Higher mileage comments
05-26-2018, 01:44 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Higher mileage comments
Hi all,
I've noticed what seems like a dislike of 997TT cars with 'higher' relative mileage. Recent comments about wanting to purchase with less than 30,000 miles or so etc. Also, comments about values dropping with higher miles (which I'm not seeing, btw).
I'm a bit surprised by this. Given the robust nature of the 911tt motor, why the big concern? If it's purely a value thing, I get it, but that seems to take the joy out of owning these cars in the first place. Also, am I one of the few who plans to drive my 997tt into as high a mileage as possible? I'm genuinely interested in the rationale for wanting lowest mile cars.
The more classic and sports cars I've owned, the more I feel mileage is truly irrelevant. My 1990 964 has 113,000 miles and it's absolutely stunningly brilliant to drive as severely as I care to. Maintenance is a joy and the expense is always commensurate with the pleasure of knowing the machine is well kept and ready for proper driving.
This was more of a random thought post, but I'd like to hear the wisdom and comments from the group. I surely don't anticipate sadly and lamely oozing over 100,000 miles, shedding tears for my 997tt's younger years and bemoaning the depreciating value. I prefer to cross it at a well timed down shift, ringing it out to 6,800rpm, and screaming for more.
I've noticed what seems like a dislike of 997TT cars with 'higher' relative mileage. Recent comments about wanting to purchase with less than 30,000 miles or so etc. Also, comments about values dropping with higher miles (which I'm not seeing, btw).
I'm a bit surprised by this. Given the robust nature of the 911tt motor, why the big concern? If it's purely a value thing, I get it, but that seems to take the joy out of owning these cars in the first place. Also, am I one of the few who plans to drive my 997tt into as high a mileage as possible? I'm genuinely interested in the rationale for wanting lowest mile cars.
The more classic and sports cars I've owned, the more I feel mileage is truly irrelevant. My 1990 964 has 113,000 miles and it's absolutely stunningly brilliant to drive as severely as I care to. Maintenance is a joy and the expense is always commensurate with the pleasure of knowing the machine is well kept and ready for proper driving.
This was more of a random thought post, but I'd like to hear the wisdom and comments from the group. I surely don't anticipate sadly and lamely oozing over 100,000 miles, shedding tears for my 997tt's younger years and bemoaning the depreciating value. I prefer to cross it at a well timed down shift, ringing it out to 6,800rpm, and screaming for more.
05-26-2018, 06:46 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
These car are like airplanes they need to driven, like airplanes need to be flown, hanger and garage queens look nice but take a long time shake out the cobwebs from sitting.
05-26-2018, 06:50 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
I have a 137,000 2006 Cayenne that I would jump in and drive anywhere.
A 135,000 2007 Ford F-150 which is my daily drive feel each will go to 250,000
05-26-2018, 07:10 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
Most of the time it's the very user who's looking for an impossibly low mile, high MSRP, shrink-wrapped 997TT that is the one going on and on about the motor-sports heritage of the Mezger this....How strong it is that.....All this bunch of self reinforcing BS....to then turn and run for the hills when they see a car with more than 30k miles on it. A hilarious, and glaring lack of faith and durability in the very motor they think is so incredibly amazing.
Much of this "the car is ruined by 60k miles" stuff in the Porsche world stems from when they were air-cooled, at which point they were actually burnt up and needing a rebuild by then. Once the standard engineering flaws of the Mezger are corrected, there's no reason it can't go hundreds of thousands of miles without significant issue. A 60k mile, 11 year old 997TT is still only a little over 5k miles a year and has had most of the expensive failure points repaired or replaced. The market is starting to realize this, and the days of getting a really awesome deal on a car that has seen a more average useage cycle is coming to an end.
I agree with you 100% that these cars are best enjoyed when driven often and with a bit of gusto. Even more so, a few select modifications really wakes up the chassis and drivetrain in all the right ways even compared to contemporary sports cars.
Much of this "the car is ruined by 60k miles" stuff in the Porsche world stems from when they were air-cooled, at which point they were actually burnt up and needing a rebuild by then. Once the standard engineering flaws of the Mezger are corrected, there's no reason it can't go hundreds of thousands of miles without significant issue. A 60k mile, 11 year old 997TT is still only a little over 5k miles a year and has had most of the expensive failure points repaired or replaced. The market is starting to realize this, and the days of getting a really awesome deal on a car that has seen a more average useage cycle is coming to an end.
I agree with you 100% that these cars are best enjoyed when driven often and with a bit of gusto. Even more so, a few select modifications really wakes up the chassis and drivetrain in all the right ways even compared to contemporary sports cars.
05-26-2018, 09:37 PM
#7
Race Director
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The high mile cars tend to have all the bugs worked out of it, if the condition and maintenance are good I see no reason to pass on one. It’s the ultra low mile 11 year old cars that tend to have issues. These cars have to be driven.
I think the general allure of low mi cars is the better overall condition, real or perceived.
I think the general allure of low mi cars is the better overall condition, real or perceived.
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05-27-2018, 07:58 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
Agree, I think it relates to condition of interior and paintwork as much as mechanical.
I'm in the same boat as the OP, and intend on driving mine as far and fast as practical. I bought it 4 years ago at 90k km, it now has 143k. I'll quite happily keep driving it for another 50k km without a thought on depreciation. While I do occasionally look at a replacement car it is inevitably another 997TT and I usually walk away due to the fact I know mine has had the major issues resolved.
I'm in the same boat as the OP, and intend on driving mine as far and fast as practical. I bought it 4 years ago at 90k km, it now has 143k. I'll quite happily keep driving it for another 50k km without a thought on depreciation. While I do occasionally look at a replacement car it is inevitably another 997TT and I usually walk away due to the fact I know mine has had the major issues resolved.
05-27-2018, 09:06 AM
#9
After much thought, I went ahead and detailed the car. Full complete detail from wheels to top. Placed on the battery tender and covered the car. Also placed several bags of desiccant inside to disperse moisture. Will wait till the values surpass 100k. Removed all fuel from tank and primed injection system with stabil. Will monitor this forum for future value increase developments.
05-27-2018, 09:50 AM
#10
Instructor
Someone once said not putting miles on your car is liking not having sex with your gorgeous girlfriend/wife but saving her for the next guy. These cars are so reliable and problem free it’s ridiculous to think 50,000 miles is “high” mileage. My philosophy is use it or lose it, drive it today because you may not be here tomorrow, and if you’re worried about depreciation don’t buy a car.
05-27-2018, 12:06 PM
#11
What's the highest mileage post 997TT you've seen? I concur that the cars are capable but have not seen a 997TT or newer Turbo with more than 120K miles.
On the other hand, I've heard of several 996TTs with over 200K miles (some on this forum).
On the other hand, I've heard of several 996TTs with over 200K miles (some on this forum).
05-27-2018, 03:52 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
Isn't there a 996 on here that has over 600k miles? Am sure a saw a thread about it a few years ago. Am sure I remember reading that it was opened up for rebuild but it looked fine so he put it back together again.
05-27-2018, 05:01 PM
#13
Here's a thread that shows a ~400K miles 996TT from several years ago: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-turb...-996-tt-8.html.
Here's a link to an article of one with 590K miles: https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...0-miles-on-it/
Has anyone seen anything even close to this sort of mileage on a 997TT? Even one with >200K miles? If not, I'm curious why not since most fundamentally agree that the car is capable of it.
Here's a link to an article of one with 590K miles: https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...0-miles-on-it/
Has anyone seen anything even close to this sort of mileage on a 997TT? Even one with >200K miles? If not, I'm curious why not since most fundamentally agree that the car is capable of it.
05-28-2018, 11:52 AM
#15
Race Director
absolutely inaccurate. The air cooled cars are very solid, but for a few exceptions. My 100k mile 993tt motor has never been opened up and it runs fantastic.