My boss at work, who's a really layed back chap and a top bloke, announced that due to the departure of one employee for medical reasons and the starting of another employee (unrelated to the chap leaving) that the pub was in order at lunchtime.. He then threw me his car keys and said we'd take one anothers cars as he's wanted a drive of the S for a while now but had been waiting till he'd had his car serviced and new brake pads fitted before offering me a chance to drive it.

I'd fancied a go in his 996 Carrera2 for a while; Also trying to convince the main boss (who's even more laid back) to do the same with his Corvette some day but that'll be another story.

Well; It's only a very short drive to the pub; maybe 3 miles, mostly along one straight road so I didnt get the chance to see what the car is capable of and thus I can't really comment on it from a handling or dynamics perspective as such except to say that it felt considerably softer than the S with more roll (I have Cusco ARBS on the S); In fact overall impression was one of being underwhelmed.

Obviously the car had more grunt than the S and a load more lower down poke but tbh that was the only thing that on first impression it had to offer over the S.

I was expecting it to be taught and to be really impressed with the design, feel etc but found myself finding fault almost as soon as I climbed in. Steering wheel was like it was off a ship; The throttle pedal was too far left and there appeared to be a footrest or something to the immediate right of it so I found half my foot catching on it.

I'm sure, given more time and some good roads I could have acclimatised and found some of its hidden strengths but as I say, first impression was that of unimpressed.

On the contrary; I parked next to my boss in the pub carpark and he was still sat in the S having a good look around the dash and interior; He eventually popped out with a great smile on his face and stated 'That was ace, it handles like a go-kart' (the only modification I have made from stock are the front and rear ARBS).

He went on to praise the engine and the gearbox at length and I could see that he genuinely enjoyed the brisk drive; by comparison I didnt really have much to throw back by way of 'first impression praise' for his car.

I'm sure the 996 Carrera2 is a good car but for that brief first drive I was very unimpressed which genuinely suprised me.

I appreciate that a quick blat in another car only tells you a small amount about that car but by comparison to my first encounter in an S this was so underwhelming.

 

I think it says volumes about the type of cars they both are:

The S2000 is a "blat" machine. Best enjoyed in full on experiences.

The 911 sounds like my M3. More of a GT alrounder.

 

How old and what mileage was the 996?
The first 996's are what 11 years old now, there will be a LOT of difference between a leggy 8+ year old 911 and a two year old S2k more so if its a low miler. The running gear will be tiring no even on a later 996.

My first thought of the 911 was the gearbox was turd compared to the S, a sport shift kit helped a lot.

 

Fair point.

Not sure of the exact age of the car but it is getting a little long in ther tooth I suppose.

 

911s feel a bit like an E-Class unless you push them really really hard.

Once you use up that cruising squashiness, they do come together rather well.

The NSX, by comparison, feels more 'alive' (some might say 'tinny' in the way the S2000 does) even at lower speeds.

Chilled is on the money; the 911 is a great everyday car with a high performance side like the M3, but it's not a tiring, difficult, rewarding, hooligan, fun car like the S2000 is. It's the hack's hyperbole that lends people to believe the 911 can do both jobs the same, when in fact the parameters are so different. Chalk and cheese, really. Might as well stick a Honda Legend in the comparison, too!

 

Some of the early ones are looking a bit saggy now, although the suspension on the standard 996 is quite forgiving - different on the sportier ones of course.

911's are great if you need the rear seats, although I drove a 997 when I was test driving a load of cars earlier this year.

When we got back to the dealer I said to the sales guy - 'I don't get it'

It looked great, sounded ok, but left me a bit cold unfortunately

 

I have both at the moment, 996 turbo and my faithful S2000. I probably use the s more then the porsche but the gearbox is soooo much smoother and sharper in the honda, I do have a quick shift which helps. The porsche has so much more power though and is very easy to drive very fast.

 

I'd agree with that; if they sold the 911 as a 2+2 option to the Cayman and didn't piss around deleting a

 

The 911 model designations confuse me. Why can't people just say they went for a spin in a Mk XXXVII Porsche 911 ...

 

Because there have been more iterations than Toyota's Corollas.

There's also that lingering whiff of oneupmanship...

I might buy one in Indischrot, put a blues & twos on the roof and go round telling everyone it's a 999.