STi to 996: A few Q's
 

Hey everyone, Ive been researching 996's for a short while contemplating the jump from an STi to a 996. I found a "nice sounding" local 1999 C2 for sale and took a test drive.

As this was my first time in and behind the wheel of a 996 I have a few questions:

Is the car supposed to feel so heavy? (I thought the STi is a few hundred lbs heavier)
Could it be because the 996 had 18inch rims and stickier/wider tires than the STi's 17inch rims?

Is the flat 6's rate of rpm acceleration that much slower than the flat 4? (or was it just my perception and the different scale of the guages)

I loved the car but need to do some more research...

Thanks in advance

D

Sounds like your in love with your STI! If that is what you love, its going to be hard for you to move to anything else.

Jason

I went from an STi with vishnu upgrades to a 2004 C4S. The STi was much faster, the porsche much more luxurious. Light and crazy fast versus solid and pretty darn fast. I always felt a little to old for the boy racer looks of the STi, but of the 2, i miss the STi more.

The 996 is way sexier and has been a dream car for me since they came out. Just really needed to confirm that the heavy feeling was normal. Otherwise the 996 was amazing, very tight and smooth (not a single rattle, even on horrible city streets), strong acceleration, great sightlines, a genuine pleasure.

Maybe it was the "standard heavy german feeling", Ive been in other German cars but never behind the wheel for more than moving in a parking lot or garage.

dude there is no comparison. the sti feels sloppy and basd on a commuter platform compared to any water cooled 911.

good luck, try to get an mk2 996.

i have a 06 wrx and just recently picked up an 02 996 c2. The 996 does feel heavier to me as well. But the turning on the rex seems a lot better, ofcourse since its awd. But to me, the ride is much better in the 996, a whole lot smoother, less worry about the cops, and more of a chick magnet haha

and the 996 is based on a car designed in the early 60's. an sti will run circles around a 996.

Drive an C4... Compared to the feel of driving a C2 it is a different animal.

+1, get a 2002 or newer if possible.

+1 for a 2002 and newer model. Im surprised you thought it was "heavy", a standard C2 has wonderful steering feel. Very light and direct. I wonder if the particular car you drove was out of alignment / tire pressures were off... I'd drive another one.

The sube is an awesome car... but the whole ownership experience of a 996 will be much different. At least it is for me, coming from a S2000.

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1st gear is a very tall gear, i believe you can reach a little past 60mph before you have to shift to second. that might explain the apparent sluggishness you're talking about. the rest of the gears are spaced pretty nicely.

i think your sti is probably faster than a 996c2 however

its simple guys... i agree.. the sti feels sprightly and it comes down to torque. that turbo charged engine goes like stink

but, again, it felt sloppy. the tactical inputs of the 911 puts it head and shoulders above any M/AMG/STI/TypeR etc is what i've come to learn in my ownership experience.

are we seriously comparing the STI to a 911? LOL is there even a question?

the 911 n/a engines do not feel much torquier than the S2000 honestly. i don't like engines that run outta breath as you climb towards redline which a lot of turbo charged engines feel like... (audi, 335i, VWs)... unless the turbo is absolutely modified for mad power (GTR, 911 TT, etc).

STi is a GREAT value, but again.. with that value you get the bads of it as well and you know what they are if you own a 911.

but honestly, going from teh top of the food chain in subaru land to the bottom in water cooled land... not sure if it's worth it. again, get an mk2 996 if you can swing it. going for bargain basement 911s is not a charter i recommend. i'd rather have the newer STI and save up until i could get into at least the lovely middle.

Thanks for all the great responses guys. Maybe it was that particular car or just the difference in how much power assist the STi has vs the 996. Im sure some of the heavy feel has to do with the differnt torque curves of the motors.

I have read much on the reliability between the 02+ models and earlier. I would prefer the later models strictly for those reasons but I also am in the minority that perfers the earlier style headlamps.

I will definaltey try to get a test drive in an 02+ model. Maybe if I save some more pennies and give myself some more time a GT3 model may be a feasablity.

Thanks again,

Dan

i'm a big fan of aerokitted 996 mk1s... but if you line one up headlamp to headlamp with an mk2... the mk1 headlights are absolutely dated - just look at it and you'll see what i mean.

the mk2 996 headlight has grown on me. in fact, it looks just as modern if not more modern than the 997s 993 headlights. splitting hairs here, the mk2 997 headlights with the dual bug eyes... not cool with that but i aint' complaining.

I drove an '02 WRX wagon for a few years before going to the 996. Loved the car. Not an STI, but still a great, fun car.

And absolutely no comparison to the 996.

I've had an Audi TT, the WRX, and the 996 (well, other cars also, but those are relevant). TT had amazing handling, no power. WRX had great fun, but never gave me confidence. It always did what I asked, but I never trusted that it would. The 996 is awesome, great power without being optimized to 0-60, excellent handling, great balance. It is also amazingly refined in all respects, truly a luxury car, with stunning performance.

I would love to have the STI, it's a great car. Except that stupid, ugly, poser wing.