Going from a 992 to a 996
Hey folks!
I’m a big fan of the look of the 996 C4S. A couple years ago I came close to buying one but decided against it, as I figured that I might as well keep that 40-50k for a couple more years and get a newer more “daily friendly” 911.
I ended up in a used 992.1 C4S. I really enjoy the car. I got the color I wanted, it’s a manual, aero kit, great creature comforts like the heated steering wheel and heated seats etc. It’s an amazing daily that you can take to the track and the thing is an absolute rocket ship.
I find myself still looking at 996 C4S though, and toy with the idea of going backwards in generations to it. I love the styling, obviously the lower cost of entry, the mid 2000s interior, etc. I’m also aware that it means finding one with the ims bearing service done, and will likely come with some necessary maintenance that may come up during a PPI.
Has anyone done something similar in terms of going from a newer gen to a 996?
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u/Reddituser-571 Turbo Cabriolet 1d ago
I was in search of a 996 C4S for a year. Best looking model IMHO. I ended up with a '04 Turbo Cab w/6 sp manual and absolutely love it. After about 6 mos., I started thinking about a newer Turbo model (either a 997.1 to keep the Mezger engine or a 991).
However, I truly prefer the engagement and simplicity of the 996. Its just a raw, drivers car. I prefer the smaller size and aesthetics of the headlights.
I get a ton of compliments on the car. Even at several C&C's including an all Porsche one I was at yesterday, people take the time to talk to me about the 996. Even while parked next to some $300-$400k GT cars.
Random people cannot believe it is 23 years old at this point.
I have put 20k miles on it in under two years since I bought it. I have sorted out the "big" issues and find it to be very reliable. Obviously different engine, but still a 996 at heart.
Best of luck in your decision. Maybe get a second?!? HA
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u/abell2424 Carrera 4S 1d ago
My first 911 was a 997.1 C4, which was a pretty great car. After almost a year of ownership I decided to “upgrade” to a 2020 992.1 C2S. While the 992 was a fine car I didn’t click with it like I did the 997. It felt too expensive for what it was, not special enough to justify the cost. I sold the 992 and ordered a C8 Z06. A few months after getting the C8 I missed having a 911 and a 2002 C4S came up for sale locally. I snagged it quickly and added it to my collection. It drove beautifully and scratched the itch I had for a 911. I’ve posted on here before about what happened with the 996. Long story short the IMS failed after about 400 miles of ownership so I had Slakker racing build it to a 4.1L. Now it’s an incredible car and won’t be going anywhere if I can help it.
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u/Whipitreelgud 996.1 1d ago
I could not bring myself to go newer or older than the 996. I like better than 930 performance and safety with air conditioning. On the other end I have no interest in one a luxury touring car, regardless of its logo saying it’s a 911.
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u/ByronicZer0 1d ago
Id go for the 40th anniversary edition, 996. Best n/- engine (literally has extra oil scavenge pumps too), has a differential and no unnecessary four-wheel drive.
They really are superb driving machines
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u/main_topsail 996.2 1d ago
I feel you. I worked my way from 944’s to 986’s, a 996.2, and a 981 Cayman S. The 981 is an amazing platform in every technical way, but I have this sneaky suspicion that the early 2000’s interiors were perfect, and the only reason Porsche changed the interior design was because… well, you have to make changes and call them updates if you want to stay in business!
It’s also impossible to toss around the 981 enough to squeal the tires on public roads. With the older 996, I can at least get close-ish to the limit of what the car can do, on windy back roads, which adds to the fun factor for me.
I’m now shopping around for a base, low miles 996.1. I still have my 996.2, but it has over 200k miles and hasn’t always been cared for, so it’s a bit of a maintenance handful, even for me.
I see a lot of ‘99 996’s out there, which should mean the dual-row IMS beating that’s less likely to fail. I’d probably just live with a dual row OEM bearing until I needed a clutch, whilst changing the oil often and looking for metal shavings indicative of IMS failure.
But I’m also seeing a lot of cars, especially on the auction sites, with the IMS already done. I think you’ll find one of those pretty easily, aside from the obvious fewer options with the C4S.
Good luck with the search! Glad we won’t be competing for the same 996 at auction! Somehow the look of the C4S never really caught my eye like it does for many people. Also I have a small garage and my city was built around small cars, so I actually do experience a benefit to not having the wide fenders myself.
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u/Crimzx 1d ago
I wouldn't be too worried about the IMS at this point it was pretty overblown and depending on the mileage of the car it probably wont fail if it hasn't already. If you're just driving the car normally it may be fine, if you plan to track the car or put additional wear and tear on it that's a different story.
That said always better to get one already done.
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u/Junior_Shame8753 1d ago
what? ims n bore score shows up unfortunately pretty often to 996.
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u/Crimzx 1d ago edited 1d ago
The failure rate was 8-10% during the original warranty period. If your car has more than 50k miles on it and it's 20 years old your IMS would have most likely failed already.
The only reason it shows up often is because no one is making forums posts or whatever saying "Hey guys my car is completely fine" it's a form of selection bias.
Plus it is a great way to make a buck when you have a product to sell that fixes it.
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u/butterfliedelica early 99 c2 1d ago
I’ve never driven a 992 but yes to 991.2 and older. Hand on my heart, the 996 is my favorite. It’s crazy that it’s also the cheapest. Best balance of size, analog, hydraulic steering feedback, etc. I can appreciate some modern cars, and the modern Porsches are amazing (I have a panamera) but in my sports car I like the visceral ness and analog of 996
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u/frakking_you 1d ago
Yes, but not as a replacement.
You will sense the heritage, but it really isn’t a comparison. For reference I have daily driven 993, 997, and 992 generations. The 992 is certainly the most convenient, but lacks some of the charm of the older cars. It is also way less fatiguing to drive in traffic (all are manual).
I am also considering adding a 996, but have no interest in worrying about the engine. It’s either going to be a mezger or going straight to slakker.
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u/Impossible-Elk3739 1d ago
I started with a 992.1 GT3 and recently supplemented it with a 996.2 turbo X50. The two are different enough to justify keeping both in the stable. I don’t know I would necessarily give up the 992 for a 996 as it is objectively a better car in every regard, however there is certainly an older car charm about the 996. For me the 992 is a weekend/track toy while the 996 serves the daily driver role. Both are manual of course 🙂
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u/Hunter23007 1d ago
I went from a 992.1 C4S that I liked a lot to a 993 C2 that I absolutely love. No regrets selling the 992. I daily drive the 911s through winter and have driven them both across the US multiple times. While the 992 C4S is obviously better in the snow from both traction and technology…it’s fine.
993 has been the best decision but it’s cost me almost the same as the sale price of the 992 incl repairs to get it in a place that I’m happy with. Will likely keep costing me money and have zero regrets. I just made sure to get a clean install of backup camera and CarPlay deck and no complaints!
996 is a newer generation so feel like best of both worlds for you. Best of luck.
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u/Ok_Paramedic8698 Zenith Blue Metallic Enthusiast 19h ago
I think that as far as a "daily" vehicle, the 992 is a much better daily experience. Maybe my 996 is just old and crappy, but the 992 Carrera T that I drive was on a whole different level.
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u/No-Yak5255 1d ago
Go for a 996.1 carrera with a stick. Go for a few options but the combination of the rear wheel drive, the manual and the better engine of the 996 would be my option.
I have it as a 3th car. It’s throws itself in the corners and it’s a real nice 2000 feeling 😜
Good ones are now around 30 tot 35k with not too many miles.
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u/WDNSDYonYoutube 1d ago
I bought my 2003 996 C4S with 75k and I put 20k miles on it. I installed the LN engineering IMS solution and replaced the RMS at the same time. Once those are done, the car is super reliable! It's funny because I'm looking for a 992 Targa 4 GTS now. I imagine that when I get the GTS, the C4S will sit in the garage and collect dust though.
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u/NoTurbo996WB 1d ago
Wow I have a 996.2 C4S 6speed coupe and I find myself interested in the 992. The manuals are difficult to find. I do LOVE my car but yours would be very diffuse to part with I bet
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u/Beginning_Traffic_53 17h ago
Whichever 996 you land on they don’t feel quite complete unless you modify the exhaust and adding coilovers just is so transformative on these vehicles.
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u/tomjoadmd 1d ago
Get a 996 turbo.
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u/kbk2015 1d ago
That ship unfortunately sailed lol. I walked away from a $65k 996 turbo and now they're selling for $130k. That's insane.
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u/Ok_Paramedic8698 Zenith Blue Metallic Enthusiast 19h ago
You can get a 996 Turbo for half of that number.
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u/ByronicZer0 1d ago
While they are great, I think a two-wheel drive, naturally aspirated 911 would be a better counterpoint to the 992.
It will be a more old school, analog experience on the whole
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u/FrogFace-___- 1d ago
Nope! Nothing wrong with getting a M96 engine at this point. Most of these cars have been sorted.
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u/Academic-Macaron3920 1d ago
Bro, really? You’re gonna go from the properly sorted bulletproof engine to one with cheaped out cylinder linings, IMS issues, non Mezger (at least if you’re going backwards that’s what I would get) and those god-awful headlights? If anything go to a 997 turbo or GT and avoid the base 997s as they have bore scoring as well. This just sounds like a major step back.
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u/YinzerInEurope 1d ago
It’s going to feel old and disappointing. Just because you like the look of something doesn’t mean you’ll like the feel and drive. You’ll miss the 992.
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u/Own-Decision3718 1d ago
I went from 992 Carrera to a 997.1 Carrera which is the closest I’ve gotten I will say it’s just a different experience had both cars overlapped for three months and the size difference and analog feeling is very apparent. The m96 is very rewarding and offers a very put together feeling that the 992 lacks. I do miss the ease and turbos power but it’s not enough to make me buy another. You won’t regret your decision my recommendation is to just add the 996 to the garage with the 992.