Steve 96C4S

As I reported a couple of weeks ago my neighbor was going to buy a 2002 996 Turbo. He got it today and invited me over to check it out. He's excited to go to our Rennlist Meet and Drive on 4/22 in Rockville as well to meet everyone in his own Porsche this time (he showed up in his BMW X5 a year or 2 ago to check out the cars).

He is thrilled and so I am for him. I didn't expect to fall in love with this car but I have. It's got 21k miles, has never been driven in the rain or snow (that's crazy for a car owned in Johnstown, PA) and the engine and every part on the car including the boot is so clean you could eat off it. Silver with black interior, X50 package, and he has every receipt and the original $139k window sticker. Like I reported earlier he got it for $44k even. The interior of the car is REALLY spartan though... I didn't expect that. Not as much as our cars, but it definitely didn't look like a $139k car inside.

The original owner was so fastidious that he even replaced the keys recently since they were either dirty or slightly scuffed. The carpet, mats, every part of the interior looks brand new. We went for a drive in it (he drove) and he floored it at one point for about 3 seconds driving me back into my seat - hard. 0-60 is 3.7 secs on it according to him. The owner also paid $400 to have it flatbed towed to him so he wouldn't have to drive it on the roads up there that had a bit of salt and loose stones still left from the winter.

It looks pretty great and doesn't have that sickly egg yolk color like the older 996's I've seen around town. I don't know much about these cars but this is a pretty good looking machine. The side vents are cool looking and from the rear it's pretty hot. I kept thinking - sell it to me at the end of the summer as he may only keep it for 6 months, but I'd have to give up my 993 and I'm definitely not ready to do that.

How many places around the DC Metro area do you really need around 450 HP? Do I still love the looks of my 993? Hell yeah! Do I like this 02 996 TT more, looks-wise? Hmmmm... I'm not really sure about that now. I like them both in different ways.

My neighbor mentioned that he really wanted a used 997 TT instead but they were too expensive. I get that.

Cheers,
Steve

mrsullivan

the 993 looks tons better... but the performance and reliability of the 996 turbos make them very tempting...

Spidey 993

I see a bunch I like, and consider buying, but lack the knowledge on what to look out for.

Ish993

I wish him the best of luck with it and I hope he enjoys it !!!

Everyone needs a 1st Porsche !

ABCar

It is a very nice car...in so many ways. I had the exact car including the X50 pkg. Once I got tired of the power (if you can believe it, 450 did lose it's adrenaline appeal for me after a while) the car felt like a great grand tourer but did not make me tingle all over like my 993 does after 2 1/2 years. The 996 has great appeal to those who want that kind of car. I sold mine after 3 months and a "test" drive in a 993.

That said, this one sounds superb and hope he loves the Porsche experience...there is nothing driving your first Porsche for the FIRST TIME!

Steve 96C4S

Andy,

Thanks for posting your story. Great pic of that 996TT, too. You made my doubly grateful for my 993 today. You're probably one of the few people on the planet that went from a 996TT to a 993.

My neighbor used to have a new Dodge Viper and still has a 69 Camaro (at his dad's house down south) so the 996 TT is probably more his cup of tea than my little 993

For me, I'm more of a cute, adorable 993 dude.

peterC2S

You cannot photograph a 996TT better than that - period. That is just beautiful.

ABCar

^^^thanks, I kind of liked that picture myself and try not to look at it too much because it makes me think I want to own one again!!!


Follow up to the story.
My buddy Frank is a 996 turbo FREAK. He loves them and since I have known him he has had two, both significantly upgraded in performance. So when I drove his with the stiffer suspension, exhaust, chip, etc I thought I was going to kick myself for selling my turbo. I drove it, smiled (after screaming inside from all the incredible speed, sound and power) and got back into my 993 and was still glad I made the change.

It's funny, because Frank drove my car and I bet he was so happy to get back into his (and out of my 993). We are all different and love cars for different reasons. I think that is why you see very little cross posting from 996 and 997 drivers on this forum. More power to all Porsche lovers.

Mike J

That is because the shot is from the rear...

Steve, you have to drive the car and see what you think. I have driven a few, and while they are quick, I did not like the feel, and certainly did not like the looks, especially the lack of hips and those headlights.

Nice engine though!

Cheers,

Mike

911RufRT

I bought my 993 after my 996 RTurbo and its the best of both worlds! Its nice to have the comparison of old and new...

95carrera

Sweet deal at that price!

RudyP

I have a 997 C2S, a 996TT with 650hp and am looking for a clean 993 (C2S or C4S in silver if anyone has one for sale). They're all actually pretty different and I have no intention of selling any of them. My 996TT has <20,000 miles and is very much like the one the OP describes. I'm not completely in love with the looks but it drives well and just has sooo much power - it is a lot of fun to drive.

But it is a very different car than a 993 and while I appreciate both, I can see how the 996 (even the better models - turbo and GT3) might not be every 993 driver's cup of tea. The interior is, IMO, quite a bit worse than either the 993 (spartan but in an old world craftsmanship kind of way) or the 997 (modern, comfortable, decent materials and with newer features - nav, bluetooth, XM radio, etc..)