Chris Harris on 996 Turbo
04-26-2016, 04:49 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Chris Harris on 996 Turbo
Interesting reading, and I love what he says 
Who better to ask about 911 Turbos than Chris Harris - just prepare for a surprise at the answer!
"The first 911 Turbo I drove was the yellow 3.6 Turbo 965 bought by Autocar at the end of the last century. Sometimes it worked properly, but mostly it didn’t. This behaviour perpetuated up until the point that a previous director of the parent company tore the sump off it, whereupon it was repaired and sold. We all loved it, despite the indiscretions.
3.6-litre 964 was a brutal introduction, But it wasn’t actually very good to drive. In fact it was one of the worst 911s I’ve ever driven, but at the same time its faults made it such a challenge you couldn’t help but enjoy wrestling with the great understeering banana.
I seem to remember driving in convoy with Steve Sutcliffe to Stansted airport – he was in the 965 – heading to Germany for Autocar’s first test in the new 996 Turbo. The 996 blew our minds, and a 360 Modena, and on our return the 965 parped itself on the M11 at about 1am. One of the turbos was glowing so hot it looked like the car had under-floor neons.
The 996 Turbo remains the stand-out version of the force-fed 911 for me. It had a huge impact on what we now expect from usable performance cars, and as a package in many ways it’s a more enjoyable car to drive than the 997 version. The steering is especially superb, the four-wheel drive system always seems to make the car feel rear-wheel drive until some front-drive is absolutely necessary. The GT3 badge has now passed into legend, but it’s worth remembering that back in 2000 the 996 Turbo was a much more impressive car than the first GT3. With the later X50 pack fitted it was, and still is an absolute weapon.
930 huge fun when you're in the mood
The earlier 930 cars are a blast, but just too turbocharged for me. I drove one a few weeks back and on a damp road it was sometimes alarming – but again that is part of the appeal of a Turbo. You don’t just climb aboard and pin the right pedal, you have to plan your throttle applications seconds in advance, and once you find a rhythm with the car and road there is much satisfaction to be had. But sometimes you just step out happy that you didn’t wind up in a ditch.
In many ways the 993 Turbo is the car of the moment – values have been creeping up for a while and it does tick all the boxes for a potential investment. By 996 standards, the 993 was delivered in tiny quantities, it is to some eyes prettier, more compact and of course the engine compartment contains no water. The reason I have never quite understood the price premium of the 993 series cars is that I much prefer the way the 996 drives: the gearshift is better, the handling and performance are far more accessible and the driving position is much more adjustable. Boring, but true.
Civilised and accomplished but is it the best?
I ran a 996 Turbo back in 2006, it was everything I’d hoped it would be. It replaced a 996 GT2 and despite having none of the cool factor and not being as ludicrous in a straight line, it was a much better road car: faster in most circumstances too. I can remember asking myself several times what should replace it, but there was nothing else that could cover all those bases. In some ways there still isn’t."
Chris
http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/...-ph-blog/27663
Who better to ask about 911 Turbos than Chris Harris - just prepare for a surprise at the answer!
"The first 911 Turbo I drove was the yellow 3.6 Turbo 965 bought by Autocar at the end of the last century. Sometimes it worked properly, but mostly it didn’t. This behaviour perpetuated up until the point that a previous director of the parent company tore the sump off it, whereupon it was repaired and sold. We all loved it, despite the indiscretions.
3.6-litre 964 was a brutal introduction, But it wasn’t actually very good to drive. In fact it was one of the worst 911s I’ve ever driven, but at the same time its faults made it such a challenge you couldn’t help but enjoy wrestling with the great understeering banana.
I seem to remember driving in convoy with Steve Sutcliffe to Stansted airport – he was in the 965 – heading to Germany for Autocar’s first test in the new 996 Turbo. The 996 blew our minds, and a 360 Modena, and on our return the 965 parped itself on the M11 at about 1am. One of the turbos was glowing so hot it looked like the car had under-floor neons.
The 996 Turbo remains the stand-out version of the force-fed 911 for me. It had a huge impact on what we now expect from usable performance cars, and as a package in many ways it’s a more enjoyable car to drive than the 997 version. The steering is especially superb, the four-wheel drive system always seems to make the car feel rear-wheel drive until some front-drive is absolutely necessary. The GT3 badge has now passed into legend, but it’s worth remembering that back in 2000 the 996 Turbo was a much more impressive car than the first GT3. With the later X50 pack fitted it was, and still is an absolute weapon.
930 huge fun when you're in the mood
The earlier 930 cars are a blast, but just too turbocharged for me. I drove one a few weeks back and on a damp road it was sometimes alarming – but again that is part of the appeal of a Turbo. You don’t just climb aboard and pin the right pedal, you have to plan your throttle applications seconds in advance, and once you find a rhythm with the car and road there is much satisfaction to be had. But sometimes you just step out happy that you didn’t wind up in a ditch.
In many ways the 993 Turbo is the car of the moment – values have been creeping up for a while and it does tick all the boxes for a potential investment. By 996 standards, the 993 was delivered in tiny quantities, it is to some eyes prettier, more compact and of course the engine compartment contains no water. The reason I have never quite understood the price premium of the 993 series cars is that I much prefer the way the 996 drives: the gearshift is better, the handling and performance are far more accessible and the driving position is much more adjustable. Boring, but true.
Civilised and accomplished but is it the best?
I ran a 996 Turbo back in 2006, it was everything I’d hoped it would be. It replaced a 996 GT2 and despite having none of the cool factor and not being as ludicrous in a straight line, it was a much better road car: faster in most circumstances too. I can remember asking myself several times what should replace it, but there was nothing else that could cover all those bases. In some ways there still isn’t."
Chris
http://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/...-ph-blog/27663
04-26-2016, 06:40 PM
#4
!["02996ttx50's Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23759d7b' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>"</text></svg>)
You don’t just climb aboard and pin the right pedal, you have to plan your throttle applications seconds in advance, and once you find a rhythm with the car and road there is much satisfaction to be had. But sometimes you just step out happy that you didn’t wind up in a ditch.
but that quote above couldn't be more true having just been sideways
in my own 996 rwd turbo a day ago. "planning" for throttle opening is good LOL
04-26-2016, 07:43 PM
#6
I have a pretty large collection of articles related to 996TT and I hadn't seen this one. Good find. 
"The 996 Turbo remains the stand-out version of the force-fed 911 for me. It had a huge impact on what we now expect from usable performance cars, and as a package in many ways it’s a more enjoyable car to drive than the 997 version."
It's funny because if you go back and read articles/reviews that came out when the 996T first hit the planet most of them give huge praise to the car. They set out to bring the 911 Turbo into the 21st century and the car delivered.
"The 996 Turbo remains the stand-out version of the force-fed 911 for me. It had a huge impact on what we now expect from usable performance cars, and as a package in many ways it’s a more enjoyable car to drive than the 997 version."
It's funny because if you go back and read articles/reviews that came out when the 996T first hit the planet most of them give huge praise to the car. They set out to bring the 911 Turbo into the 21st century and the car delivered.
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04-26-2016, 10:41 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
Other than for the headlights and (possibly) interior materials/design, has the 996tt ever really been dissed? The NA 996 has been crapped on mercilessly and to an unfair degree, but I just don't see the 996tt get the same treatment. And most of the headlight loathing is aimed at the Mk I NA 996 headlights because, despite being taken from the GT1, they were shared with the Boxster.
04-27-2016, 03:23 AM
#10
Pro
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by "02996ttx50
was hard to read! was that part cryllic language!?
I use that Garage Talk App on my iPhone, doesn't work 100% but good enough to keep me lazy and not sit with a computer
04-27-2016, 06:42 AM
#11
Instructor
Other than for the headlights and (possibly) interior materials/design, has the 996tt ever really been dissed? The NA 996 has been crapped on mercilessly and to an unfair degree, but I just don't see the 996tt get the same treatment. And most of the headlight loathing is aimed at the Mk I NA 996 headlights because, despite being taken from the GT1, they were shared with the Boxster.
IMO neither the headlights nor water-cooling were the greatest problem of the 996: it was the slab sides. On the heels of the 993. You can't send Sarah Jessica Parker into the ring immediately after J-Lo...
04-27-2016, 07:38 AM
#12
but back to pricing....whoops wrong thread!
04-27-2016, 09:16 AM
#14
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
RWD normally aspirated 911s can practically be driven through corners with throttle steer alone.
