The Porsche 996 isn’t as popular as other 911s, making it a valued proposition in the increasingly expensive classic Porsche market.
For decades, classic Porsche 911s were affordable cars, somewhat in the reach of middle-class enthusiasts. However, in the last ten years, prices have skyrocketed, and the once obtainable cars became extremely expensive. It is insane that early ’70s models, which realistically have today’s economy cars’ performance, have the price tag of a house. But the price spike is not limited only to classic models; even the cars from the ’80s and ’90s, which are still plentiful, cost enormous sums of money. For example, the 993 generation (1993-1997) is almost the price of a brand-new 911 and not even close to power, performance, safety, or features. Simply, the market has gone mad, and common sense has left the 911 scene.
It is what it is, and there is no use in ranting about it. However, if you are desperate for a piece of 911 and flat-six magic and you cannot afford six-digits cars, there is only one solution – Porsche 996. This generation was sold from 1997 to 2005 and is generally considered the first modern 911, but it was also controversial. Crucially, this is a car you can probably afford — nice samples go for around $25,000. The Porsche 996 could be the sports car you have always dreamed of.
The Controversies
The Porsche 911 was always a very conservative model. For decades, it featured distinctive design, air-cooled flat-six engine, and semi hand-built production process. In 1997, Porsche introduced a model with headlights that weren’t round, built on a standard assembly line, and with a water-cooled engine. The chassis was new, as well as suspension. Some even say that the 996 looks like its smaller and cheaper brother, the Boxster.
As you might expect, Porsche purists were shocked and angry. They thought that the company ruined the finely-crafted concept of a rear-engine sports coupe to make it cheaper to produce. However, that was far from the truth.
The innovative production process and technical enhancements of the “996” generation were simply necessary to retain the market position. The old air-cooled engines have reached the end of the road and weren’t powerful enough or emission-compliant to keep with the competition. Also, while hand-built production sounds cool, it was much slower and less precise than robotic manufacturing. The 996 did precisely what Porsche needed – it launched the brand into the 21st century.
However, this doesn’t mean that 996 was all that modern and detached from the predecessors. It was and still is a modern car, but it has retained the classic 911 driving dynamics, the flat-six sound, and signature silhouette. It was very fast, by the period’s standards, and the new chassis improved its notorious handling characteristics.
Porsche 996 Specs
The 996 was on the market for eight years, and during that period, Porsche managed to sell over 175,000 units. Such a high number keeps the prices down, meaning there is a variety of cars in various conditions to choose from. The lineup started with base Carrera 2 featuring a 3.4-liter flat-six and 300 hp (320 hp from 2001). The Carrera Turbo featured a twin-turbocharged flat-six engine providing 420 and 450 hp. It also came with an all-wheel-drive as standard.
However, the creme de la crème models of the 996 range were the GT2 and GT3 models, which were road-legal race cars with similar performance but very different personalities. The GT3 was a race-ready beast with 381 hp from a naturally-aspirated engine. Meanwhile, the GT2 was a turbocharged monster with 481 hp and 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds, still respectable today. Regardless of the version you get, the vivid performance and thrilling driving dynamics are guaranteed. Even the base 300 hp Carrera 2 will put a smile on you, and that’s the most important thing.
The IMS Issue
The scariest thing about owning a 996-generation 911 is the potential IMS problem. The IMS stands for “intermediate shaft bearing,” a small shaft that connects the crankshaft with the camshaft. During the construction process, Porsche forgot to provide this relatively simple part with proper lubrication. Eventually, it caused the bearing to dry out and brake, causing fatal engine failure.
For decades now, Porsche owners are very sensitive about the topic, and IMS has claimed the lives of many flat-six engines by now.
The first thing you should check when looking for a used 996 is that the IMS has been upgraded to a replacement unit, which is superior and will not fail. Also, check if the car had the engine rebuilt or if the IMS failed before. If you find a low-mileage vehicle that hasn’t had any work done, change the IMS before you drive it since it can fail at any moment, without warning and regardless of the mileage. Fortunately, the IMS is not an expensive or time-consuming thing to sort, so there is no excuse not to do it immediately.
Porsche 996 Features
Since this is a modern car, prospective owners could expect the current levels of creature comforts and features. All 996s have air conditioning, leather seats, power windows and locks, ABS and traction control, etc. When you buy the 996, you don’t need to compromise or suffer from low quality, rattling, and noises you often do in a classic car. It feels stable, composed, and well-build like all proper Porsches should.
Last Words
The biggest question regarding the Porsche 996 is – should you buy it? Of course, and without a shadow of a doubt. Even though it isn’t perfect, the problems can be quickly sorted, and the choice is enormous. Moreover, the prices are low and probably won’t go any lower, so think of it as an excellent future investment.
And before you go browsing, one small piece of advice – look for the six-speed manual cars since they are more fun to drive and will be more valuable down the road.
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