When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I haven't driven a TT but I've had a 99 and a 964 (and gt3). The only thing I regret about selling my 964 was when because had I waited 6 months I would've netted 30 to 40k more.
For me, the GT3, even if it was boring black, trumps all other options regardless of how unicorn they are in color or options. Roughly only 500 remain in the US, they can sound like a race car (catless x pipe), they're properly fast still yet don't scream look at me. Every valet in Santa Barbara and Montecito was giddy to drive my car. I'm sure they get to drive exotics every day but their eyes lit up when I rolled up or they dropped off the car (granted, mine is straight piped). More importantly though, it puts a huge effin smile on my face every time I get in it.
Porsche will never make a car again that is quite like that. Analog, raw, naturally aspirated.
I think only 31 Basalt Black 6gt3 were made so I guess mine could be argued as a unicorn?
I used to love the side scoops on the 996tt, but as time moves on I'm finding myself attracted to the clean lines of the early 996.1. Still, the 996tt was such a beast in it's day, I remember when it came out, my best friend and I paging through the car mags just in awe of its performance figures. Tough choice but think I'd have to give the TT the nod. I'm really digging the purple 996 though (srs). Given the rate people are buying the base 99 and modifying them to death, I think it will become more difficult to find a clean stock 99 than 996tt in the next decade or two. Shame you can't find a way to keep both.
Last edited by pcarfan944; 10-02-2021 at 06:46 PM.
Sell the '99 and replace it with a Porsche from the more classic years (pre-Boxster / 996). You could get one in very good to excellent condition, 968, 944 Turbo, 928S4, 914, 912. I think that would make sweet pair of cars.
First a question, which car gives you the biggest smile when you walk into the garage and think about taking it for drive on a twisty country road? That’s the car.
Or sell both, buy a 996 GT3 replace the shocks with Ohlin R&T’s and you have the best of all worlds. Iconic Metzger, RWD, simple and comfortable and more unique
Or sell both, buy a 996 GT3 replace the shocks with Ohlin R&T’s and you have the best of all worlds. Iconic Metzger, RWD, simple and comfortable and more unique
I will say that if comfort is a factor, the 6GT3 is most likely not the one. I have Ohlins on mine and that is a big improvement in ride quality, but road noise is a thing in 6GT3s. Mine is straight piped and on the freeway road noise above 80 almost exceeds the noise from the straight pipes. The car doesn't have any rubber undercoating and all of the very strategically placed sound deadening (those small pieces) are absent in the 6GT3. I'm pretty tolerant of noise but even excluding the exhaust nosie, it sounds like you're in a jetliner so after a few hours, audio fatigue is a thing. Now, with that being said, I'm sure if I replaced the Michelin Cup 2s with 4s it would be an improvement but it's not going to be a grand touring car like a Turbo or Carrera. I think that's the thing that is ingrained in it being a GT3 and for some, it's just too raw of a car. For others, it's perfect because of that.
P.S. The above quibbles can be fixed with a 10 cent pair of foam ear plugs
I will say it seemed almost impossible to find an unmodified 996 Turbo; took forever in Speed Yellow. The thread “What did you do to your 996TT today” literally has almost one million views. While early 99’s are indeed relatively rare, they do seem for the most part to have remained bone stock.
I have to say this is the stupidest thread conversation.
just spend some time on the 996 board and see the engine failures.
also look at the details of the cars...no comparison. plus add the much lower production numbers and once again the choice is obvious.
Reminds me of the antivaxxers arguments. Its like talking to a brick wall...zero logic.
Don't get me wrong, I like the 996 NA but does not compare to the Turbo.
And I love the 6 GT3 but terrible car to drive on the street. need to get above 6,000 revs to feel the engine and then they throw you in jail, after the rough ride.
The 99 is definitely more fun to drive it’s so unbelievably light. 300HP under 2,900 lbs is a phenomenal thing, especially coming out of turns. But nothing I’ve ever driven compares to the sound of that Mezger. And of course boost is like a launch coaster.
Originally Posted by Bbiela
First a question, which car gives you the biggest smile when you walk into the garage and think about taking it for drive on a twisty country road? That’s the car.
Or sell both, buy a 996 GT3 replace the shocks with Ohlin R&T’s and you have the best of all worlds. Iconic Metzger, RWD, simple and comfortable and more unique
I’ve driven NA 3.4L examples for nearly twenty years. Zero engine failures. They (and the Turbos) have been phenomenally reliable cars. You just have to get the known fixes out of the way and maintain them fanatically. Knowledge simply neutralizes all the early modes of failure on the 3.4.
Originally Posted by Turbodan
just spend some time on the 996 board and see the engine failures
I’ve driven NA 3.4L examples for nearly twenty years. Zero engine failures. They (and the Turbos) have been phenomenally reliable cars. You just have to get the known fixes out of the way and maintain them fanatically. Knowledge simply neutralizes all the early modes of failure on the 3.4.
More like “what do you prefer, three early 99s or one 996TT”? I mean seriously, nobody cross shops these, any more than they cross-shop Mustangs and Aston Martins. I prefer RWD and normally aspirated, so given a 996TT budget, I’d get a 997.2 C2.
I have to say this is the stupidest thread…just spend some time on the 996 board and see the engine failures.
also look at the details of the cars...no comparison.
I’m not nearly as knowledgeable as most on here so I’m asking in all seriousness - can you please expand on what you mean by “engine failures and details of the cars?” I’m very curious. I’m on my second 996.1, and both have had IMS and RMS upgrades prior to my ownership. Thank you.
Which would you keep and why: early-1999 in unicorn color w/#408 wheels versus 996TT in unicorn color? Both nearly perfect and low relative low miles.
Seriously?
One is an amazing everyday supercar with perhaps the best 911 engine ever built by Porsche, destined to continually grow in desirability and value. In many ways, a superior drivers car to even a 991 Turbo (yes, I have both).
The other is a very decent sports-car that I often recommend to someone being very careful with their car budget. But not even close in current or future desirability (or driving fun) compared to the Turbo.
And for those that love RWD, it is extremely easy to convert the 996 Turbo to RWD due to that generations use of a simple viscous coupler for the AWD system. It can be done in 20 minutes by just pulling the front driveshaft. For full benefit, remove the extra weight of the front diff, axles, and add a limited slip. And you will probably want that limited slip with that 500+ HP. But you will also find that a correctly set up Turbo with the AWD system intact drives like a RWD car. Very RWD biased if you have proper slightly taller fronts than rear tires which correctly biases the viscous coupler.
I love the 996 Turbo so much I just bought a second one! Once properly sorted and with a handful of minor tweaks, they are incredible.
Now don't get me wrong... a 996 C2 is a fine car. But it absolutely pales in comparison to the Turbo. This was the C2 I had in the same Polar Silver ~8 years ago.
I have room in my driveway send one to me here in Florida I will keep it warm during the northern winter oh yea include the keys so I can move it around from time to time 😀
Rich
Worrying about future value is paralyzing and enormously diminishes the current enjoyment. Been there, done that w my E92 M3.
I’ll be pumping way more $$ into my highly modified ‘99 C2 than it will ever be worth but I’m enjoying the ride.
10-02-2021, 06:18 PM
