Having had my 996 for 17 years, I can tell you that I love my car just as much today as I loved it 17 years ago.... And it doesn't rattle. But yes it easily costs me £1000 a year, probably closer to twice that now... But it has appreciated since I bought it and even if it hadn't, I would still do it. I still think my ownership has been cheaper than buying a 3 series (330, 335) BMW new at the same time provided I sold my car
I bought my 996.1 C2 new and almost 23 years ago. I still absolutely love it. Having recently retired, I’m now intent on doing all its service work myself and have made a good stab at that this year. My sons fit very comfortably in the back when I got it and they have since been driving it occasionally for years now. I have no intention of selling it and I still just love looking at it.
Great info! So glad you are enjoying it.. special cars. I also like how you have left it alone. Keeping it classic 👍👍👍 I am enjoying 05 997. I love it to death but sometimes I think about selling it for a cayman 🤔
I often think of selling my 996.1 C4 with the aero kit and sport design wheels (same as on your car) and then I look at it and can't stop smiling at how pretty it is.
I believe that the secret is to buy a well sorted car to begin with. I bought my manual C2 from FGP 4 years ago. The car has cost me two minor services (major due next year) and two rear tyres, total cost less than £1000. A car which is a little more expensive at the start of ownership is a huge saving in the long term. If you spend under £15k to buy a car you'll probably spend easily £5k to get it up to standard, and that's not upgrading and add ons. Buy well, save money.
Seconded. I bought my 996 from FGP this summer and it gives me pleasure without concerns so far. They did a good job of preparing it. Everything works, it looks stunning and drives like new. I like the well made analogue feel everywhere. I did upgrade to a PCCM+ because it’s terrific to Bluetooth my tunes to the high end stereo. It wasn’t cheap, however!
I've owned my C4S from new and after having the engine replaced under warranty in 2005, it hasnt given me any problems. It is a joy to drive and is probably the best built article that i have ever owned. Not a squeak or creak. The cd changer works perfectly and the original paint still shines. I own newer model Porsches (Cayman & Boxster) but this is still my favourite.
Great rreview, thanks Chris. I had a 996 Carrera 4 a few years back. A great car to drive and even more reassuring for all-year use with 4WD. The thing that make me sell it on was the lack of secure luggage space for computer and photographic equipment. With 4WD and an optional larger fuel tank, the front boot was really tiny.
I've had my year 2000 C4 for 20 years and I still love it, although I don't use it as much as I should. My daily drive is a Mercedes E Class, which is a great car in many ways and very calming to drive. But the Merc has a scary lack of traction in the wet, which is a huge contrast with the sure-footedness of the Porsche, which is amazingly reassuring, so long as you don't go absolutely nuts
Just about everything you paid others to maintain your 996 I did myself for MUCH less. OK, I am decent with a wrench but doing it yourself can bring the cost of ownership way down. Have good tools, a place to work, and arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can,. There are many DIY books out there on the 996 and many tips and help on the web also.
The comparison with a lease car is exactly how I look at it. I have my 996 for four years now, with similar costs. And if I see some commercial about leasing a car for like 400 euro's, I can only think: Wow, that's a lot of money for a in most cases a very dull car. A 996 feels like a good buy then, and of course the driving always keeps being very enjoyable. A sweet spot of bang for bucks.
It’s beautiful. I too have a 2004 996, a 40th anniversary edition. These were all in Porsche GT silver, which is deeply luxurious and a bit darker than this one. The 345bhp is more than enough to occasionally be scary & a licence loser. It handles really well and turns heads. Its so well cared for that the fairest characterisation is a 20 year old car that looks & drives as if it was new.
Nice video! The 996 was my dream car at the time I bought it in 2002 and was indeed my dream car for the first year of my ownership....until I had the dreaded intermediate driveshaft failure out of warranty. I read a buyers guide in one of the Porsche magazines a few years back and the author claimed that 996 intermediate driveshaft failures were a rarity and in the "low single figures" in the UK. The dealership I took it back to had had several of them alone, so I think the author was walking utter b*llocks. The engine rebuild cost me £6500 back in 2003 and I sold it straightaway after taking a £20k hit, which was an expensive life lesson lol. I miss it terribly but it has put me off owning an expensive sports car without a cast-iron warranty. I owned the latest model M3 a few years after and having the official BMW warranty took away 99% of the stress of owning an expensive car, but as awesome as it was, it wasn't a 911. They are brilliant cars and I would definitely buy another one (I still hanker after a 996 C4S) but with a sorted engine or enough cash aside to fix it if it goes again.
I do t think the maintenance bills are too bad….I added up what I’d spent on my wife’s E91 330i in just over a year and it was eye watering. Admittedly that included cosmetic bits like wheel refurb and bumpers being painted. Even doing work myself, it’s hammered my wallet.
I’ve owned both a 996 Carrera and a 996 GT3. The Carrera is way more usable as a daily driver. The GT3 is a beast but I sold it primarily because it was a horrible daily driver.
The other day I was down on myself for buying a mere 345bhp 996. Then I had another long drive yesterday as it was so sunny. It’s got more than enough punch. More wouldn’t be more, for me.
I appreciate the love of 911's, few cars evoke that emotion that only a proper drivers car can. However the bills scare me a little. When something big fails, that will be $10/20k+, nearing the value of the car. So I get it that a drivers car is the order of the day, though for my money I would have gone Audi TTRS / VW Golf R, manual, and called it a day. These are a bit easier to live with than a 911. To each his own all the same. 911's are a special car.
That is the sort of money you'll be in for if you buy a cheaper end, 996. My C4S is up for sale, regrettably, and people say it is 2 or 3 grand too much. No, it isn't. It has had everything done, including a Hartech engine rebuild and, apart from routine oils, filter etc, it has cost me next to nothing in two and a half years! Buy a car that is properly properly sorted or for sure you will spend later.
It cost me roughly the same amount of £4000 for running my 987.2 Cayman, Porsche ownership is expensive but the experience is worth every penny for any car enthusiast.
The brakes are designed that way buddy...they are not as assisted in order to give the driver more control over the braking and a to give more of a racy feel,,,the 997 was made with more assistance so less pressure was needed by the driver....the brakes are excellent but the driver has to do most of the work on the 996 and the 986 boxters
Exactly….had mine for 3+ years and do my own work and source my own parts…not that bad when compared to other similar cars and it doesn’t tank in value every year..
@@glenns2801 exactly. My 996 is probably worth more than what I payed for it 3 years ago. Men who can fix their own cars are rewarded. Boys who pay for oil changes are punished.
They are absolutely NOT money pits, just do your research and find an honest local mechanic. Never take any vehicle to the dealership for service unless it's something only they can do, i.e. key setting. If you don't mind spending the big bucks, sure take to dealership, but it's by no means necessary
Having had my 996 for 17 years, I can tell you that I love my car just as much today as I loved it 17 years ago.... And it doesn't rattle. But yes it easily costs me £1000 a year, probably closer to twice that now... But it has appreciated since I bought it and even if it hadn't, I would still do it. I still think my ownership has been cheaper than buying a 3 series (330, 335) BMW new at the same time provided I sold my car
I bought my 996.1 C2 new and almost 23 years ago. I still absolutely love it. Having recently retired, I’m now intent on doing all its service work myself and have made a good stab at that this year. My sons fit very comfortably in the back when I got it and they have since been driving it occasionally for years now. I have no intention of selling it and I still just love looking at it.
Great info! So glad you are enjoying it.. special cars. I also like how you have left it alone. Keeping it classic 👍👍👍 I am enjoying 05 997. I love it to death but sometimes I think about selling it for a cayman 🤔
Hey Chris really nice clip
I can't remember last time I seen a test drive in the rain
And an owner enjoying their own car!
Cheers from Dublin
I often think of selling my 996.1 C4 with the aero kit and sport design wheels (same as on your car) and then I look at it and can't stop smiling at how pretty it is.
Let me know if you want to sell it! I’m in the hunt for an aero kit 996
I believe that the secret is to buy a well sorted car to begin with. I bought my manual C2 from FGP 4 years ago. The car has cost me two minor services (major due next year) and two rear tyres, total cost less than £1000. A car which is a little more expensive at the start of ownership is a huge saving in the long term. If you spend under £15k to buy a car you'll probably spend easily £5k to get it up to standard, and that's not upgrading and add ons. Buy well, save money.
Seconded. I bought my 996 from FGP this summer and it gives me pleasure without concerns so far. They did a good job of preparing it. Everything works, it looks stunning and drives like new. I like the well made analogue feel everywhere.
I did upgrade to a PCCM+ because it’s terrific to Bluetooth my tunes to the high end stereo.
It wasn’t cheap, however!
I've owned my C4S from new and after having the engine replaced under warranty in 2005, it hasnt given me any problems. It is a joy to drive and is probably the best built article that i have ever owned. Not a squeak or creak. The cd changer works perfectly and the original paint still shines. I own newer model Porsches (Cayman & Boxster) but this is still my favourite.
Great rreview, thanks Chris. I had a 996 Carrera 4 a few years back. A great car to drive and even more reassuring for all-year use with 4WD. The thing that make me sell it on was the lack of secure luggage space for computer and photographic equipment. With 4WD and an optional larger fuel tank, the front boot was really tiny.
I've had my year 2000 C4 for 20 years and I still love it, although I don't use it as much as I should. My daily drive is a Mercedes E Class, which is a great car in many ways and very calming to drive. But the Merc has a scary lack of traction in the wet, which is a huge contrast with the sure-footedness of the Porsche, which is amazingly reassuring, so long as you don't go absolutely nuts
I'm on my second 996 a turbo this time amazing machine ❤😊
Really good review love it 👏🏽👍🏽🤜🏽 have you still got it?
Absolutely love the man maths
Just about everything you paid others to maintain your 996 I did myself for MUCH less. OK, I am decent with a wrench but doing it yourself can bring the
cost of ownership way down.
Have good tools, a place to work, and arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can,. There are many DIY books out there on the 996 and many tips and
help on the web also.
The comparison with a lease car is exactly how I look at it. I have my 996 for four years now, with similar costs. And if I see some commercial about leasing a car for like 400 euro's, I can only think: Wow, that's a lot of money for a in most cases a very dull car. A 996 feels like a good buy then, and of course the driving always keeps being very enjoyable. A sweet spot of bang for bucks.
It’s beautiful. I too have a 2004 996, a 40th anniversary edition.
These were all in Porsche GT silver, which is deeply luxurious and a bit darker than this one.
The 345bhp is more than enough to occasionally be scary & a licence loser. It handles really well and turns heads. Its so well cared for that the fairest characterisation is a 20 year old car that looks & drives as if it was new.
Nice video! The 996 was my dream car at the time I bought it in 2002 and was indeed my dream car for the first year of my ownership....until I had the dreaded intermediate driveshaft failure out of warranty. I read a buyers guide in one of the Porsche magazines a few years back and the author claimed that 996 intermediate driveshaft failures were a rarity and in the "low single figures" in the UK. The dealership I took it back to had had several of them alone, so I think the author was walking utter b*llocks. The engine rebuild cost me £6500 back in 2003 and I sold it straightaway after taking a £20k hit, which was an expensive life lesson lol. I miss it terribly but it has put me off owning an expensive sports car without a cast-iron warranty. I owned the latest model M3 a few years after and having the official BMW warranty took away 99% of the stress of owning an expensive car, but as awesome as it was, it wasn't a 911. They are brilliant cars and I would definitely buy another one (I still hanker after a 996 C4S) but with a sorted engine or enough cash aside to fix it if it goes again.
I do t think the maintenance bills are too bad….I added up what I’d spent on my wife’s E91 330i in just over a year and it was eye watering. Admittedly that included cosmetic bits like wheel refurb and bumpers being painted. Even doing work myself, it’s hammered my wallet.
Someone offers me 996 year 1999. He mentions automatic.Is it make sense year 1999 with automatic?
Thanks for sharing your 996 experience 😀.
I’ve owned both a 996 Carrera and a 996 GT3. The Carrera is way more usable as a daily driver. The GT3 is a beast but I sold it primarily because it was a horrible daily driver.
The other day I was down on myself for buying a mere 345bhp 996. Then I had another long drive yesterday as it was so sunny. It’s got more than enough punch. More wouldn’t be more, for me.
I appreciate the love of 911's, few cars evoke that emotion that only a proper drivers car can. However the bills scare me a little. When something big fails, that will be $10/20k+, nearing the value of the car. So I get it that a drivers car is the order of the day, though for my money I would have gone Audi TTRS / VW Golf R, manual, and called it a day. These are a bit easier to live with than a 911. To each his own all the same. 911's are a special car.
Those other cars are nowhere near the same class as the 996. Apples and Oranges.
-1 point for starting the video with NOT driving it -1 point for playing music when driving it, you had 2 points to start with
The refurbished wheels really make the car pop. Yes, it’s worth the upgrades you made.
That is the sort of money you'll be in for if you buy a cheaper end, 996. My C4S is up for sale, regrettably, and people say it is 2 or 3 grand too much.
No, it isn't. It has had everything done, including a Hartech engine rebuild and, apart from routine oils, filter etc, it has cost me next to nothing in two and a half years! Buy a car that is properly properly sorted or for sure you will spend later.
Are you able to post a link to your ad or give a clue as to where it’s advertised perhaps if that’s not allowed? Thank you
It cost me roughly the same amount of £4000 for running my 987.2 Cayman, Porsche ownership is expensive but the experience is worth every penny for any car enthusiast.
If you love the car, it’s more than worth it.
How tall are you? It looks really cramped whilst you were driving
Did you install 997 GT3 short-shift kit ?
The brakes are designed that way buddy...they are not as assisted in order to give the driver more control over the braking and a to give more of a racy feel,,,the 997 was made with more assistance so less pressure was needed by the driver....the brakes are excellent but the driver has to do most of the work on the 996 and the 986 boxters
I don't care what the "purists" say, that cars lines are absolutely beautiful... and classic
Good £7,000 in running costs.
Stop making these so appealing as I haven't got one yet 😅
Great insight 😊
I'm in about 75k
Good on you - she's a keeper
Headlights are a ten minute job that costs £10.00
Still ugly 25 years later
Porsche are money pits .. if you get lucky it will just be very expensive other than ruinous..
If you can wrench on your own cars they are quite reasonable.
Exactly….had mine for 3+ years and do my own work and source my own parts…not that bad when compared to other similar cars and it doesn’t tank in value every year..
@@glenns2801 exactly. My 996 is probably worth more than what I payed for it 3 years ago. Men who can fix their own cars are rewarded. Boys who pay for oil changes are punished.
They are absolutely NOT money pits, just do your research and find an honest local mechanic. Never take any vehicle to the dealership for service unless it's something only they can do, i.e. key setting. If you don't mind spending the big bucks, sure take to dealership, but it's by no means necessary