Keadog

After 4 air-cooled 911s, my wife is slowly convincing me to "evolve" into more of a GT experience. She likes going on trips in the 911, but wants me to get a new car for the drive to Parade in Utah next year. I drove an '09 TT chipped to a claimed 600hp Monday (don't know about 600, but it sure was fast) and a '12 GTS. My wife much preferred the ride of the GTS and I found the power more than adequate if not as truly frightening (and a blast) of the TT.
So, what to do? I'm taking a pole here. Three choices: a used '09 TT, a new GTS at the end of a model run or flip a coin and help beta test the 991? TT "cheapest" and fastest, but not new. GTS the last of a great run of the 997 or the unknown 991 from a company known for constant improvement (except for maybe 993 to 996, IMO).
Thanks for the input. Have fun. Please keep flames to a minimum...

Keadog

Uh, I meant POLL, of course. Oops.

Aerokitted

TT - It's got the special Mezger engine. This is what counts, no? Either way, you can't go wrong.

Doc GTO

From what I've read and heard the 997.2 TT motor is not as strong as the 997.1 TT motor. I think the pistons or rods are different but not sure.

It seems like you AND the wife need to like it so if she likes the GTS you can't go wrong!

kosmo

a more GT experience would be the new 991.

GSIRM3

I vote for the 2012 GTS, but I am partial.

Waxer

I love the Turbo. I have a GTS but thats a tough choice. It would depend on the particular car.

I think the GTS is the best of the naturally aspirated 997s short of the track dedicated GT3s.

Hard to argue against a TT though.

They are different animals. One is more of a classic Porsche drivers car/performance sports car. In fact the GTS's performance is nearly on par with the current GT3 and equal to the GT3s of a couple years ago. The GTS is in reality a more civilized GT3 for the street. The TT falls more into the supercar realm and less of a drivers car.

Tough choice. Buying used saves you a ton of depreciation. That may be the deciding factor if it were me but then again I keep thinking the GTS will be very limited in number compared to the other 997s and the best of the bunch IMHO. A tick off the GT3 on the track and much more livable and drivable on the street. Best of both worlds.

Keadog

Great stuff so far! Thanks. I lean heavily to the TT, but my wife is against a 5th "used" car. My last turbo was an '88 turbo cab. This '09 was "significantly" faster. I would really enjoy ordering a car just like I want it, but the depreciation curve does freak me out, even if it's money we don't need for anything else.
Having said that, if I can get an allocation at a reasonable discount, I might get a GTS for a late production build. As good as Porsche is, I am a little concerned about the first of any model.

Gliding_Serpent

This is an easy decision in my books:
- Forget the TT. 600hp or not... the engine WILL wear out sooner than your typical TT (although I am sure it has a stock option). Plus, what kind of person turns a great car like a TT into a 600hp beast? Yup, you guessed it... the same guy who pops the clutch for a gut wrenching 0-60 at every second stoplight, and who hammers his car at the track, or even better, at two AM racing his buddies.
- The GTS would be my go-to. This is coming at the end of a generation so most kinks are worked out. This is the sum of 997 knowledge, and at a bargain for what you are getting. This is the most powerful 911 you can get that does not scream "arrest me!" It will stand as one of the more desirable 997's in years to come I am sure (aside from the GT3's).
- I can't say much for the 991. If you like the looks, and MUST have the latest thing (the 997 will be old news soon), go for it. There may be kinks to work out, but I doubt the car is so different that it will risk being any type of lemon.

IMHO you can't lose with either of the last two... but I wouldn't touch the TT with a 50 foot pole. Chips are a red flag for "abuse" in my books, unless you know and trust the owner...

racer

Listen to the wife.. GTS.

IslandS52

How long do you tend to keep your cars? Do you tend to like to have the latest? If the answer is a long time, and no, then the GTS is a great choice. Its fully evolved, as many of the quirks as possible worked out. However, the 991 will have a new car warranty, so if you don't tend to keep it for more than 4-5 years why not be one of the first to sample what it has to offer? The depreciation curve may be a bit less steep on a new 991, but you never know...

KBS911

+1. I just chose a GTS. Civilized GT3 is about right, and I say that after just coming out of 2 years with a 10 GT3. I didn't want to wait for the new 991 to come out, probably next spring, and within 2 years they'll have a next generation, 991.2 and or 991 GT3 out. I agree that the GTS is the best of the 997 breed and there are good deals to be had right now. It is a great car with a nice balance of power, style, cruising and track capabilty. Kind of like the swiss army knife of 911s.

pewter82

Not a hard choice at all.
GTS Highly regarded as the best of the 911 to date
13 S Unknown and its a first year production model not worth the premium
09 TT Great car but not much different than the 07 and 08

GTS, find one they way you want it and buy it before the new ones are all gone..

gota911

You poor guy, having to put up with such a demanding wife! Does she have a sister?

If you want tried and true, then GTS.

If you want a little more luxury in the interior (a.k.a. Panamera interior) as well as a lighter car with more HP, get the 991.

If you go with a GTS, don't delay too long. Porsche will stop building the 997.2 cars soon.

Crazy Canuck

GTS