Ibanezgod

Hi Everyone,

I'm currently shopping for 997 or 996 turbos. i've read a bunch of reviews on why one is preferred over the other. However i'm curious from a personal perspective why did you go with the 997 over a 996. I assume cost plays a major factor and you have more money to spend on a 997. I currently have a 2011 M3 and really miss the torque, power and handing of a true sports car like a 911.

So I'm really leaning toward making the switch. Haven't had seat time in the 996 but got to drive a 997 and LOVED it. My 98 BMW M Roadster made me remember what a real drivers car is like and the M3 is just too soft for me and not engaging enough.

The extra $20k for the 997 has me very skeptical so from a personal perspective i'm curious why you went with the 997 over the 996.

Thanks.

Quadcammer

looks are probably a big part, extra power, better interior appearance and quality, etc.

2K7TTMIA

The reason I would move up would be the options Porsche kept adding and the improvements they made from the existing 996. Like Quadcammer mentioned, looks, HP increase, a more modern interior.

Also, ***, Sport Chrono, multifunction steering wheel, slightly larger rear wing, nicer headlights, (IMO), nicer air intake, larger brakes/rotors, etc.


I personally haven't inspected a 997, in all honesty, but I'm not looking to save money when it comes to making such a purchase. I'll spend it where my budget allows and enjoy the freaking thing for what it is.

512bb

The overwhelming reason was the front end look. Had a 996 GT3 and could NOT stand the front end. The interior was a plus too, but not by much and also. Also, besides the later GT3 and GT2 models it was the last of the turbos with the Mezger engine (997.1).

b787fo

Power, engineering advances and improved interior were part of the reason. Primarily though, I like the styling quite a bit more -- both the nose and the return to wider hips. Some have described the 996s as a bit slab-sided compared to the 964/993/997. My 2 cents. Both are fantastic types. Happy hunting.

GOTSPD2

I have a 996TT and I think the side intakes on the 997 are much better looking. I didn't much care for the front bumper, so I put a GT2 style front bumper. The interior is so much nicer on the 997s. However, some super industrious folks (not me) have installed Ipad mini's in their dash and that looks so cool. For the money you can save, you can do a lot to personalize your car and that's been my approach. I have done the front bumper, GT3RS stripes, big spoiler, etc. My car already had OZ Superleggera IIIs. In my opinion, you can't go wrong either way.

pilot996

If you have the dough, skip the 996tt. JMHO. I have had a 2002 996 Turbo, then a new 2011 M3, and then….,just recently, a 997.2 TT(PDK/SP CHRON). The 997TT's .1 or .2 are way ahead of the 996tt's. VTG is a part of it , as is the tip's and the amazing pdk/sport chrono/997.2's make these cars capable of being on the heels of a bugatti, or neck-n-neck to GTR.

AllanB

Basically could afford the 997.1 and like to have the latest tech that I can afford. Love the looks of my 997.1 and former owner already had added led taillights so pretty easy to mistake it for 997.2.
I can't really think of much that don't like on my car. Its pretty fast for a stock car. Not sure even will throw in a tune but would likely throw in exhaust the exhaust does sound pretty boring.
Ride is still maybe a bit rough even on touring setting but not too bad and tires are likely big reason my ride is not great especially when its colder out.

My 997. 1 is my very first Porsche. I never went thru any previous generations so really can't say much about 996 turbos. I knew for sure didn't want a NA car new for sure wanted a turbo 911.
I will likely trade up in 3 to 5 years probably just to a 997.2 unless the 991 have really come down in price or my income has gone way up.

Nick Wong

997 has an improved interior. Fit and finish is marginally better overall. VTG. Bigger brakes. Classic 911 style round appearing headlights. More aggressively styled sheet metal with more beautiful compound curves.

991 has all of the above over the 997 as well. I bought before those were available but I have no real reason to go that route, there isn't enough of a difference between the models for me to justify the expense in the "upgrade" since I already own. I bet a lot of current 996 owners felt the same way about the 997 when it was introduced as well.

Yogi911

I chose the 997 for the nicer interior. My 997.1 tech is outdated now but the "look" is still new enough. I dont think thats true of the 996.

Another big thing is i just couldnt find many low milage 996s either.

Lastly i like to look and the power better on the 997 but that was my tertiary reason.

supercup

I have owned a 993, 996 and 997.1 Turbo Cab (2009). I went from 993 to 996 and found it to be a much better daily driver, but I wish I had kept the 993 looking back. I then moved on to GT2 and the GT3 RS.1. I liked each for different reasons - they were all great cars! I went from GT3 RS to 997 TT cab as I had a Cup car and it seemed like the cab would be a nicer street car. My wife will drive the Cab, she would not drive any of the others (too low etc.) so I like it for that reason as well, she also gets to enjoy it.

Unless you are in love with a specific era (what I would call a keeper car) then I would buy the newest TT you can afford. The car has evolved over time and gotten bigger, quieter, faster, more comfortable (interior and ride) and simply better as a street car.

The 996 TT offers an incredible value for what you get versus what you pay. Newport Beach Porsche (Newport Auto Center) has a 2004 996 TT cab - white natural brown with 7,800 miles on it on the showroom floor, a recent trade in, 1 owner car. It looks just like new. They are asking $64k but I think it can be bought for less. Car was at least $150k new - it is a wonderful car; here are the options on it.

04 - Natural Leather - Brown
342 - Heated Seats
410 - 18" Turbo II Wheel
550 - Hardtop
692 - Remote 6-Disc CD Changer
B4 - Carrara White
E70 - Leather package (large)
X45 - Instrument Dials in Interior Color
X54 - Stainless Steel Exhaust Pipes
X70 - Door Sills in Stainless Steel
X99 - Natural Leather Interior
XMP - Sunvisors in Leather
XMZ - Rear Center Console in Leather
XNS - Steering Column in Leather
XPA - Steering Wheel in Leather
XSC - Porsche Crest in the Headrest
XSD - Seat Control Trim in Leather
XTG - Inner Sill Parts/Release in Leather

This would be a nice car for someone who wants something special, but is on a budget!

link: http://newport-beach.porschedealer.c...75435/info.php

They also have a CPO 2008 997 TT cab with 13.7k miles for $88k. Cobalt Blue/ Grey

Mileage

13,474 mi

6 Speed Manual
Cobalt Blue Metallic
Stone Grey Full Leather
480 hp (353 kW) at 6,000 rpm
460 lb-ft (624 Nm) at 1,950 - 5,000 rpm
Additional
Equipment

404 - 19" Turbo wheels
437 - Standard Seats
480 - Manual gearbox
56 - Cobalt Blue Metallic
635 - ParkAssist
692 - Six-disc CD autochanger
810 - Floor Mats in Interior Color
DF - Stone Grey Full Leather

Good luck finding the right car for you!

Ibanezgod

Thanks guys, I'm looking to swap from my 2011 M3 to a 997 Turbo. I've really been looking at 996s but after much debate I really need to go 997. Only put about 7k on the car a year but for that amount of time I need the newest tech I can get. Really sucks that the 09s are out of my price range. Really don't want to go higher than $75k.

dff22

Have had 04 turbo cab and now 09 turbo cab. Absolutely no comparison...997.1 better in all respects. Just put Europipe stage 1 exhaust in and now it sounds awesome as well.

Go 997tt.

aa909

the 996TT is a great value, but remember even at $35K these cars are not a bargain if something breaks down. They are still $100K+ cars that carry comparable repair costs.

but to answer your question, the primary reasons I went for the 997TT vs the 996TT were (in order)

1) Exterior looks (I absolutely could not live with the front end looks of the 996, looks very outdated)
2) Interior aesthetics
3) VTGs (for reduced turbo lag)
4) Easier to find a 997TT in the quality condition and mileage I wanted vs 996TT
5) Remaining Warranty

Hope this helps
Art

9LVN_TT

You can easily add some of the tech that the '09's + have to offer.

As most have already stated, looks was primarily why I went the 997 route. I looked at 996's and although the price tag was way more attractive, I just couldn't live with the front end and out dated interior.

Good luck!