Is The 'Hated' 996 Actually The Best Porsche 911?
Whether it’s for the ‘fried egg’ headlights, the (perhaps overstated) immediate shaft bearing failures, the fact its the first 911 Porsche had the audacity to give water cooling, or all of the above, the 996 has many detractors. To some, it’s the worst 911: the low point in a 54 year sports car dynasty.
But does it actually deserve that label? Doug DeMuro disagrees, and actually reckons - for reasons of value, sizing and useable performance - the 996 could actually considered to be the best 911 money can buy.
Agree/disagree? Watch the man’s arguments in the video above and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Au contraire, its actually my favourite 911 because of the difference in style.
If only the modernize it
The haters of the 996 would hate it if they were given one or owned one.
Wouldn’t*
I like it because it has a unique design compared to other 911’s and this makes it easy to distinguish. I do not care what the purists say, the 996 is probably the best value for money 911 money can buy…
Is The “Hated” 996 Actually The Best Porsche 911?
I’d say no, cos’ it’s part of my childhood.
LOL me too!!
All these posts about good value cars… but you couldn’t purchase any of them in Australia without paying double the price :(
Don’t complain cuz where I live, a used ferrari 458 is no less than a million US bucks. And don’t think that I am exaggerating, I do mean $1,000,000 .
I actually like the 996
its not my favorite looks wise but its pretty good (i mean its a porsche of course it has to be good)
but the 993 is still my favorite
I’ve personally driven multiple 996’s during my short time as an errand boy at the local Porsche dealership, and I can only agree with Mr. DeMuro here. There is very little you can actually fault the 996 for from an objective standpoint. Even the early fried-egg base model handles better, stops better and is much faster than any air-cooled car before it.
With the previous models the dreaded understeer was always present, even at slower speeds. The 996 however presents the first serious attempt from Porsche to actually make a well-balanced car. And they definitely succeeded. The engine is another treat. Sounds great and revs very happily, but is suitably quiet when you want it to be. Air-cooled 911’s always boom out noise, which is very nice but can get on your nerves somewhat.
Of all the 996’s I drove during that time, an early mouse-grey fried-egg Carrera 2 with a pea soup green interior was the one that inexplicably affected me the most. Something about that dreadful combination of colors and the somewhat unattractive exterior gave it character to me. It was endearing somehow. I can’t say any other 911 ever did that for me. It may not have given me the best driving experience ever (that honor belongs to a white ‘87 3.2 G50) but I still loved it to bits.
Hey did somebody say an ‘87 3.2 G50
The headlights are the only reason why I dislike the 996. They look absolutely hideous to me.
The 996 is good, except for one thing:
The headlights