blade7

There's a guy 2 miles from me with a 996TT, when I told him I had a 944T he wasn't interested

333pg333

Exactly! ;-)

blitz951

Blade, buy what you want and not what society tells you. Most people can go out and buy an expensive car today, not a big deal.
I went with a full tilt 3 liter because when I test drove new cars or friends cars such as the 997tt, etc... I was not impressed. What I learned was that I was not interested in newer Porsche's post 94.
A 996 I would never consider. The interior is the worst i have seen and the exterior is nothing to turn heads. In time you wont be able to give a 996 away, they dont even look like they were made in Germany.
If money is an issue wait and get a 997 for now I would stick with the 3L turbo for sure over a 996.

993GT

drive both, very different cars...I own both a 996 GT2 and a 951(recently sold to my dad)...the 996 TT/GT2's feel more special, are fresher, and are WAY faster(read: effortless and RELIABLE power), also if resale is important I would imagine its much easier to sell a 996tt than a highly modded 951(but could be wrong), that said, 951's are still a great driver's car, lots of fun and are a good daily workhorse
to add, 996 is my favourite 911 generation, and I consider myself an air-cooled lover(grew-up with since 'knee-high') but 996GT2/TT is best of both worlds IMHO, simplicity, driver oriented, performance....
951 beats it in its truly care-free use(ie. buy a well-maintained but driver-quality 951 for CHEAP and use everyday), nothing against the amazing big-hp/litre build 951's, but the 996tt represents way better value(and IMO, fun) at that performance level

blade7

I think the GT2 is an entirely different animal to the TT, if my choice was 3.0T or GT2 my 944 and parts would be for sale .

mudbuddha

It's a good problem to have isn't it? You have a choice between a couple of good platforms. Different schools in the handling department due to engine placement and suspension tuning but both get the job done while rewarding the driver immensely. I haven't driven a GT2 as that's on my list to acquire one day. But on a power to weight ratio, I believe I am already there with the GT2 minus all the modern day traction control and stability management etc...so in a way, it's scarier. But I agree to a certain extent that a well sorted 3L turbo is kind of like a GT2- big torquey motors relying on big rear contact patches to put the power down.

Chris White

A tougher choice for a driver would be 951 vs RS America!

If I were to change from my 944 obsession I would go with a lighter early 911. If you want a comfy cruiser you are looking at the wrong marque, try an Audi S4. If you want 'Name' recognition then the later 911s fit the bill.

Now for my 'heretic' comment for the day - for just plain old driving enjoyment the 02' Mini Cooper S outshines almost all the recent standard (nonmodified) 911s. Sorry, but I have driven a lot of Porsches and the are all getting too heavy and dumbed down.

Last but not least - never underestimate the shear enjoyment of accelerating away from a late model 911 in a 944, especially when the owner is a snobby Porsche owner!

993GT

Ain't no stinkin' traction control/PSM on 996 GT2's

Thales

+1 to what 993GT said.

996TT
-*Significantly* faster, safer, more reliable, newer suspension technology, GT1 dry sump motor. One of the best around to track on Sunday (and harass GT3s) and sit in traffic on Monday (and not wish you were in a more comfortable car)... An amazing engineering feat IMO.
-However, expect similar repairs to cost 1.5-2x ("Porsche Tax + 911 Tax" as a wise man once said)

Modded 951
-Crazy fun, more visceral experience (no ABS/PSM nannies, lighter, less forgiving), much better car to become a better track driver IMO. Less $$ upfront and cheaper repairs (only Porsche Tax), although there will probably be more of them needed considering the difference in age.

These cars are not similar. But are both amazing machines in their own right.

As a daily driver, you can't beat the 996TT
As a DE/Autocross car or occasional weekend driver, the modded 951 may be the right choice

Just my $0.02

Keep us posted on what you decide!

993GT

I agree as a whole the modern Porsche's have become more of a touring sports car than the older/rawer stuff, but don't think for a minute that the GT 911's are lacking driver involvement at all, can drive a 951 way past the limit half asleep, even 930's( and GT3's) are even fairly easy to drive at/past the limit, can't say that about a GT2...

993GT

+1
Only thing I will add is that the 951 might not represent any cost saving in the engine 'area' with a high-hp 3L engine

993GT

just to be clear, I'm not trying to knock 951's, I love them and they are great fun cars, but IMHO they do not make financial sense trying to compete with a 996tt's performance if that is the OP's goal

Darwantae951

Outside of the initial investment, and assuming the owner actually tunes the car properly, maintenance shouldn't be much more than a lightly modified or even stock 951.

mudbuddha

Bloody hell...Stick with the 3L 951, it's safer!

They are just two different car. Money and HP wise, to get a 951 to a pre-owned 996TT or GT2 territory- streetable not all out racing, with sorted suspension, brakes, tuning etc... you are looking at similar $$$.

Not to knock any 911 out there cause I like them too, but I like the clean lines of the 944 and the classic look and value as long as you don't go much over 300rwhp. Once you get to the TT/GT2 hp level then costs do go up exponentially. Oh hell, if I could afford it, I'll have one of each and enjoy.

blade7

Some nice views on both cars. I think up to 150 ish in the dry a 3.0T wouldn't be far away from a 996TT ?.