I was expecting before I bought the 996 to lower my expectations on the interior trim but I was not at all disappointed, I think it has enough feel of the lawnmower before everything got too modern with the 997, my opinion but I have had the early cars and a 987 ( which BTW was a great car but found the interior a bit firm) the 996 is by far my favourite.
I am biased of course!!
P.S. as with my dash, you may slow the creep of the leather but you'll never get it back it just goes too hard!!