So I love my 2000 S2000, espelir springs and J's racing exhaust so far... but I have recently been looking at early 996 Porsche's and have been amazed at how cheap you can find them for.

Anyone here had the chance to take both out on track?

Thoughts on driving enjoyment factor, luggage space, etc?

I keep going back and forth on what to do!

 

*subscribing*

i been starting to appreciate porsches a lot more recently too

 

Balla status:

Yes. Ballin' out of control. My friend has a lowered yellow 2006. He absolutely loves his car in a way that I havent felt about ANY car yet. The man rarely takes his car when we go out and when we do he is always concerned about it, which is a good thing.

Performance:

Im a porsche fanboy and will bet any amount of money (with the same kind of driver) that an S2000 will spend all its time behind a 996 on the track.

Cost:

Not really a fair question because the 996 is worth at least $12000-$15000 more than your current 2000. I can tell you this though, looking at that engine compartment it isnt the kind of car you can take to any mechanic.


Space:

Nope not much of that here.



Sorry about the crappy pictures I jacked from Autotrader.


Modified by La Bestia at 9:51 PM 6/16/2007

 

Porsches are my favorite cars, they are more expensive but are just that much more fun. The older ones are way more fun, but they can and will be money pits. I worked in a porsche mechanic/tuner shop last summer and it was fun... we had a 2300lb gutted 930 with 485whp hehehe that was pretty fun.. but idk im not a big fan of the 996.. its less "rough" and less racey.... its a little easier to drive on the street-ive never taken a 996 to the limit.. but I heard it understeers unless theres a lot of throttle input.. certainly not like the older Porsches i know and love..
but for that price range.. ****! thats pretty good.. keep in mind higher maintenance costs, complicated computer controlling everything.. just think it through. Porsche makes cars that are good for the street and track(Hondas arent quite as comfortable when setup to be Porsche-fast lol)... but the 996 seems to be a little more subdued than I'd like.
good luck and let me know what you decide on!

mike.
(future s2k owner-this summer )

 

hmmm... rear engine goodness...

just dont drive it like your avatar


personally, i would still keep looking for a nsx.... Parker said you have checked out a couple.....

i am sure Porsches are faily reliable, but you have worked on plenty of Hondas, and the nsx should feel more familiar when it comes to maintenance and repairs or upgrades....

just my .02

 

993 > 996 FTW

 

My dad picked up a plain jane '01 996 late last summer with 29,xxx miles for low 30's. His came with the sport exhaust so the sound is sex, the tq is nice, and it's really roomy inside surprisingly.

However the ride is rough, the stock seats suck, and the shifter has long throws. While no doubt my s2k is slower, it's more fun to drive. It seems like a more old mans car then anything else.

 

1996 Twin Turbo air cooled for the win

 

many many luxurious cars have VERY long throws, especially porsches and BMW's IMO compared to a honda. The clutches are alot less grabby and springy as the s2000's but easier to live with. If you can afford it, do it
Its called a P-car because its a p magnet

 

you can afford the car but can you afford the maintenance?

 

Maintenance really isn't too bad if you plan on doing the simple things yourself. The filter is under 20 bucks from the dealer and we change ours every year or 12k miles. Oil change on the 996 is easier then a Civic. A clutch job looks easier then the s2000 as well. Seems like the whole trans drop rather quickly though I'm speculating.

 

regardless if maintenance is easy make sure you are ready to pay the porsche tax on any part you buy for it.

If you want a better 'look' for yourself then the porsche will help you out. If you are looking to mop the floor with performance....well lets just say there are a few better alternatives.

 

This is a decision you should make for yourself...I can make a post about whether or not I should get a Ferrari F430 but..... ultimately its up to me. Look into the maintenance cost, service fees, insurance etc.

 

If you can afford it and are buying it cash it would be one of the best decision you'll ever make. Way better performance, styling and resale value than your S2k. I would stay away from high mileage 99-00 996's (Non Xenon Litronic headlights, Boring Aero, Recalled Motors=

 

Ive driven a few 996/997 and LOVE THEM. Its a totaly different style car. I say go for it, you wont be disapointed. The air cooled Porsches are feakn awesome as well, you can get a turbo one pretty cheap now

 

996 GT3 FTW.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaB18 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This is a decision you should make for yourself...I can make a post about whether or not I should get a Ferrari F430 but..... ultimately its up to me. Look into the maintenance cost, service fees, insurance etc.</TD></TR></TABLE>

well yea, that's kinda the plan... i was asking for what's called... input

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by M3BimmerBilly &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">996 GT3 FTW. </TD></TR></TABLE>

i'm not that baller!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hunter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i'm not that baller!</TD></TR></TABLE>

I know the 911 is the pinnacle porsche, but the new lineup has such amamzing craftsmanship and build quality compared to the last generation.

If you have to have a p-car...but cant srping 70k for a used 997....Id go get a used cayman over a 996. Or at least wait it out. The interior finishing is superior on the new ones..its the reason why my father waited to get a 997 vs 996. Cayman is a fanstastic car.

 

Have you thought about the Boxster S? A friend was contemplating the same thing and is still convinced on picking the B-S OVER an S2K. I love both cars.

 

i think some maintenance that is done involves dropping the whole sub-frame with engine?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM knowledge &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i think some maintenance that is done involves dropping the whole sub-frame with engine?</TD></TR></TABLE>

every car has it's maintenance pita's... doing the clutch on an s2000 is a big pita imo. at least compared to a fwd car like a civic. wrx's for instance... pita when doing the headgasket or anything in that area.

 

I actually really like the cayman ... but the maintenance scares me. I was thinking maybe down the line get an NSX ... but I think i might go cayman instead perhaps

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by M.A.R.C. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

every car has it's maintenance pita's... doing the clutch on an s2000 is a big pita imo. at least compared to a fwd car like a civic. wrx's for instance... pita when doing the headgasket or anything in that area.</TD></TR></TABLE>im not saying its a negative thing im just looking for confirmation lol. come on Marc i know that GT3 is in the driveway go out and tell me homie!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by A08_MThrizzle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I actually really like the cayman ... but the maintenance scares me. I was thinking maybe down the line get an NSX ... but I think i might go cayman instead perhaps</TD></TR></TABLE>

Doing an oil change every 15,000 miles is scary? I guess......

 

tight car...just hope it doesnt brake

s2k &gt; german repair bills

have u looked into the E46 m3? also i good buy right now...u still run into somewhat $$$ repairs and upgrades