1996 Porsche 911 Review
1996 Porsche 911 Review





+2
Used 911 for sale
Appraise This CarPorsche 911 model years
Porsche 911 types
- Coupe
- Convertible
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
For the 1996 Porsche 911, the Trick Targa model joins the lineup, and power is up in midrange revs. New Carrera 4S model provides Turbo looks without Turbo price or performance. Bigger wheels are standard across the line, as well as Litronic headlights. New stereos and exterior colors compliment one new interior color this year. Remote keyless entry system gets an immobilizer feature.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 2dr Coupe AWD and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$220/mo for 911 Carrera 4
911 Carrera 4
vs
$168/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Over 30 years ago, Porsche introduced what would become one of the most recognizable vehicles on the planet: the 911. It received modifications over the next three decades, but the shape was never changed, aside from subtle tweaks. For 1995, Porsche introduced a new 911, and much of the old one carried over. The interior, doors, roof and floorpan were the same as the 1994 edition. The rest was new, or substantially upgraded, including an all-new, and more forgiving, rear suspension.
The overall visual effect was a familiar one. Same could be said of the interior, which has an airbag-equipped steering wheel. These are not bad things, as Porsche research indicates that 911 buyers are a loyal and reliable lot. What was not the same about this much improved version of the legendary Porsche was the price.
The 1995 911 was $5,000 to $12,000 less-expensive than the 1994 model, depending on which one you bought. The entry-level 911 Carrera 2 is the most popular 911. At midlevel is a convertible version of the 911 Carrera 2. Above the drop-top 911 is the all-wheel drive Carrera 4, which benefited from a completely new drive system for 1995. Porsche said the new Carrera 4 drivetrain makes the car more fun on sunny days without giving up wet weather traction or prowess. Since Porsche dropped the 968 and 928 this year, all of these wonderful 911's continue for 1996.
So, all this cool new stuff was introduced last year. What's the big deal about 1996? How about 400 horsepower? How about all-wheel drive? How about twin KKK K-16 turbochargers? How about dual air-to-air intercoolers? How about zero to 60 times in the high threes? How about a quarter-mile in 12.5 seconds at better than 110 mph? How about skidpad grip measuring .92 g's? How about stopping from interstate speeds in less than 40 yards? For about $100,000, you can have all this (and more, we're sure) sitting in your garage, with a big, fat whale tail proclaiming to the world that you are the giddy owner of a 911 Turbo.
Porsche counted on the revamped 911 to give sales a badly needed boost, and was not disappointed. Now that the image-making 911 Turbo is available, we think many current 911 owners will want one of the latest versions of Germany's premier sports car.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Porsche 911.
5 star(90%)
4 star(10%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
41 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
There really is no other
chas, 04/20/2010
1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 2dr Coupe
My first Porsche, hopefully not my last. I'm not sure I can describe just how powerful an experience it is to drive a car like this every day. This is my regular driver, 3-4 days a week to work and back. I dropped a fair amount of money on it in my first year of ownership, but nothing I had to fix or upgrade was especially unreasonable. The Porsche 911 requires careful attention in … its maintenance, but the rewards are very great: no other car makes you a part of the machine the way the 993 911 does. It's an experience every driver should have. My car has 112K miles on it, and it's running like a watch now. I just cross my fingers that no more expensive trolls show up soon
4.75 out of 5 stars
The Porsche 993 (the 911s from 1995 to 1998) Rock!
jewbaca, 04/20/2011
1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 2dr Convertible
Having owned many a Porsche, I have to say my 993 remains my favorite Porsche.
I have both a Cayenne and a 997 turbo model 911, and none compare to the feel or raw driving pleasure of the 993 models, especially the S or Turbo.
Despite the power and performance (still better than 99% of the sports cars produced), it can be a daily driver --- definately a rough, bumpy, sports car, ride, … though.
The TMV purchase price is highly unrealistic.
As the last "real" Porsche, 993s have become collector items.
I would expect to pay high $50K or mid $60K for a 993S in great condition.
The coupes are more expensive than the convertibles.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Best 911 model hnds down
Big Ed, 08/31/2010
1996 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S 2dr Coupe AWD
Buy one now before the price goes up and don't worry about the mileage if serviced properly. A lot of folks will recommend buying the "newest 911" you can afford. Don't believe it. My car has 180,000 miles and the only service has been oil changes. Keep the revs over 3,000 rpms. My local Porsche dealership manager drives one. This is last of the air-cooled 911's and this car has … evolved to perfection with over 20-years of continuous engineering improvements that came from Porsche's racing engineering history. The new 911's (997 series) are made to look like these. Why? Because it is a mobile Object D'art. My car is 14yo and still folks jaws drop at the gas pump and heads turn.
4.63 out of 5 stars
The Reliable Alternative To Ferrari 328
Sportscarnut, 04/01/2002
1995 Porsche 911 Carrera 2dr Coupe
This is my fourth, and favorite 911. You don't really notice the lack of Varioram unless you are passing. Edmunds' estimate of $34K for one in nice condition is pretty low. One with average mileage (4K - 7K /year) and maintained will cost more. Porsche ownership is not for everyone. This model has hydraulic lifters (no valve adjustments), but the exhaust manifold must be … disassembled to access the lower spark plugs, and it eats 17" rear tires every 7500 miles. If you drive very gingerly, you can possibly coax 15K miles out of the fronts. Also, oil changes take about 10 quarts of Mobil One and an arm with two elbows.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1996 Porsche 911, so we've included reviews for other years of the 911 since its last redesign.
1996 911 Highlights
Coupe
Carrera
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $209/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 4.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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