Tim Wasmer

His will still have some goodies on it AND 65 is still a great price for a 2003 X50 car. I have seen and driven this car and would own it myself if I could.

Just my .02

billhart

I had a 996 GT2, set up as a faux clubsport, for a couple years. Car was an animal, but sterile. The interior looked like cheap plastic ****, for a car,which, when you add the cost of the seats, roll bar, exhaust, and all the other stuff you can't get in the US on delivery, well exceeded $200k.
I find the 993 so much more involving to drive, even if it is not a supercar in straightline performance. It is also better built, and has a far nicer fit and finish.
If you were to buy a Turbo, I would get an older one, not a 996- which is no secret and one of the reasons those are probably going to continue to depreciate.
If you want to scare the **** out of yourself, there are, of course, other cars....

993inNC

maybe Tim, but I personally would still take your car over that '03. Bill's assessment is a little harsh but he's right in the quality department. The 996's just don't hold a candle to the 993's.
I instructed in a GT3 recently and it spanked the TT his son drove (that I instructed as well). They're also depreciating a bit.....a year or two tops and they'll be where the TT's are today. Be unfortunate to see that happen from an investment point of view.........but I can't wait so I can get one

Tim Wasmer

Not to get into any war or any sort. I have had 3 996's and have had less that 1k in repairs or work on them. My 993TT on the other hand has taken thousands of dollars out of my pockets. And I did my homework before I bought it.

The 996 is more comfortable to drive daily in my opinion and has better creature comforts. Now people get into the track situation I cannot speak to that as I do not track my cars (oh the horror). Just not my bag.

Personally I would like a 996TT and a 993TT

993inNC

I totally agree with the comfort level comment. Repairs......I think you have to write that part of a conversation out, thats car dependant, you may have just got a problem child. As a daily driver, the 996 is the way to go. The power is higher etc, but they just lost the aircooled sole of the 993's and became the "Honda Accord" of the line (IMO).

I will over look my own above comments and have a GT3 next to the "Black Beast"

dbf73

I look at the turbos as being the crack pipes of Porsches. Once you've sampled the power, its awful hard to live without it.

993inNC

See I look at the GT3's that way.....ceramic brakes....those things'll make your fillings fall out. Great power, amazing noise at close to redline, stops on a dime, handles well......what more is there for a street car?

97_993C2

Jonathan,

This car has your name on it. You just need to negotiate them down $30k.

http://www.rpmsportscars.com/door37.htm

Dan

Texas993

Dan,

Oh that is so sweet. Yes, Jonathan ... that car is calling for you.

Howdy993

Ooooh and being White it has the double secret higher power motor.

C.J. Ichiban

I ended up selling my 993 and getting a 993 turbo instead of trying to keep the 993 and getting a 996 turbo...mostly because I wanted someone's completed project car rather than building my own project 996tt.

I think that because they're newer cars, the 996 tt will give you less repair issues over the next few years compared to the 993tt, but it's more of a plasticky feel to it, and they're definitely a dime a dozen in some cities...they're faster and mods are much cheaper- so you can go really really really fast. If you could pick up a 996 TT that's certified from porsche- you'd be in really good shape.

Droops83

This reminds me of a few months back when I drove a 996tt and a '79 SC back to back. Our customer w/ the 996tt takes it to the track, so it has Bilstein coilovers, Yoko A032R DOT racing tires, and super light forged wheels. Point is, car was way sharper and more fun than stock. Very nice to drive.

Now the SC was a bit modded too, lowered, thicker torsion bars and sways, SSI heat exchangers, Turbo tierods, no AC, etc . . . but it was SO MUCH more fun to drive than the modded 996tt! i wanted to drive it all day. So the point is, if you like the 993, I'd say hang onto it or sell it and get a 993TT. The 996tt is very fast, great daily driver but like others here said: sterile. Now a 993 is not quite as raw as the SC mentioned above, but feels way more alive than even a modded 996 (non GT3 of course!). Although I wish I had the same "problem" as you, (though I drive em all the time) I'd be happy to even own a Porsche!

---Chris A.

CP

Chris A.

So what is it that you do for a living? Pray tell...

CP

mrsullivan

interesting comments, i thought that this post would bring out some strong opinions... i agree with a little bit of everything that has been said, but ---

for those that are pulling out the "996 has no soul, it is like a Honda Accord, not well-made thing", can this really be said about the 996 tt? to me, the fact that it has the gt1 derived dry sump motor gives it some level of credibility, sure the interior is not what we would like it to be, but i think comparing it to a Honda Accord is a bit off base...

to me the reason NOT to get one is the mass produced factor....there is nothing particularly unique about them... the rest of the arguments kind of fall apart in my book, the car can be modified to have a lot of character, in terms of engine, transmission, exhaust, suspension, etc... some are set up quite nice

i am not going to run out to buy one necessarily, my only point with this post is that a 2003 996tt with only 16k miles in the high $60s is a lot of Porsche.... very tempting to me

Droops83

I work for an independent Porsche shop here in Santa Barbara. I test drive the cars that I work on of course, but I am also often the errand boy there since I'm still technically an apprentice (been there almost 2 yrs), so I often get to take different cars on longish drives if they need to be dropped off somewhere, etc. So I have driven pretty much every Porsche ever made: all kinds of 356s, 911s/914s/Boxsters/Cayman/944/928/968s, 4 cam 356s, a real '73 Carrera RS, a Ruf or 2 (and was a passenger in the Yellowbird from here to Laguna Seca!). So yes I love my job.

I have seen you Ruf guys cruising on the freeway in SB before, you should
stop by!

Oh and mrsullivan you should do as I do and drive as many cars as you can before making a choice! The 996tt is a great car, yes not as much soul as an older 911 but the Accord comparison is pretty extreme. Drive it back to back w/ a 993tt. Good luck w/ your decision!

---Chris A.