Anciennement Possédée

2003 Porsche 911 Carrera

Arctic Silver Metallic

The 996 generation. Porsche's controversial but brilliant water-cooled revolution. Faster, more capable, and more accessible than any 911 before it.

The 996-generation 911 divided opinion when it launched. The "fried egg" headlights, the water-cooled engine, the shared front end with the Boxster. purists were outraged. But time has been kind to the 996, and today it's increasingly recognized as one of the great performance bargains and a genuinely excellent sports car. Our 2003 Carrera was a late-production car with the revised IMS bearing and the improved M96 engine. The 3.6-litre flat-six produced 320 horsepower. a significant jump from the 993. and the chassis was sharper, more precise, and more confidence-inspiring at the limit. The 996 was the car that proved Porsche could evolve without losing its soul. Yes, the engine was water-cooled, but it still sat behind the rear axle. Yes, the styling was different, but the driving experience was unmistakably 911. In many ways, the 996 was the bravest 911 Porsche ever made.

Pourquoi nous l'avons aimée

<p>The 996 was our daily driver, and it excelled in that role. It was fast enough to thrill on canyon roads, comfortable enough for long highway stints, and reliable enough to use every day. The flat-six may have been water-cooled, but it still had character. a mechanical richness that modern turbocharged engines lack. It also taught us that the 911 experience isn't defined by cooling method. It's defined by the rear-engine layout, the flat-six soundtrack, and the way the car communicates with the driver.</p>

Idéal Pour

<p>Daily driving with sports car performance Weekend canyon runs and track days Long-distance grand touring Proving that the 996 deserves more respect</p>