Discussion
basherX said:
I ve got an i3S and a Vantage. Not a 996 I m afraid.
I3S is great fun but I d really suggest driving one- the suspension s pretty bloody firm for our roads and much less comfortable than my Vantage, which seems the wrong way around tbh.
Thanks for the advice, I am going to look at a 996 next week, but I have already decided that I will try an i3s before I commit to either. I have had a few cars with overly firm suspension and it has ruined the experience as I spent most of the time avoiding pot holes.I3S is great fun but I d really suggest driving one- the suspension s pretty bloody firm for our roads and much less comfortable than my Vantage, which seems the wrong way around tbh.
I've had a 996.2 C4, 996.2 C2, 996T and a 996 C4S.
I've also had a 2016 I3 Rex and a 2020 I3S.
It's funny that you make this comparison as I would argue of all the cars I have owned, these two have been some of my very best cars.
If you can only have the 1 car, I'd go for a late I3 (non S) in Imperial blue with the brown leather (suite) with as many options as possible - assuming 150 miles of range meets your use case. These cars are suprisingly nippy, and being RWD, an absolute hoot 1-up on a B road, providing you don't have range anxiety. The reason why I don't recommend an S is that it was less comfortable / compliant than the non-S, and the power differential didn't really justify the loss in ride quality. In sum, a standard i3 is plenty fast enough. They are SO light relative to other EVs given their carbon fibre tub construct.
If you have other cars to use as a daily, I'd recommend adding a 996 as a weekend car providing you can keep it garaged and afford £1-3k p.a in maintenance. You must buy well though - for if you don't, it will probably be the first and last Porsche you ever buy.
HTH.
I've also had a 2016 I3 Rex and a 2020 I3S.
It's funny that you make this comparison as I would argue of all the cars I have owned, these two have been some of my very best cars.
If you can only have the 1 car, I'd go for a late I3 (non S) in Imperial blue with the brown leather (suite) with as many options as possible - assuming 150 miles of range meets your use case. These cars are suprisingly nippy, and being RWD, an absolute hoot 1-up on a B road, providing you don't have range anxiety. The reason why I don't recommend an S is that it was less comfortable / compliant than the non-S, and the power differential didn't really justify the loss in ride quality. In sum, a standard i3 is plenty fast enough. They are SO light relative to other EVs given their carbon fibre tub construct.
If you have other cars to use as a daily, I'd recommend adding a 996 as a weekend car providing you can keep it garaged and afford £1-3k p.a in maintenance. You must buy well though - for if you don't, it will probably be the first and last Porsche you ever buy.
HTH.
nickpan said:
I've had a 996.2 C4, 996.2 C2, 996T and a 996 C4S.
I've also had a 2016 I3 Rex and a 2020 I3S.
It's funny that you make this comparison as I would argue of all the cars I have owned, these two have been some of my very best cars.
If you can only have the 1 car, I'd go for a late I3 (non S) in Imperial blue with the brown leather (suite) with as many options as possible - assuming 150 miles of range meets your use case. These cars are suprisingly nippy, and being RWD, an absolute hoot 1-up on a B road, providing you don't have range anxiety. The reason why I don't recommend an S is that it was less comfortable / compliant than the non-S, and the power differential didn't really justify the loss in ride quality. In sum, a standard i3 is plenty fast enough. They are SO light relative to other EVs given their carbon fibre tub construct.
If you have other cars to use as a daily, I'd recommend adding a 996 as a weekend car providing you can keep it garaged and afford £1-3k p.a in maintenance. You must buy well though - for if you don't, it will probably be the first and last Porsche you ever buy.
HTH.
Thanks for your reply, I just knew that someone on here would have had both, and a reasoned view. For added context my daily is an i8, and there lies another dilemma, if I go for the i3 will it be exciting enough. If I go for the 996 will it worth the risk on added maintenance.I've also had a 2016 I3 Rex and a 2020 I3S.
It's funny that you make this comparison as I would argue of all the cars I have owned, these two have been some of my very best cars.
If you can only have the 1 car, I'd go for a late I3 (non S) in Imperial blue with the brown leather (suite) with as many options as possible - assuming 150 miles of range meets your use case. These cars are suprisingly nippy, and being RWD, an absolute hoot 1-up on a B road, providing you don't have range anxiety. The reason why I don't recommend an S is that it was less comfortable / compliant than the non-S, and the power differential didn't really justify the loss in ride quality. In sum, a standard i3 is plenty fast enough. They are SO light relative to other EVs given their carbon fibre tub construct.
If you have other cars to use as a daily, I'd recommend adding a 996 as a weekend car providing you can keep it garaged and afford £1-3k p.a in maintenance. You must buy well though - for if you don't, it will probably be the first and last Porsche you ever buy.
HTH.
No, they're not comparable. I've had an S and still have a 911.
The I3 will be more comfortable, cheaper to run, just as fast, more practical, better manoeuvrability in town, and quirky. The handling is fun, but the doors are a PITA if you need human access to them regularly.
The 911, for the street, will be expensive to fuel, noisy, expensive to maintain, slower at public road speeds, less practical for humans, and a learning process to drive and enjoy.
Chalk and cheese, but given the choice, I'd go 911 and grin and bear it. Or have both.
The I3 will be more comfortable, cheaper to run, just as fast, more practical, better manoeuvrability in town, and quirky. The handling is fun, but the doors are a PITA if you need human access to them regularly.
The 911, for the street, will be expensive to fuel, noisy, expensive to maintain, slower at public road speeds, less practical for humans, and a learning process to drive and enjoy.
Chalk and cheese, but given the choice, I'd go 911 and grin and bear it. Or have both.
Interesting comparison, not sure there are any similarities between the two besides price! It totally depends on your use case:
- One of them looks and sounds like a sports car, the other looks like a shopping car
- One of them gives you instant torque, the other you'll have to work to get the best out of
- One of them defrosts itself in winter and parks itself (literally), the other you'll be scraping ice off the windows and might not even have parking sensors
I've had my i3 for 6 years as my daily driver and have zero intention of ever changing, it's really the perfect car for its purpose.
But if I could only have 1 car it would be the 911, even though it'll the worse tool for the job 95% of the time. You wouldn't go on a driving trip or trackday or Sunday morning blast in an i3.
- One of them looks and sounds like a sports car, the other looks like a shopping car
- One of them gives you instant torque, the other you'll have to work to get the best out of
- One of them defrosts itself in winter and parks itself (literally), the other you'll be scraping ice off the windows and might not even have parking sensors
I've had my i3 for 6 years as my daily driver and have zero intention of ever changing, it's really the perfect car for its purpose.
But if I could only have 1 car it would be the 911, even though it'll the worse tool for the job 95% of the time. You wouldn't go on a driving trip or trackday or Sunday morning blast in an i3.
I had an i3 Rex and have a 996.1
Apart from having much to admire and getting under your skin a bit, I think the comparisons end there.
When I get round to rationalising my idiotic fleet and assuming the OH has a decent load lugger, I could see 911/i3 as a perfect two car garage.
Apart from having much to admire and getting under your skin a bit, I think the comparisons end there.
When I get round to rationalising my idiotic fleet and assuming the OH has a decent load lugger, I could see 911/i3 as a perfect two car garage.
Edited by oddman on Tuesday 18th November 15:29
I’ve had an R129 SL500 so I can confirm you've been spoilt when it comes to ride comfort!
Have had a series of Porsche incl Boxster, 997C4S, 3.2 air cooled and currently a 993 Targa which is probably closest in comfort to the 129.
A 996 won’t soak up the road bumps as much as your Merc but you will enjoy the steering feedback and the general road feel and stance.
Have had a series of Porsche incl Boxster, 997C4S, 3.2 air cooled and currently a 993 Targa which is probably closest in comfort to the 129.
A 996 won’t soak up the road bumps as much as your Merc but you will enjoy the steering feedback and the general road feel and stance.
So update, I have been to see the 996 today, it was in pretty good condition at a good price, with a near full service history. It has been stood for 6 weeks in a garage with a trickle charger, it started fine, but the engine check light stayed on, we left it for10 minutes but it still stayed on ( I believe the owner when he said that it hadn’t happened previously) TBH if the light had gone out then I would probably commit to buying, but I am nervous without some further investigation. Anyone else aware of this issue once car has been stood for some time?
JuiceTerry said:
So update, I have been to see the 996 today, it was in pretty good condition at a good price, with a near full service history. It has been stood for 6 weeks in a garage with a trickle charger, it started fine, but the engine check light stayed on, we left it for10 minutes but it still stayed on ( I believe the owner when he said that it hadn t happened previously) TBH if the light had gone out then I would probably commit to buying, but I am nervous without some further investigation. Anyone else aware of this issue once car has been stood for some time?
It needs the codes reading before doing anything. Don't guess based on guesses on here 
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