horsepowerfarm

Hey Dana,

I have had the same problem as you, plowed to much money in something (a 951) that I'll never get back. Kick the 'busa to the curb. Buy an older Ducati. I like my Superlight, they are cheap, super elegant and a blast to ride.

Keep the 951 and finish the project. I really love how much of an animal a modded 951 can be.

I looked hard at all manner of 993/ 996 Twin Turbos and felt they were just to expensive when compared to some other cars with a little more, dare I say, power and refinement for a lot less money. My choice V12 Biturbo 500hp/ 590 ft lbs of torque. Turn off the traction control and have a nice day.

V2Rocket

beast

ive loved the look of those model CLs since they came out, very nicely done.

SoloRacer

I just took the plunge and bought a 2001 996 TT for $36500 USD. I bought it as a daily driver. It has 64K miles, PSS9 suspension and at a minimum increased boost by EVOMS. The dealer who inspected the car said it was much quicker than stock - the mechanic said it was faster than his 450 hp Audi S4. The biggest issue with the car is an oil leak - the dealer figured it was either a gasket or an oil cooler. They said to fix was an engine out procedure and about $3000. They wanted to put a dye in the oil to pinpoint where it was coming from. Other than that the car is clean both inside and out and should be a good daily driver. I plan to put a set of winters on the car and drive it year round. I almost bought a 993 TT instead but it was almost $15k more. The more I thought about it the more I thought driving a 993 TT in winter would be a mistake. A guy would be killing the value in the car. The way I see it the 993 TT is priced high not because it's a better car than the 996 TT but because it is prettier and has the collector car buyer involved. I don't believe the 996 TT will ever be a collector car. So driving one daily won't make as big a difference to the resale value.

As for my 951, it's a fun car but the fact remains that in todays world it's straight line performance can be bettered by many cars for much less money. I don't think the same is true of the 996 TT where a simple ECU flash gives 500+ hp. I guess I will find out when I finally get mine home.

333pg333

The 996tt is so cheap in the US that it seems like a no brainer in many ways. It really depends on what you actually want from the car Dana? Answer that and you'll answer your own question.

Van

The real reason is, unlike a 993, the 996 has a working defroster and heating system.

Bri Bro

Boy is that the truth, air cooled engines and winter bring back chilling memories.

fast951

Air cooled engines offer instant heat! I love driving the 930 in cold weather (instant heat is just one reason). Now, when it's warm outside the AC should be called "Heat Blower".

Luis de Prat

A well know 'lister lost his mildly modded 951 in an accident and bought a 996 TT to replace it with. Although he's posted about being impressed with his new car, he's also admitted to missing his old 951 'like crazy.'

Over the years, I've seen people leave the 951 only to crave it later and come back to the fold. There must be something about these cars that keeps people coming back?


+1. Heck, my old '72 VW Beetle had the best heater once the engine had warmed up!

Van

My 914 has instant heat - but only in small quantities. And it can't defrost the windshield worth a damn...

Bri Bro

VW's had so little heat on startup they had aftermarket gas heaters for them. The 930 with a bigger engine and costing more $$$ must have had a much better heating system.

User 52121

Well if that's true then the case for getting a 996TT becomes much stronger IMO.

Most of the fun of the 951, to me anyways, is its old school german car character. I have no doubt that the 996TT is a significantly better car once you remove the desire for the old school feel.

V2Rocket

maybe its just the feeling you get when you drive it. when you punch it hard you might not even be going very fast. but being so low with all the noises and everything makes you feel like youre going a million miles an hour.

or maybe its the durability of the cars. they are well built, especially for an 80s VW. i have done all kinds of things in my 944 that im sure would leave my other cars broken and sad on the side of the road. i drove off a curb at a gas station in santa cruz because it appeared the driveway extended that far. it fell like 8 inches. i thought "well half the car is already down so..." drove the rest of the way off. didnt even bother my alignment or anything.

theyre just good cars.

minho78

That CL is a torque monster. I saw one when they came out and the guy saw me drooling and stepped on it to show off. The exhaust sound was music to my ears.

porshhhh951

Get the 996tt and don't look back. Power, daily drive-ability, creature comforts are all far superior to the 951 in every respect and you sound like you need something that can pull double duty like most of us. These cars are getting on to be 20+ years old now. They offer nothing in specs like the new stuff does. Only reason to keep and mod a 951 is because, your hearts in it. As far as real world ease of use and every other measuring stick we can bring up a newer turbo 911 will run it down.

I've been around several 600-700hp 911tt's. They are nuts. I've also been in a near stock 911tt. Its a very balanced car and will serve whatever purpose you decide to throw at it. Trust me. Get it and don't think twice about it. Btw I looked at several 996tt's a couple of months back and you can pick up a decent example in cash for mid 30's. 40+k will buy a very very well sorted example. The market is in the craper right now. Cash steals stuff.

blueevo8

I have a 951 and a 996TT, both are great. The 951 has a few upgrades (exhaust, injectors, chip, shocks, struts, springs, bushing, bars). The 996 just has an upgraded flash, it is way faster in everyway. Faster on the street, faster at the track. The 951 however seems to have "more" soul and personality. I use the 951 to carry things I can't fit into the 951 (anything bigger than a taoster). The 951 burns way less fuel also. I also have less squeaks and rattles in the 951 than I do in the 996.
The 911 is my daily driver and the 951 is what I look forward too on the weekend.