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Porsche 911 Turbo 996

First water-cooled Turbo2000–2005

All-weather all-wheel-drive supercar — plus the RWD GT2 outlier.

19 reviewers · 38 videos · 7 hours watched · 10 press articles

Generations
9962000–20059972006–20129912014–20199922020–present
// 00 the verdict

Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on daily drivability.

across 19 reviewers

// where reviewers split
Daily drivability
13 say · liveable

"all that performance is contained in a package that is amazingly docel when driven on the street"

MotorWeek · ▶ 6:57
1 say · critical

"even at low speeds on the public road the gt2 is kind of tram lining a hell of a lot more than a turbo ever would"

9WERKS TV · ▶ 15:33
// the categories
// 01

Performance

4.5/519 of 19 reviewersstrong consensus

“the engine's massive mid-range punch leaves no doubt that this is a Supercar”

positive · MotorWeek · ▶ 4:11

“this is just pulling so far... it pulls so hard whether you're going zero and you floor it and it pulls hard or you're going 90 and you four it pulls hard”

positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 19:52

“this thing is so fast”

positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 5:05
// 02

Handling

4.5/519 of 19 reviewersstrong consensus

“no matter how hard you push and pull it the turbo all but refuses to fly off the tarmac”

positive · MotorWeek · ▶ 5:06

“handling is sharp and it easily earns a 7 out of 10.”

positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 22:29

“The modern day Turbo like this one has four-wheel drive and perhaps the most sorted chassis of any road car”

positive · Slyxx86 · ▶ 1:26
// 03

Fun to drive

4.5/519 of 19 reviewersstrong consensus

“the levels of power and grip available in the turbo are astounding”

positive · MotorWeek · ▶ 5:02

“fun factor is high with good handling great steering feel and excellent acceleration”

positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 22:31

“it's like all your tuner car dreams as a kid but grown up”

positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 10:03
// 04

Daily drivability

4.0/519 of 19 reviewerssplit

“all that performance is contained in a package that is amazingly docel when driven on the street”

positive · MotorWeek · ▶ 6:57

“it lulls you into this false sense of security you think it's an ordinary car”

positive · Slyxx86 · ▶ 2:46

“even at low speeds on the public road the gt2 is kind of tram lining a hell of a lot more than a turbo ever would”

critical · 9WERKS TV · ▶ 15:33
// 05

Value

4.5/518 of 19 reviewersconsensus

“this generation 996 is the least expensive... this looks like a relative bargain.”

positive · Motormouth · ▶ 5:42

“it's still an amazing combination of reliability and performance and handling and relatively reasonable pricing”

positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 23:12

“one of the best value semi-modern supercars you can buy”

positive · 9WERKS TV · ▶ 15:28
How it stacks up

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

Calvin's Car Diary
Posted Jun 3, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Wolfpen
Posted May 1, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Dadcars
Posted Oct 11, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
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Here's why the Porsche 996 Turbo is a certified performance bargain9WERKS TV
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Top Gear: Porsche 911 Turbo (2002)Slyxx86
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I Bought a Cheap 996 Porsche 911 Turbo-- And Here's Why You Should TooHoovies Garage
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Best things about owning a Porsche 911 (996 Turbo)Planes, Trains and Automobiles
PORSCHE 996 GT2 "WIDOWMAKER" // 332KMH TOP SPEED on AUTOBAHNAutoTopNL
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Head to head
From the press · 10 articles