P T

Where I live a 987 Spyder goes for 90/100k USD

Mine is a bucket seats, pdk

I can get a manual Turbo for 60k USD via importing

Cant make up my mind

Zeus993

OK. Good question. I'll answer it simply with

I went from a 2008 997.1 TT cab to a 2011 987.2 Spyder.

Sure, the Spyder arguably lacks some power but it's hands down a better DRIVERS car, IMO.

Think this through before you leap! Swap your's for a manual Spyder?

Just a thought...

John McM

Drive the 996TT and see if it floats your boat. I had a tipo one and found it wasn’t to my taste. It was constantly costing me money.

gartzspeed

I would listen to Zeus, he seems like a smart fellow

Zeus993

islaTurbine

In my totally anecdotal experience, it seems to me that folks often regret getting rid of their 987.2 Spyders.

AWay

Indeed. I've been through a fair number of Porsche's but this is the only one I genuinely can't see a reason to part with.

Jay9722

I went from a 2011 987 Spyder 6sp to a 2005 996 Turbo S 6sp. Biggest trade mistake of my life. The 911 was a good car with lots of power and being a cab it provided a similar top down experience. But it just lacked the soul and true driver engagement I had with the Spyder. I sold the 911 and got a 2016 Spyder and now I’m happily driving a 2023 Spyder. Eventually, when my finances allow I will try to pick up a nice 987 Spyder to add to the garage. Unless you’re doing it for financial reasons I would tell you to hold on to what you’ve got.

Zeus993

And after a couple good years in my 2021 718 PTS Spyder, I just returned it to the dealership.

Jay9722

What did you replace it with? Any regrets?

Zeus993

Yes, I've got something on it's way in, Jay. I just can't say what it is YET. Big surprise coming. I'm excited as S#$T!

At the moment, I have ZERO regrets about the 718 Spyder. Nice car, beautiful car yes, just wasn't "ticking that driver's box" in me and too many little niggly things that bugged me. Going into something more pure, more analog, less electric.

Jay9722

Hmmm…a mystery! Can’t wait for the big reveal!

Spyder_2011

I’m surprised you can find a decent 996TT for that price, most of the good ones are at least $15k higher from what I’ve seen.

As far as choosing one or the other, these are two completely different cars. Yes the 996 is equally as capable in the canyons as the Spyder and it will be faster in the straights. It’s also more analog than most modern cars. But it’s a brute force car, it uses huge tires, AWD and massive power to accomplish the the performance. As you already have a Spyder I won’t explain what it’s about, either you get it or it’s not for you.

There’s no doubt that the build quality of the 987 is much better than the 996 and I’d say the design is aging better overall but that’s a bit subjective. Both engines are reliable but the Spyder engine is significantly simpler and will be cheaper to maintain over the long haul. The rear hydraulic wing on the 996 TT is also problematic.

Good luck with the decision.

Zeus993

I gotta step in here. I think you meant "the 996 is NOT as capable in the canyons as the Spyder BUT it will be faster in the straights.". THAT statement is true but in the canyons and twisties the 996 TT suffers from it's weight and it's "King of the Oversteer" AWD system. That's where the Spyder excels. And THAT's why I sold my 2008 TT cab and jumped into my first 987.2 Spyder. Like night and day the cars are.

Spyder_2011

If you’re at 7/10 on the Spyder I’d say the 996TT will keep up, I say that because one of the guys that goes out driving with us can keep up in his 996TT for the most part until the turns get tighter. Granted he may be driving at 8 or 9/10ths to keep up, I can’t say for sure.

But all of that is besides the point, if your goal is going faster in the straights and corners then there are cheaper/newer alternatives. If your goal is a connection with the car and how it transmits information into your fingers, ears and body the 987 Spyder is hard to beat. It does it all in analog way that is not reproduced in modern cars.