PORSCHE 996 (The Best 911?)

The Best 911. It's the question asked a thousand times a day around the world. Which Porsche 911 is the best? Today we take a look at the Porsche 911 Type 996, a revolutionary car for Porsche when it was introduced in 1998, and one which became a huge sales success for the company, while at the same time drawing sharp criticism from the Porsche purists. To this day, the Type 996 remains unloved by many, and market values reflect that. There is no other generation of 911 that sells for less! Is the Type 996 a Porsche you should consider?
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[@RicknWRX]

I have an 05 996 c4s that i got 2 years ago. Love the car and am definately keeping it. Most people are so focused on hp and tq numbers they lose sight of why we have sports cars. 996 is plenty fast and you cant beat the analog feel of cars from this era. Also the 996 is easy to work on so that is a win with being able to afford a porsche! Great video, nicely said and well presented.

[@GTSCarLife]

I agree with you completely! Fun has very little to do with horsepower. Take the Miata as an excellent example. Driving dynamics, style, sounds and feel combine to make a vehicle enjoyable and entertaining to drive. Today’s new cars are nowhere near as much fun to drive because they have too much power and limits unusable by 99% of owners. It is much more fun driving a slower car fast than a faster car slow. Thank you for watching and for your comments!

[@RicknWRX]

@@GTSCarLife For sure. And the sound of the 996 when you have an exhaust with an x pipe is amazing. It really sounds like a v10. To think you could get good examples pre covid for 20k... they have come up significantly though

[@GTSCarLife]

Don’t we all wish we had picked up a few mint examples pre-virus!!!!

[@mauida7746]

Love my 04c4s cab ! Owned it for 12 years and put 27000 miles on her, now at 59k, basic maintenance, just replaced the clutch so I did IMS also, when we pulled it , it was fine, but replaced it anyway. Great video

[@GTSCarLife]

@mauida7746 Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing your experience! The C4S is a really really special one!

[@996Revival]

I always say they're the bridge between the analog and the techy generations. nice video!

[@GTSCarLife]

100%! Truly a great drivers 911. Thank you for watching and for your feedback!

[@Retrobeemer]

Just bought a 996.2 C2 3.6 manual, non sunroof with extended leather for less than £12K UK and am smitten. I drives great and sounds glorious. I was lucky to find one in good shape and at that price as the market has got way more expensive in recent weeks. I could sell it and probably make £5K profit but there's nothing else I could buy to match it for looks or performance at the same price point. The only thing I would like to do is add some hard back sports seats and M30 suspension or Bilstein / H&R springs.

[@GTSCarLife]

Wow, what a great find! Congratulations! The hardback seats are hard to find, and they need to be the exact same spec as what your car has - Porsches will throw all kinds of error codes if you mix and match. Good luck with your search Nd enjoy the heck out of that awesome 911! Thanks for watching!

[@ItsCostanza]

Great video. I have a 2001 seal gray C2. I love it and the unique late 90s/early 00s styling

[@GTSCarLife]

One of my all time favorite colors! Thank you for watching and for sharing about your 996!

[@richardclegg5853]

Very happy with my 1999 996, personally think the instrument cluster is far superior to the traditional layout, outer dials not hidden by steering wheel and free up quite a bit of space for additional whistles & bells

[@GTSCarLife]

First clean sheet design of a 911 in 36 years. Porsche sure did get a lot right! Thank you for watching and for sharing your thoughts!

[@richardclegg5853]

Couldn't agree more, has the traditional "feel" of the separate guages, but you actually see em while decluttering the dash area in general... love my 99 996!!!

[@jayjamesedawardgonzales9822]

Great video. I love the 996! I started out on the air cooled 993 and have a 1999 996 cabriolet 6 speed.

[@GTSCarLife]

Agree! The 996 is actually a great driving 911. It is superior to daily drive and also superior on track. And the most authentic of the water cooled! Thank you for watching and for your feedback !

[@alansteyrbach6926]

I was born in 2000 and the first game in my entire life was the NFS 5 Porsche Unleashed. I remember the end of december in 2003... My dad and older brother bought the first PC in our family's history. They got pirated russian version of Porsche Unleashed, it was called Porsche 2000 if i remember correctly. I was playing this game for about a year, then something happened to either PC or the game files. The soundtrax, the racing tracks, physics - it was mindblowing for a 3-years-old like me. At some point, I discovered the Porsche 996 Carrera 2, I like it red colored. In 2005, I was thinking about the game and I decided that I will buy one in future. When the "Cars" cartoon came out, I saw Sally the Carrera and my dream strenghtened. In 2014 I realised that this is the only car I truly love and wish to own, though I hate all other Porsches and the European cars as a whole at the moment. I am 20 now and I save all the spare money I have to buy one. Once in a year, throughout the country a one, single 996 appears and I will surely buy one of them. We are poor country with low population, in my estimate there's only 15-40 996's in here. They are rarely sold and rapidly disappear from listings. When I buy one for myself, it's gonna be my first and last car ever. I don't need any other car, I fell in love with 996 in 2003 and this love never vanished, but only got stronger over the years. Even in Forza Horizon and GranTurismo games, I only run 996)))))

[@GTSCarLife]

I love your enthusiasm for the 996, a terrific sports car and a special Porsche! Even though I’ve driven the 991.2 GT3 and GT2 RS on track and I now daily drive a 997.2 GTS, I still have great memories of the 96,610 miles I drove my 2003 996.2 and appreciate what a great driving car it is! A car that represents the last of the old school 911 and is simply a pleasure and joy to own and drive. By the way, your English is very good! Thank you for watching and for sharing your comments!

[@PorscheRoseSylveon]

This! I realized long ago, this is the only vehicle I truly loved. They are truly works of art. We will have a carrera one day.

[@benterry2681]

The 996 is the last true 911 marking the last time the 911 was a true sports car that evolved to be better with each generation. The 997.1 after all was a 996.2 with a bodykit to look closer to the older cars inside and out which made it worse aerodynamically hence why the 3.6's were slower than the older cars and the S's were only faster because they bored out the engine to 3.8 to the point it had bore scoring issues after that the 911 just became a bloated grand tourer that relies a lot on electronics to out perform its older models but the feel was gone and the mechanical engineering which made these cars so iconic and interesting. All you need to see is Porsche forums and look a the 996 section and older to find owners looking at performance adjustments, maintenance and discussing the cars mechanics while the 991 and 992 sections discuss weather they "need" their fuse box cover coated in leather or if they should look for a car with deviated stitching.

[@GTSCarLife]

We agree the 997 is the refinement and continuation of the 996, or as I've referred to it, 996.3 and 996.4. But it was not a "body kit", it was multiple refinements and improvements as Porsche always does with each generation. We also agree that the 996 is lighter and closer to the 993 in feel and driving characteristics. The 997 is in many ways better than the 996, but not as engaging to drive, lacking the purity of the 996. My 2003 996.2 was more fun to drive on the street than my current 997.2 GTS (also reviewed on this channel) but the 997.2 GTS is far superior on track, and more refined inside. It also has more legroom in front, which is a big plus for me! As for the 991 and 992 and the comments in the forums, you and I are 100% in agreement! Thank you for watching, and for your comments!

[@AndyBakos82]

Great video! I love my 2003 911, it is the perfect combination of small size, usable space and great drivability.

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching and for your comments! I agree - the 996 is in so many ways the perfect 911. I’m glad it’s starting to get some appreciation among enthusiasts!

[@Tisoyspiders]

Got a 2003 C4 convertible….seal grey..a very nice car and fun to Drive…best Porsche "Butt " in my oppinion Very nice Video 👍🏼

[@GTSCarLife]

Hard to beat Seal Grey! Thank you for watching and for sharing your comments!

[@tonylaxa9953]

Well done video, very informative👍

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for your comments and I appreciate you watching!

[@danecaton2299]

Another amazing video! Very entertaining and informative, cheers from Pullman!

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching and for your feedback! Enjoy Pullman!

[@ericohara2582]

Nice straight forward report. My 996 is by far the best car I have driven and enjoyed,despite nearly 100k miles after being my daily driver for many years.. No trouble at all mechanically except for new brake pipes throughout.

[@GTSCarLife]

I owned this one for 96,610 miles and it was incredibly reliable and a source of pride. She now has 107,000 and is a blast to own and drive. Thank you for watching and for sharing your comments!

[@RayMelville]

Excellent video and highly informed presentation unhindered by overly nostalgic views or too distracted by mostly unusable performance statistics. Love how you describe the PSE dash button function as "to reduce the exhaust volume" from the default loud setting. That's the right perspective not the other way around. Well done!

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you Ray. I appreciate you watching and your feedback!

[@ShadowMind312]

I am glad i found your channel! Thank you! You are pragmatic and practical!

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching, and for your comments! New video premiering tomorrow morning and a lot more content on the way!

[@Sharon76092]

Stunning car and great info!

[@GTSCarLife]

She’s a beauty! Thank you for watching and for your comments!

[@ianmcclelland6991]

I just purchased a 2001 Carrera 6spd convertible w/hardtop. Has 44000 miles and the fist thing I did was the RMS, clutch and IMS bearing. I've owned vettes, camaro's and mustangs. As much as this car does not have the hp etc it is an awesome and fun car to drive. The more I look at it the more I fall in love with it. Never thought I would own one, but now can't see not owning one.

[@GTSCarLife]

That’s awesome Ian! I’ve owned a Mustang GT 5.0 and while they are all fun, there is something special about a Porsche. A 911 is so much more than just a 0-60 time. Sounds like you’ve already figured that out! Congratulations and thank you for watching!

[@kevinsmith5448]

i too have owned a corvette and a 5.0 mustang but they are gone and not really missed. my 996 will be handed down to my son who i'm currently teaching how to drive stick. and yes, i'm teaching him using the 996!

[@GTSCarLife]

Love it! My son has been driving on track since 12, and daily drives his 1985.5 944 since he was 15. He is about to turn 18. He has been privileged to drive a former F1 driver and F3 world champion on track in his 944, and also has driven my former 996. He will take over my 997 GTS when my time comes. And yes, his 944 is a stick and still on the original clutch!

[@alexsolhi6364]

The most under appreciated 911! 996 is a great 911 and a true sports car compared to the new 911s which are more of a GT both in feel & size rather than a nimble sports car!

[@GTSCarLife]

I could not agree with you more! Thank you for watching and for your feedback!

[@clubracer6]

Love my 40th AE. My 2nd one with a 996tt in between. For me the 996 C2 is the best 911. Would love a GT3 someday. PS - I love the window switches in the center console. Hated when BMW and then Porsche went away from that.

[@GTSCarLife]

The 40th Anniversary Edition is super cool! And yes, a GT3 is awesome but would be less agreeable as a daily. I too found the center mounted switches to be very convenient and ingenious, but I also find the reasons for them interesting. Thank you for watching and for sharing your thoughts!

[@PaulLukeBonenfant]

This is a great video!! I have a ‘98 myself and it these cars are still under appreciated!

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching and for sharing your thoughts Paul! I agree these are amazing cars and it seems they are beginning to receive some of the recognition they deserve.

[@flat6fever680]

Nicely done sir. Liked and subbed. Happy New Year!

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you sir! Appreciate the kind words and support. Happy New Year!

[@thomasv.tucker1700]

Great video! I sure appreciate your perspective on this beautiful car.

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you sir. She is indeed special. I appreciate you watching and your comments.

[@grecopena]

Excellent review of the the classic 996.2 Beautiful car. I recognize my home roads that I love to ride in my own 996.2 cabriolet and road bike. 👍🏼.

[@GTSCarLife]

You are very lucky to have those roads around you! Thank you for watching and for your comments! Have fun and stay safe!

[@unenmaths]

Nice video, I have a 996 targa tiptronic for 3 years now it has 122 000 miles. Great daily ❤

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching and for sharing your comments. The Targa is indeed a rare bird!

[@vandalorianvandalorian4769]

I bought my first 911-996.1 brand new in 2001. 3 years later I traded it in for a used 2001 turbo. I loved them both, but I really wish I had that first one back.

[@GTSCarLife]

I understand. I replaced my 2003 996 (the one in the video) with a 2011 997 GTS, and while there are certainly improvements in the 997, my 996 was more fun to drive! Thank you for watching, and for sharing your comments!

[@enriclibert545]

Good video and explanation about this fabulous car👍🏻👏🏻

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching. It’s easy to be excited about the 996!

[@williamcalia2465]

Great video. I owe a 2001 Porsche 996 Cabriolet and I absolutely love it. Happy motoring!

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching! What color is your 996 and how long have you had it?

[@williamcalia2465]

@@GTSCarLife Lapis Blue. I have owed it for 1 year and love it.

[@GTSCarLife]

That’s a rare color! Definitely a keeper! Congratulations and safe travels.

[@markcaton1700]

Love the video and well versed comments. This is truly the "keeper" car. It should be passed down to the next generation with all the enthusiasm and devotion that we share.

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching and for your feedback!

[@tserzz]

A wonder fluid informative video. The 996 a beautiful racing take styled legend, that saved Porsche and paved the way for todays water cooled Porsches. The 996 is comfortable, yet rock solid and great to drive, A raw, all weather, every day and a long distance urban Icon.

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching!

[@Sharon76092]

Still such a beautiful and elegant car all these years later!

[@GTSCarLife]

The 996 has definitely aged well! Thanks for watching!

[@AviatorMark]

Great video! Looking at getting one soon…

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching and for your comments! Best of luck in your search. Make sure to get all the previous records if possible and have a PPI by a qualified Porsche specialist. These are amazing cars!

[@kevinsmith5448]

best 996 video i've seen on youtube. thank you!

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you so much for that wonderful compliment. That means a lot to me. I am incredibly appreciative of the tremendous response my videos are receiving from fellow car enthusiasts. And thank you for watching! Hope to see you out there!

[@samrobin88]

I own a 2003 911 996.2 C2 in arctic silver. BEST car I've ever owned. As long the oil is clean and maintenance is prioritized, they will last for many years to come. And I have the same mileage as the one in this video, ~105,000 miles and counting. #SmilesPerGallon

[@GTSCarLife]

100% Porsche engineers and builds fantastic cars, and as long as you take care of them and follow the maintenance schedule, they can and will outlast anything that even comes close to their level of performance. Thank you for watching and for your comments! Enjoy your awesome 996!

[@user-xl6qv5pi6z]

Nice video 👍

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching!

[@texsquirrel213]

Nice video on the 996.2.

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching and for your comments!

[@user-jy8mo5fi5q]

I have recently purchased my 2003 Porsche 996 Cabriolet with hardtop and only 49k miles. It's also had the engine bearing modification. I love it to bits compared to the previous car I had owned for 30 yrs a Jaguar XJS. Both cars are worlds apart and I wish I had purchased a 996 years ago. Because it is the second generation 996 there are some subtle difference from 1st generation. My car also sports the rare split rim 18 inch wheels. I can honestly say this one is a keeper.

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching, subscribing and sharing your thoughts! I agree with you and yes, numerous improvements on the 996.2 that really make it more polished. I still believe the 996 is the most pure and true to concept of all water cooled 911s, and they sound so good!

[@shanemos1]

Very well done

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@philiphunter7547]

Thank you for your review, my ‘new’ 996.2 is just going through final prep and arrives in 2 weeks.

[@GTSCarLife]

Congratulations! The 996 is the most true to the original of all water cooled 911s. You’re in for a lot of fun! Thanks for watching and sharing your great news!

[@paulstevens2666]

I have ridden in that very car, love it and the video.

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching and for sharing your experience! Yes, the 996 is a very special car!

[@mrbroofing2306]

Nice pleasant video, be curious to know how many 996s are still on the road worldwide today

[@GTSCarLife]

I don't know, but Porsche used to be fond of saying that over 70% of all Porsches ever made were still on the road. I'm sure that with SUV's accounting for over 85% of all Porsches being sold these days, that number will plummet. The 996 is finally being more widely accepted as the terrific driving 911 that it is. Thank you for watching and for sharing your comments!

[@wokeybrokey8006]

Have a 1999 c2 3.4…brill car, last of the truly analog Porsches

[@GTSCarLife]

A very special car indeed! Thank you for watching and for sharing about your 996! Have fun and stay safe!

[@detonator2112]

These are nice cars. You can buy three 996's for the price of one air-cooled (G-body, 964 and 993). There is a reason for that and it's the looks. Nothing wrong with the car. It just doesn't look as cool as the previously mentioned. A lot of car for the money. Cheers.

[@GTSCarLife]

Looks are objective, but I do think the original style may be unbeatable. Nostalgia also plays a part, as well as the fact that the original models were largely hand built and in much smaller numbers. Thank you for watching and for sharing your thoughts!

[@frantzlauredant3425]

2002 Carrera C2 - Best driving fun ad truer doing experience!

[@GTSCarLife]

One of the last great 911 street driving experiences. Thank you for watching and for your comments. Enjoy your awesome Porsche!

[@geoffreysenior1534]

I love this car and own one myself 911-996-4, bought it from new and is my baby! I have also 2 others newer models!

[@GTSCarLife]

Wow, not too many one-owner 911s of any generation. Congratulations and keep her! Thanks for watching and for sharing.

[@richathletix7819]

The 911, what a thing of beauty. 👌🏾

[@GTSCarLife]

Indeed it is! Thank you for watching and for your comments!

[@grantmichael5803]

Such a beautiful car!

[@GTSCarLife]

Agree! Thank you for watching!

[@nigelvergas6103]

The GT1 headlights look great on the 996

[@GTSCarLife]

Well, actually it was 996 headlights on the GT1. They also used 993 lights on the GT1, but switched to 996 lights to give the new 996 model market credibility. I agree the lights look good on the 996! Makes it feel like a Le Mans racer. Thank you for watching and for your comments!

[@lucasrinaldi-brandin7363]

I’ve got 2 porsche a 2001 996 targa and a Porsche carrera GTS is it good if I put racing suspension on the 996? And I’m thinking of buying another one I’ve got 2 choices a 911 turbo s or a Panamera turbo S Which one is good cause which one should I buy? Cause I am a family car fan but I want like a really fast one

[@GTSCarLife]

I wouldn’t put a stiff, race type suspension on a Targa. A coupe is structurally better able to handle the effects of a stiffer suspension. Also, the Targa is pretty rare and holds better value than a coupe or cabrio. As for your quandary between a 911 Turbo S or Panamera Turbo S, those are such different types of cars. I’m sure you’ll be more drawn to one over the other. Thanks for watching!

[@lucasrinaldi-brandin7363]

Ok thanks for the tip!

[@kmoore0000]

Less is more with these, just bought almost this exact one.

[@GTSCarLife]

Currently at 108,000 miles and going strong! I just love how these cars sound and drive! Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing your comments!

[@jmfasi]

I think this is a very beautiful 911 and I am excited to own one.

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching Joseph. I agree, I love this car and truly enjoyed every one of the 96,910 miles I was fortunate to have put on it!

[@henryatkinson1479]

Just a note for 6:55, there is a real reason the engine is hidden on the 991 and later. Its now sitting so low that there's really nothing to see over it. To reduce the center of mass, and move it closer to the rear axle, Porsche has been creeping the engine down and forwards ever since the original 911 was launched. It just eventually reached a critical point that it was impossible to balance styling and aerodynamics with this weight distribution while keeping a practical access hatch. The 991 setup gives you extra rigidity for the body, which is especially noticeable when you compare the 997 to the 911 Cabriolet. EDIT: 12:43 if anything the original lamps should remind you of a Le Mans race car since they were used on the 911 GT1 that won Le Mans. The 996.2 headlights only found their way onto freelance team's GT3 Cup Cars and converted GT2 cars in the racing world.

[@GTSCarLife]

You are correct Henry, the 996.1 lights were in fact fitted to a few of the GT1 cars, at the request of the marketing department, in an effort to tie the two cars together at an important time in the newly launched water-cooled 911’s history. Earlier GT1’s used the lights from the 993. My comments regarding the headlamps on the 911 I was featuring were not exclusively meant for the .2 version. They both resemble the style of lights that were used by many manufacturers on some LeMans style cars of the time. As for the inaccessible engine on 991 and beyond, I certainly understand why Porsche does not feel a need to allow access, and yes again you are correct- the engine location has indeed been creeping forward and down with each new generation, and is in fact truly mid engine in the current top level 911 racer, but I still dislike the fact that Porsche decided to cover it up when in fact they could have kept it visible like other high end, high performance cars. The newest version, the 992, now has so many accessories sitting on top of the engine that it would in fact require significant extra expense on Porsches part to make it somewhat attractive, but even the old 930 with it’s massive radiator still allowed owners to view things. So my point is it could be done, Porsche just chooses not invest the extra time and money. Thank you for watching and for sharing your comments!

[@wesleycarusos8225]

I'm about to take delivery of a 02 C2 6-speed with 81k. I'll have to tell you I like the interior I hate the interior of the newer cars it reminds me of a Toyota. Second of all I own a 986 S and it is no slouch. Granted mine has 3K and suspension mods and a tune. It will be interesting to be able to drive both cars and feel the differences. Did you say this is a stock exhaust on this car?

[@wesleycarusos8225]

By the way I found one with the IMs rear main seal and clutch recently done

[@GTSCarLife]

Yes, the exhaust is the stock, Porsche Sport Exhaust with the ability to make it more quiet if desired. The M96 and M97 motor sound so good, and the 996 is lighter and just feels more athletic than the 997 which followed. Don’t even get me started about the 991! Congratulations on your new 911, and drive it the way Dr. Porsche intended! And yes, a 986 is a fantastic sports car, too! I think you’ll find them to be surprisingly different when driven enthusiastically! Thank you for watching and for sharing your thoughts!

[@wesleycarusos8225]

@@GTSCarLife a dream come true to own what I think are two of the best Porsches ever made. But I'm old school. Had many air cool ed 911s.

[@GTSCarLife]

I’ll agree with you and add one more. Try a 944, you’ll be amazed with a great car it is! And yes, I qualify as old school to.

[@wesleycarusos8225]

@@GTSCarLife I've driven a 944 Turbo what a fantastic car. I would love to have one maybe I'll be adding that at some point.

[@snowyren5135]

Porsche had built an enviable reputation long before the 911, with the 356 and with many of the higher performance spyders.

[@GTSCarLife]

Yes, Porsche was well on it’s way but the 911 took the company to an entirely different level. The 356 is long gone but the 911 is coming up on 60 years and is indisputably one of the most iconic cars of all time and the model most closely aligned with the Porsche brand. Everyone knows what a 911 is. How many non auto enthusiasts know of the 356? Thank you for watching and I appreciate your feedback!

[@robinoconnor1203]

Whilst I agree the 996 is a great car, I own a 2003 Carrera 4s which has the wide body, along with suspension and brakes from the 996 Turbo, it is flawed. The shared components with the Boxster were used because Porsche was in severe financial trouble at the time. I believe a gen 2 997 is a better overall car, it has the earlier issues IMS, interior quality etc resolved. The 996 is great value, UK prices are rising around 7% annually, a very good 997 gen 2 can cost an additional 40% to purchase.

[@GTSCarLife]

How interesting that you specifically mention the 997.2 GTS. I replaced my 2003 996.2 after 96,610 amazing miles with a 2011 997.2 GTS which I believed then (and still do) is the ultimate road 911. I view my GTS as the ultimate and final chapter in the 996 development and yes, it is a very special and near perfect 911. Having said that, I have to say the 996 was more fun to drive. It is lighter, more nimble and the engine sounds better. The GTS however is far more capable and very neutral on track, something which I spend a good amount of time enjoying, mostly at the high speed Circuit of The Americas in Austin, TX. Either way, no other car excels at being both a tremendous, reliable and engaging daily driver and also very capable track machine the way a 996/997 911 does. Thank you for watching and for sharing your thoughts!

[@paulchurchouse4585]

Yes

[@GTSCarLife]

Certainly the purest and most true to the original of all the water cooled. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@maxalwaysgoesbyboat7715]

An underdriven Porsche is detrimental to the overall constitution and spirit of the car....In its defense 2000 didnt bring any interiors worth a damn from Rover to Corvette they couldnt produce an interior you wanted to be in...i wouldnt trade my 996 for anything ATM...thx for the greast video...cheers!

[@GTSCarLife]

Porsche more than other high end performance cars actually get driven by their owners, in part because they are so well built and reliable. It is indeed a shame and a waste to own a car like this and not drive it often! The interior definitely gets a lot right - driving position, general ergonomics and a sporty classic feeling. Higher quality materials and finishes would have silenced any criticism. Thank you for watching and for your comments. Enjoy your 996!

[@maxalwaysgoesbyboat7715]

@@GTSCarLife Great points...this is what happened to the 928s4...underdriven coupled with maintenance demands threw the car literally into a market of consumer who wasnt into the whole "maintaining" torque tubes and timing belts...so the 928s4 fell from grace IMHO from 95-2009 I picked up 2 of them back to back in 97 for around 15k...try to find a good 928gts today for a steal...aint gonna happen...and this microprocessor business is really gonna put used cars as truly one of a kind cos they are not ever gonna be made again..therefore each piece will become almost like a DNA signature, one of a kind and worth THE MOON...HAPPY HUNTING MATE!

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you friend. I wish I had the room to park a few extra Porsche’s- would definitely love to have a manual 928 GTS!

[@damage98]

Is that meridian metallic? Sure looks like it. My '01 is mm.

[@GTSCarLife]

It’s Seal Grey metallic which is a truly special dark grey with traces of blue, like a seal has. I’ve never seen another paint like it and it’s so much more than something like Meteor Grey. Thank you for watching and for your comments!

[@danholmes7039]

What size wheels are on this car

[@GTSCarLife]

Dan, this car is 100% stock, including the factory 18" wheels. Thank you for watching and for supporting this channel!

[@danholmes7039]

@@GTSCarLife I have the same car 02 Carrera it has 17" wheels were 18" an upgrade ? Thank you

[@GTSCarLife]

Yes. Then they went to 19” for the 997. These wheels are my favorite factory wheels on a 996

[@edwardapostolides5360]

The irony is although the 996.2 may remind you of a Le Man's racer, the headlights off the 996.1 were actually almost identical to a real Le Man's race car...the legendary GT1

[@GTSCarLife]

Yes, the GT1 originally had 993 style headlamps, but Porsche changed them during the production of that car to mimic the 996, in an effort to help the 996 image and sales. Either way, the original 996 lamps and the revised headlamps remind me of LeMans type race cars. Thank you for watching and for sharing your feedback!

[@edwardapostolides5360]

@@GTSCarLife your more than welcome, thank you for the video and for interacting! Much appreciated :)

[@trulsvatne4345]

My '01 996 c4 is far better in all respects than my previous 964 c4.

[@GTSCarLife]

True. Good luck convincing the air-cooled gang! Thank you for watching!

[@christophercolumbus8944]

why does the IMS bearing go on these cars? ? ?

[@GTSCarLife]

Frankly, poor design. Some of them last forever (maybe even most?) but some of them oil starve and disintegrate. Records suggest the failure happens more on Tiptronic equipped models with low miles than manuals with higher miles. Porsche designs its cars for ultra high performance, and they handle constant enthusiast use like no other brand. If an owner babies the car, allowing it to upshift early and sit for extended periods in a garage, the design can lead to inadequate oil coverage and when the IMS bearing fails, the engine grenades immediately. The IMS was eliminated with the 2009 and later models, which introduced the superior 9A1 engine. Thank you for watching and for your great question!

[@christophercolumbus8944]

@@GTSCarLife so don't baby the car? ? drive it daily? and shift too quickly ? ? all of this can prevent IMS bearing from going bad? what can you tell me about the clutch?

[@GTSCarLife]

Nobody can predict (or absolutely prevent) any particular M96 or M97 engines IMS bearing failing. But the data compiled during the lawsuit many years ago did find that cars which were barely driven or driven too “lazily “ had much higher failure rates. So yes, as any experienced Porsche tech will tell you, drive it like you stole it! The clutches are robust as long as you don’t do burnouts. Porsche clutches are not made for doing burnouts from standing starts.

[@denisrichtarik1389]

Great video! But it's Porsche. Not Porscha

[@GTSCarLife]

Exactly. Porsche. Thanks for watching!

[@nickg2027]

no rear wiper on that car!!

[@GTSCarLife]

You are correct. They are not common in the United States. This particular car was specced by a Porsche factory exec as his company car back in late 2002, so it was configured with cost as no object. I think he nailed it with a great color, full leather, aluminum trim throughout, the painted hard backs, side aero skirts and all the performance bits without the quickly outdated options like PCM and phone! Thanks for watching!

[@ol48spring]

Taking mine out for a wife date tonight👍 there is no other. 04 c4s

[@GTSCarLife]

Without a doubt. Have a great evening!

[@ssjlkrillin]

*Purist watching video*: 0:34 "The Porsche 996 is the perfect 911"; *immediately stops video to post abrasive, insulting comment*.

[@GTSCarLife]

Frankly the 996 is the most “pure” 911 of all the water cooled versions. It’s light, comparatively simple and sounds great! Subsequent models have all gotten heavier, plusher and less 911 like. Thank you for watching and for sharing your thoughts!

[@radekw708]

Stock the steering on it feels like you are driving a school bus .. until you push it at least

[@GTSCarLife]

As a consequence of the previous (air cooled) 911’s tendency to snap oversteer, the 996 platform was set up from the factory to push. I don’t find it noticeable in daily driving, but pushing hard on track, you will need to use either curbing or throttle to force the backend around a bit. Thank you for watching and for your comments!

[@radekw708]

@@GTSCarLife I hear pushing it hard at track also gets oil into AOS

[@GTSCarLife]

Hi lateral G’s can definitely cause issues with the oil. I upgraded to the SpecBoxster setup, which itself was not terribly expensive. Labor on the other hand was.

[@frankieieie]

the answer is NO, but its a great 911

[@GTSCarLife]

It is indeed. And the most true to the original of all the water cooled 911s. Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts.

[@SP-xd8gs]

no, I have both the 996 c4s MT and a 992 s MT the 992 is far superior in every way

[@GTSCarLife]

Clearly, it depends on an owners priorities, and what each individual uses as a bar. You If you judge by fit and finish, features and technology and outright performance capability, then the 992 may very well be he best choice for you. If I had to purchase a new car for myself, a 992 would be right among the top of the list. But a 992 in my opinion, and many others clearly feel the same way, is so far removed from what a 911 was for over 40 years, that it surely qualifies as an incredible machine, but it is no longer a 911 in the purest sense. The standard 996 was analog, lightweight and pure. It held true to the spirit of the air cooled 911s that built the legend, with just enough advancements to be sold in the early 2000's. Even your 4S strays from the original 911 concept, and trades additional ability at the expense of "feel". Thank you for watching, and for sharing your thoughts!

[@SportsCarAdvisors]

Great video! They are great cars! I've posted some videos about my 996 C4S on my channel. Hope you'll visit to see sometime. Keep you the great content.

[@GTSCarLife]

Thanks for watching and for your comments! Your car is beautiful!

[@thomashumber9762]

i THINK THEY SOUND terrible. \ The old air cooled cars sound sooo good!

[@porschemarvellousdream1994]

993 and 997 better than 996

[@GTSCarLife]

In which way? The 993 is better (hand) built and arguably more beautiful, but it is inferior to drive daily or on trips, it is inferior to drive on track and it is far less safe in an accident. let's not even discuss interior ergonomics or air conditioning! So I don't see how you could make a blanket statement that the 993 is "better." The 997 is in fact the continuation and refinement of the 996 - essentially Gen 3 and 4. I own and daily what I feel is the best ever water cooled street 911, a 2011 997.2 GTS. It is refined, very fast, handles just short of a Ferrari on track at COTA, has a much improved interior, but it is frankly the final version of the 996. And my 2003 996.2 which was featured in this video, was honestly more fun to drive around town than the newer, heavier and quieter versions including my GTS. The 996 is genuinely the closest water cooled 911 made to the original air cooled concept, and for the money, I challenge you or anyone to find a better 911! Thank you for watching, and for sharing your thoughts!

[@porschemarvellousdream1994]

@@GTSCarLife yesss, you're right, ths

[@user-rt3bg2lh5o]

996Best911．

[@GTSCarLife]

Thank you for watching!

[@alsoadriver]

996 is the only 911 i would NEVER buy..!

[@GTSCarLife]

So why did you watch this video? Honestly, the 996 is a great 911 to drive. It outperformed the previous generation (993) in every measurable way and is closer to the air cooled originals than any of the models that followed it. Yes, it did have a lower quality interior which was remedied by the 997 of 2005, but if you haven’t owned one you really should spend a weekend driving one. They are fantastic sports cars. Thanks for watching, subscribing and sharing your views.

[@alsoadriver]

@@GTSCarLife To answer your question...I was wondering how anyone could seriously consider the 996 being the best 911. Excluding the 996 Turbo and the GT / RS models. They are of very good quality and also have reliable engines. (Engine block from 993..!) The normal Carrera, on the other hand, is purely a budget car and the poor quality is not just limited to the interior. I currently drive, among other things, a 993, 3.8 liter with 300 hp and a 996 Carrera has never left me behind on the highway. I've never seen a normal 996 Carrera on the racetrack. Porsche officially advises against driving these cars on the race track. The reason for this is the (cheap) engine design without dry sump lubrication. The "open deck" design of the normal Carrera engines and the choice of materials for the cylinder coating are purely cost-oriented and the engines cannot be compared in any way with the real ones (Metzger engines). As a driver with a racing license, I regularly drive on the racetracks in Hockenheim and Dijon. Nobody in my area drives a 996 Carrera. The 996 Carrera is a car for posers and not for drivers.