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Had my 86 951 in the shop last week. Guy there had a pristine 99 996 cpe, stock with turbo twists and sport exhaust, 6 speed, with 54K miles. I took it out for a spin and ran it at a 100% up through maybe 80 mph several times. I have been shopping for a low miles 996 and will probably get one soon (the 951 stays... we've had it since 88).
Now I've driven a number of 996 and I love them. They are great in so many ways. One of the best driving cars ever. However this time I got right back into my car and left. Well let's just say that my bone stock 951 puts the same amount of smile on my face as a 996 does... in fact I think maybe more. Flat-6 motor + no weight in the front is definitely magical.. but you just can't compare it to boost. From the stoplight, 996 will beat our cars up pretty good, but I feel certain that once the afterburners light up, 951 pulls harder.. and from about 50+ I bet 951 is as fast or faster. That's hard to believe with the HP deficit.. and a 996 truly is a fast car (0-60 < 5 sec). But for shear hoon acceleration, I just think 951 is more..I guess..well..
I love to switch back and forth. A 996 is the most undervalued 911 out there - especially a 1999, which has the dual row IMS bearing and a very low 1% IMS failure rate compared to the 10%-15+% for the later 996's. I highly recommend them. I only have about 80k miles on mine so I haven't yet had some of the other common issues yet such as chain tensioner replacement, AOS replacement, coolant overflow tank replacement, etc. but even if those are the worst that can go wrong, it's a great value. A bone stock 996 looks kind of anemic, but with minor changes such as wheel spacers, a GT3 front bumper cover and aerokit side skirts, it's much more likeable.
On a track, my 996 cab is actually a bit faster (and more stable through tricky turns such as the corkscrew at Laguna Seca), but I won't throw it around or modify it like I will my 951, so in that respect the 951 is more fun at the track.
1999 996 cabriolet with hard top mounted, GT3 front bumper cover, aerokit side skirts, Strosek Level 1 Rear Wing
I have both and what you say is spot on. 966 seems to have effortless power from standstill whereas the 951 has to work at it but once it gets on boost the 951 just keeps pulling strong. Both great cars, 951 puts a bigger grin on my face.
I have owned both as well. Two different propositions. The 996 is just to say you own a 911, and the 996 is cheap and reasonably modern. Its not a sports car in some ways, a bit heavy, but a smooth engine and gearbox make it fun, but far from scary.
For a track/performance comparison, here's a clip from a PCA club race practice session. Pretty similar performance between some SP996 cars and my club race 944T (running Cup specs - 15 psi boost, 2920 lbs w/ driver). Acceleration was about equal, gearing similar. They might have a slight advantage in braking, but hard to tell. 996 exhaust note is quite an advantage in coolness. They are cool cars.
...The 996 is just to say you own a 911, and the 996 is cheap and reasonably modern. Its not a sports car in some ways, a bit heavy...
It's definately a 911 and definitely a sports car, no need to hate. Great stock brembo brakes, plenty of usable power, quick off the line, solid around corners, etc. If you want to know what a 996na is capable of just ask someone with a GT3 version, or drive one with pss9 suspension and RSS engine mounts. Really, it doesn't take much to make a stock 966, which is great to start with, into an excellent and fun car.
02-19-2015, 09:23 PM
996 and 951 back to back
