[kyriian]

My dad had a 996.1 C2 (fully stock with the tiptronic), and I had a chance to take it around Zhu Hai race track, did about 10-15 laps in total, and a bunch of other 'exercises' like slalom, etc.

Hated the slowness of the slushbox being personally used to a manual for lapping, it drives well enough I guess, but largely forgettable (to me). I guess it gets you a entry ticket into the magic of the 911.

For the money they are asking these days just for a Porsche badge, and issues that come with the 996, I'd 100% go for a newer GR86/BRZ, ND2. Hell modern Camaro V8/Stang should fit the bill better, and all of them would be far easier to maintain for lapping duty.

Remember, even the last 996 non turbo/GT cars is now 18 years old and even the most religiously maintained ones, there is no fighting the age of the thing.