Ladies and gents,

Have a very nice stock 02 lapis blue turbo with natural brown that I maybe trading in versus a 05-07 Carrera S. 14K miles in perfect condition, service records, etc. The prior owner even went so far as to have a 40K mile service done! No concerns with the turbo just looking to move to a Carrera S. Obviously, not as fast, turbo power delivery more exciting although I believe the S is no slouch. Have gotten the turbo out of my system so just might be time. Anyone else had this happen? Make the switch and then regret having done it? I think both cars are more or less trading hands for around the same money,with the turbo trading for fractionally more these days. What would we say would be a realistic number to trade vs purchasing a sub 20K mile 05-06 carrera S? Let me know your thoughts....Chumlee

 

Bulletproof engine vs a mass produced cheap engine that wears out. The S is not much quicker then a 996 3.6.

 

I've only had the 996 Turbo a few weeks and I hadn't really considered one at all but it was my mechanic that insisted I drive a 996 Turbo before pulling the trigger on a 997 C4S I was looking at and I'm glad he did. As he said to me; the 997 drives very nicely but the Turbo is on another level entirely and as a drivers car I think it's better than the R8 it's replaced.

 

Not disputing the engine, power, or performance at all. For what I do, just think the Carrera S would be slightly nicer to drive, nicer interior, etc. I have zero complaints about the TT and actually have the luxury of driving a 07 Mazda MX5 hardtop cab or a 14 Fiesta ST on a daily basis. I would tend to believe the S would be a better daily driver, or put another way, slightly more modern.

 

If you do, at least trade it for a 997.2. No point trading your turbo for a gen 1 car. Interior isn't that great, plus no updated PCM features like bluetooth, AUX, Ipod connection, etc. Nav sucks on 997.1 and the rubbery buttons can peel off easily.

If I were you, I would either save a bit and trade for 997.1 Turbo. Best of both worlds. Problem solved

 

Doesn't look any more modern then a widebody 996 with full leather interior. I've replaced my stereo with a modern double din unit. Can't get much more modern then that.

I agree, go with a 997.2. If you do get a 997.1 drive it daily it will last longer, don't let it idle for long periods of time and don't start the engine under in freezing temperatures if it dead cold, fine if it's still warm. Don't use 0w 40 oil and change it more often then it says to.

 

I have driven Porka's c2S 997.1 ...no need to beat a dead horse but we both agreed that something in the "heart of the motor" was missing in the 997c2s.

so i forked 40k more and got a gt3.

In terms of interior. I have a 997 gt3, after 2 weeks, the interior to me at least, feels less desirable. Granted my turbo had deviated stitching and leather everywhere.
Like an idiot i read forums and thought wow pcm 2.1- i have to have that... if i'm honest, i never use it. Radio was better in the 996. Hmm what other random thoughts.

Right it has a glove box, my 996 didnt as it was a 01. I never use the glovebox. If i'm frank i wish it didnt have one so less reason for people to dig around my car. Hardly ever use the cup holders.

 

here is the simple answer.

I felt like more of an Porsche die hard when I had my 996 turbo.. anyone who knows cars immediately knew I meant business.

On the weekends I would wake up and want to run downstairs and go for a drive after a shower! I just do not have that with the c2s.

the c2s is fantastic, the chassis is much better than the 996 but honestly it does not give me the thrills of the turbo.

that being said.. if you can step into a 997 GT2 you are really onto something.. or if your wallet is not that fat.. a 997.1 turbo will be plenty!

if I had the cash I would be in a 997 turbo. I do plan on owning a 997 gt2 in the future. its a car that I just need to have!

as you can see I still have my old car as my avatar.. it only had a tune and was crazy fast!

don't be deterred from the c2s though.. for 40k you cannot beat this car.. the e92 m3 is garbage in comparison. 996 turbo's do look slightly dated. but with some mods i.e wheels and lowering it the car looks correct!

Mike

 

A NA car compared to a turbo-charged car does have some advantage as a DD in that it has better low end torque and to some is a better drive because of it.

The saying is we buy horsepower but drive torque and there is some truth to this. I love big HP cars. I have owned in the past: Mustang GT, Camaro, GTO and while these cars had oodles of HP they also have oodles of low-end torque and were easy to drive.

In some ways my 02 Boxster with its NA engine is an easier drive compared to my Turbo. The advantage of the Boxster's engine is its high (11.3:1) compression which really positively impacts driveability compared to the Turbo's 9.4:1 compression (sans any boost which requires RPMs and some throttle to develop).

My advice would be to test drive the 997 around as you intend to use the car and see if its performance/behavior suites you better than the Turbo's under the same conditions.

Then do what you feel is best for you.

 

I replaced my Speed Yellow 997.1 C2S with a 996TT. And I'm f ing glad I did. 997 first gen are junk. Don't believe me? Talk to Raby or Tony Callas.

They are beautiful looking cars but its the heart of the car I love. It's called Mezger.

Todays prices for 996TT's are a bargain.

 

Drove a 997 C2S, was not impressed. Bought a turbo and glad I did.

Not in the same league. As others pointed out, get a .2 if you really want an interior upgrade. But in the end, these are performance cars. Creature comfort should are nice, but the performance aspect is much more important to me.

 

I think the OP is making a big mistake.

A 996TT to a 991C2S? Sure.

A 996TT to 997.1C2S? No way. Maybe a 997.2C2S with a DFI 9A1 motor might be an okay replacement.

 

I bought a 996tt a month ago. When I started my car shopping, it was for a 997 c2/s/4s. Test drove a number of them. Very nice. Would have been happy with the purchase had I not been introduced to the turbo... Once I drove the turbo a couple of times, I was sold...

 

With the LeMans winning GT1 as the platform for our 996tt's why would you ever consider anything else???

 

^^^^^