[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-the-996-is-considered-the-worst-911\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-the-996-is-considered-the-worst-911\/","headline":"Why The Porsche 996 Is The \u2018Worst 911\u2019","name":"Why The Porsche 996 Is The \u2018Worst 911\u2019","description":"Do ugly headlights warrant dismissal of a great Porsche 911? There are many names that the 996-gen Porsche 911 is called. These include (but not limited to) \u2018the one with the ugly melted headlights\u2019 and \u2018the most hated Porsche 911\u2019 and of course \u2018the fried egg\u2019. Is it fair that these nasty names exist? Probably. But what\u2019s really wrong with the 996 911? Let\u2019s find out. The history of the Porsche 911 plays a role in a part of the […]","datePublished":"2021-02-15","dateModified":"2023-08-04","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Why-The-996-Is-Considered-The-Worst-911-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Why-The-996-Is-Considered-The-Worst-911-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-the-996-is-considered-the-worst-911\/","about":["Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS","Porsche"],"wordCount":556,"keywords":["porsche","porsche 911"],"articleBody":"Do ugly headlights warrant dismissal of a great Porsche 911?There are many names that the 996-gen Porsche 911 is called. These include (but not limited to) \u2018the one with the ugly melted headlights\u2019 and \u2018the most hated Porsche 911\u2019 and of course \u2018the fried egg\u2019.Is it fair that these nasty names exist? Probably. But what\u2019s really wrong with the 996 911? Let\u2019s find out.The history of the Porsche 911 plays a role in a part of the reason why people dislike the 996. In the 60s, the first 911 was released and this model was updated up until the 964 and then came the 993. These three initial models all roughly looked the same and didn\u2019t really dare to change or evolve much, perhaps due to the fear of upsetting the loyalists.The Car Spy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsPorsche 996 Comes to PartyThen, the 996 crashed the porsche party in 1999 and unlike its predecessors, it actually dared to change. This marked the first modern Porsche 911 and features styling changes that some would consider radical at the time but the truth is, the 996 just dared to be different.One of the main complaints and definitely the most well-known one is aimed at the lights. Up to this point, all Porsche 911s featured round circular lights. It had become part of the 911\u2019s identity and the 996 took that away, to the displeasure of many disgruntled fans. It was even nicknamed the \u2018fried egg\u2019 911 after the lights which looked like a split yolk that was oozing into the bonnet. This effect was even more apparent on pre-facelift 996\u2019s which featured yellow indicator lights on the headlights in the US.Ben, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons996 Engine FailureAnother weakness of the 996 that was used as ammunition in its smear campaign from those disgruntled fans was the engine failure. There was a well-known fault with the intermediate shaft bearing or more commonly known as the IMS bearing. Basically, due to the change from air-cooling to water-cooling (another act of sacrilege, the purists will say) the engine was redesigned in a few ways. This affected the IMS bearing and essentially, due to the lubrication gradually disappearing, it had a chance to blow up a good portion of the engine at any point without warning.996: The Cheapest Porsche 911?Another complaint many had was that the interior was lacking. This is baffling to a lot of people as the interior was a clear improvement from the previous models and a lot of those complaining are or were doing so years after its release, comparing it to the new 911 models that came after.The Car Spy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsThe interior features a lot of plastic and some complain that this feeling of \u2018cheapness\u2019 resonates throughout the 996. Critics of the car say the paint fades, components wear quickly and the interior wears quickly too. Also, the 996 Porsche 911 was produced in vast quantities, more than the 993 at least, therefore cheapening its image to those that were looking for something \u2018special\u2019. This could be another part of the reason why even today, 20 years later, the 996 is still yet to shoot up in value like other 911s.Anyway, do you think the 996-gen 911 is the worst 911? Let us know, in the comments!If you enjoyed this, you may also like: \u2018Alfa Romeo SZ: Weird Car of The Month\u2019"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Why The Porsche 996 Is The \u2018Worst 911\u2019","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/why-the-996-is-considered-the-worst-911\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]