Chris 996

With the money you save on the 996 Turbo you could buy those special covers that hide the tear drops if you want??

acf

a mint 04 x50 turbo for 70? I still think thats a stretch at this point, even though prices have dropped a lot. More like at least 80 I think.

Vudu

Go for the 996TT, don't hesitate. The longer you wait, the longer you are missing out! Life's too short to be Porsche-less!

If you really don't like the front headlights, I'd suggest going for a 996 to 997 front conversion (including headlights). I've seen photos of it online and it looks good (with the right rims of course), not sure if the rear end can be replaced to match, but then again there was nothing wrong with the back end of the 996TT (which is what most people see anyway )

Either way, you won't regret your choice..

IcemanG17

great topic......since the 997TT came out it caused a steeper drop in the values of the 996TT.....but a pristine 996TT X50 for about 1/2 of what an optioned 997TT costs is quite tempting.....I would have to drive them both on the same day to decide.....the 997 will have to be quite a bit better to justify the DOUBLE price premium.....it does seem that most owners feel it is worth it!

RSA333

There is no comparison in my experience. I loved the 996TTX50 I owned, but as with every new version, the 997 is so much better.

Even so, I spent a great deal of time looking at pristine 996TTX50 turbos (after selling mine 2 years earlier-$#@!), before deciding I could afford the most expensive of the 997 Turbos with extensive modifications.

Just my experience - don't get into financial problems over it, if that is the issue.

-Gerry

1AS

Personally, I don't see enough improvement in the 997 to justify the price. The power upgrade is readily available on the 996 for 5% of the price differential. I suspect anothe 5% would totally resolve any handling concerns. Maybe the DSG or lighter weight would move me, but right now, I can't see it ( and I did pay 144,000 for my X50) AS

docjackson1

alexander-i can't disagree with you. i don't know what year 996 x50 you have but if you have a newer one, and could somehow get in the upper 80's for your car, and was able to order or get a lightly optioned 997tt for 40k more, then i would make the switch. the 997tt is that much better, and i know what a car afficianado that you are. but, if you were just coming into the porsche market, then picking up a 996tt for 70k versus spending 127k on a new 997 makes the 996 turbo a great option, especially if you are a bit budget sensitive-as 98% of us are. the handling of the 997tt is just so much sharper than the 996tt, and the interior is much improved. but, looking at the big picture, and the mastiffdog can comment, the z06 for 75k is a screaming deal.

RSA333

Folks-

Taking the argument further, you could obtain better raw performance from an earlier, modified Turbo for a fraction of the price. My 1992 911 Turbo S2 was faster than the 996TTX50 that I owned.

I bought my 2002 996TTX50 with 2k on it miles for $100K in 2005.

My 997 Turbo has much better handling characteristics, and wheel dyno'd at 523 hp with modifications that don't void the warranty. Much better build quality than the 996 Turbo, but then the '92 Turbo has better build quality than either of them.

-Gerry

1AS

RSA,
I don't think it's about raw power but driveability, livability, usability, etc.
docj,
I certainly appreciate your points. When I looked at my car, I seriously considered a C5 ZO6. But the looks and performance were not sufficient to lead me to a pure cost decision. With the new ZO6, it's a much tougher call. But, in reality, somebody with the $140,000 to buy a new 997tt could buy a 996tt plus either a new ZO6 or a used 996GT3. Or a 996tt plus a 1 ton pickup plus a new enclosed trailer plus a track car and still take your wife on a vacation.
Fortunately, for many of us, value is not the sole deciding factor, or we'd be on the Evo8 board. AS

FLB03TT

Get the X50 now, or better yet buy a stock 996TT for mid $60k's, mod it to your likeing, and enjoy the hell out of it as you wait for the 997TT to do their ineviitable swan dive in resale pricing. If you're new to turbos you'll love the 996TT and can look forward to a 997TT for $105k in 2 years, $95k in 3 years, etc. Retail pricing and production numbers are similar between the 996TT & 997TT, so depreciation schedules should also be similar, @ $10k+/year for the first 5 years until they start to level off rapidly in year 6. These are very expensive luxury sports cars that depreciate rapidly, early on. If you have to have the latest and greatest you'll have to pay (dearly) to play- this is sad, but true.

TT Surgeon

I think it's all in those awful teardrop headlights, they never should have done that, made the 996 into the red headed stepchild. That's why so many dumped their 996TT's when the 997TT came out, plus the .com/lease extravaganza came to an end.

RSA333

Dear Alexander:

I am 53, and will probably will die within 20 years.

What use are all these intangibles without life? I am currently recording with a fellow named Pat Metheny. I am listening to Jerthro Tull at 100 decibels.

My wife and i are going to Cannes and the F1 race in Monaco, and we are not rich. I have given tremendous amounts of my life to help others less fortunate.

As Sir Richard Branson says "Screw It, Let's Do It'.

That is why I bought a GT Silver 997 Turbo with PCCB brakes, upgraded whels and tires,TechAt exhaust and other goodies.

Maybe my rationalization is flawed. Tell me how.

-Gerry

allegretto

No flaws as far as I'm concerned. You're livin the dream

Now for the real question, whch Tull album?