A couple of things to add/clarify!

1. Sorry, yes I got distracted halfway through my review of the brakes and forgot to finish my point after a little blast! Specifically, where I felt there was room for improvement! The first time I drove the car (hard) I noticed that the brakes, whilst plenty capable, required quite a hefty stab of the pedal whilst many other cars appear to brake harder and sooner in the first half of the pedal travel. What's interesting now is that long term owners are pointing out that they're simply not over-servo'd like modern cars and that actually with spirited driving they give you more granular control. Funny how my only criticism might in fact play as a strength 😂

Secondly, most likely down to these particular pads/discs I'm assuming, I just found the brakes overheated and lost their effectiveness far more quickly than I'd have expected, but it was during a very enthusiastic drive.

I didn't do the best job of explaining that, I do apologise! They're very capable but perhaps take getting used to rather than having instinctive pressure and for longer stints of enthusiastic drives could do with decent pads.

2. No one has commented about this but just so I've added clarity to the early budget section - I wouldn't say you need to have £15k+ ready for a total maintenance budget when you buy a 996 but it's more to indicate that 'cheap' 911s near the entry point will likely require a large number of these and it demonstrates why it's worth investing in those near the 20k end with lots of thorough maintenance. But also, as Tom has demonstrated, even with a nice 19k example be ready for large annual spends to give these the love they deserve. They're absolutely worth it, just save up more than you'd think first and choose wisely!

Thanks for all the appreciation and kind words; credit and my own thanks go to @purple-porker-productions as an Assistant Editor for helping me with a good chunk of the groundwork of the edits! Thanks for helping keep up the regular output!

Prices of good 996's across the range will sit in a totally different price bracket in 5-10 years. Mark my words.

Currently looking for a 996, been watching tons of reviews and this is the best I’ve found, awesome content

996.2 Targa owner here. I loved your commentary and you are spot on. Important bit is to check the history, and there is no way around maintenance cost. I own a 21 Lotus Evora GT as well, they are both fun in different ways. Any Porsche thats 20+ yrs old will need repair, and 996 is no exception. I daily my 996 and use the Evora for track mainly. If you can keep some money set aside for maintenance, it's a wonderful way to experience a 911.

Great review Jimmy! One point on the brakes - 996s need a right old shove (which feels strange compared to overservoed modern cars) but they’ve got plenty of braking power when you do.

Why? It’s to give you more braking modulation between (say) 60% and 80% of total braking power when you’re properly on it. Modern cars give you 90% of the total braking power in 10% of the travel. Makes them feel like they have good brakes but try to modulate them at those higher levels and then suddenly your pedal and control weights are all very inconsistent.

But Porsche know the cars have to be set up to drive right when you’re properly ragging them - and THAT is the default setting. Pretty cool if you ask me 👍😄

Rule number one....There are no cheap Porsches 😂😂

Thanks for this 996 review. Ive watched them all on YouTube as I’m in the market for one in a short while. I always make a bee line for your reviews on any car. You have a great way of putting things across and which resonates with me. Your my favourite reviewer on YouTube and I wish you the best. I’m sure you will do well.

Love how you have the microphone on the exhaust, it makes the driving sequences more fun to watch. For me sound is almost 50% of the car experience and I enjoy your way of bringing it through your films :) Also, that bit about the maintenance costs at the start of film was good. All car films should start that way. A dose of realism!

Awesome video! My dad has a 996.2 c4s with only 1,500 miles 🤯(talk about a garage queen) He heard the stories about the IMS bearing and was terrified of the car he saved up his whole live for blowing up and thus was too afraid to drive it. He's finally driving it now though! It's a fantastic car and its always treat to drive. I'm astonished by how small it is compared to today's cars (especially here in America) and yet how roomy it feels inside. Glad these cars are finally getting the love they deserve.

I have owned one of these 996 Targa toys for already 4 years and the maintainance costs are way much lower. I think it is a matter of how the previous owners have taken care of it, but I have the history of the last 10 years, proper Porsche shop, specialized shops and DIYs that keeps the car running properly. About the breaks, the previous owner did not change the discs and I drove 3 years with prominent lips on the edge. I changed them this year both, discs, pads and sensors from Brembo (recommended parts for the model) and the improvement is absolutely great, I should have spent around 450 GBP in parts and two hrs.

The IMS and bore scoring topics are overrated, althought it would be usuful to track the progression (sending oil to analyze metal content due to wearing) and/or allocate budget for preventive maintainance.

In my opinion, this generation set the technology to develop further the 911 tradition of modern cars and regardless of the "hated" headlights or the aforementioned engine problems, it increased substantially efficiency, comfort and driving experience in comparision to the previous generations. It provieds the best of both worlds, analog naturally aspirated engine with a modern perk (assisted direction, digital communication system, etc)

It is an underdog car, you get the best value for money in the 911 range.

As Magnus Walker once told me in Stuttart (Germany): "Get out + Drive" 😉

Great perspective and I agree with the bulk of your observations. I've had my 01 C2 since new.  At the time, my sons were six and eight and I took them for a drive in it the first day. From time to time they've already been driving it now for years. Bigger challenge may be figuring out which one of them gets it when I'm too far gone. Yeah, other 911s might be faster, more powerful, newer, or more desirable and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't lusted after a speed yellow 997 GT3, but I still smile every time I see it in my garage, let alone drive it. It's been well maintained and now I'm enjoying doing that part myself. Ironically, it's one of the lightest 911s which contributes to it feeling so nimble.

I love the 996!!!

I was warned that the brakes are fine, but under assisted. To be honest, 500 miles later, I don’t notice. It’s got excellent brakes. Excellent everything.

I owned my '99 for 22 yrs and it had 113k miles on it when it was lost.  I paid real money for it when I bought it and it was still in warranty after comparing back-to-back with a used 993 c2 and aside the from the frameless windows not sounding as solid, the overall quality just felt higher and the oil cooled cars arent maintenance free either btw.  Ofc it ultimately turned out to be a less-appreciated model and I missed out on the concomitant pricing appreciation of the older car....but wow did I have fun in mine! Road trips of 1800+miles, daily driven, used to transport a growing family (people complain about the back seats but they are SUPREMELY useful for kids up to about 13 and thin women! ;))  Really only minor stuff on mine over the years and most items coming up were age related bushings and what not.  I ended up with 991 turbo and it is definitely a bigger, more serious and more involved car to drive.... I do miss my 996 believe it or not, may pick up a cayman for that particular itch at some point.

Brilliantly presented review. I’m thinking about one and it’s helped a lot. Thanks for pointing out the practicality also. I’ve subscribed so look forward to more of your content.

That is the best sounding 911 I've ever heard besides a 930 Turbo

996 Targa owner here. Love this car almost as much as my 997 Turbo

Great cars. Loved my 996.2 C2 but as we’re all saying, a big bill is never that far away, and that does have an impact on the ownership experience. After a couple of years I swapped for a spotless 1999 Impreza Turbo, kept it standard looking but put a hybrid turbo (325hp), a few suspension tweaks and better brakes - probably more fun to drive and far cheaper to maintain.

Having sat as a passenger in this car, I can say I've not stopped thinking about it for months. The noise and sensation of speed was incredible. Good points on the Non-RMS IMS Bore scoring side of ownership too! Needs patience and budget to get the most out of these. Still want one!

Umm I am just about to get a 996 Carrera 4 year 2000 it’s immaculate with a Porsche check over, £17000 but it has been reduced to £15000 as needs condensers, but it’s in such lovely condition let’s hope there is nothing sinister they missed out!!
Great review!!!