2001 Porsche 911 996 Twin Turbo from UK and Ireland - Comments

No, the Fabia vRS won't beat the 911 Turbo in a 30-80 race, but it will beat a Porsche Boxter. Don't believe it if you don't want to, but all vRS owners know the truth.

First off, I find it very hard to believe that someone who sprang 95k for a car wouldn't invest 59.99 on a car cover to prevent damp leaves form causing problems. And to the guy in Russia, move. I live in the US which is the greatest country in the world, you can make more money begging on the streets here than you do there working a job in Russia.

I own a shelby cobra kit car with a chevy 351.

Porsche 911's may be a bit dull. They may not turn heads or look as if they're worth £100k. But that's the whole point in them. If you want to ponce around and show off, there's always the Ferrari option. If you like fast cars with excellent all round performance, but you don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry staring at you when you drive past, then a 911 is a far better bet. Yet it still looks stylish and smart, it's just not in your face saying "look at me". And to the gentleman who said it's like a work horse: I completely understand what you're saying. From sitting inside, you could be sitting in any car, say a Focus, but when you put the metal to the floor, you know you're definitley not in a Focus (Focus only used as at random before anyone says anything). It's the kind of supercar you have fun driving, but completely forget about once parked up on the works car park or at home. A Ferrari is a much more dedicated car, and I would assume would need much more looking after and taken care of more than the 911. It depends what you want from a supercar, but I think the 911 Turbo is a great all rounder.

I just bought a 996TT and will have to get back to you on my driving impressions after a couple of weeks. My friends that either race 911's, teach at track days or crew chief racing teams say that this car will reach out and kick you in the ass like no other "sportscar". The power in the city is docile, but if you forget about the other 300 horses while aggressively entering a highway the turbos spool up so quickly you better avoid using your cell phone or drinking your grande latte. This is the fastest production car porsche makes on a 0-60 time-line. Oh wait, maybe they excluded the GT, but then again, so should 99.999999% of the great unwashed. One final point, as exciting as these numbers are I'm still a ducati enthusiast and anyone having climbed aboard a new sport bike understands how S L O W any of these super (expensive) cars are.

A question for the Porsche connoisseurs and long time fans!

I'll be selling my C32 AMG and will possibly buy one 911 in the near future, they are just too good all-rounder sports car. In terms of what my best choice would be (?) :

1. It has to be a Porsche and it has to be a 911.

2. I only drive manual.

3. I have to have the 2 nauseating & extremely-small seats in the back - i.e. a 6 series has more space, but is way too bigger a sports car than I want. (I do not need more space). The compact size of the 911 suites me best.

4. Turn-offs: (and sincerely do not wish to start a debate) Although I think everything else about the car is mind blowing, since I would have it as a Daily! Driver, there is one thing that puts me off. THE ENGINE NOISE. I want a 6-speed manual (German) car and the 911 has everything except there is this Backroad-Burner sound to it. I have driven it and like everything else. I wouldn't get the 550xi (which comes in manual, is fast, and is quiet, because then Everything else is changed) and I am not looking for a sedan.

5. Again, Porsche is the best, there is only this thing that puts me off. I do not want to be heard and hear myself driving a back-road burner. If the 911 would display its great performance in a quiet way that'd be it. We have so many silly options about everything, but this .. you have to get it the loud way.

6. I do 500-km trips when we visit home once in a while. If the engine noise would not be there, this would be the perfect choice for me. Is there a way to tune it down in such a way that does not affect the performance? What would be my best bet. Again, the BM 550xi has everything in terms of quite engine, and responsiveness, but I want the small and compact 911 with that.

7. Sorry for the connaisseur who sees this as ignorance. But I have to compromise for something that will be a daily driver (not something to step away onto in fury) and, twice a month a long HW drive. It's not a matter of "getting used to" either. After a 500-km drive I always know I do not want a louder engine. But again, the Porsche just has everything else that I want as opposed to the bimmer 550 (360 bhp & 6-sp manual in the 550xi, which has the quiet and responsive engine, but I know I want a Porsche). If someone will help I'd be greatful.

With reference to the comments about the Ferrari vs Porsche debate, 3 years ago I made the mistake of buying a 1999 911 c2, I had the car 5 weeks and traded it in for a Ferrari 348 losing 6k in the process. In 3 days time I will be going to pick up my 2004 996 turbo trading the Ferrari in. I have loved this car, but I know what you mean about the 'in your face' presence of the Ferrari. eg. you can't have a quick nose pick if no one is looking, coz they always are! All things aside though, there must be something about the Porsche that draws you in as it is the only car in my budget that I would dream of trading the 348 for. Yes it is more understated, but for an all rounder, what even comes close with 4 seats? I do use the car most days of the week as well. After the test drive I was left with a huge smile, infact I'm sure my ears have been moved back slightly to make room! anything to look out for would be helpful.

Leaves being ingested via the front air intakes and the resulting rust damage to the rads is a well known problem with the 996TT

I have had 2. A 2003 x50 and now a 2007 turbo. I have also driven a 996 and 997 GT3.

The turbo is an outstanding all rounder. It handles well and has phenomenal torque. The x50 option on the 03 and the new one seem equally as fast, but the 07 is far more comfortable. The x50 pounds. Four wheel drive is excellent on both, but I think the 03 was more stable on the track. Reliability is not Toyota-like, but has been better than my BMWs.

These are not, however, the sports cars you might think.

The turbo is a super/GT in my view. The GT3 is the sports model, although I prefer the toys in the turbo, the softer ride, the 4 wheel drive, the monster torque at 3 to 6 thousand RPM, and the all weather capability of the car.

The only real competitor is the Audi A8, but I cannot get over how it looks and the lack of emergency seating for 4.

Own one of these before you get too old!

Oil consumption on 996 911 turbo X50 2004.

I get around 2,000 miles for about 1.5 litres of engine Oil is that what you guys get also, or is this a sign of trouble. Apart from that the power is awsome the handling go kart like in all weathers even with a bit of body flexing being a cab.

Having previously owned a 996 C2 the turbo is in a completely different league and clean blows away the GTI's and M3's who try to hang on to the rear bumpers.

I think my 2001 996 turbo is the best and fastest car for the money in the world, although it has a stage 3 performance upgrade from FVD and is still a daily driver, it is relatively trouble free. Although you must change the spark plugs every 10000 miles or so, at 650 plus horsepower it's well worth it. You could buy this type car in the US now at a steal while the dollar's down.