I just got my 996 Turbo back from it's 30K service and it's running great. It started me thinking that maybe I should just keep it instead of selling/trading it in on a 997TT. Then I was thinking that if I kept the 996 I could trade my Lexus LX470 for a Cayenne Turbo S that I would enjoy driving much more.

But I know if I did that I would be feeling some pain every time I saw a 997TT on the street as they start to become available.

So, I'm asking for opinions....which combo would you rather have?

2002 996TT Tip x50 30K miles - 2 years CPO warranty still left
New Cayenne Turbo S (now)

or

997TT Tip (November or December - depending on dealer allocations)
2006 LX470 SUV - seats 8, only 5K miles

 

Tough call. I was originally going to say get the Cayanne because you already have a TT. Then I looked at the milege of both your cars. The Lexus is brand new and the TT has 30k miles on it. Unless you're really board with the Lexus already, I'd probably get the 997TT.

 

Yes, I would lose about $20K by trading in the Lexus too. But I figured I would get a decent discount on the Cayenne to make up for some of that. Of course I am planning an having to pay full MSRP for the 997TT.

Oh, I should probably add the info that my daily commute is now only 4 miles each way. I bought the 996TT as a CPO in December and have put around 2K miles on it. So, I could easily keep the car another 2 years and still have less than 40K on it.

 

From the looks of it you have had quite a few cars in the past. My mother in law has the Lexus LX470 and we have borrowed it several times to go skiing in Lake Tahoe and it travels very well and is great with the 4x4 in the snow. Had no problem plowing through 2ft. of powder on unplowed roads. If you are going to be doing any type of winter driving the Cayenne Turbo S may not be as good. But the Cayenne definitely will be more fun to drive on the street. I was tracking my C-2 at Willow Springs this last Thursday and my instructor told me the Cayenne Turbo laps the Ring faster than a 996 Carrera. So the Turbo S definetly will be a drivers car. The question is do you need two drivers cars?

 

Do you think the 997tt tip will be a quantum leap up from your X50 in everyday driving? I wouldn't think so.
I too have an 02 X50 and an LX470 ( and a bunch of others). To me, an SUV is never that much fun, it's just a means of conveyance. Moving people, moving stuff, towing, traveling with the dogs. A turbo Cayenne is neither fish nor fowl. You're really not going to take it to track days to embarass 996 drivers, you can't use the power in traffic, and you will wear out tires at an extraordinary rate.
I'd keep what you have, and wait for a true advance.
I don't know about how you drive, but 0-60 numbers don't do much for me. You do it once to say "wow", and then drive normally for the next 3 months. I'd wait for the DSG.
Have you done a road racing school like Bondurant?

 

Well.........I went to a dealer yesterday and they had an awesome Marine Blue CT-S with all carbon fiber inside. I talked them into a pretty good deal (better than I thought it would be) and drove it home last night.

 

Congratulations, that's a beautiful combination - the CF looks great!

 

Love it. Looks like you traded teh Lexus??

 

Yep. I was able to get only a few thousand less than I paid for it on trade-in plus still got a decent discount on the Cayenne. That made the decision easier.

I'll see how my finances are when my name comes up for a 997TT allocation and decide then if I'm keeping my spot. The dealer who I bought the Cayenne from says it may not be until the spring anyway.

 

Very nice combo.......... enjoy

 

I havent driven the 997tt yet, hope to next week but i have driven all the 996 versions and the 997 and 997 s and cab...i can tell you the 997 has a much better chassis and ergonomics than the 996...also, the shifter, clutch and steering and handling are better, not to mention the ride...there is a reason the 997s are so much in demand and the 996s have dropped off in value...but with that said, dollar for dollar, the 996 versions are going to be better buys than the 997s......so with either choice you win, one with a superior sports car, the other with extra money in your bank account!!!!!!!

 

Now that I have the Cayenne with all the cushy stuff, Nav, Phone, Sirius Radio, yada yada I'm going to take my time picking my next sports car. I might just consider a new Cayman S, 997S or maybe even a GT3. However, I got a peek at the new Turbo today and I do like the way it looks in person but I'm not sure I would drive it enough to justify the cost.

 

i would have gone with the 997 turbo! in fact, i did!

 

I couldn't find a 997 tt that anyone would sell me. So I picked up the '06 955 turbo_s. How can you go wrong with a twin turbo powerkit Porsche V8? Waiting for a '09 997 turbo_s to make a set.

One's gotta have goals.

 

Sounds like you did well - besides, if you can't afford it when your name comes up, you can just wait a little longer and there will be a plethora of new turbos on lots, and the prices will be a bit more realistic... Can't hurt to wait, you've not had the 996 long anyways!