The Porsche 911 is an iconic sports car that has evolved through generations while retaining its classic rear-engined layout and thrilling driving dynamics. This detailed comparison focuses on the 996 (1997-2003) and 997 (2004-2011) generations, examining their key strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed choice if considering a used 911 from these eras.
The 996 marked a major departure by being the first water-cooled 911, while the 997 built on that modern foundation with more power, refinement and equipment. Both offer an engaging drive and surprising practicality for a focused sports car, but each have their own unique traits that appeal to different buyers.
Porsche 911 996 vs Porsche 911 997
Practicality
For true sports cars, both the 996 and 997 generations offer impressive practicality and versatility. Their compact exterior dimensions make them easy to manoeuvre, while excellent all-round visibility and a relatively upright driving position aid placement on the road.
Inside, there's a surprising amount of space for the driver and passenger, even for taller occupants thanks to decent seat and wheel adjustment. The trademark 2+2 seating layout includes small rear seats, better suited to children but also useful for increasing luggage capacity when folded flat.
Boot space (by sports car standards) is generous too, with around 130 litres in the 996's front trunk (reduced to 100 litres in 4WD versions) and 135 litres in the 997 (105 litres for 4WD). Both offer door bins and, from the facelift 996 onwards, cupholders too.
The 996's cabin feels rather sparse by modern standards and the 997 has the edge here overall. It feels significantly more up-to-date. In both 996 and 997 you can buy track-focused GT models that ditch the rear seats for weight-saving.
Driving Impressions
The key reason to buy a 911 is its unique driving experience, derived from the rear-engined layout and continual evolution over decades. Both generations are involving and satisfying in different ways.
The 996 was a major step forward in refining the 911's previously tricky handling characteristics. It's agile yet vice-free, with nicely weighted steering and an entertainingly balanced chassis that's still involving for keen drivers. The howling flat-six engines provide strong performance too.
The 997 builds on this, with even more poise and body control thanks to improved suspension. Steering is sublime, and the car just comes alive on a twisting road. A range of powerful naturally-aspirated and turbocharged engines provide scintillating pace.
For the ultimate thrills, seek out hardcore GT variants like the GT3 and GT2. These track-focused models are stripped out, more powerful and have race-bred chassis setups for maximum engagement.
While the 997 has moved the game on in terms of sophistication, the 996 is no slouch and provides an impressively modern driving experience for its age with and really connects the driver with the road.
Technology and Equipment
As you'd expect from cars launched in the late 90s and 2000s, the 996 and 997 can't match the latest 911s for cutting-edge tech and gadgets. However, both cover the basics well with air conditioning, electric windows and decent levels of equipment as standard.
The 997 has the advantage of being the more recently launched model, so features like Bluetooth and LED lights were available. But many 911s had plenty of options added when new too, so used examples can be highly specified with leather, upgraded audio and more.
Where both underwhelm is the dated infotainment systems fitted from the factory. A basic CD player and radio were standard, with clunky optional sat-nav systems that look very old hat today.
Thankfully, Porsche now offers modern touchscreen upgrades with smartphone mirroring that can be retrofitted seamlessly. This allows you to bring tired cabin tech up-to-date easily.
Running Costs
There's no getting around the fact that a Porsche 911 of any generation will be an expensive car to run and maintain. Fuel economy is unlikely to exceed 25mpg in regular driving, dropping to 20mpg or lower if making the most of the performance.
Servicing, tyres, brakes and other consumables all command a premium, reflecting the car's high-performance nature. You'll be looking at £300+ for a minor service, £1,000+ for a clutch replacement and £600+ for new front brake discs and pads as examples.
The 996 and earlier 997s have some potentially costly issues to watch out for too, like cylinder bore scoring, IMS bearing failure and rear main seal leaks - all of which can lead to expensive engine rebuilds if not pre-empted. A pre-purchase inspection is highly recommended.
Coolant system components like radiators and air-con condensers are also prone to leaks and corrosion over time. Budgeting £1,000+ to replace these may be required.
Overall, there's little to split the two in terms of running costs. Having an independent Porsche specialist look after the car can mitigate some costs versus main dealers.
Reliability
The 911's reputation for reliability took a knock with the 996 generation, which suffered from some engine issues that could lead to very costly repairs if not addressed promptly.
The most widely discussed problems concern the rear main oil seal (allowing leaks), intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing (which could disintegrate catastrophically) and cylinder bore scoring. While exaggerated, there are genuine risks that require careful preventative maintenance.
Porsche did improve matters for the 997, but it wasn't completely immune. Early cars could suffer from issues like corroded vacuum pumps, while air-con condensers and radiators remain a weak point as the cars age.
In general, the 997 has proven more robust, benefiting from lessons learned with the 996. But due diligence through inspections and maintenance from an experienced specialist remains crucial for peace of mind with either model.
Verdict
There's no denying the enduring appeal of Porsche's iconic 911 sports car. Both the 996 and 997 generations combine thrilling driving dynamics with surprising day-to-day usability in that unique rear-engined package.
The 997 represents a more refined, capable and better-equipped evolution of the 911 formula. But the 996 was nonetheless an important modern milestone and still provides an immensely engaging drive by modern standards.
Your choice may come down to budget, as the 997 commands higher prices but is generally more robust. A well-maintained 996 from an owner who has stayed on top of preventative maintenance could make an impressively affordable way into 911 ownership. Well-cared for examples are beginning to increase in value, too.
Whichever you opt for, take the time to have a thorough pre-purchase inspection by an experienced independent Porsche specialist. Do that, and a used 911 from either of these generations can be a hugely rewarding long-term ownership proposition.
