2003 996 Turbo vs. 2009 997 Turbo
01-07-2018, 10:50 AM
#1
2003 996 Turbo vs. 2009 997 Turbo
I am going to trade in my guards red and tan '08 C4S with 78,000 miles on one of these two cars that are at a local specialist car dealer (most of their inventory are Porsches but they do have three Ferraris, several Maseratis, and a few M cars). This dealership also has a well recognized service department and I have had my clutch and Fister exhaust installed there with no complaints.
2009 Turbo Cab, manual, silver with red interior, 28,XXX miles, 2 Virginia owners. $82,000.00 (VIN: WP0CD29959S773501 )
2003 Turbo Coupe w/ sunroof, manual, silver with black interior, 62,1000 miles, 4 Texas owners. $52,000.00 (VIN: WP0AB299X3S686424 )
I am completely aware of the cosmetic differences of the two cars. I personally have no issues with the 996 styling. I know I am probably only one of a dozen people in the northern hemisphere that holds this view, thank you very much
So my questions are these,
A) Are there specific pitfalls/mechanical issues that one car will uniformly have over the other? Of course one is six years newer so I would expect it to need fewer repairs but is that necessarily true?
B) Will the driving dynamics of the 997 be seat-of-the-pants noticeably different?
C) Ignoring the fact for a moment that the 997 is a convertible and thus influences the overall cost, is the 997 turbo that much better than the 996 turbo. I assume so since every model improves upon the last - even if incrementally - but I would like to know why, specifically. The difference in cost is okay IF the 997 is a 20,000 - 30,000 dollar better car. Is it worth the cost delta?
I personally like the quirky sytling of the 996 - both exterior and interior - which is why this is a thread at all. I already have a 997.1 and have truly enjoyed every minute of it (30,000 miles in 20 months) but I would like the turbo experience. I will be looking at and hopefully driving these two cars sometime this week. An independent PPI is a given.
Thanks, in advance, for any advice or personal experience with these cars you may want to share.
2009 Turbo Cab, manual, silver with red interior, 28,XXX miles, 2 Virginia owners. $82,000.00 (VIN: WP0CD29959S773501 )
2003 Turbo Coupe w/ sunroof, manual, silver with black interior, 62,1000 miles, 4 Texas owners. $52,000.00 (VIN: WP0AB299X3S686424 )
I am completely aware of the cosmetic differences of the two cars. I personally have no issues with the 996 styling. I know I am probably only one of a dozen people in the northern hemisphere that holds this view, thank you very much
So my questions are these,
A) Are there specific pitfalls/mechanical issues that one car will uniformly have over the other? Of course one is six years newer so I would expect it to need fewer repairs but is that necessarily true?
B) Will the driving dynamics of the 997 be seat-of-the-pants noticeably different?
C) Ignoring the fact for a moment that the 997 is a convertible and thus influences the overall cost, is the 997 turbo that much better than the 996 turbo. I assume so since every model improves upon the last - even if incrementally - but I would like to know why, specifically. The difference in cost is okay IF the 997 is a 20,000 - 30,000 dollar better car. Is it worth the cost delta?
I personally like the quirky sytling of the 996 - both exterior and interior - which is why this is a thread at all. I already have a 997.1 and have truly enjoyed every minute of it (30,000 miles in 20 months) but I would like the turbo experience. I will be looking at and hopefully driving these two cars sometime this week. An independent PPI is a given.
Thanks, in advance, for any advice or personal experience with these cars you may want to share.
01-07-2018, 11:33 AM
#3
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
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They are both good cars, but the 997 is a huge upgrade over the 996. This is especially true of the interior. If you’re looking for something more basic with less luxury, then the 996 TT may be a good choice for you. If you’re looking for the best combination of performance and luxury, then the 997 may be the best choice for you. The cabriolet experience is also very different from the coupe experience. That alone may be the deciding factor, one way or another.
For what it’s worth, I personally wouldn’t go back to a 996 after owning a 997. I also wouldn’t go back to a 997 after owning a 991.
For what it’s worth, I personally wouldn’t go back to a 996 after owning a 997. I also wouldn’t go back to a 997 after owning a 991.
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rokdoctor (03-20-2021)
01-07-2018, 05:41 PM
#4
"For what it’s worth, I personally wouldn’t go back to a 996 after owning a 997. I also wouldn’t go back to a 997 after owning a 991."
Interesting. Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.
Interesting. Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.
01-07-2018, 07:56 PM
#5
Nordschleife Master
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Had 3 996tts and a 997.1tt and a 997.2tt. All were purchased new and used as daily drivers so not really had one with some age on it. I put about 30k on my 01, 15k on my 03, 80k on my 04 cab, 60k on my 08 and 50k on my 12. My 01 was very modified and had about 750 hp (hybrids, GT2 ICs, internals and etc.)
Primary issues with the 996s were instrument cluster issues causing tail not to go up and down, got a new driver's seat in one for what I though was a very minor issue and had a slave cylinder go bad putting too much pressure in hose running to front of car to burst twice before I, not dealership, figured out the slave cylinder was causing ruptured hoses from too much pressure in the line. I also had a squirrel or something chew the wiring harness causing some crazy shyte like the engine being turned on and off by the light switch.
The 997s . . . I honestly cannot remember any issues at least causing me to take to the dealer outside scheduled maintenance.
The 997tts, however, are simply much better cars. I would not go back to the 996tt and the performance of the 996tt is somewhat slow and not even that great by today's standards.
Primary issues with the 996s were instrument cluster issues causing tail not to go up and down, got a new driver's seat in one for what I though was a very minor issue and had a slave cylinder go bad putting too much pressure in hose running to front of car to burst twice before I, not dealership, figured out the slave cylinder was causing ruptured hoses from too much pressure in the line. I also had a squirrel or something chew the wiring harness causing some crazy shyte like the engine being turned on and off by the light switch.
The 997s . . . I honestly cannot remember any issues at least causing me to take to the dealer outside scheduled maintenance.
The 997tts, however, are simply much better cars. I would not go back to the 996tt and the performance of the 996tt is somewhat slow and not even that great by today's standards.
01-08-2018, 09:20 AM
#6
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
That's a no brainer. Classic James Dean color scheme of the 997 you're considering, the much better looking body of the 997 (even if you don't care, the next guy will when you go to sell it), much better interior materials and look. Since you want to experience something different, the cab is also more different than your coupe.
All Mezger based water cooled motors (Turbos and GT cars) have a coolant pipe issue that needs to be fixed if it hasn't already. If you use the rear seats, the cabs aren't as comfortable as the back wall is canted forward to make space for the folding roof, otherwise the 997 cab is it.
All Mezger based water cooled motors (Turbos and GT cars) have a coolant pipe issue that needs to be fixed if it hasn't already. If you use the rear seats, the cabs aren't as comfortable as the back wall is canted forward to make space for the folding roof, otherwise the 997 cab is it.
01-08-2018, 04:16 PM
#7
Thanks for the replies. As far as the coolant pipe issue on the Metzger motors, is that an engine-out kind of repair/replacement? Could a PPI tell if the pipe had been replaced?
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01-08-2018, 06:10 PM
#8
Drifting
It can be done with the engine in the car, but most shops will just drop it out. A PPI should be able to tell it was done from looking at it, though I'd think there would be a paper trail too because it's not too cheap and is something an owner would want to use as a selling point.
01-08-2018, 06:40 PM
#10
RL Community Team
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https://redlinespeedworx.com/coolant...porsche-turbo/
01-08-2018, 06:46 PM
#11
Drifting
between 996t and 997t.
I have driven both extensively.
997t feels synthetic vs. 996t. Out of the box. 0 mods.
interior/exterior is subjective.
If i had to pick between both of those two, me personally i would got 996t, if my primary reason for the car is enjoyment of driving.
If DD - i guess 997t you can make a case for the 997t, pending on what your priorities are.
991t is top of the line Cadillac w/ speed. imo.
I have driven both extensively.
997t feels synthetic vs. 996t. Out of the box. 0 mods.
interior/exterior is subjective.
If i had to pick between both of those two, me personally i would got 996t, if my primary reason for the car is enjoyment of driving.
If DD - i guess 997t you can make a case for the 997t, pending on what your priorities are.
991t is top of the line Cadillac w/ speed. imo.
10-27-2018, 04:18 PM
#12
What did you end up with? 996 or 997?
03-20-2021, 11:06 AM
#13
This was a cool thread to flip through - just listed my 997.1 targa and really struggled with the "what is this currently worth?" question.
I've thought about doing the PPI ahead of time for potential buyers to be able to hand them something that builds confidence, but I'm guessing just about any buyer would find that suspect.
I've thought about doing the PPI ahead of time for potential buyers to be able to hand them something that builds confidence, but I'm guessing just about any buyer would find that suspect.
03-20-2021, 03:44 PM
#14
I bet the 996 interior gets old after a week if your used to sitting in a 997.1. That was light years better. Liking it is one thing, living with it is a different story.
A. Other than the coolant pipes and addition kit, like 4wd diff maintenance and turbo/intercooler maintenance it's stuff you should be familiar with. Added power will probably chew your tires up faster than you may be used to.
B. It's faster so yea, and 4wd vs 2wd. It'll feel a little heavier but the power makes for it. Even the 996 turbo is fast, the 997 turbo was the world wide benchmark when it came out. It was one of the first production cars to break 4 second 0-60. You have to drive them.
C. If the money is not a factor i'd get the 09. Especially if you plan on keeping it for sometime. Buyers remorse is a real thing. A 996 turbo is a step up in a few categories, but also a step back in a few others coming from your 997. The .2 gives you better everything. A .2 turbo is going to be a little more special down the road. Just my 2 cents.
A. Other than the coolant pipes and addition kit, like 4wd diff maintenance and turbo/intercooler maintenance it's stuff you should be familiar with. Added power will probably chew your tires up faster than you may be used to.
B. It's faster so yea, and 4wd vs 2wd. It'll feel a little heavier but the power makes for it. Even the 996 turbo is fast, the 997 turbo was the world wide benchmark when it came out. It was one of the first production cars to break 4 second 0-60. You have to drive them.
C. If the money is not a factor i'd get the 09. Especially if you plan on keeping it for sometime. Buyers remorse is a real thing. A 996 turbo is a step up in a few categories, but also a step back in a few others coming from your 997. The .2 gives you better everything. A .2 turbo is going to be a little more special down the road. Just my 2 cents.
