996.1 911 Carrera 2 Aero. Is the 996 a better 911 than a 993? Tim's Enthusiast Garage S5 E5

If you are a channel watcher you know I love the 996 911. I sold my 996.2 (the red car featured in prior videos) and had been looking for a new daily/ driver grade 911. This lovely 996.1 was owned by a mate and honestly, I told him it was just too nice for me as I wanted to put lots of miles on the car. At the time of this video release I have it listed on Bring a Trailer.
The 996 has really come into it's own and gives proper 911 vibes. Is it the perfect car for your garage? check out my thoughts here. As always like , subscribe and share! Let me know what you think in the comment section.
Options on the car are X74 (updated after factory and car comes with both sets of dampers) it also comes with an extra set of silver 2 piece BBS wheels. Here are the factory options omitting paint colour and interior colour which are of course both original.
• C02 - Version for USA
• 030 - Sport-tuned suspension
• XAA - Aerokit bodywork
• XAD - Rear bumper side fins
• XJ4-Leather-covered ignition lock surround
• XNR - Carbon-fiber center air vent bracket
• XNX - Carbon-fiber dashboard trim strip
• XPY - Carbon-fiber instrument surround
• X69 - Carbon-fiber sill plates
• 288 - Headlamp washers
• 375 - Two-way power-adjustable sport seat, left
• 376 - Two-way power-adjustable sport seat, right
• 425 - Rear-window wiper
• 448 - Sports brake pads
• 476 - Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
• 490 - Hi-Fi sound system
• 498 - Without rear badging
• 601 - Litronic (xenon) headlamps
• 659 - Onboard computer
• 936 - Leather rear seats
• 981 - Leather dashboard and door panels
• 983 - Leather front seats
music in this video :
intro song:
"My First Car" by my band The Arcade ASCAP Cash Capra & Tim Neely
Middle song:
"Listening for Clues" by The Relaxed Movement
Music provided by TheRelaxedMovement.
Check it out here: / therelaxedmovement
© Henry Keate W/a TheRelaxedMovement. All Rights Reserved
Outro song:
"Such a Good Day" by Infraction on KZbin
Video shoot and Edit Credit :
This video was shot and edited by Romit Sen
IG/ KZbin ‪@the_rs43‬
additional footage by Austin Neely
Chase/ Camera car driver Ethan Neely
I have been at this channel for some time. It would be brilliant if you would share any and all of my videos. It really helps. I wish I could make it a full time gig. I really do. Cheers! for more you can follow Tim's Enthusiast Garage on TikTok or IG as well.

[@justinmckeown9029]

Thanks for giving some love to the 996’s! I have a ‘99 C2 6-speed in speed yellow with a 3.7 and absolutely love it. Every time I think about moving on, I take it for a drive and think ‘no way I can part with this’.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@justinmckeown9029 they just kept making them bigger. Bigger isn’t always better. 996 is a sweet, sweet hidden gem!

[@---vj9kc]

I have had my 99' 996 since 2010 and being the 2nd owner have enjoyed the car so much that I think I'm going to keep it until it dies, or I die.........whichever comes first ! ; - ) It had 81k when I bought it in 2010 and now has 110k, and runs like new and has needed very little all along. The running costs and reliability have been much better than I ever had expected. I love my 996 !

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

I have always experienced fantastic reliability from Porsche products particularly the 996 and 986 variants. Enjoy it ! It’s what they were made for my friend! Thanks so much for watching

[@Indianajones420]

Great video! Thanks for this. 996TT owner here, long hood hot rod owner with 2.8 twin plug MFI that weighs 2000lbs, and next up for the stable is a 996.1 like this, followed by 996 gt3 (.1 and .2)…such a sweet spot for me as the earlier cars didn’t perform the same way, and the newer ones are too far off the feel these deliver! CheeRS

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@Indianajones420 that garage sounds pretty sweet. 2.8 on MFI and 2000 lbs . Yes . My neighbor had a 69 long hood with a built 2.7 on webbers . Still to this day in the top 10 cars I have ever driven. I owned it briefly, it’s one of the few cars I regret selling. CheeRS indeed !

[@996Revival]

It really is a bridge between the analog and the advanced tech.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Which turns out to be quite a happy place. Cheers and thanks so much for watching!

[@Rennthusiast]

As I type this, I’m literally 1/3 of the way home in my newly acquired 04 C4S. Flew to Wisconsin, did the deal and now headed back to NC. The 996 is so much better than its’ given credit for. What’s fun about it is the more time I spend in it the more I sense the air cooled ethos. I totally get the appeal of the C2 but I found a C4S that was too good to pass up.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@Rennthusiast I had a C4S years ago. It has it’s own unique character and I love the rear facia treatment. Very cool. Very iconic. Congrats!! Let us know at the end of the trip how in love you are. I suspect you shall be properly smitten. Cheers and thanks for watching !

[@richardclegg5853]

I've put almost 40k trouble free miles on my 1999 C2 during my 2 years of ownership. I still get an ear to ear grin every time I get into it...

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@richardclegg5853 that is what it’s all about! So glad to hear! Enjoy it

[@jeffcullen6573]

As cool as the 993 is, the 996 chassis was a quantum leap forward. I love the turbo -- it's a car which has genuine "classic car" feel to it -- it's alive, mechanical, visceral -- with performance that's still VERY relevant today. Super usable, very reliable. While I can dig an early 997 with no nav and no sport chrono, I genuinely prefer the more basic 996 interior.

[@mikebarnard2689]

The white colour is lovely , it looks narrow and aerodynamic … as if it’s built to penetrate the air. I am biased… I have the 1 of 2 RHD Biarritz White 996 GT3 Mk1 clubsports What a machine , pure and simple , fast and furious !! 😀

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Rhd, Biarritz , clubsport . Wow. Brilliant car!

[@mikebarnard2689]

@@TimsEnthusiastGarage yep, way better than me , all I could ever want.

[@vito3883]

I love them both!

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

thanks for watching ! Appreciate you taking the time to comment

[@doca8792]

I had an ‘00 with the aero kit on H&R coilovers and HRE wheels Looked and handled amazing, but the power was lacking and I went on to a 996tt. Damn I miss them both.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

I had those coilovers on my 996.2. Loved the set up. The TURBO is definitely not lacking in power (especially with X50) but it’s a totally different animal. Great cars come and go, I’m sure you replaced them with something special.

[@mattias8039]

Thanks for a great vid! Got a 996 C2 gen 2 manual since a few months. I must say the extra torque in the 3.6 is really nice. No options such as PSM or sunroof, only a CD-player which means I can dust of my old CD-collection 😅 Keeping it stock except for the Ohlins coilovers. Amazing car and I feel fantastic every time I drive it 😊

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@mattias8039 match my video on my red 3.6 C2. I think you’ll enjoy it.

[@frozencarguy6274]

It's a beauty.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@frozencarguy6274 thanks for watching !

[@vito3883]

I had one it was stolen. 911 1999 carrera 4.I’m 65 makes me want to cry

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry to hear that. Injustice like that makes me want to cry too.

[@SF_Native]

I have an early build 99, ocean blue with aero, LSD, cable throttle, etc. I have other 911s but I will always keep this one as I believe it’s a special car.

[@michaeledwardlenzi]

Lots of vibes.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@michaeledwardlenzi many vibes 🤣

[@geoffclarke3796]

I think all 996's are great Porsche's and very underrated. I was fortunate to own a 996.1 GT3 with a few minor modifications (exhaust, re-map giving just under 400 horsepower and some after market dampers and suspension optimized for track work) and was by far the best car I've owned. I had it for 12 years which tells you how much I loved it. I think you guys in the US got the 996.2 GT3 but not the 996.1. I think an early 996.1 such as this with sports suspension and a sports exhaust is a great buy. I owned a classic '89 3.2 Carerra Sport prior to the GT3 and have driven a couple of 964's but having never driven a 993. 993's to me are great looking cars but I feel they are too expensive for what they are. Agree later 911's are just too big now even if they are brilliant dynamically.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@geoffclarke3796 i share nearly all of your sentiment. We did get 996.2 GT3 as well and there are a few RS here. The 991.1 GT3 RS and later touring are both absolutely incredible but don’t feel like small enthusiast tools the way the 996 does. 992 GT3 is a beast. I have driven a few and if current budget allowed , I would certainly have one . I have yet to drive the latest RS on a track but I’m sure it’s mega. Cheers !

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@geoffclarke3796 i share nearly all of your sentiment. We did get 996.2 GT3 as well and there are a few RS here. The 991.1 GT3 RS and later touring are both absolutely incredible but don’t feel like small enthusiast tools the way the 996 does. 992 GT3 is a beast. I have driven a few and if current budget allowed , I would certainly have one . I have yet to drive the latest RS on a track but I’m sure it’s mega. Cheers !

[@mikebarnard2689]

I did the jump from hot rodded 3.2 to 996 GT3, still got it, it’s all the car I need, analogue , fast and raw.

[@chuching100]

This is a beautiful car. I currently own a 996.2 C4S in SY, and am always looking for a 996.1 to keep it some company. If this particular car ever becomes available, PLEASE keep me on the list as an interested buyer. This is my first ever comment on KZbin, so I’m not sure if PMs are a thing, but I can find a way to get you some contact info. Thanks, and in the meantime enjoy it!

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

It’s on BaT with 5 days to go. Here is a link : bringatrailer.com/listing/2000-porsche-911-carrera-coupe-30/

[@chuching100]

Thanks! I shoulda have watched the whole video and read all the comments first haha and would have seen that it’s on BAT. GLWTA to us both!

[@kentsklarow8225]

just sell the C4s and get a good 996 (one with a mezger)

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@kentsklarow8225 sigh

[@cgoldens]

Was this just on BAT this week? It’s a beauty, I only wish the interior was black, that Savannah beige ages poorly. (99 996.1 black on black here, with DSL😊, owned for 5 years)

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@cgoldens car is currently on BaT so you can watch along in real time! personally I have always liked Savannah. I loved it at launch and it is one that still gets me. If you notice in the video the bottoms of the doors and the carpets are black so it’s a best of both worlds in terms of having that splash of light contrast and darkness on super wear areas. Brilliant cars. If you watch till the end , you get the take, I’m in camp 996!!

[@cgoldens]

@@TimsEnthusiastGarage yeah I made this comment before you mention you love the Savannah beige 😅 , I’ve never been a fan, black or the more rare dark Carmel like in the millennium edition. Even the metropol blue is kinda cool. I also think the black dash looks more timeless. But we all can agree, the 996 is a great 911

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@cgoldens yes, i recognize interior hue is totally down to personal preference. Thanks for watching! Subscribe if you would be so kind

[@robertdavis386]

Lotus Esprit update?

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@robertdavis386 hoping to put it together over the winter

[@user-ut8ic5tb3i]

Let’s face it, if the 996.1 didn’t have the IMS issue and had “round” headlights, people would speak of it the same way as they drool over previous 911s. They still wouldn’t command as much in money, simply because they made so many of them. I loved my 2001 C2 (and had the IMS Solution installed) and would recommend the 996 to anyone. It’s a wonderful car.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@user-ut8ic5tb3i the only car i have ever known of with a failed IMS was an LN equipped car. This car will be a 100k car one day and the gt3s will be 150-170 . These headlights are the darlings of everyone who came up while the GT1 was campaigned and lauded. They are just getting interesting. Thanks for watching and appreciate your thoughts!!

[@user-ut8ic5tb3i]

@@TimsEnthusiastGarage, yeah, I personally like those headlights (my car obviously had them, too). As far as the IMS goes, the numbers weren’t as bad as they’ve been portrayed, but that was little compensation to those who experienced the problem…and most of them did NOT have the LN Engineering solution. Cheers on your car.

[@user-ut8ic5tb3i]

@@TimsEnthusiastGarage, by the way, how does an LN Engineering bearing fail? It has no ball bearings. I’d love to hear that story. ;-)

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@user-ut8ic5tb3i I believe it was an oil starvation issue? I am still pals with the guy who owned the car, I’ll check!

[@user-ut8ic5tb3i]

@@TimsEnthusiastGarage, yeah, it would have to be an oil starvation thing, since the Solution’s entire concept relies on constant oil feed to work properly. Would love to know if the LN Engineering failure (first I’ve heard of) caused similar catastrophic engine failure as the ball bearing system.

[@odeirt]

It’s funny, you keep mentioning the 993 and 964. The 996 is faster and handles better than both of them. If people really cared about performance, the 996 is the obvious choice!

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@odeirt if you watch the video till the end, you’ll see we agree

[@TexasRiverRat31254]

Did anyone else cringe when he pushed the top of the window to close the door? Must have deep enough pockets not to care and would be able to rebuild the engine with out worry. I don't worship 911's as I've got a Porsche with the engine in the right place like was intended before they had to use VW parts.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

@@TexasRiverRat31254 I’ve put 140-160,000 miles on 996s, never had a window regulator fail. Porsche used VW parts from the very beginning, and the pockets go deep enough 😙

[@44toolsdotcom]

Incredible spec