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New to this world, been a die hard Viper guy but it's now for sale...
Anyway...I'm trying to figure out the best bang for my buck on a used Porsche.
I really thought I wanted a 996tt based on the spec numbers and modifications that easily push some solid numbers in the HP direction. I know HP isn't everything, but it's something.
I just found a 07 Carrera S at a local dealership and going to go drive it hopefully tomorrow. The price is about the same as a decent 996tt.
Is there that much of a difference in the 996 and the 997? I know the headlights and interior adjustments etc. I'm more focused on the overall performance of the cars. I plan on some AutoX, rallies, etc. I don't want to be running in the back of the pack.
996TT is a great buy now, and prices are creeping up. 997 has a better chassis and other bits, including interior. I suggest you go test drive both of them, back to back if possible. by now the 996TT will be higher mileage for the most part.
I was in the same dilemma when purchasing my second 911. I like the power and performance of the 996tt but I've always been a die hard fan of an NA setup. To me it was more about the experience with the car (engine note, chassis and the nimbleness the rwd provides) Both are great choices but I feel that it's more of what you want out of the car.
The TTs really have a different feel than the NA engines. I think the TT is better as a open road GT car where you can get on that boost and just go! For backroad fun the NA is more enjoyable as you can wind it out and hear it sing.
...I really thought I wanted a 996tt based on the spec numbers and modifications that easily push some solid numbers in the HP direction. I know HP isn't everything, but it's something.
I was of the same opinion as yourself.
But then back in late 2012, I drove a friends '06 997.1S w/PASM (~30K miles) and a stock '01 996TT w/48K miles from a local lot within a week of each other.
I didn't drive the 996TT on the same piece of road as my friend's 997.1S, and having the sales-guy along side did temper things a smidge... but somehow the 997.1S felt 'quicker', more 'agile', more 'alive'. The 996TT felt softer by comparison in such areas as throttle and suspension response -- by quite a long way.
Now by any objective measure, the 996TT is faster accelerating than the 997.1S. It has loads of grunt and it certainly pinned my head against the headrest.
But I preferred the overall 997.1S 'package'.
Bottom line, you need to drive both to see which one calls to you...
I have very strong preferences for the 997 body and interior over the 996, but it sounds like you're much more interested in performance. If that's the case, it would be hard to pass over a nice 996 Turbo if you can find one.
The 996 Turbos have been tarred with the same brush that the normally aspirated 996 cars have--which is unfair, since the Turbo doesn't have the IMS issues that have brought down the values of the entire line. But, someone else's loss can be your gain.
A good friend of mine had a 996 Turbo. That car was amazing back in the day, still is fast as heck and now is a really, really good performance bargain.
I have owned a 996, a 997 and a 991. In my case, the 996 was normally aspirated, the 997 was a turbo and the 991 is a turbo. They are all excellent. That being said, time marches on. Porsche makes incremental improvements with each new model. The interior of the 996 cars was designed in the 1990s, and it feels like it. I'm not saying it's a bad place to spend your time, but the 997 interior is much nicer. One significant thing that changes with each new generation is the suspension. The ride quality and handling were great in my 996. These things were better in the 997, by a large margin. They are better in the 991.
I agree with the comments above regarding power and performance; a modified 996 TT is a beast of a car. That being said, you might find the other improvements in the 997 series outweigh the brutal acceleration of the 996 TT.
Have you considered a 997.1 TT? They seem to have hit the bottom of the depreciation curve. There are some higher mileage examples selling between $55K and $65K. If you are interested in a Tiptronic car, you can probably get a very good deal. The Tiptronic gearbox isn't a good as the PDK gearbox, but it's not bad. It's actually quicker than the 6MT and it can handle high HP modifications well.
I have owned a 996, a 997 and a 991. In my case, the 996 was normally aspirated, the 997 was a turbo and the 991 is a turbo. They are all excellent. That being said, time marches on. Porsche makes incremental improvements with each new model. The interior of the 996 cars was designed in the 1990s, and it feels like it. I'm not saying it's a bad place to spend your time, but the 997 interior is much nicer. One significant thing that changes with each new generation is the suspension. The ride quality and handling were great in my 996. These things were better in the 997, by a large margin. They are better in the 991.
I agree with the comments above regarding power and performance; a modified 996 TT is a beast of a car. That being said, you might find the other improvements in the 997 series outweigh the brutal acceleration of the 996 TT.
Have you considered a 997.1 TT? They seem to have hit the bottom of the depreciation curve. There are some higher mileage examples selling between $55K and $65K. If you are interested in a Tiptronic car, you can probably get a very good deal. The Tiptronic gearbox isn't a good as the PDK gearbox, but it's not bad. It's actually quicker than the 6MT and it can handle high HP modifications well.
I would suspect he is looking to spend somewhere around 45k (average of 07 997 c2s)... hard pressed to find a 997 turbo down in that price range)
I personally like the sound and go of the turbo cars... but I love the 997 over the 996. My car is NA and I love it.... perhaps one day if I am lucky enough to have the wife say yes then perhaps I will upgrade to the turbo.
I suspect you're right. As an example though, one of my local dealers is currently selling a 2008 Turbo coupe with Tiptronic. It has 71,636 miles on the odometer. It's Black with Sand Beige interior. They are asking $53,991. It's a little bit of a stretch, but not too much.
the Turbo 996 is a capable car, and does have a very good chassis, however you get almost the same level of performance in a 997 S (2009 forward), the 997 is different yes, but take a spin through the 996 turbo forum, that might help inform you on which is better, a test drive might blind you to it's faults and high repair costs.
The 997.2S and the 996TT performance is almost on a par. i picked the 997.2S . With a nice exhaust (Tubi) its a fun and nice sounding car.
Obviously, you can update the TT to get more HP. Disadvantage is dated car, interior, turbo lag, etc. Advantages - they are holding value now. But if you plan to really use it, that may not be the point.
Thanks for the input everyone! Please keep the the information coming! I've really been reading up on the 996tt. I didn't think to look at a 997 as I thought they were going to be more money.
Yes I would like to keep the money under 45k if I can. There seem to be plenty of nice 996tt in that range or lower.
The 997 is beautiful in pictures! I have an appointment tomorrow to drive it and bring the family to see how we fit. Iwill say the 997 appeals to my eye more. Here's a pic...
Now I really need to sell my Viper! I will make the same offer I made on the 996tt section. I'm open to even trades! Seriously...fully built, 1997 Viper GTS, complete documentation, over 650HP, over 700TQ!
12-06-2016, 09:03 AM
996tt vs. 997 Carrera S???? Opinions?
. With a nice exhaust (Tubi) its a fun and nice sounding car.
