Canuck714

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum, but have been lurking for a bit and will soon be a P/Car owner. I have tried to digest all of the info related to the benefits and concerns of both models, but would like to hear opinions from actual owners.

At the moment I am looking at a 2003 C4S and a 2001 Turbo. Both are in the color profile I want, 6 speed, and have similar options.
-The C4S has 40,000 miles 3 owners and a good service history. Private sale.
-The TT is a 50,000 mile 1 owner, dealer maintained trade in at the original dealership... Has every service on history and belonged to a longtime customer.
The TT is about $9,000 more, and is almost perfect to my inspection.

Is the tt less susceptible to some of the common 996 issues? And what is the carryover from the other turbo cars that makes the IMS less of a problem.

Thanks in advance..

jumper5836

Can't go wrong with the TT. It doesn't have the IMS problem because it is a different engine block but this block has its own set of problems with coolant coupling leaks.

If your more into having the turbo look without the ugly wing and don't care about the lack of power, the C4S is a pretty car to have. It really stands out in the crowd.

soverystout

I'd probably go for the TT if the extra $$$ wasn't a big concern.
Way more powerful with an engine block known for being one of the best Porsche has ever made.

The turbo motor does not suffer the IMS issues of the M96 engine. They are however more expensive to maintain.

That $9k extra could be more when factoring in maintenence.

You could take the C4S and update components that will help to ensure many years/miles of happy motoring. A new clutch kit/RMS/IMS upgrade with flywheel could cost you close to $4k. If you go this route at least you kno that all of these parts are new and your good to go.

Todds911

You can search the words "bullet proof" on the 996 Turbo forum as it relates to that engine. There are some very high mileage TT's out there (I think one over 200k on the 996TT forum).

As mentioned above, the TT does have its own unique set of issues, although many on the market related to 2001s have already been updated.

You need to drive both. If the ridiculous rush of the twin turbos that pin you back in the seat is significant to you, you may determine it is worth some type of premium. Maintenance costs may be another factor for you.

Also, what is the price on the 01 TT? With 50k miles, I've seen these going in the mid-thirties, with some asking in the 40's. There's a bunch for sale on 6speedonline.

Canuck714

Todd,

They are asking 39k for the tt. I do plan on driving the car frequently. Not a daily driver, but certainly not a garage queen either.

Todds911

Fair starting point, from the face of it. However, $30k for the C4S seems like a good deal. I don't follow the S's much, but I thought they were in the $35k-38k range. Assuming my math is right on the $30k.

Barn996

Wow, asking $39k for a 1 owner, well maintained TT...that's the Porsche I'd pick hands down. Let us know what your choice is when you pull the trigger.

soverystout

+1

pissedpuppy

sorry for being a bonehead - but where is there Turbo forum?

nevermind, found it

Receiver

I've had both. Get a turbo but preferably not an 01 which has some special problems ( transmission in particular ) . More money to maintain but an amazing rush. There are good deals out there on both cars so be picky. If you get the C4S do the IMS bearing retrofit from Raby. Don't ask me how I know but it wasn't fun.

Todds911

Oh yes. I forgot to mention the 2nd gear pop out on the TTs.

I've seen many TTs for sale that say "no 2nd gear pop out issues"

If you've made your way over to the 996TT forum by now, I'm sure you've found plenty of discussion on all of this and more.

Canuck714

Sad news... went to the dealer today and the 01 tt was gone... booooooooo

Chaos

Your decision is made,the C4S is your destiny

Barn996

Well, did you buy the C4S yet?

Todds911

Not sure about that - lots of TTs on the market.

I don't know officially, but they must have made more 996 TTs than C4S's, based anecdotally on the numbers I see for sale nowadays??

I guess if you compare an 03TT to an 03C4S, I would say a $12k difference now (TT higher). But if you compare to an 01TT, they seem to lose a lot of market value (first year 996TT). I'd say as much as $15k difference between 03 996TT and 01 996TT.

Could it be that the C4S would be more of a collector's item in the future and depreciate at a slower rate than the TTs?