I won't be buying new, so I'm looking for a 2001-2003 996 turbo. Is 2001 "ok" or should I avoid that model year? Anywhere I can read about the differences, if any, between these years?

 

So far from what I have heard 01's are just fine.

 

I would get an 02 there are a couple things they added like a glovebox, rain sensing wipers, etc...

 

I have a late model 01 and it has the hollow spoke wheels and the rain sensing wipers. The only differences are the glovebox, and I guess they changed the crappy stereo to one that's not much better.

 

I have an 01 with 24k miles no problems so far and have a 100k warranty. Left me with a lot more spare change for mods. Your 02-03 will depreciate at a similar rate, but things look like they are in a hold pattern due to the paucity of new o4 models. anyone else in on the resale market have comments on this? Good Luck. This is my first porsche and I drive it every day and I LOVE it!!

 

I think 01's are just fine, although I would get an '02 because, as sharky said, they added a few nice things.

 

Early 2001 models had front bumperettes and solid spoke wheels, the 2001 model is fine in fact was just favored in the Panorama magazine.

 

JASCLASS -

I thought the April "Excellence" Magazine had an article where, when the 996TT was chosen, the 01 model was favored. Does "Panorama" have another article favoring the 01? - I got to get both of these! Why did they favor the 01 in Panorama?

Bond

01TT

 

I was just going to ask the same question - what in general do these articles favor about the 2001? Thanks!

 

01 here too and 15K no problems. Has rain sensing wipers, hollow wheels and no bumperettes.

Andreas

 

Anyone have a pic that clearly shows a 2001 with the bumperettes and and another car without them? I thought I knew what people meant by bumperettes but now I'm not so sure...

 

I'm also very interested to hear what these articles say about the 2001 vs 2002 Turbos, as I've currently looking to purchase.

Sincerely,
Paul Rubin

 

Porsche stopped installing the wart-like bumperettes after four months, so the later-production ´01 cars don´t have them. They also have the hollow spoke wheels in place of the solids and appasrently also have rain sensors as some owners pointed out. It´s also supposed to be lighter since the glovebox in the ´02 and newer cars requires a heavier frame. Stephen claims it isn´t so, but the opinions differ.

 

I had a very early '01 and before my accident, it provided me with 2 years of great driving and no major problems... If the price is right, I don't see anything wrong with an '01.

 

In the Excellence article of Ten Best Driver's Porsches, they DID NOT FAVOR a 2001 over later model years. The editor's note at the end reads: Model years, when listed, usually denote the first model year of availability. ... What they are saying is that the 996 Turbo was first available in the 2001 year, not that it is better than an '02 or '03. I don't know for sure but would think the Panorama thing was a similar misinterpretation. I really don't think there are any intended performance differences, but there will be car to car variations. If you check Motor Trend's performance specs at the back of the magazine, you will notice an X-50 "outperformed" a GT-2.