if given the choice of an engine with a dry sump (TT) vs a wet sump even if "modified" I would go for the GT1 racing engine block any day it is a much better durable engine. 996 and 997 boxster cayman DONT have it TT and GT3 do.
to the OP question. the TT covers all the topics no other car does. period. and oh yeah, this is the TT board the Z06 board may give a different answer! The looks and comfort are subjective.
As for power, brakes, performance, and handling, if you are not tracking the car, all are outstanding as they come from the factory.
There are very few of us that can drive the factory version of a $150,000 Porsche even close to its factory given limits.
Unless you already have mad track skills this car, stock form serves most of us as a car of a life time, dream car.
Good luck in your car search. we have all searched and chose a TT, if you educate yourself about the car you will also.
tom

 

I'd like to know where people are seeing $50K 996 TTs for sale. I've been looking for quite awhile, and most 996 TT with good histories and not too high mileage trade in the $60K range, and sometimes in the very high $50K range (this is at least what I've been seeing). Get a CPO 996 TT, and we're talking mid to high $60K range, or for a 2003/04, even higher. If I could find a low mileage 996 TT with a good history in the low or mid 50's I would jump on it in a second.

p.s. Hey, my first post (although I've lurked for way too long...check out my join date...I'm embarassed, but now I'm serious about picking up a 996 TT)!

 

Right now you can search Ebay and autotrader and find several low 50k tt's and even an occasional sub 50k car. These are usually cars that have at least 50 to 60k miles and from what I found,, they were a bit beat, the type of car owned by someone who was not a lover of P cars, and they usually show to be bit rode hard and put up wet. When i see cars like this,, I assume that maintanance has been lacking and or ignored. Usually lots of little cosmetic issues are apparent, which usually leads to mechanical issues that have just been ignored. Spend and extra 10k or more and get a car that is perfect and does not need 10k worth of work.

 

step to the dark side, turbo is the only answer. 996 tt is an awesome car, ditto on what was already said of the integrity of these cars.

 

keep the search to "no excuses" 996tt. Don't look for the cheapest price...look for the best value. Unmodded one owner cars sell for a premium. Stay away from leased cars...these are like hi-priced hookers...ridden hard and put away wet. Always get a PPI and get a CPO if u can. If you can find a garage queen with CPO. You can easily put 10-20K in a car that has too many miles or that has not been maintained.

 

Oh yeah, good point I missed that one. Early 2001TTs had bumper stops.
Thanks,
Kevin

 

This is not necessarly true. I bought mine as a off lease from the dealer with CPO and 63K miles. It has been problem free except for a bad horn and a window requlator going out. Mine has full dealer service records. There are good high mileage off lease examples out there.

 

can someone direct me toward a thread that lists the maintainance schedule and costs of the car. You need a $3000 service every 30K miles? That may be a bit out of my league.

 

I prefer to leave all drivetrain bone stock. I live in upstate NY, this car will be put away for the winter though.

 

can someone direct me toward a thread that lists the maintainance schedule and costs of the car. You need a $2000 service every 30K miles??? That may be a bit out of my league.

 

Shoot if you can't afford $2K every 30K miles then you might want to look at another car/brand.. The 30K service requires you to replace the spark plugs, filters, belt, the dealer should also drop the coolant 3 gallons @ $48.00 gallon.

With all due respect these cars do require some upkeep. You most likely will need to get a clutch in the 30K. You will also go thru 4 front tires and 6 rears in that amount of time. Diverter valves and a few coil packs.

 

do you know av. yearly maintainance?

 

mm,
How many miles a year?
If typical driving is 12,000 annually, then my expenses have been very minimal.
Rear tires last a bit more than 12,000 miles, so figure about $600, fronts go about twice as far, so say $300 per year. Kevin's figures suggest 10,000 miles on rears, which is less than I have experienced.
The 15000 miles service is just fluids, and I think that comes in at about $1,000 from the dealer, but that is my dealer, and private shops will be much less. The 30 K service requires plugs, so that adds $800+.
My car has needed nothing else in 45,000 miles, except a quart of oil about every 5,000 miles. I haven't needed a clutch, or diverter valves, or coils. Kevin is pretty smart about things, but deals with a higher hp crowd (I guess), so you might leave something in the til for emergency repairs. I am electively changing the battery at 6 years, which is about $300 thru the dealer or about $100 if you do it yourself.
Porsche parts are expensive, so if you aren't quite there yet it is better to wait until you can drive the car and forget the expense. I drive mine every day, good weather or the worst imaginable, and enjoy every mile. Good luck with your decision. AS

 

so if I do 15K a year which is the max cause it will be put away for 4 months in NY then max cost is $3000 a year for everything? Thats not so bad, how much are pads, and rotors?

 

Different brands wouldnt be much cheaper, Imo nearly all sport cars cost about that much for 30K+ service etc..