Porsche is one of the most celebrated luxury automakers of all time, but even it has generations of cars that are less desirable than others. The Porsche 911 is an iconic lineup of cars still dominating today's market. However, most gearheads absolutely detest the rides that fall under the 966 generation of the Porsche 911. Of course, some argue that this Is the best generation of the 911, but by and large, this is the most hated.
For those not in the know, the 966 generation of the iconic Porsche 911 began production in 1997 and ended in 2004. However, the Turbo S, the GT2, and the GT3 models remained in production until 2006. The 966 generation represented a significant shift for the Porsche 911. This new generation was not only radically different from the previous one, but the 911 was built on a new chassis for the first time since the original.
Every great car has models that are seen as a step down from greatness. The important thing for an automaker is to recognize the reason people hate the vehicles in question and to make appropriate changes before it’s too late. For Porsche and the 966 generation, things got better as time passed, but there are some significant reasons why people who generally love the 911 hate this group of cars, and this is especially true for the Carrera 4.
The Carrera 4 Is A Topic Of Major Conversation
Of all the Porsche 911 type 966 models, the Carrera 4 is perhaps the most widely discussed. The Carrera 4 type 966 debuted in 1999 with a 3.4-liter flat-6 engine under its hood. The car has a maximum output of 296 horsepower at 6,800 rpm, and a torque of 258 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm. The transmission used in the first ever 966 generation of the Porsche 911 is a 6-speed manual. According to Porsche, the car is all-wheel-drive and was offered as either a coupe or a cabriolet.
The performance of the 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 is not the reason people dislike this car so much. As proof, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in only 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 174 miles per hour. This car performs like many of the greatest Porsches on the market. However, the issue lies in the overall building and design of the ride.
The 966 Generation Is Seen As Cheaply Made And Unattractive
People have certain expectations when it comes to luxury sports cars. For the Porsche 911, most complaints are related to the appearance and build quality of the vehicle. One issue with the car for normal Porsche 911 enthusiasts is the headlights. People were accustomed to a circular design for the headlights on the 911. However, this was one of the many changes the automaker implemented for the 966 generations of the iconic car. The headlights even gained the car the unflattering title of “the fried egg 911.” Much of the dislike was due to the drastic changes made to the vehicle. However, there were some valid concerns.
Many people also disliked the car because of the interior design. Although many Porsche models are relatively simple, most people expect these cars to have a high level of elegance. However, that was not the case with the 1999 Carrera 4. For one, much of the interior was designed from hard plastic. Besides that, the cabin was bland and didn’t seem worthy of a Porsche. These issues may seem small, but buyers were legitimately upset, and this is a significant reason why the 966 generation of the Porsche 911 has such a negative reputation.
Although most of the hate for this Generation of the Porsche 911 is due to appearances, at least one major mechanical issue caused this negative perception. These cars are prone to IMS failure. If this happens, it could cause the need for the engine to be rebuilt or replaced. Of course, people who buy the car used can simply check to see if it has a new IMS. If not, they can have it replaced for a relatively low price to avoid any future issues.
The Porsche 911 Generations: The Undesirable Porsche
Porsche is one of those automakers that has left an invaluable mark on the auto world. Not only are many of the rides made by the company considered dream cars, but these vehicles tend to live up to that title in every way possible. However, no car company is perfect, and the automaker can’t always predict what its customers will appreciate. The team at Porsche probably thought the changes made for the 966 generation of the Porsche 911 would be well received. However, this was not the case.
The 966 generation of the Porsche 911 is still the most hated. However, there are defenders of these cars. This is especially true when discussing the Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S. Some of these defenders even call this the best generation for the Porsche 911.