Hello everyone,

I just became the proud owner of a beautiful 1999 Porsche 996 Carrera. While not new year wise, physically it is. It is in immaculate shape, that was well cared for by it's previous owner.

This has been my life long dream since childhood when I use to buy and read Road and Track.

As an engineer who works in the aerospace industry, I can only look at Porsche's as a masterpiece of engineering, only to be surpassed by the Boeing 777 aircraft. Sorry Airbus.

When I was in the process of buying it, I was actually afraid of it, still am, asking myself do I really need it? What if I scratch it, or skip a gear? I started to think of excuses for not buying it. Maintenance costs, tires, etc. I know this sounds stupid. I don't know, but as you can see, I ended up buying it, and I love it. Of course now I'm afraid to drive it in traffic, or even park it for fear of someone damaging it.

Anyway, I was in the process of looking to purchase a BMW 330CI, looking everywhere for what I wanted, until I came across this used 1999 Porsche that was in my price range, at a local Porsche dealership, Porsche Certified and w/a left over warranty. So I went to the dealership, and trying to find it on the lot, there it was, mixed in w/the brand new 997's. Unless you knew what the differences are between the 996 vs. the 997, you couldn't find it, it was in that good of shape.

Driving it, the clutch was different from anything I'd ever driven, and I've driven manuals all my life. Same goes w/the 6 speed transmission. I use to own an Acura RSX Type S w/the six speed transmission, so I knew six speeds, yet the Porsche's different. It's something I'll have to get use to. Then the controls, I've never had to read an owners manual in order to use them before. Of course the left handed ignition switch takes getting use to.

Anyway, I'm getting use to it. Driving it around town, and in traffic. Come summer time, I should be well verse to take it to Montana, and to see what this baby can really do.

As for the dealership, I was quit happy w/them. This is a dealership that caters to millionairs. People who pay cash for a $100,000+ Porsche. Here I am, driving up in my Toyota pickup. I can only imagine what they thought. Anyway, they were quit curtious, treating me like any other customer. Took me out to test drive it, and not being use to it's clutch, had it stall on me a few times. After a few hours of talking price, talking to the Service Manager about maintenance and it's service history, and coming to an agreement, I was able to test drive it one more time. They allowed me to go by myself this time, and to take my time. No problems w/the clutch this time. When I got back, I said it was a go, and could of taken it straight home, but pointed out a very small dent in the door, so small you could hardly notice it. I told them I wanted it fixed first. They said no problem. So I went home, and came in the next day, the door was fixed by this dent specialist. Boy that guy was good. No sign of the dent. The rest is history.

Am I boring anyone.

Anyway, dreams do come true, I got my Porsche.

 

Welcome to the forum, and no, you are'nt boring at all. I recently got a 996, about 4 months ago, too. It was a new one that had sat on one dealer or another's lot for 19 months. Couldn't see anything wrong with or weird about it and it had the full warranty, and I actually liked the 996 over the 997 after driving both. One thing different from yours is that I got the Tiptronic (automatic trans) -- i have a bunch of 6 speeds already and wanted an auto trans for in town driving..

A new Porsche can be intimidating but realize it is just a car. Still its a good idea to take it easy until you get used the handling. Mine has evoked the stability control only one time, but it probably saved me from sliding the rear into a curb. And over time they get a few dings, chips, and the paint fades. But they never loose their quality or their cachet. As to the buying experience, I'm not sure there isn't a Porsche dealer that caters to millionaires. On the day I picked up my car they were delivering a yellow Carrera GT that went for about $500K drive out, the salesman told me, and they had some guy in there ordering a $175000 GT2 with the $8000 special paint (for $8K the factory will paint your car any color you want -- just give them a paint chip). But I am content with my every-other Porsche-is-this-same-color-Silver 996. Love it.

When you get a chance, post some pictures of your car in gallery.

Boeing, eh? Glad to see they are beating Airbus. I like the 777 a lot - surprising how noticeably quieter and smoother in flight than either the older Boeings or some of the Airbuses (alas, I flight on way too many of your company's products in my job).

I know it is a longshot but do you know an engineer about early 50ish named Joe Gregg? - works at Boeing and lives in Renton. I went to engineering school with him and we worked together for a few years before he went to Boeing in 1980.