Hi All, I've been lurking on here for about 4 months now reading up on 996's. I currently own a '97 Supra turbo (412 WHP) and a '93 Acura NSX (coilovers + brakes). I love the power of the Supra but it's just not that light and nimble. I love the nimbleness of the NSX but it lacks in power. Past cars have been, '95 300ZXTT, '94 RX7 TT, 94 Mustang GT (all cars were mildly modded).

I've been looking to buy a '99 - '00 996 C2. Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to own something newer or eventually my dream car....a 996 or 997 TT but I'm limiting myself to around $35k price range.

I've test driven 3 different 996 C2's at local dealers so I didn't really get a chance to "push" the car. Anyone have any good links for reading up on the performance on 996 C2's? I know the newer ones got a boost in power but I don't know of any other refinements between the years. I searched and found some good resources and info but you can never have too much info when it comes to a big purchase.

My next question is on mods. What kind of power are people making on basic bolt ons with these cars short of a supercharger?

Thanks

 

1999 C2 = 296 hp
2000-01 C2 = 300 hp (exhaust upgrade +4hp) plus clear tail light lenses
2002-05 C2 = 320 hp plus interior/exterior refinements

This topic has been discussed many time, you may try to search it again.

 

I guess I didn't clarify...if anyone has had comparitive experiences with the cars I own or used to own. Pros and cons of the 996 versus cars I do have exerience with. I'm sorry, I should have clarified There seems to be alot of aftermarket options for the 996 C2...it's overwhelming in a good way.

 

I owned 94 RX7 and I now have a 02 996 Cab. I drove a NSX last weekend also.

NSX and RX7 drive similarly except for turbo boost feeling. I love them both dearly!

The difference between NSX and RX7 is very similar to difference between NSX and 996. Look better and more mature but similar in performance.

996 sits higher, more likely to slide around (requires more delicate cornering). Acceleration is a little faster and torque is higher. 996 brakes better and pulls stronger. 996 doesn't feel as intimate as NSX and RX7 but it is faster stock to stock. It is very costly to modify (like NSX). Basic mods like intake doesn't yield much more power. Your best investment would be on a set of PSS9 which will improve handling but reduce ride comfort. 996 is a more mature car for someone looking for a sports car without the boyish looks. 996 is very reliable compared to RX7.

Personally, I think you should upgrade to 996 when you get older (early to mid 30's). You'll get a more modern 996 with bigger engine for your money. Are you test driving at dealers? They often tell me to go faster!! Used car dealers (non Porsche) may be afraid you'll wreck it.

 

Since I've been through many high performance cars...domestic and japanese. I just figured it was time to switch to something more mature. I love the performance of the NSX's, Supras, RX7's but I'm getting sick and tired of kids wanting to streetrace me. I'm probably gonna end up selling either the Supra or the NSX to make room (financially) for the 996. That will be a tough decision I'll come to later. Leaning towards dumping the Supra while their resale values are still very high.

I also should have pointed out my intentions for the car. I used to drag race when I was in my late teens but since then, I discovered road racing and track days. It'll be a primary street car with a few track days thrown in a year. I keep my cars with the same basic setups....suspension work (coilovers, bracing) and basic bolt-ons as I go. I usually end up with a car with alot of basic bolt-ons short of one major one (superchargers etc..).

Yes, I test drove at dealers. I got on it once in a straight line and the saw the salesman clench on to everything in sight so I spared him the white knuckles and took it somewhat easy on the car.

 

I sold my 91 NSX and picked up a 99 C2 w/ Aero. I've driven both on the street and track, and they're both a blast. My NSX had Tein RE w/ 600/700# springs so it was a bit rough on the roads, but fun on the track. My 996 has HR coilovers and 19" rims, so it looks good on the streets but doesn't handle as well on the track (springs too soft, rims too big).

That being said, the 996 is more comfortable (to me) and has more of a luxury edge to it, only because I installed a full factory leather interior. It's also a tad more practical since there is room in the back and has a bigger trunk, but only marginally. Since I only do a track day maybe 5-6 times a year, I've left my 996 more street than track...maybe I'm getting old...the NSX seemed to get more looks (at least from the younger crowd) but the 996 just seems so much more refined...

Interesting thing is that I used to be on the M3 boards, then jumped on the NSX boards where I started seeing the M3 guys, now i'm on the P-car boards and i'm starting to see guys getting out of M3s and NSXs into these. Where to go from here?!?!

I still miss my NSX tho...

Jeff

 

Yeah, it's interesting to see how the different boards react and shift.

I'm torn because I DO see people on the NSX board jump from Porsches to NSX's as well. http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69040

There's no real pattern. I guess it's the "grass is greener" syndrome.

 

If you can get into a 3.6, (02 and newer) you will feel the straight line performance difference. The 3.4's are fast but not much faster than a stock 93 NSX.

 

The 3.4L is however lighter too. So they pretty much cancel out the extra 20hp advantage. Not saying 3.4L better than 3.6, but that advantage is kinda neutrelized. I couldn't make out much of a difference and researched to note this.

 

Ahhh, the 20hp difference is definately noticable. My old 993 (with a few tweaks ) used to walk on 3.4 996's. A buddy of mine with an 02 would walk on me the same way. Drive them both back to back so that you can see what I am talking about. I have done the back to back comparo before.

 

Your next step is an F car!

Between Supra and NSX, I'd sell Supra before selling NSX. NSX just has a classic look like F355. However, you know both will tank in resell value once the new supra and nsx comes out. A modded supra will probly hold value better though.

 

You guys are missing the diff between the 99 3.4 cars and the 2000-2001 3.4 cars... the 99's are 200 lbs lighter and have throttle cable which gives it a better feel..

a 3.4 99 vs a 3.6 02 yield the same acceleration results... there is a difference of more than 200 lbs that is equalized by the extra 20hp on the 2002 motor... now if your comparing a 2000-2001 3.4 car sure the 2002 is faster...

check out the stats on www.track-challenge.com you can compare the 99 to the 2002 996

www.track-challenge.com

 

I sold my '91, moderately modified NSX and jumped into at 2002 C4S. The cars are very different but both excellent vehicles. The Porsche is definitely more comfortable and refined, but the AWD makes it a bit more boring to me... I'm actually considering a 997S (2wd) as my next vehicle in the not so distant future as I miss spinning up the rear end every once in awhile. Regardless, you will not be disappointed with the P-car. If you ever get bored with it, you can always find a clean NSX out there to jump into! One other note, your NSX has taken the majority of its depreciation hit already. A never Porsche will definitely depreciate at a higher rate... I sold my NSX for close to what I paid for it 2.5 years later (minus some sizeable servicing dollars...) It's always nice to drive something new...until you see something newer...hehe ;P

 

I can definitely hear you about the 4wd being a little boring... half the fun is the yaw and twist you experience in a 2wd car!!!

 

You forgot
1999 - 2950lbs
200-2001 - almost 200lbs heavier
2002-2005 - 250lbs heavier

With race seats a 99 can be under 2900lbs!

Granted I'd rather a 3.6L w/ X51, but he 1999 is still a screamer.