For those who've owned both, I'm narrowing in on purchasing one of these. First thought was to pick up a 2002 and up Porche 996, add some mods and enjoy a relatively new exotic (for the masses.) That was before I got onto F348s and then found this site! It would be pushing my budget but what keeps getting me is the idea of owning a Ferrari for a little more. I feel that I could throw the Porsche around on the track a few times a year and it would still show good when going to dinner as well as be a good driver's car. I'm not sure I'd be so laxed with the 348 but the sound at redline is probably worth all the extra work alone. All help is appreciated.
if you want something to drive every day, i'd say Porsche. but I think the ferrari is more fun. by the way I own/owned both.
I have/had them both. After owning a 996 (although it was a cab), I really enjoy the 348 much more. Can't beat the sound, feel, exclusivity of the 348. 996....well.....they're everywhere
Having been a daily driver of every 996 model including both a regular turbo and a turbo with the turbo power kit (option "X50"), I can say to you that, after having owned a 348... -Any addition to the stable will never be a Porsche. -I will always own at least one Ferrari. -Any addition to the stable will likely be another Ferrari. I do not mean to take anything away from Porsche and specifically the 996. The 996 is a terrific car: it is refined, fast, and easy to drive. The question is: how experienced are you? If you have a good deal of experience, the Ferrari will introduce you to an exciting world in which you have not been. If you have just a little experience, it might be better to step up to the Ferrari level after the passage of a few months/years with a Porsche. But that's just it: the Porsche "easy to drive." There is really no challenge to driving a Porsche 996. Anyone, including kids, novices, and women, can drive a Porsche 996. Not that I have anything against women driving sports cars; I just think the fact that the 348 being, for the most part, a "man's car" says something about the car and the character of the car. The Ferrari is magical. The Porsche will impress you, but it won't exhilarate you.
I have both currently. The 996 is a turbo, one of the fastest most competent performance street cars ever built. {Yawn} If you want to drive a sports car, get the Ferrari as you will never be quite satisfied with the Porsche. If you want one of the fastest daily drivers on the road but like the feel of your Honda, then get the Porsche. It's bullet proof so maintenance is minimal and has all the creature comforts you expect in a modern car. Do not make the mistake of calling it a sports car. When you drive the Ferrari, you definitely feel special and that you are closer to the edge. That's not really true since you can be at the edge in a Porsche, but you will not really feel that way until it slides across the road once you've overcooked a corner. If you want one car that does everything pretty well and you are not willing to commit to the Ferrari maintenance schedule, then stick with the Porsche. It's not a bad car at all. It's just not a Ferrari.
+1 Had p-cars most of my life. I love my F355 spider. Make your own decision and buy whatyou want . Here are my before & after pics : Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
It seems almost all on this thread so far own a 911 Turbo of some type. The Turbo is all soft and fluffy compared to even a standard C2 and it's dull and dead due to it's weight and the 4WD. The C2 is much, much, much better than any of the 4WD Carrera's when it comes to a sports car feel and if you go for a sports suspension or GT3 etc you really do get a very edgy sportscar feel. Anything else and they are very boring - IMO - outside of the acceleration factor. I've driven every type of 996 and the only two worth considering are the C2 and GT3 if you want a proper sportscar. The 348 you can't compare to the 996 it's from a different era and it's a beast you have to wrestle and show who's boss to get the best from it. It's full of charisma and it's certainly not something to use every day whereas the 911 is suited to this of course even more so in the 4WD and Turbo versions. If I had to sell one, it would be the Carrera. Says it all really.
Hah! Once you off load the stock Porsche Turbo suspension for a Euro or Bilstein version with coilovers, it is easily the better car. With all that extra Hp on tap and 4-wheel drive, the C2 is left in the dust. Dial in some some extra boost and every other Porsche is just a VW! Unfortuantely, it just not a Ferrari.
c'mon turbo average 100bhp more than the same year carrera. Chip it and you can get another 100-150 bhp on top of that. Carreras will never compare to a ps9 equiped 'turbo' +1000
Porsche v Ferrari debate... Mine was a 993 2s not 996, I couldn't keep both the Porsche (my daily driver) and the Ferrari as I needed a 4 door car, one had to go, so the 993 hit the bricks... As already mentioned the P is an easy drive but the 348 needs mastering, when you get it right you know you were involved and the rewards are that much greater, not to mention the sound track! Also, yesterday the sun came out and I took the 348 for a run, I stopped at the local performance car showroom on the way home, they deal mainly in Porsches. There were 7 997's, 2 boxsters, 2 996's and a 964, I like the 997 and the guy made me a good offer to change but I declined. As I walked towards my car outside I wondered how good the 997 would be when it's 14 years old and how much would it be worth? The 348 is a classic IMO.
I have two friends with 996's......Not only does my car out accelerate them, it has their admiration as well. they are non-turbo of course.
Pick 996 if it is a "tt" Beware of early 348's many, many problems.. electric, cooling etc bad buy late 93 or 94 Each car has its own great attributes want speed and handling 996 want to turn heads 348. Good Luck
Sorry, but the 996 is in my mind one of the worst Porsche's (but I guess in much the same way many feel the 348 is a bit of a plonker Ferrari). If I had to choose between the 996 and 348 though, 348 for sure (and I am a long time Porsche driver). So much more of an exotic, and stirs the emotions (not necessarily all good though ;p)
Get onto www.rennlist.com though and I am sure you will get a different response... but the fact that you are posting here seems to tell me the prancing horse has already caught you...
Very insightful I too think the "996 Carrera" is the worst looking porsche ever!! Right there with the 914 . If it were between a 348 and a 996 (non-turbo) the 348 wins by a huuuuuuge margin!
