A plea to 996 Carrera owners
Discussion
Amongst all the talk of rms, depreciation, etc it's easy to forget what great cars they are. Use it as an everyday car like most of us do, you'll only catch occasional glimpses of it's extraordinary talents.
I always knew mine was good, but it took a recent road trip to realise it's much much better than good. If you haven't made some time for your car, please do it. Organise that long road trip, really get to know it, you'll be rewarded.
On my Route Napoleon thread, Ballcock asked for my thoughts on the car's handling, and Nerv said my report didn't do my car justice. Here's a couple of parts I don't think I'll ever forget.
'It's a 911, never lift-off mid-corner' is the thought in my head, the road's damp and I'm following Darren's (Wetwipe) 3.6 996 Carrera 2. The extra torque, softer suspension and PSM should favour Darren, but he's out front exploring and it's easier for me following. This is great fun, we're using both sides of the road, I'm avoiding full throttle until third gear, and despite the conditions I've not yet seen my traction control light come on.
Then it happens, I've completely misjudged a corner, not only do I need to get off the throttle, I need to brake. The steering weights up, the nose tucks into the corner, past the apex, hard on the throttle and I'm approaching the next corner. Great, I start to build confidence now, ignoring the potentially fatal drops off the side of the road. Brake hard initially, keeping on the brake the extra weight over the front wheels helping the turn in, getting on the throttle at the apex. Experimenting with more throttle at the exit in the corner, results in mild understeer as they car drifts out across the white line. Soon I'm driving it like my Integrale, throwing the car around, using the throttle and brakes to steer the car nearly as much as the steering wheel.
An hours hard driving later, the worst I've encountered is some mild understeer (all four wheels were drifting), an odd bit of ABS coming in, and no traction control light. Darren says it just goes to show how beautifully balanced the cars are, he's not wrong.
Next day, with a very-hungover Darren way behind, having to stopped to take some pictures, I'm now trying to catch Nerv in his fettled GT3. The roads are mostly dry now and the limits and speeds are much much higher. I'm glad I learnt what I did yesterday in low-grip conditions, but it still takes a while to gain confidence again. Still, I'd like to see how my basement 996 compares to a GT3, and it's time to press on. Yesterday's principles still apply, braking to the apex, but there's no understeer today. The car just hooks up, and the massive traction means I'm having to hang onto the steering wheel, to ensure I don't end up sitting in the back.
Then I see him, a blue blur through the trees, heading up the mountain. Round the next corner and I'm heading downwards,
he's the other side of the valley. Familiarity breeds contempt is the saying, not in this case, familiarity and some damp patches enables me to quickly catch him.
We're on my favourite part now, 1st gear hairpins leading onto 5th gear straights. It's the straights were Nerv really puts some distance between us, otherwise I'm just about able to keep up. Pace wise it's not that difference, the GT3 is slightly better in most areas, but not enough to leave me floundering. Nerv may be having a better time, doesn't seem possible though, he's got a lot more to do and think about. I'm sure the lack of ABS and the possibility of falling off a mountain aren't a winning combination.
It may not be track prepared, it doesn't have twin turbos, four wheel drive, and it ain't covered in horse brass. Don't take anymore crap, they're brilliant. I've been fortunate to drive some great cars from an AGS F1 to some rather exotic Italian metal, and that was the best fun I've ever had in a car. Yes, even better than that.
Just can't get my head round that mid £20ks will get you a lovely example of a car this great. Absolutely gutted mine is up for sale.
I always knew mine was good, but it took a recent road trip to realise it's much much better than good. If you haven't made some time for your car, please do it. Organise that long road trip, really get to know it, you'll be rewarded.
On my Route Napoleon thread, Ballcock asked for my thoughts on the car's handling, and Nerv said my report didn't do my car justice. Here's a couple of parts I don't think I'll ever forget.
'It's a 911, never lift-off mid-corner' is the thought in my head, the road's damp and I'm following Darren's (Wetwipe) 3.6 996 Carrera 2. The extra torque, softer suspension and PSM should favour Darren, but he's out front exploring and it's easier for me following. This is great fun, we're using both sides of the road, I'm avoiding full throttle until third gear, and despite the conditions I've not yet seen my traction control light come on.
Then it happens, I've completely misjudged a corner, not only do I need to get off the throttle, I need to brake. The steering weights up, the nose tucks into the corner, past the apex, hard on the throttle and I'm approaching the next corner. Great, I start to build confidence now, ignoring the potentially fatal drops off the side of the road. Brake hard initially, keeping on the brake the extra weight over the front wheels helping the turn in, getting on the throttle at the apex. Experimenting with more throttle at the exit in the corner, results in mild understeer as they car drifts out across the white line. Soon I'm driving it like my Integrale, throwing the car around, using the throttle and brakes to steer the car nearly as much as the steering wheel.
An hours hard driving later, the worst I've encountered is some mild understeer (all four wheels were drifting), an odd bit of ABS coming in, and no traction control light. Darren says it just goes to show how beautifully balanced the cars are, he's not wrong.
Next day, with a very-hungover Darren way behind, having to stopped to take some pictures, I'm now trying to catch Nerv in his fettled GT3. The roads are mostly dry now and the limits and speeds are much much higher. I'm glad I learnt what I did yesterday in low-grip conditions, but it still takes a while to gain confidence again. Still, I'd like to see how my basement 996 compares to a GT3, and it's time to press on. Yesterday's principles still apply, braking to the apex, but there's no understeer today. The car just hooks up, and the massive traction means I'm having to hang onto the steering wheel, to ensure I don't end up sitting in the back.
Then I see him, a blue blur through the trees, heading up the mountain. Round the next corner and I'm heading downwards,
he's the other side of the valley. Familiarity breeds contempt is the saying, not in this case, familiarity and some damp patches enables me to quickly catch him. We're on my favourite part now, 1st gear hairpins leading onto 5th gear straights. It's the straights were Nerv really puts some distance between us, otherwise I'm just about able to keep up. Pace wise it's not that difference, the GT3 is slightly better in most areas, but not enough to leave me floundering. Nerv may be having a better time, doesn't seem possible though, he's got a lot more to do and think about. I'm sure the lack of ABS and the possibility of falling off a mountain aren't a winning combination.
It may not be track prepared, it doesn't have twin turbos, four wheel drive, and it ain't covered in horse brass. Don't take anymore crap, they're
brilliant. I've been fortunate to drive some great cars from an AGS F1 to some rather exotic Italian metal, and that was the best fun I've ever had in a car. Yes, even better than that. Just can't get my head round that mid £20ks will get you a lovely example of a car this great. Absolutely gutted mine is up for sale.
magic torch said:
Nerv may be having a better time, doesn't seem possible though, he's got a lot more to do and think about. I'm sure the lack of ABS and the possibility of falling off a mountain aren't a winning combination.
I was going to point this out on your (excellent) Napoleonic exploits write up, but didn't want to be seen nit-picking. 
However, this is one time too many
: I think you'll find that Nervy would be enjoying the comforts of ABS, but revelling in the lack of TC/PASM in his GT3. 
Unless, of course, the has somehow disabled it. 
Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 2nd November 15:00
Nice write up jamie...
Yes, the horror stories are somewhat unfounded - last sunday I had to take her for a thrash (she had been neglected) and even taking far too much speed into a tight right hander - suddenly faced with severe potholes - the front end just gripped...
The are fantastic - for all the critism's people (usually who have never driven, let alone owned one) lay at the standard Carrera 2's door - value for money they are an incredible machine, stunningly quick, and IMHO, the harder you push them, the better they seem to handle*, and while 20k might get you faster, more practical, or more reliable machines - in all my searches, the 996 is one of the very few cars that can do all 3 VERY well.
This is no more evident than mine, where at 4am on a sunday, I know it will start and take me the 2 hours to Heathrow without any drama or incident (short of a heart-attack inducing speed camera), and cosset me all the way home again when I'm severly jet-lagged and have the reaction-time of a week-old cadaver. But then, a day later, even though i've owned it 2 months, it will still blow me away with its performance, its grip, its capabilities. Everytime I think i've gotten used to the 996, I just go for a A-road blast and remind myself the car's mechanical abilities far outway any I will ever, ever be able to achieve.
it's a shame your selling (unless your planning on buying nervy's GT3)
Yes, the horror stories are somewhat unfounded - last sunday I had to take her for a thrash (she had been neglected) and even taking far too much speed into a tight right hander - suddenly faced with severe potholes - the front end just gripped...
The are fantastic - for all the critism's people (usually who have never driven, let alone owned one) lay at the standard Carrera 2's door - value for money they are an incredible machine, stunningly quick, and IMHO, the harder you push them, the better they seem to handle*, and while 20k might get you faster, more practical, or more reliable machines - in all my searches, the 996 is one of the very few cars that can do all 3 VERY well.
This is no more evident than mine, where at 4am on a sunday, I know it will start and take me the 2 hours to Heathrow without any drama or incident (short of a heart-attack inducing speed camera), and cosset me all the way home again when I'm severly jet-lagged and have the reaction-time of a week-old cadaver. But then, a day later, even though i've owned it 2 months, it will still blow me away with its performance, its grip, its capabilities. Everytime I think i've gotten used to the 996, I just go for a A-road blast and remind myself the car's mechanical abilities far outway any I will ever, ever be able to achieve.
it's a shame your selling (unless your planning on buying nervy's GT3)
*Let me explain a bit better - when plodding along at 60mph on a twisty A-road the handling does not insipre confidence, but the moment you brake heavily, force the nose into a corner, and power through, it feels like a completely different beast, and is very sure footed and confidence inspiring.
Mmmmm, deleted or broken? I believe even the GT3 Cup cars ran with ABS ..... 
Yay! Go all you Carerras! 
fidgits said:
for all the critism's people (usually who have never driven, let alone owned one)
Think that's the crux of it. Even if they've just had a test-drive, they're missing out.
fidgits said:
t's a shame your selling (unless your planning on buying nervy's GT3)
Although I need four seats I'm still really tempted, it's that good. I'm buying an establised business, need to money for the initial purchase fees, then I'll be back in one asap.
magic torch said:
fidgits said:
for all the critism's people (usually who have never driven, let alone owned one)
Think that's the crux of it. Even if they've just had a test-drive, they're missing out.
I do have to admit - my 996 is getting better and better the longer I have it, in fact, i'd go as far to say that the limiting factor does seem to be my abilities and talent rather than the car (and i'm not one known for modesty when it comes to my driving).
Been all over Europe in mine - France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway and Sweden and a few visits to the ring.
Great car for doing long Euro Tours, cant think of how a car could be better at doing mileage (up to 900 miles in a day several times with two young kids and all our camping kit in the back) and then the car performs beyond belief when you want it to.
You can keep your smaller and slower horsebrass models and your newer electronic festival new ones, the 996 is a keeper for me.
Cheers
Paul
Great car for doing long Euro Tours, cant think of how a car could be better at doing mileage (up to 900 miles in a day several times with two young kids and all our camping kit in the back) and then the car performs beyond belief when you want it to.
You can keep your smaller and slower horsebrass models and your newer electronic festival new ones, the 996 is a keeper for me.
Cheers
Paul
mine aint got TC or PASM
or electric mirrors . . . . nowt, but its not a GT3 its just a C2 but its still great fun.
ive just got back from sainsburies in mine
fantastic run through town, red arrows practising over head loop da loop made the couple of red lights I was stopped at seem enjoyable.
everyday usable supercar, that sums them up to a tee.
everybody should own a 911 and the C2 is prolly the best starting point (biased opinion of course but hey its my first car ever full stop!)
or electric mirrors . . . . nowt, but its not a GT3 its just a C2 but its still great fun.
ive just got back from sainsburies in mine
fantastic run through town, red arrows practising over head loop da loop made the couple of red lights I was stopped at seem enjoyable.
everyday usable supercar, that sums them up to a tee.
everybody should own a 911 and the C2 is prolly the best starting point (biased opinion of course but hey its my first car ever full stop!)
996's are great cars...I loved our c2 convertible and was very confident in driving it (hard):-)
A few weeks ago we were at the Ring and I had the chance to be passenger in a GT3 MkII...A relative of us drove behind in his 996 C4S...He was able to follow the GT3 for most of the time, just when we arrived at very quick left/right/left combinations or parts where heavy braking was required het had to let go al little bit!! (GT3 was on Ceramic Brakes)
I just want to make a point here what a great car - in all its variants - the 996 is! ...(looking around myself for an MkI GT3:-)
A few weeks ago we were at the Ring and I had the chance to be passenger in a GT3 MkII...A relative of us drove behind in his 996 C4S...He was able to follow the GT3 for most of the time, just when we arrived at very quick left/right/left combinations or parts where heavy braking was required het had to let go al little bit!! (GT3 was on Ceramic Brakes)
I just want to make a point here what a great car - in all its variants - the 996 is! ...(looking around myself for an MkI GT3:-)
C2 3.6, fantastic and I can't imagine getting tired of nailing it.
A couple of my recent experiences of it showing it's diversity of talent....
Coming home last night at midnight on my own, single track B roads all the way (30 miles) reset the average mph and gave it some beans, 76 mph average as I rolled into my drive including a few junctions and slowing down through a couple of villages (to the proper speed limits). Took me about an hour to chill and get to sleep afterwards (and to get the grin off my face)
A few weeks ago family weekend down in the North East of England, 2 kids, wifey and luggage (including a buggy) transported comfortably and safely down from Aberdeen. It was also a natural shopping limiter as it only had a small amount of "bag room" left. Also averaged 27 mpg on the round trip
All in all I can certainly say I'm a happy C2 owner!!!! Let's put the fact that we are loosing some cash on depreciation to the back of our minds and revel in the fact we own a great car and enjoy it!
A couple of my recent
experiences of it showing it's diversity of talent.... Coming home last night at midnight on my own, single track B roads all the way (30 miles) reset the average mph and gave it some beans, 76 mph average as I rolled into my drive including a few junctions and slowing down through a couple of villages (to the proper speed limits). Took me about an hour to chill and get to sleep afterwards (and to get the grin off my face)
A few weeks ago family weekend down in the North East of England, 2 kids, wifey and luggage (including a buggy) transported comfortably and safely down from Aberdeen. It was also a natural shopping limiter as it only had a small amount of "bag room" left. Also averaged 27 mpg on the round trip
All in all I can certainly say I'm a happy C2 owner!!!! Let's put the fact that we are loosing some cash on depreciation to the back of our minds and revel in the fact we own a great car and enjoy it!
Edited by steve996 on Thursday 2nd November 16:57
there seems to be mixed feelings about the 3.4/3.6 thing
the 3.6 was introduced with alot of changes but im yet to find one that outruns a 3.4 "out of the box" if you look at the stated figures from the magazines they nearly all (the ones I checked out after buying mine anyways) state the 3.4 as being faster 0-60 etc, but with less BHP and torque figures than the 3.6.
the 3.6 was introduced with alot of changes but im yet to find one that outruns a 3.4 "out of the box" if you look at the stated figures from the magazines they nearly all (the ones I checked out after buying mine anyways) state the 3.4 as being faster 0-60 etc, but with less BHP and torque figures than the 3.6.
Edited by DucatiGary on Thursday 2nd November 17:04
Ducati, I looked at a couple of the pre facelifts 3.4's and like you say I think it would be tough to tell them apart driving-wise, I just felt that pretty much all the tweaks added up to a better car - having said that I think I paid through the nose for them depsite negotiating 2 grand off the sticker price!
Either way 3.4 or 3.6 - enjoy the car and be proud to own it!
Either way 3.4 or 3.6 - enjoy the car and be proud to own it!
steve996 said:
Ducati, I looked at a couple of the pre facelifts 3.4's and like you say I think it would be tough to tell them apart driving-wise, I just felt that pretty much all the tweaks added up to a better car - having said that I think I paid through the nose for them depsite negotiating 2 grand off the sticker price!
Either way 3.4 or 3.6 - enjoy the car and be proud to own it!
Either way 3.4 or 3.6 - enjoy the car and be proud to own it!
indeed
just cant help wonder what was changed as in gear ratios or whatever to give the 3.4 the 0-60 figs they have
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