What's the Best First Porsche 911?

Both great cars. But I got bored of my new 997 S it was too much like a new Mondeo I use to drive and they were good, comfortable long distance cars. In some respects similar to the 997. But It just lacked the more raw Porsche 996 analogue panzer feel. Thus I was drawn to the 996, I think it's the best of the old and new in one and a good long distance all weather capable car. I like its unique style, the lights look more ground hugging and racey. The interior is more old Porsche and raw. It would be difficult to part with. A very good fair video on both 911s but like always its horses for courses.

The 997 still looks so good, has hardly dated in my eyes!

the 996 is a great car,still very old skool to drive but modern enough to daily and roadtrip with i love it.

I think the 996 is the absolute perfect 911 as a first 911! I drove passenger in an old 911 Carrera RS ('75 or so) as a child, drove a 964 Targa, 2 different 996 Targas, a 991.2 Carrera and a 992 Carrera. ALL of these have some things that feel the same throughout all the cars! And what’s so intriguing with the 996 is, that it still feels like the earlier cars (of course not air cooled but still classic-Porsche-Like feeling) while still being modern with comfort features you won’t want to miss nowadays. Also the interior of the 996 is a bit more like the classic Porsches but still much higher quality than the actual classic Porsches. 996 for me!

I love my 996.2, I've had it 11 years now and it still sells for 30% over what I paid for it!! Virtually, trouble free other than normal maintenance.

996 all day long, just remember it was designed in the 90's and when compared to vehicles from that era it's far superior. It really is a classic! I absolutely love my 996.2 Carrera 4 which even after 3 years it never fails to make you feel special and give you that buzz! 🦆🦆🍳

I prefer the 996, more classic and more analog. The interior also has more charm. I never understood the criticisms of the headlights

I agree with most of your comments comparing the two, but personally I find the 997 just a little dull, a little large, a little heavy, a little too rounded, and much prefer the smaller, more aggressive look of the 996, and the more pure driving experience, especially of the early 996.1 cars. Fantastic car.

My first Porsche was a 914-6 as a soldier in Hawaii in the early 80's and i loved it! Wish i never sold it.

997 AWD cars are widebody, Carrera S is narrow, 4S is wide.

Admittedly, I am a 996.2 owner, but I love the headlights. I'm solidly in the 996 corner. Last great analog 911.

My first Porsche was a 1977, 911S. Just sold it a while back and bought a 2001 Carerra 4 that was a garage queen! Love it!

I can afford to own any one of them, but my first (and only so far!) is a 2000 996 Carrera six speed in silver with black Fuchs style Techart rims, duck tail and upgraded exhaust (and other street legal engine tweaks!). To drive through the forested back roads or roar through the canyons with the sunroof open and windows down is exhilarating every time. Driving the winding coastal roads down to Big Sur in the early mornings or doing midnight runs on the freeway a la Magnus Walker makes you feel alive! Having the engine in your right hand and shifting from 2nd to 3rd at 4K+ RPM is insane and from 3rd to 4th, it's just a rocket! Sure, you are not going to beat somebody off the line, but that's not what it's about (back in the day, every red light was a drag strip in my '88 Mustang GT). My buddy has a 2013 911 turbo with PDK and he even prefers mine (as sick as his car is with the launch control!) especially with the 6 speed. It truly feels like and sounds like a vintage 911. And I even take it out to Laguna Seca for some track time, and I also drop the kids off at school, so it's the perfect car for me. Having grown up in the late 70's and early 80's and dreamt about the 930 turbo as my ultimate 911, I "settled" for the 996 for now as the best of both worlds. It's customized to make it super fun and it's my RS tribute car. My dream job as a kid was to be a 911 engineer because of the lines of the back half of the 911, and the 996 keeps those lines and that sexy shape and the duck tail is a bonus...no regrets here!!! Pedal to the metal, baby......

Only driven a 997.1 4s absolutely loved it for the sound alone

Looking to buy a 996.2 sometime in the next year. Feel confident I can find a decent one for my $30,000 budget. I absolutely love the "turn of the century" 2000s styling, as I was 12 in 1999. The Porsche 996 was the "new" one when I was a kid! Looking in America, willing to fly out and drive it back.

I have a 2002 996 C4S and it’s a tip not a manual 😱 And I love it! It feels tight, fast enough, comfortable, and is still a car I walk away front and look back at. I’ve ridden in the 997 and while it’s a little nicer inside it didn’t feel as connected - but horses for courses but all Porsches are good - there is no substitute 😀

I like the 996.1 headlights. A bit less torque but it’s a real driver’s car. Great review.

What an excellent review, even though I am biased, I have a 997.2 C2, they are both good cars as they are 911s!

I jumped at the opportunity to purchase a 997.1 cabriolet C2 S with 120k on it, use it as my daily driver, absolutely love it, it had full history and was in great condition, it was the more modern look that swayed me ! Great review on both though ! 👏

Porsche 911 996 is a good car but the 997 is way better and looks good even by todays standard, but it doesn't make me not buy the 996 as it still is the cheapest way into a 911 ownership of a very prestigious marquee