JayRace

I'm currently looking for a 996 and looking for a few opinions on if I should be concerned between getting a MKI or MKII. I know they stiffened up the chassis in 2002 but does this translate to a better mannered car on the street or occassional track use? Does the extra power make a noticable seat of pants difference?

ivangene

MKI is the best car on the plannet - get one and you will understand

lighter than MKII and not so frilly


this should be good!

Divot

Only sissies that don't know how to drive need the extra HP.

GolfTango3

Also, sissies enjoy having a glove box.

Marc Gelefsky

Hi Jay, Welcome to Rennlist!
Plenty of info on the site regarding the Mk/Mk2 if you do a search.

Really not a huge power difference but the stiffer chassis is nice...and a glovebox!
I would not turn down a nice Mk1
also, it's seems that owning Mk1 turns you into some kind of out of control parts hoarder!

RF5BPilot

Mk II: stiffer chasis; more hp; vario-cam plus....more. (including a stereo that is harder to work on because of fiberoptic connections)

When I bought mine, I figured that the Mk II would represent fixes/refinements, based on real world experience with the Mk I.

Both are good cars. Your times on the track with either one will be influenced more by your skill than Mk I or Mk II differences.

Some people claim fewer problems with the Mk II's -- but they are typically newer with fewer miles. I don't think there's been good enough data collection from proper samples to come to any conclusion.

Probably the most important factor is to have a significant reserve in case a major component needs work. The people who scream the loudest put all their cash into the car and had nothing left when the engine or transmission (which they may have thrashed) needed work. You'll have a hard time finding anyting cheap on a cart that sold close to $100k.

chsu74

The MK1 C4 chassis is the same as the MK2 C2s. I have no issues keeping up with a MK2 with my mods and my car is lighter.

Marc Gelefsky

I can attest to this

soverystout

It will all come down to personal preference. Both are great cars.

The Mk1 has the same fenders hood bumpers etc as the boxster of that vintage. The Mk2 has the 996 turbo headlights and different fenders etc.
The MK2 has a glovebox and cup holders, slightly larger displacement engine, slightly more HP which you can't feel, fewer drive chains in the motor with Variocam plus, revised spark plug tubes etc etc..

A well cared for car of either version is a hell of alot of fun!

chsu74

I loved hearing your new exhaust on our way to Hershey. That was a lot of fun....

Divot

What is a "glovebox"? It must be something like the mythical "cupholder".

Seriously, the best advice I heard was buy the newest car you can afford, but keep a cash reserve for repairs. Take your time and do research to find the right car. There is a lot of information right here.

ivangene

ALL of them are better than 95% of the owners can drive them.... dont be too worried about a couple of these, or a couple of those.... get one that fits your taste, passes a PPI and leaves you some room to make it your own thru mods and maintenance

spend some time at your local independant Porsche repair shop, dont be scared of all the "exploding" storied (they are wildlky out of proportion to reality) protect yourself be changing the IMS bearing asap after getting it and get out to the track and learn to drive it

post potential cars and get feedback from the group - if no cars are available, post pictures of women (safe for work ones )

stay clear of anything with a ........ glovebox

ROK

In the 996/7 era, get the newest version you can afford. Period.

In this instance, there's no way I would ever recommend getting an MK1 over the MK2; same with the 997s.

ivangene

really?

I would rather have an MKI for several reasons
then again, the MKII has some appeal too....if I were in the market right now for a 996/7 I would be looking at MKI Aero's hands down

JayRace

Thanks for the quick replies. I'm a maintenance freak so I know what to expect with costs. The first thing I'll do is upgrade the IMS bearing and replace the rear seal while it's apart. Maybe clutch depending on the condition.
I already have a local Porsche specialty shop that's going to do a PPI with leakdown test for me.