thomapa1

Background -
I am a car enthusiast but have never owned a 'high performance' vehicle. My current car is a 2001 Audi A4 1.8T...I have owned it since it was new. I do @80% of the maintenance myself, it is chipped and has a few other minor upgrades (brakes, engine and transmission mounts) - but it is turbo and all wheel drive, and I really love that combination.

I have been getting ready for my next vehicle purchase the last year or so - figured that I would time it with when my younger son gets his license...he would get the A4, I get something else. I have a few hobbies...golf and cars, so to me, even though I don't drive alot - I truly enjoy the experience and am willing to spend my fun money on it.

Porsche stood out as the frontrunner as I love German cars, wanted something more along the lines of a sports car (sexy and performance). I drive less than 10k per year, for pleasure, as I work from home. A BMW M3 would likely be the runnerup, but the body style does not speak to me. Within Porsche, I was also considering an '05-'06 Carrera S or '08 Cayman S.

When I started doing some research, the 996Turbo jumped out at me - on performance, within my price range, looks. I since have kept looking at other vehicles and came back to the 996 Turbo as my #1 choice on paper.


Impressions -
A big thanks to Dock who graciously volunteered to show his car off to me! Without a firsthand look and feel - It is difficult to understand the car, as there are not many around - and the dealership experience is not my cup of tea. Dock and I shared alot of the same thoughts as to the ideal car, mods, etc so his car was a great example.

My biggest fear was that it would be an 8-10 year old car by the time I buy one. And I typically hold my cars for @10 years. I have a German, 'well made' Audi and I constantly do upgrades to keep it looking good. Let me just say that the Porsche interior after @9 years looks brand new! (Although I know Dock takes great care of his). In addition, everything is incredibly 'solid' - I thought my A4 held up well...but after comparing - no contest! The thunk from the doors, the lack of squeaks, how the materials held up - really nice. A well cared for 10 year old 996TT is not an issue.

Performance...I was blown away. Take it with a grain of salt...I am used to a 200ish hp vehicle, so your impressions may differ. The things that stood out were how compliant it was at around town speeds, then how violently the speed builds and keeps giving - all while the car stays very firmly planted.

Bottom line is that I am sold on the 996TT platform and have no reason to think about something like a '05-'06 Carerra S or '08ish Cayman S as better values (for @the same price) simply because they are newer. I don't see a better price / performance / quality option.

Next step = start looking @March....targeting a 2002-2004 996TT

"02996ttx50

as far as used cars go, i'm sure you've made a wise choice. good luck in your search and your eventual entree into the "club". i've had a few cars in my lifetime but none as fulfilling on a daily basis as the 996t.

JG 996T

Winter is a good time to buy - have fun on the trail.

larry47us

When I bought my Turbo, it was 10 years old, with 5 former owners, and 25,000 miles on the clock. It still smelled new, and aside from a couple of frustrating issues, the car is in outstanding condition. I'm in withdrawal, since I put it in hibernation on November 1st. Another 60 days, and the weather should put me back in the saddle. Enjoy the search. Take a little time to write up a list of the features that you want, and use that as your reference while looking. My guess is that you'll find nearly everything that you're looking for in one car. Get a reliable PPI and don't look back.

All the best, and welcome to the obsession.

larry

jbossolo

The 996 TT platform is one of the best "bargains" as far as high-performance automobiles go.
I just had a friend drive my 02 996 TT X50 (moderately modified, 450 hp at the wheels) and all it took was one drive, he was hooked!. A few days later he traded his late 997 Carrera S for an 03 GT2.
'Nough said.

Enjoy it in good health.

Last930

Good luck with the search. The 996 turbo is the first car I've owned where the more I drive it, the better I like it. They are great cars.

SSST

The only car I've had that exceeded my high expectatations for it the first time I drove it, and continues to exceed them everytime I get behind the wheel.

jcb-memphis

Ditto to SSST.


And they are just plain cool.


Jeff

911Königin

You have terrific taste, sir