[husker boxster]

I have no kids (that I know of) and have only had 1 911 as a Wheeler Dealer car, but I'd like to add my perspective. As similar as they are, a 996 and 986 are different animals. A 996 is more of a GT cruiser while the 986 feels more 'athletic'. Granted, we're talking degrees of difference between the two, but you'll know they're different cars when you drive them. Obviously you're looking to change for reasons other than 'the experience', but be aware the 996 has different characteristics than the 986.

I would suggest not poo-pooing the Macan suggestion without trying one. They're kind of a tall 986 in abilities. Our club hosts a club race at a track that's a 3 hr drive from OMA. 2 yrs ago I wasn't going to do the DE portion of the event so I was tasked with driving the pace car to the track. It was a Macan GTS. Sun morning there was a DE session that was empty, so I was given the opportunity to take the GTS out for a few laps. I was really impressed. Granted, I wasn't running her hard but even at the speeds I was going she was fun. The 2 enduro races were still on the docket, so there's no way I was going to run hard and wreck the pace car. I pulled into the pits and the Chief Steward asked if he could go for a ride for a couple of laps (I was Asst Chief Steward - basically his flunky). Then he invited the Chief Scrutineer to ride along too. Once again, I drove slightly spirited but not wild. The Steward asks me if I had it floored on the straight. I said no, my goal was to 1) not wreck the pace car and 2) not kill the Chief Steward, in that order. But I came away from the experience with a lot of respect for the Macan's abilities.