Nope. I think my 996 is awesome. It's a '99 C4 with an original sticker of $95k +. It was a hellofalot of car then and it still is. And I purchased it for only a couple of grand more than my Boxster S.
It is a different car than my Boxsters, but I just think of it the bigger brother.
And nobody mistakes it for a Miata!