HELP! I need someone to talk me out of this!

[Padawan]

I'd never try to talk you out of it. The 996 is a terrific car. Yes, the engine is in the "wrong" spot, but that's part of the 911's character, and it's a design element with over 40 years of history behind it. The 996 is very fast, handles extremely well, and looks beautiful (in my humble opinion). How can you go wrong?

Do it!

[djomlas]

i would do it as well.
who doesn't want a 911? and the prices are so low now its getting pretty funny to see people get a loaded Toyota or see other econo box for the same price as a used 911

i would get a C4 for the all wheel drive for winter driving and also keep the box. thats what im planing to do, in the very near future, since my car is paid off

Well, if I were only going to own 1 Porsche, I would own what I have,... a Boxster.

If I decide to own 2 Porsches someday, I will probably add the 911 to my Boxster. I really like having both the mid engine and convertible in the same car.

If I ever bought a 911 I would need to go for a much newer one like the 997's were I would get a significant HP increase.

The decission I really need to make in about 3-4 years will be the selection to either buy another Porsche to add to the collection or do an engine (RUF) swap with my current Boxster.

[blinkwatt]

I have a 996 C2 & 986 S in the garage.....I've never even thought about driving the 996 since I got my S.

Too me the 986 & 996 are too close to each other to warrant 'upgrading' & such. From a daily drive standpoint the only thing I notice the 996 has on the Boxster is more torque but then that Box has the convertible factor. Granted I haven't tried hauling siblings around in the 996,I'm pretty sure that you can't fit anyone taller than 5 8"(my head hits the roof over bumpers at this height) in the back comfortably. As for a track/auto-x standpoint,couldn't tell ya,I haven't pushed the C2,I'm pretty sure my Dad would get all :troll: if I did that with it.

[nola911]

You "S" guys are in a good spot. I, unfortunetly, opted for a 2.7 when I bought, because of the typical "It's fast enough for me." If I had the extra pop of the 3.2, I wouldn't think of the upgrade. The way I am looking at it though, is to get into a nice S, an engine transplant, a SC, or a TT; I would be spending close to the same amount as a nice 911.

Pro 911:
We have flat roads here, so winding mountains are not even an option. We have no tracks anywhere close to here. I like the 3.4. I like the backseat.

Con 911:
The convertible looks rediculous with the big butt. The engine IS in the wrong spot, the porsche is a third car and the baby will rarely (if ever) use the backseat. I have never had the urge to tote adult friends around. The porsche is Max time. The lines of the boxster are timeles and I think it is the best looking car made.

[RandallNeighbour]

Nick, I'd really like to drive a C4S or a Turbo (which is also all wheel drive) up and down the Tail of the Dragon to see how it compares to a mid-engine Porsche.

Of course, the best solution for this issue would be to buy a Cayman S. Nearly 300 HP, Lines that are more in keeping with a 997, a hard top for rigidity, and the kids won't enjoy it but one will fit in the front trunk for a while (until the oxygen runs out) and the other can bounce around in the stowage area in the back.

Laugh at my recommendation, but I can't envision a child over the age of 5 wanting to sit in the back of a 997 or 996 for more than ten minutes at a time. There is literally 2-3 inches of leg room between the back of the front seat for the little tyke's scrawny legs.

Those rear seats are there for looks, my friends. Worthless I say, worthless!

Nick, BTW it's now 10.45 and I am now dressed and at the office doing nothing like I was doing earlier this morning when we were sending messages to one another. Geez I love my life and my job!