Anyone with Porsche 911 (996) experience?
 

I'm considering selling my RX8 to buy a 2002-2003 911. I've only driven a couple of them for very few miles.

I'm looking for feedback from people here that have driven the 911 (996 only) more than I have and how it compares to the RX8 in terms of handling, steering feel, and brakes.

These economic times have brought used 911s to their knees - its' the perfect time. There are 2002-2003 examples with less than 40k miles for around $30k. There are higher mileage ones of course that are closer to $25k.

my uncle had one and theyre tough to maintain BUT you have an 8 so that shouldnt be a problem but yea as long as you stick with it like you have to with any sports car youll be fine parst are hella expensive though

as far as handling is concerned for the few times i drove it ... actually drove it from florida to houston when he bought it and brakes were great on the road ride was good and it handled like a dream MAYBE a little looser as far as steering feel but that was a few years before i got my 8 so i could be off on that

It is a much faster car with better acceleration and can corner just as fast (in a different way as far as feel). The key is if you like it and you can afford it, go for it

I've tried several 996 Carreras in different shapes (2, 4 and turbo).
Don't go for it, it's a POS for its category.
You would be way more satisfied with a 993, which is a bitch to drive and you have to take it by its neck but.... or a 997. 996 is definitely not something to buy and their handling is tricky to say the least, but not as tricky as the usual "bad" porsche style (with the engine in that position... ever driven a 993 or a 911? :) )
This is from a track car point of view though, if you need a car to look cool on the streets get what you like, it's the badge that makes the car in that case!

my dad has a porsche 911 turbo, if that helps (mid-life crisis) car, obviously in the power department it crushes our 8, but when it comes to handling and style i would say even. I drive it whenever he doesn't and its a great car, but i love the 8 still.

^^ A 993 is a 911. The guy that says Porsche is a POS doesn't know what he is talking about. The Rx8 is an awsome car, one of my favorites from Japan, but it doesn't compare to any 911. If you can afford the upgrade, do it. The 993,996,997, and Carrera GT were all designed by Harm Legaay, so to say the 993 and the 997 are good and the 996 bad doesn't make any sence.

Bro you need to relax, just because i don't know the difference between the numbers your jumping down my throat. Trying to help a fellow member out, so chill.

lol haters.

I'm only driven a 996 GT3 and it was nice but didn't compare to the 997 GT3, I've also seen the price drop on porsches. I'm waiting for the right price on a 997 GT3 and I'm going to be all over it.

The porsche 996 GT3 blew the RX8 out of the water but at the end of the day I would still go back to the RX8. Its easier to drive and I know when I'm at my limits with the car. The porsche was a toss up if I could run to the limits in turns. Just didn't feel comfortable with it

I drove porsches when I was like 17 working valet...many different models...All I can about porsche is that from the few drives I've had, I made a decision that when I have a good paying job and a house first thing I will splurge on is a porsche. Its a raw car...no ammenities....just a powerful car. Beautiful in its own robust way. very simple...that things art man.

Design is one thing, marketing is another one.
the 993 is something raw, i drove the 993 turbo and that thing was a beast and a blast to drive, provided that you had the balls to, the 997 allows you to take turns in a cleaner way and is much easier to drive. Unfortunately i never drove a gt3 of any series.
The 996 is the worst of the lot, but is very streetable. There's no comparison between a 996 and a 997. I would get a 993 turbo or a 997 gt3 instead.
By the way i was not comparing it to the rx8, that would be stupid, but to the other cars and the other series of the same brand, and saying that a 993 is a 911 is partly ok, but the 911 is also a different model (old one though).

If 993 is your thing, prepare to back it into something if you drive it like the RX-8

justget what makes you happy

I love it when people give advice on a car they have never owned. "Oh they suck, I drove one around the block once"
Go to pelicanparts.com and ask there.

Track time counts as a spin around the block? :)

There is a diffence between tracking a car and a daily driver. Plus I don't think, at least I hope, he won't be driving on the street like you would on a track. Then you also have to consider cost of ownership. My 911 has been very reliable, but it is an older simpler model. Also living in Cleveland you must consider winter.
And one more thing, It's fine that you would get the 993 turbo or GT3, but I don't think he'll find one for the $30,000 he's planning to spend.
Like I said, ask people who have owned one. Try a Porsche forum.

Yep, i think that i've been pretty clear though in specifying what and where :)
A 993 of any kind will be more intriguing to drive, i said the turbo or the 997gt3 because they are wonderful but seriously, the 996 is not "as porsche" as the 993 and 997 are.
Same would apply for the rx8 if mazda were to pull out another real sportscar like the rx7 after ours :)
Maintenance costs are a concern as those cars are pretty "fragile" and service costs are high because of the brand.