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Board: Porsche - 911 - 997 Language: English Region: Worldwide Share/Save/Bookmark Close

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    Sep 13, 2005 10:47:01 AM

    mish
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    Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    Ok, now that we have all had time to get used to the cars aesthetically, which one do you find more pleasing visually?

    The 996 (lets take the Turbo front) or the 997?

    For me, I am still not quite 100% convinced on the 997 eyes. I still have a soft spot for those 996er's.

    What about you folks?



    Sep 13, 2005 11:28:45 AM

    John SF 2005 997 S
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    Reply to: mish

    THE 997 by about 643 %

    OMG - SOOO MUCH BETTER !!!

    Sep 13, 2005 11:46:30 AM

    RCA
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    Reply to: mish

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    997 I'm afraid. And if you have to make a buying decision, DO NOT buy a 996 now. Prices have dropped and even if money is no issue for you: the 997 is a different beast, it drives completely different, there have been a lot of improvements, especially regarding the suspension but also regarding quality.

    Sep 13, 2005 11:47:56 AM

    SVNSVN
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    Reply to: John SF 2005 997 S

    Re: THE 997 by about 643 %

    997 by 25%- at least.

    Sep 13, 2005 11:53:02 AM

    977Fan
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    Reply to: mish

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    997 without doubt. I didn't like much th 996 because the eyes. The return to the round optics IMO is the best design stetic improvement of the 997.

    Sep 13, 2005 12:35:19 PM

    Carlos from SpainM
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    Reply to: mish

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    You have to compare similar angles to get a better comparative impression

    Sep 13, 2005 12:36:08 PM

    BC
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    Reply to: 977Fan

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    997, without a doubt. It just looks more crisp (only word that comes to mind), more modern.
    The 996 looks softer. I know that does not make much sense, but its the only way i can describe it.

    Sep 13, 2005 12:37:32 PM

    sevoman
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    Reply to: mish

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    997 has beautiful hips, better lights and front, and interior waaaay better than 996 C2.

    Saw adjacent standard 997 and 997 S with minus 20 sport suspension this week - the extra 20 mm lowering makes the car's stance look noticeably more purposeful and aggressive (glad I have one on order!!)

    However, 996 C4S and Turbo are gorgeous looking cars with different front and wiiide hips. New boxster looks so good from front because similarity to front of C4S air intakes.

    IMHO C4S possibly best looking (absence of spoiler) Porsche.

    Sep 13, 2005 12:51:53 PM

    BC
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    Reply to: Carlos from SpainM

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    Quote:
    Carlos from Spain said:
    You have to compare similar angles to get a better comparative impression






    It like Carlos saw this thread, ran out to his car then parked it in that position quickly...It looks like the exact same angle.

    BTW from that view ESP the 997 looks much better

    Sep 13, 2005 1:00:31 PM

    RoadRacer
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    Reply to: BC

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    997 in my opinion, and not just because I bought one. I never did like the "broken Egg" or "elephant ear" headlights on the 996 - I thought they were a letdown from the 993. I do like the 996 turbo front bumper - I hope the 997 turbo ends up very similar in appearance.

    Sep 13, 2005 1:03:14 PM

    69bossnine
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    Reply to: BC

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    Even with the slightly "altered" 2002-up lights, the 996 was too Boxster-esque up front. The 997 looks like a proper 911. While I think the 996 is an immensely attractive car, I don't prefer it to the 997 that replaced it, nor the 993 that preceded it.

    Sep 13, 2005 1:18:07 PM

    GA997S
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    Reply to: mish

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    Isn't that a Boxter and a 997?

    Sep 13, 2005 1:29:52 PM

    mish
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    Reply to: Carlos from SpainM

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    Quote:
    Carlos from Spain said:
    You have to compare similar angles to get a better comparative impression









    LOL...Carlos you are the man!...Surely you didn't locate that pic on the net - with the exact same angle!!


    To me, that 996 front bumper (minus the license plate divets) looks SO sexy!! Far more aggressive than the rather timid, 'soft' looking 997 front.

    Sep 13, 2005 1:36:59 PM

    69bossnine
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    Reply to: mish

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    Hmmm, that 996 Turbo looks frustratingly familiar...... I just can't put my finger on it..... OH YEAH, NOW I REMEMBER!!!!

    Sep 13, 2005 1:39:33 PM

    Carlos from SpainM
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    Reply to: mish

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    Quote:
    mish said:
    LOL...Carlos you are the man!...Surely you didn't locate that pic on the net - with the exact same angle!!



    Lets just say I have all the angles of my 997S pretty much covered in photos in my Hard-Drive

    Sep 13, 2005 2:12:18 PM

    vtrader
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    Reply to: Carlos from SpainM

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    997 by 100%.

    Sep 13, 2005 2:37:23 PM

    dan996
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    Reply to: vtrader

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    997 no question about it. Looks like 100% on this board.

    Sep 13, 2005 2:48:44 PM

    PS CA Offline
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    Reply to: mish

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    I don't think it is a fair comparison to show the 996 turbo front end verses the 997 non-turbo front end. It is the best front end of the 996 series.

    Show the non-turbo 996 verses the 997 and I think you will get an even stronger vote for the 997.

    Phil

    Sep 13, 2005 2:53:14 PM

    SoCal Alan
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    Reply to: dan996

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    Quote:
    dan996 said:
    997 no question about it. Looks like 100% on this board.



    Maybe we should ask this same question on the 996 board, also.

    I prefer the 997.

    Sep 13, 2005 3:07:59 PM

    MMD
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    Reply to: SoCal Alan

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    Most striking to me is the wheel/tire size difference. My 997 Carrera classics next to 996 version of Carrera wheels is amazing. The latter look whimpy!

    Funny how our perceptions can be changed and manipulated; it's just an inch difference in diameter!

    The rest of the cars look about the same, the headlights on the 996 look bad to me after I learned Porsche went with that design because it was cheaper. I don't like compromises based on nickle-and-dime economics especially from Porsche of all places.

    The 996 interior looks dated to me compared to the 997.

    Sep 13, 2005 4:00:40 PM

    Thoma Offline
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    Reply to: MMD

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    997

    Sep 13, 2005 4:12:42 PM

    Mike S
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    Reply to: RoadRacer

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    lol talk about exact comparisons carlos the 997 for me too

    Sep 13, 2005 4:30:38 PM

    STRADALE
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    Reply to: mish

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    Lived w/ my 996 Turbo for 3 years. Like the 997 better.

    The more you look at the 996 the more you can see the front of the car was built (because of cost cutting) around the shape of the headlights. All the panels are prisioner to it's shape. It should be the other way around. Like the 997.

    Sep 13, 2005 4:35:07 PM

    pic911s
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    Reply to: mish

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    997 hands down. Could have bought the 996 version earlier , but something (headlights, width of rear end) just bothered me about the 911. Liked the 4S but the lights just weren't doing it for me. Then when the 997 came out BAM , it was like no decision, had to get it.

    Sep 13, 2005 4:53:28 PM

    DannyB
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    Reply to: mish

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    997 without a doubt.

    Sep 13, 2005 4:59:18 PM

    easy_rider911
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    Reply to: pic911s

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    Plenty of opinions here from people who own a 997.

    Speaking as someone who intends to buy a 911 in the future, my 'neutral' opinion is this:

    I adore the rear view of the 997. Much more sexy than the 996.

    I like the side views of the 996 and the 997 and would say that the 997 is only slightly more attractive from the side.

    From the front, I love the 996TT front much more. The 997 'face' looks too much like the VW Beetle. I adore the 996 headlamps in the photo at the top of this thread.

    Anyway, that's just my opinion. Beauty is a totally subjective thing.

    In any event, RC is totally correct. The 997 is so different (and improved) in so many ways that purchasing a 996 over a 997 on looks alone is a bad misjudgement.

    I wonder what will happen to the front of the 997 if there is a facelift or when (eventually) the 998 comes out after some years?

    Sep 13, 2005 8:17:12 PM

    Turbo 911
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    Reply to: mish

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    996 Turbo style. But 997 Carrera compared to 996 Carrera.

    Sep 13, 2005 9:12:50 PM

    POR911
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    Reply to: Turbo 911

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    The 996, is more sharper & more classier looking.
    The 997, is more sexier & more porsche looking.
    i perfer the 997, though i own a 996

    Interior! two different worlds!!

    Sep 13, 2005 11:44:01 PM

    Topless9114S
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    Reply to: RoadRacer

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    I think they are both beautiful cars... and both visually appealing. Most all Porsches I've seen are gorgeous .

    Sep 14, 2005 12:03:47 AM

    Holminator
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    Reply to: RoadRacer

    Re: Which is more pleasing visually - 996 or 997?

    Depends on the color.
     
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