Originally Posted by wings&wheels
Here is ours; '99 996 with ~54K Summer only miles. We've had it since 2001. 996 C2, full leather interior, sport steering wheel, premium sound (still not that great), LSD, non-smokers kit, GT3 console delete, OEM or stock except for cocoa mats. M1 15w-50 and Mann or Hengst filters since we've had her.
I've gone back and forth on the air cooled cars, driven more than I can remember, and will own one at some point, probably a 930. That said, the later water cooled cars are just better...cars. Do they have the cache' of the earlier ones? No, but speed, braking, handling, etc. improved as the years went on. The early air cooled cars, as desirable as they are, just aren't that quick either.
If I was looking right now, outside of the 930, and if price wasn't an issue, I'd be looking at the 993's. Beautiful, well built, last of the non water cooled cars and they have that great sound.
996's and 997's are still the best value of the 911's (wish some could have told us that back in '01) and are very good cars. I've driven a number of them including on the track and don't notice that much of a driving difference between the 996.1 and .2's, but the interiors got a much better look and feel, stereos also improved if that matters. The 996 and 997's are very easy to live with. Our 911 (and contemporary Boxster S, the cars share a lot of components) have been extremely dependable w/ the 996 needing only an ignition switch, alternator and air/oil separator as significant unexpected items since '01. The Boxster S has needed an ignition switch, plug tube o rings and, oddly, headlight washers. Both cars also needed radios over the years, I replaced them with new upgraded factory units.
The IMS issue is overblown and there is so much info out there, I wont beat that dead horse....however, being conservative, I did replace them on both of our cars. I also now have the two completely functional, tight and smooth original IMS bearings on my shelf. We also have peace of mind.
Some negatives to the 996/997's include unavailability of some interior trim pieces and parts prices that rival Cessna (applies to all Porsches). Access to the top of the engine is a challenge. Whatever plastic Porsche used for the exterior trim on the early ones fades (the faded pieces in the pic are now replaced), and the cars drain their batteries quickly when not used.
You are smart to be doing this research. Keep doing it, talk to actual owners or folks with direct experience. Drive as many as you can. Buy the absolute best car you can afford including $1K-2K or so for anything that needs to be done, or that you want to do. Good luck and enjoy.
Good post, Wings&Wheels! And that's a beautiful 996!
You make a good point about the water-cooled cars just being better, on paper, as far as power, livability, performance. And I've gone back and forth about that.