Why The 996 Is Not The Worst 911, And Why It’s Probably Your Best Option
The “don’t judge a book by its cover” saying has been used on the 996 since the first journalist drove one in ‘96, so I will say “don’t knock it ‘til you try it.” A 996 Porsche is not a bad egg just because its headlights look like they came from a chicken, in fact, it is a wonderful time machine to the ‘90s. The simplicity that owned this generation is encapsulated within the 996 perfectly.
The base 3.4 Liter engine made 296 hp and only had to carry around the 996s 2,900-lb body. That’s like if the current base 2020 Subaru WRX made 30 more horsepower and weighed 600 lbs less. That’s quick. Then you get to the Turbo models - for the year 2000, the Turbo model got an all-wheel-drive system, an aero package, and a twin-turbo 3.6 Liter that made 414 hp.