JJayB

Ruf is a modified porsche, right?

CP

Right for a conversion. Ruf VIN cars are a different category altogether IMHO.

CP

JJayB

Testarossa's performance wise couldn't touch a 993tt and even the 512 would be lagging. I've raced many of these and even track prepared they are, to be polite not on the same pace. F40's are my favorite ferrari. The are worthy and more so even to a moded 993tt. However, the 3.8 993tt will eat their lunch even in their modified form. Downside on the F40 is weak brakes, and the chassis flex leaves their owners sometimes unable to open their doors after very intense sessions.

I've never encounter an F1 McLaren which is so cool. Why do you think they have two passenger seats? This car has no weaknesses. I would take an orange one for my fantasy car collection.

ZR1, aka: boat motor vette, due to engine made by mercury marine. These cars has serious issues when tracked. I did see a twin caliper with water cooling on one at Buttonwillow which was really a cool set up. Modded 944 tubo's cleaned their clock.

The new Ruf cars are blinding fast and I've not had an opportunity to see them on the track. I've raced several of the 993 variant including the CRT Sport. I will say I'm very happy with my Andial motor.

CP
I've seen those track modified Miata's, and they do very well in short auto cross courses and most likely will post better times than a stock 993tt. I followed one of these giant killer just to see if I could keep up in the tight sections on a road course. Sorry to say, they are no match for an equally set up 993tt that is still street legal.

CP

Jimmy,

Great input. No doubt, once a 99Xtt gets the proper track suspension (Monoball etc.) it'll kill the spec. Miata. Greg's 996tt is stock all around.

CP

Bill S.

When I was shopping for the fastest car in 1996, the only cars I recall looking at were the Ruf cars, 993 TT, F40, F50, 959 and Viper. I don't recall there being any faster cars, except the McLaren of course. I went for the 993 TT mainly because of price and bought a Viper a few years later. I still own my 993 TT (Ruf converted) 12 years later and still enjoy it. As JJayB point out, it's still one of the fastest cars today when just slightly modified and is also rare and hardly seen on the road. I think because it's small with great visibility, it's easy for a non-professional driver to drive very fast, even though the newer cars are stiffer with better suspensions.

BTW, many people wave at the 993 TT even today because it was the first Porsche twin-turbo for the US and the fastest 0-60 around (3.6 is even fast today, with the Ruf Turbo R doing 3.3!). The magazines were all over it for many years. I think that really helps keep its value, which, in my opinion, will continue to climb when the younger people with 993 TT posters on their walls can afford to buy one for nostalgic reasons.

sfbanchs

that would be me

Scrooge

Ferrari introduced the 550 Maranello into the US market for MY 1997, and if memory serves, it posted somewhat similar acceleration numbers to the 993TT and a higher top speed in period road tests. That said, the 550, twelve-cylinder grand tourer that it is, likely cannot compete with the more sporting 993TT on the track, particularly lap after lap as its weight takes a toll on its (arguably) insufficient brakes. Different missions, to be sure, but both cars, IMHO, deserve a place in the pantheon of mid-90s greats.

Streetfighter

The Ferrari F40 was at one time the fastest production car, till the McLauren came along. The F40 was capable of 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. The car was scorching fast and unbelievable handling. The F40 can still hang with the exotics of today either on the track or road. The F40 was designed for the race track. As for the Testarossa production ended in 1994 with the 512TR which was really never a threat to the 993 Turbo. The Testarossa was beautiful, but never as potient as the F40. With 400 horsepower it was one of the last V12''s Ferrari produced. Owning and maintaining a Ferrari like one of these is very tough on the wallet. The only Ferrari I would consider owning is the 328 GTS, one of the best built Ferraris. Just my two cents.

JJayB

The 3.2 0-60 might be the times for the F40 LM that competed in IMSA in the 89 and 90 season. They had factory upgrades to 700 hp. The regular version were rated at "only" 3.7 0-60 according to EVO. Unfortunately, many owners kept them in low milage condition never tracking their valuable investments.
I have had the pleasure in running against two at the Ferrari/ Pantera club events. This is the Ferrari I'd have in my collection, because it wasn't a poser it was a real racer. I think the prices reflect that.

Greg H.

I've never even seen a Ruf, so I'm talking out of my rear here, but I take issue with this statement. Just because Ruf has a VIN does not make them a real car manufacturer in my book. They are modifying Porsches just like any other tuner. They arguably do a better job, but changing shocks, cams and tuning a manufacturer does not make.

Greg H.

TB993tt

+1
The "Manufacturer" status is purely a German "technicality" where cars which start as a "body in white" require a VIN - Techart have it as do 9ff.

Ruf fans love the mystique around the brand and arguably Ruf do make the best mix of components but it is still very much a Porsche.

One problem with Ruf VIN's (at least in the UK) is getting them insured since no insurer lists "Ruf" - my CTR1 was Porsche VIN and I simply insured it as a modified '89 Carrera

Jean

The Porsche 997GT2 in stock form beat the RT12 at the Nurburgring.

But I do think RUF produces really nice cars

nicu

?????

WHB Porsche

That's different, and Ruf didn't make anything like that in the 90s.

Stummel

Maybe today Ruf is more manufacturer than Porsche?
It is hardly more than just putting finished components together with poor quality and doing lots of marketing BS.