Hi everyone,

I am a current Corvette Z06 owner, and I am looking into getting a Twin Turbo Porsche.

What to look for? I drove an X50 (with body kit) out here in Arizona and they were asking for 120k at 8700 miles.
What kind of prices should I be seeing? I also saw a GT3 for 110k at 2700 miles with Carbon brakes. Thoughts?
What kind of things should I look for in either of these cars? From the stats I am reading, the car is comparable speed/acceleration wise to the Z06 - so I don't expect any jaw dropping performance increase. I did like the 4 wheel drive though. Seemed like it gripped under acceleration better - no breaking out the rear end! (Though that can be fun in and of itself!)

Thanks in advance for help putting this all together.

 

Here's a Twin Turbo for you

If your budget is $110k+, you may as well stretch for this one.

G

 

Why so high on the price? I see others in the 80k+ range for 2001 & 2002 models?

 

Read the description ... very special car

 

It's because the car described in the link he provided is a GT2, not a 996TT.....RWD vs AWD, much lower production #s, higher initial MSRP.

 

The GT2 MSRP was over $180k. When it first came out in the dot.com crazed days, people paid up to $250k for these cars. It is a much more competent car than the 996tt.

Your X50 package sample in AZ asking $120k is absurdly high. Just curious, why not a C6 Z06? That's a great car as well.

Good luck.

CP

 

The following is part of a description from another GT2 listed for sale :

Here are some things that make the Porsche GT2 different than its cousin the 911 Turbo. First of all weight. the biggest weight savings over the 911 Turbo comes from making the GT2 rear-wheel drive instead of 4-wheel drive. Other weight-saving measures include fitting sport seats in front and deleting the rear seats. In place of a spare tire, there is a tire repair kit. Chassis modifications come directly from Porsche road racing experience. The GT2 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under four seconds and can achieve a top track speed of 195 mph. A modified version of the 3.6-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine from the 911 Turbo allows an increase in maximum turbo boost pressure to 14.5 psi, compared to 11.76 psi for the 911 Turbo. The GT2 engine produces 456 horsepower and sustains 457 lb.-ft. torque. The only transmission available is a modified version of the 911 Turbo six-speed manual. Compared to the 911 Turbo, redesigned air intake scoops provide additional cooling air. A one-piece fixed-design rear wing replaces the two-piece automatic-deploying spoiler of the 911 Turbo for racetrack driving. Suspension modifications include racing springs that lower the center of gravity by 0.78-inch, adjustable anti-roll bars and a wide range of suspension adjustment to accommodate racing tires. The front alloy wheels measure 18 x 8.5-inch and mount 235/40 ZR18 tires. The rear alloy wheels measure 18 x 12-inch and mount 315/30 ZR18 tires. Along with the tires are new brakes .. a production car first ...Ceramic or composite brakes. To date, composite brake rotors have been a race-car-only bit of tech. These rotors are internally vented, cross-drilled, and mate with six-piston alloy calipers in front and four piston calipers out back...

 

Gotcha - didn't mean to be insulting - just don't know all the Porsche stuff... Yet!!
Thanks for taking the time to help me understand Cigarette1!

As for why not a 06 Z06? Not sure - more of the same? Looking for something a bit more different? Spread the ol wings out a bit.

What should the 04 X50 996 Turbo be commanding (the one I referenced above with 8700 miles).

How about a GT3 - 2700 miles, Yellow Dials, Black floormats, BiXenon, Yellow SeatBelts, Color Wheel Crest, Cruise, Auto Climate. 04.

Anyone have thoughts? Comments?

 

It's all good

I wasn't insulted ... sorry if I came off that way

G

 

Z06,
You seem to be bouncing a bit all over the place. Porsche doesn't help because there are so many different versions of the car that look the same. You may think of them as different birds from the same nest, but they are really more like different species that look similar. (Think Quarter Horse vs Zebra!)

The 996TT is the most "civilized" of the group, but 0-60 in 3.9 Seconds and 189MPH top end isn't exactly Honda Civic territory. It also has the everyday advantage of 4-wheel drive. Despite what the "racers" on the forum might tell you, it has terrific handling and goes like stink, without beating your kidney's into submission. The X50 option does add power, but a lot of that power is at the top end and not very usable unless your tracking the car. In fact, getting the basic 996TT "chipped" is a whole lot less expensive and gives even more power.

The GT-2 and GT-3 are rear wheel drive, which does give them an advantage on the race track. The GT-2 is a beast with the most power ever applied to the "911" series. It is turbo charged and lightened. It is also very limited in production and the used car prices reflect this rarity. It is a car that is likely to spoil you forever, if you can keep your license. It is also likely to become a real collector's item in ten years.

The GT-3 is the true race car of the bunch. It is not turbocharged and therefore has more immediate response in driving than a Turbo. It is also stiffly sprung for the track. Because of it's lack of tubocharging, it doesn't have the acceleration of the 996TT or the GT-2, but it's handling dynamics (including lighter weight" make it the most nimble of the crew.

If I were you, I'd spend some time on the internet looking up the various review articles written on these machines. over the years. I'd also scour the used car sights like e-Bay and Auto Trader, etc., to get a real fix on prices that are out there for various years and for various models and option combinations. Then you can make the best decision of your life by getting a Porsche - any Porsche!

Good luck!

 

Road Kill,
very nice job of explaining! after driving all three (and owning (7) 911's),
I would say try to drive them! Where are you located Z06??, I think
you will find Rennlister's very helpful in this regard! I have purchased
911 products (like RK said they are all so different!), without driving
one like it and have been disappointed. Ask questions and get out and
drive!
MK

 

I am in Phoenix Arizona. And you are right - lots of options. Based on my Buttometer (related to a tachometer, but directly attached to the human drivers body!) - the Twin Turbo felt close to the same, if not ever so slightly slower. Though my intent is not to cast stones or question fact. Just stating what my impression was.

anyway - it seems like the Gt3 market is kinda all over the place. Particularly with the upcoming release of the 997 GT3 - I feel like paying 90k+ is just not good.

The GT2 is just out of the budget right now. The TT, I am finding that I want to avoid 01's. Stick to 02, 03 or 04 - and get service records, and also verify the main seal.

based on my research, only the TT is going to be close to the Z06 in 0-60 times. The GT3 will fall behind a hair. Of course, an excellent driver would make all the difference.

Though, my experience tells me that the Porsche definately has the nod on braking power. I think the handling characteristics are, well, more refined feeling. Where my experiences in the Z06 have been more.. Raw...

Again if that makes sense.

My purpose in getting a Porsche is to have the Z and the Porsche and drive them both so that I learn from personal experience what I like and don't like about both. And well, darnit, just to have em!!!

I like the GT3 as it's a race car. I feel that the Z06 is stiff, but certainly not overly so. I have driven it 5 hours + with no problems. I could definately handle more stiffness in the Z. And while it handles well, there definately is body roll when racing/cornering it.

My research on the GT3 tells me that the asking price for an 04 is right around 94k, and if you take out the occasional dreamer price of 110k, you'll be down around 92k asking price. Which leads me to the conclusion that you probably can walk away with one a bit lower than that. Perhaps 85k or 82.5k for the shrewd bargainer.

So for now, I have driven the Twin Turbo X50, and I couldn't get the price right on the GT3 so I didn't bother driving it.

The TT is interesting, just because it's a Porsche, and it's fast, close to the Z, and it's handling is setup much differently than the Z. And, also of note, it's an easier riding car. Anyone have experience with 3 year olds in the back of one of these? A car seat back there looks like a nogo? Not a requirement, but it would be nice to have the option.

 

for a very good price. No back seats of course so I opted for the TT. I prevoisly owned a 01 C4 and had 2 car seats in, one was rear facing...I dont reco it for more than a few miles. Forward facing is not an issue. I am tall and it's a tight fit in the rear for kids, but it works. Keeping the 540 dinan just in case though.

PS - they also have an 02 x50 with about 3k miles on it.

 

Ack!!! Blechhhhh!! Silver!!!!

But thanks for the tip!

 

Kevin,

I guess you will track your car. I think that could influence which Porsche you'd eventually buy.

Good luck.

CP