1998 Porsche 911 996 Carrera 2 Convertible from Germany - Comments

Nothing - still early days.

This car exceeded my expectations in just about every way. Previously I had an M3 E36 and I thought I would have to compromise cabin ergonomics and comfort, especially having been in 911's, 964's and a 993 before, which frankly have solid, but slightly agricultural feels to them. I was wrong. The build quality and detailing is excellent, the controls thoughtful and ergonomic. The M3 looks dated and inferior quality both inside and out in comparison. It's easy to drive with no nasty quirks, and the limiting factor is you, not the car.

And the performance. On paper similar to the M3 but in reality massively better in terms of handling, driving sensation and not being geared to 155 mph, almost unending acceleration. It's the difference between feeling like you're in a performance car, and a super-car - maybe a bad analogy, but it's just in a different league.

Based in Germany I have the luxury of being able to drive fast. Without trying you can reach 170mph (c.270kmh). No dramatics, no "land speed record" scariness (you have to do it with your new car), it really is that effortless. The handling was still rock solid.

On B roads this car is incredible fun.

Maybe muted compared to previous Porsches, but relative to BMW's and other makes, the engine sounds great. I'm still at the stage where I turn the stereo off and put the window down every once in a while to get the whole effect.

Again, with CD and D-S-P the stereo is excellent quality and easily comparable to (say) BMW's E40 H-K sound upgrade.

The hard-top is not quite as quiet as a coupe, but it's certainly still a pleasure to drive at speed on the autobahn, still hear the stereo or have a conversation. For the most part it feels like a coupe, although there are probably a few more creaks.

It's definitely not a raucous racer, it doesn't have the rawness of a Ferrari 355 or T.V.R., and it won't give you the go-kart feel of a Elise. But I drive this to work every day, service it once every 12 months, and look forward to driving it at the weekends.

Comprehensive review. Your English is pretty good for a German bloke as well!

Have you had any problems with the soft top?

This has to be the sexiest car for the money.

Bought a 1999 911 C2 cab, tiptronic (my wife can't use stick and to be honest I am to lazy after living in the States for 8 years to do so myself).

Even after 55K miles the car looks, feels and drives like new! I had almost forgotten how a real sports car drives. My last Porsche was a 928S (I know manny say not a real Porsche, but I had the luxury like the above writer to drive it on the autobahn in Germany at speeds of 270km or 170Mls per hour for long stretches to Hamburg (from Amsterdam (even in hard rain and the car handled like a dream).

Now back to the 911 996, I was hesitant to buy a 996, because I was in love with the 993..love the round headlights, but my wife didn't like the inside of the car and frankly I didn't much either... but having a real aircooled Porsche sounded pretty good. I wanted a tripple black car, with premium wheels that wouldn't break the bank too much, and with tiptronic, which makes the search pretty tough... I found one for the same price a 2000, charcaol with only 35k miles... but charcoal with chrome rimms?!? I went for the older one with premium wheels and all black... and 20k more on the clock... who cares...a porsche engine should easily do 100k on the engine when maintained well. I have had it now for 3 days, have driven about 300 miles and love the drive. I still have to get to "trust" the car, since I normally never buy used and than about 6 years old!...but the sound of the engine and the freedom feeling of the cabriolet... the cornering...the tiptronic makes me feel like driving a very lazy heavy car... but put your foot down and the car just catapults to 100mls like it's nothing. And I think that a car with automatic transmission will have less engine problems since it is impossible to over revv the car.

Anyway my two cents about the 911...I will update my pleasure or troubles when they come along.