later, my wife wanted another 996, the one I ended up getting had full leather, 3-spoke wheel, and contrasting interior colors and carpets and I love the interior. Options are everything on a 996 driving feel wise also -- a cab/tip/c4 drives totally different than a coupe/6sp/C2. The additional power of the Turbo probably erases some of those differences, but with a normally aspirated 996, it's a huge difference. Our C4/Tip 996.1 I didn't really like driving (my wife loved it), our C2/6sp/Coupe 996.1 is probably the best driving 911 among all that I've driven because it retains the "lightweight sports car" of the early late 60's/early 70's 911e, but with all the creature comforts and way more performance.
All true. One thing I’d add is that prior to the 996 the 911 interiors weren’t really styled. Yes, there is stitching in the door panels, but overall it exudes functionality to the exclusion of any design for design’s sake. (The 914 is even more extreme in its simplicity.) The radio was just jammed next to the heater/vent controls because there was room. It’s retro cool now but obviously not the result of an ergonomic study. The 996, with its extruded pasta-style door pulls, circular center stack, and simulated stitching on the steering wheel airbag cover makes an effort to display a level of creativity. This either works or it doesn’t, depending on your tastes, but it was a big change for Porsche where functionality was religion. And yes, an optioned-up interior really helps. The standard black, grey, or beige were disappointing in a Porsche. That’s still the case to some degree, because the 991/992 are very nice but hardly best in class in their base configuration. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
I’m driving a 992 Carrera T tomorrow. Will It knock my 996 turbo off its pedestal? The T has its work cut out for it, but it’s possible. This one is not speced how I will if I go ahead with it - rear axle steer, some dress up stuff I’m not going to pay for - but I’ll know what I need to know in probably the first 30 seconds
I think an optioned interior is the only way to play with the 992. The base interior is just baaaaad. ok, edit - bad in appearance. Everything the base car I drove worked well and felt high quality as far as switches, buttons, levers, etc are concerned…but wow, so much textured plastic that was not wearing well (this was a 13,000 mile example)
It's amazing how much bigger the 992 is compared to the 996. The 718 and 996 are more comparable in size. And people complained the 996 had gotten too big! I think Porsche nailed it with the 996 exterior. I honestly think it is the best looking 911 generation, even if it is a big car.
I agree with you on the size. The Porsche Classic center near me has their restored '82 911SC on the showroom floor near the newer 991/992, and the older car looks like a toy.
So…if anyone is interested in my full review of the 992T, let me know. For now, suffice to say, my 996TT is in no danger of leaving the garage.
Well, to be quite honest I can sum my feelings up quite succinctly - effort. Or lack thereof, rather. The second I depressed the clutch, I knew that it is not my kind of car. The clutch feels like you’re pressing a nylon fly swatter with your foot. No resistance whatsoever. The shifter is fine, but is so short and smooth that again, there’s little to savor. It doesn’t feel mechanical, really. The steering is ok in terms of response, but it is lifeless and light. The auto rev match is good and responsive, and I know it’s standard fare for modern manuals, but go away. This car does not have the T interior package with leather, and it needs it. It’s not as bad as I remember from the base 992 I drove, but I would spend the $ for a nicer place to sit. It’s plenty fast, but again, the lack of effort and input required of the driver is something I can’t live with. Granted, I tend to drive cars quite respectfully when I test, but my philosophy is if it’s thrilling me doing things that only _may_get me in trouble, when I open the taps I know it will be great. Perhaps if I could get the car on a country road or track I’d bond a bit better with it consistently near its limits…but while I LOVE those moments and take full advantage when they present, they aren’t often reality. The T is perfectly powerful, very well balanced, grippy even on a cold day, and the few tight turns I got in transmit the idea that it would be at least an autocross hoot. It is totally confidence inspiring…but more because you _know_ how high the limits are and less because it’s consistently reminding you of where they are. I’ve always enjoyed cars that make me work for what I get and are telling me, in some cases yelling at me, what I need to do to get the most out of them. The 996, with its GT2 clutch setup (it has given me cramps before) and that LOVELY mid-90’s-mid 2000’s hydraulic steering feel and weight, gets it right. I can enjoy a trip to Harris Teeter or a rip down a backroad because of the involvement required. The 992 is a very nice car, and is no doubt well made…yet it does not have that steamroller, bank vault feeling of the cars through the 997. The door ping died with the 993, sadly, but the on road solidity continued. I sadly feel that most glorious 911 trait has been lost for good. One reason I quickly fell in love with my Turbo is that my first drive, even with a totally different motor and drive setup, made me think “Hmm, there’s a good bit of 993 feel here, but with some real, raw aggression!” Some may say I’ve lost it and the fried eggs have gone to my brain, but jumping back in the Turbo afterward completely sealed the T’s fate as far as I’m concerned. It feels more direct, more responsive all around, and call me crazy, it feels faster. “Feels” is really all that matters to me. The T is a GORGEOUS car. I wish it were smaller, but its size doesn’t hurt it much aesthetically. I wasn’t a fan of the 992 rear until recently, and while it is still not my favorite, it’s a fine modern take. This car has the Sport Design front fascia, which is a MUST. The base front bumper is a scar on an otherwise lovely shape. I so wanted to love it. I wanted to get back and say, “Ok, here’s my build, I’ll take the April allocation!” But…no. I AM going to look into any possible aftermarket solutions to the tactile issues I experienced. Maybe there’s a clutch kit that can form that flacid thing up a bit. Perhaps the steering can be tuned. Being turbocharged, I’m sure it would respond well to some software changes. I truly would like something new in the stable, and I’d love for it to be a manual Porsche. For now, though, that would likely be another Cayman. The 718 T that I had, while not as expensive or powerful as the 992 T, excelled in the emotional categories and felt way more connected to the spirit of Porsches past. Of course, the Boxster and Cayman will soon have their balls cut off. So there’s my actually not so succinct take.
Looks like there is an option on the 992 for Power Steering Plus. I don't have a clue what that actually means but maybe that would change the feel? I feel like the Cayman GTS with the 4.0 is the car to get, especially when you compare it's cost to most everything else.
I looked into that option and while I cannot at the moment recall exactly what the function is, I seem to remember it not being a “sporting” option. GTS 4.0 is certainly one I’d consider along with another Cayman T, this time a tuned one.
It’s kinda like the 996 headlights, grumpy purists, haha. I really didn’t dislike it and did not find the sound egregious at all. There’s a tune you can purchase for $3500 or so that significantly increases the output and comes with a warranty. I was going to go that route, then decided to go back to a 911 because my little guy likes sports cars and of course wants to ride along…but man, what a great car. Maybe I’m not the best to advise; as I stated, I love underdogs in which I can find things to appreciate…but honestly, if one can sincerely say the 718 T is a bad car, they must either have MUCH better chops than I or they’re simply too cool for a “junior” Porsche. Great part is my dealer had a hard time selling a yellow car, because people in my neck of the woods are super boring. I bought it for $10,000 off, then when I grabbed my 997 I took $10,000 home with the deal. I traded the 997 for the 996 TT and got a what I paid for it. Weird ass market…but OK
Best part of the turbo 4 in the 718: low-end torque. Where the N/A motor really doesn't start to "lift its skirts and run" until ~4K, the turbo 4 has good punch at half those revs.
Yeeeeeees. Forgot to mention that you have hands-on experience with that car. Perhaps you have a more impartial perspective to offer
