akajr

Hello everybody, I'm the new guy, JR. I'm currently driving a '02 C2 and am in the market for either a '97 tt or maybe a Turbo S. I never owned a turbo before and would like to hear some feedback about both cars, reliability, driveability, ect. I've been bouncing around looking at S's and their price seems to be at a premium. Is it in the ball park to pay 150k to 160k for one with less than 10k miles? taking in the fact that there are so few made, seems like the price will only be going up as time goes by. As you can tell, I'm kind of leaning toward the "S". Would love to hear your thoughts on both cars. thanks for your time. JR

ca993twin

JR,

There is no difference in reliability between the normal 993TT and the TT"S". Yes, The TT S is vary rare and commanding huge prices. Someone on this forum has a beauty for sale. Here's the thing about the "S"... it is rare enuff that you really shouldn't modify it in any way, nor should you stack on the miles if you plan on ever getting decent resale value. The TT "S" are really for collectors and those that want garage queens. If that's you, fine. A great car to own.

For me, a turbo S is all wrong... even if I could afford one. Rufus has 106k miles, and I LOVE driving the car. A Ruf may be another alternative for you, depending upon your style.

Best luck

DM993tt

Agree with steve here. If you are looking for a garage queen/collector car then go with the TT"S". If you plan to really make use of it, drive it, and have a lot of fun with it get the TT. If you want the extra 16-20 HP the S has - you can pay ~2G and remap your ECU ("Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems" on rennlist can hook you right up) - then all really all you are missing is a couple of holes in your fenders and a bi-wing tail. The reason the S demands more $ is because of factory production numbers, and you want to keep it stock with low miles to retain that value...but what fun is that?

Frank 993 C4S

JR,

if you want to have a fun car to drive on road and track (yes you should try it) alike, get the TT. If you are looking for a garage queen where every mile you put on it and every stone chip will make you whimper, get the TT"S". If the money is burning a whole in your pocket, get a 964T 3.6 and a 993TT. Both are brutally fast cars with completely different character.

urban_alchemist

From someone who bought a 'kinda S', I have to say that the thing to bear in mind, more than anything else when making your choice, is the 'special value'.

If you buy an S, you are buying a very rare, and in a few years, probably virtually irreplaceable piece of Porsche history. This will (and it will, I'm telling you) make you: PARANOID.

You will not want to put miles on it, and will freak out (usually loudly and in a cold sweat) about parking it on the street, or in a car park, or in the rain, doing any mods etc., etc. As a daily-driver (I'm finding out), a 'special TT' is an oh-so-wonderful pain in the ***.

A normal TT will be special too. But there are hundreds of really good cars out there and are relatively easily replaceable. As a daily-driver, it makes a much cleverer option. Mechanically, they're very similar, and you can mod the TT relatively inexpensively to well over the 430bhp (if you're in the US) of the S without denting the resale value. On top of that, you can really do what you want to it (or have life happen to it) without freaking out. Ding it. Max it. Mod it. But above all, DRIVE it. Guiltlessly.

Just my two cents. Hope that helps, and let us know what you decide!

Julian

C.J. Ichiban

I agree with the posts above- the only way i would buy an S personally is if the car had some pedigree of low low mileage, ownership, and a special color combo. They range in price from 110k -175k depending on mileage and who's selling- and for me at that super high end price scale i would rather have a 993 TT ( 55-75k)with some mods and a 997GT3 (115k) or go for a RUF car which does hold its value despite mileage. the TTS value will drop like a rock if you buy it for 160 and put 5,000 more miles on it. and at any mileage it won't go up in value from 160 to 225 over the next few years. maybe in 20 years, if it gets some concours wins and you sell it to a museum.
basically if you buy a tt-S at this point you're not going to be able to treat it like a normal car- only buy it if you're going to bubble wrap it.
otherwise enjoy the hell out of a TT and get a restored collector quality 1960's 911 or 50's 356 if you're looking for easier maintenance and nearly guaranteed appreciation, and way less mileage sensitive. that's a great market segment right now, as well as the 1994 3.6 turbo- rear wheel drive and one boosty turbo...hairy chested to the max.

either way you must post pics!

akajr

Thanks to you all, great input... you guys hit it on the head, I want to drive it, not park and look at it. I already freak out with my C2 (parking, weather, little rock chips) no way i could handle a "S". Now I'm hunting for a TT. Thanks again

GOBOGIE

You have a good problem to solve!

spad01

I just looked at two turbo S's in CT. A blk/blk 97 4K miles, a 96 package tt S and 96 slant nose. All are absolutely beautiful, but I know I'd be sweating just taking it around the block. They are truly just museum pieces (averaging 175k$) It would be like hanging the Mona Lisa in a men's room.

ca993twin

Perhaps my ignorance... but I've never heard of a 1996 slant nose. Is that a typo? Or have I missed something?

spad01

It's a 1994 flatnose turbo s coupe. One of 39 made. Sorry about the inaccuracy. You can check it out on SLOANCARS.com

993TurboS

I have a 993 turbo S and do drive it. I believe that you could buy a TTS for $150 w/ 15k miles and sell it with 65k miles for $100k assuming that you keep it nice. Those miles will cost you less than any new 911, and will be a lot more enjoyable. I agree that a non-S will cost you less to own and drive (probably 2/3 the cost/mile if you pile them on), but for me, the S is easily worth a 50% premium. In any case, I don't think that $1/mile is much even for a non-S turbo, let alone the turbo S. I have never avoided driving my car because of the mileage. Parking lots do scare me, though.

urban_alchemist

993TurboS... love the Avatar... that's my second favourite bit of the car :-)

911/Q45

Hasn't there been a salvage S on the market every so often? Perhaps this could be the answer for a guy that wants an S to drive and enjoy.

DTampa

For what it's worth, I was at Sebring this weekend and some fortunate gentleman was tracking his 993TTS all day long and loving it. It was immaculate inside and out. Quite fast too. So not all of them are kept in museums.