In Europe they are now debating legislation in which cars max petrol consumption has to be 8 litres per 100km. If this hapens, cars like ours are history. ...

 

I've got time in both and think the 997tt is better in almost every way except price and I like the *** end on the 996tt better.

After having a GT3 both feel more like touring cars and I think the 997tt has a much more refined front suspension. The tt and C4 996's have always felt "clunky" in the front to me. I also think the interior has a much better level of materials and finish. Both feel heavy to me.

That said, I'm very happy with my 996tt. It goes like the wind and was too good a deal to pass up.

 

I think you'd have to be borderline insane to think the interior of the 996 TT is on the same level as the 997 TT (no offense meant btw). Two completely different worlds there. I do agree that the 996 TT feels more sporty and the 997 more GTish.

It's bigger, softer and more plush than the 996 TT. I've heard some people say the suspension is more tame as well. I know we sure never heard of so many handling issues with the 996 TT other than some understeer. Maybe that's due to the 997 TT's alignment specs. But the 996 TT feels more raw, closer in heritage to the 993's and prior.

The 997 TT feels more Benz/BMW like, but faster. I've never really pushed a stock 996 TT, but the 997 TT pulls HARD for a stock car, no doubt about that at all. I think Porsche are targeting the GT cruiser type enthusiast with the Turbos now. And why shouldnt they, there is a GT3 and GT2 for the hardcore.

I wish they would have done better with the suspension and handling though, I havent seen one great review of it yet and it seems that you have to be able to drive your butt off to get the best out of it.

 

I still don't know about the 997tt suspension. It may feel softer but it might feel that way just because it is more refined and works better. I did some track time with it and the more I pushed it I was pleased with the way it worked. It kept up fine with the street tires.

My comments are all based on a stock 996tt suspension. I have a small amount of time in a PSS9 996tt and I thought it was much more compliant than my stock car.

 

I think they're both wonderful cars, but I also think they're both too soft. I drive a 996TT and I feel that it's kind of a pig in the corners. Both cars need a nice aftermarket suspension set-up for the enthusiast driver. Testing a modded 996TT against a stock 997TT is rediculous, because they're both GT cars stock.


John

 

Congrats on the purchase. I think I recognize that license plate and frame. Enjoy it!

 

Why would it be ridiculous to compare them? Stock 996TT = 420bhp, stock 997TT = 480bhp. 997TT is the next generation of turbo from Porsche engineers and if the history is to repeat itself, it’s meant to be faster and better. So, 997TT versus 996TT with slight modifications should put them on pair and a fair fight. However what I am saying is that the new king has gone softer and more GT than the 996TT. What I find amazing is that to catch up with the new king, all you need to do is to slap on a new exhaust and flash it. Furthermore, if you want to out handle it as well, just put new springs on the 996TT and you have the job done. To better a 997TT it gets a bit trickier; flash granted to go quicker, but to fix air suspension I wonder how much $$$ would that be and how much better would the end result be? How do you go about fixing the vagueness of the 997TT steering is another matter, and I think that would prove to be a real pain if it could be mended at all?

With the 997 Porsche has done a great job in marketing. However the 997TT is no longer top of Porsche tree sports car for the “racing” enthusiast; it’s now a true GT car. If you want true sports car from Porsche you now need to buy GT3 or GT2. With the 996TT they were still unsure what they wanted it to be so they made it a little bit of both. It’s therefore easy to go backwards from GT route to sports. I think with the 997TT that is sadly a little bit more difficult.

Therefore for me the 996TT it is.

 

Terminator,

Great post. Personally, I really like the 997TT, and have spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel of a stock one. I may even move into one down the road (heavily modded, of course)...but I definitely agree with your assessments of the two cars. Great input.

 

For comparison purposes. I need to get a lower angle shot. I like em both.




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Thanks, but it should look just like yours

Really, looks wise, both the 997 and 996 are just stunning cars. I would be more than happy with either. I would love to have a 997 GT3RS. That is my next car someday. Except I have to get the wife a bronze cayman before that or the 09 retro camaro.

 

It does look just like mine

I need to take some good pictures of it.

 

To me, the 997TT looks wider from the rear, or is that just me?

 

Thank you for sharing.

I too like the looks (in and out) of the 997TT.

I love the exterior looks of my 996TT. But, if there is one thing that I hate, besides how heavy the car feels when driving it, is the interior. It looks cheap even with all the leather and CF bits I have added. The 997TT is miles ahead in this area.

And to compare a 996TT to a 993TT?? Similar in feel??? Really!? 996TT feels heavier and huge in comparison. At least to me it does.

Too bad I can't afford a 997TT, GT3, GT3RS (and not interested in the regulars 997, I still have stuck in my head the fact that those have no ties to the old cars with their disposable engines)... I would jump on one if I could.

 

It is wider! Cant remember how much but ceratainly wider.

 

Hmmm, interesting. your 996 looks cheap inside? To bad, mine doesn't..The 997 felt heavier and more sluggish to me. There is much more road feel in the 996 than the 997 and I like that. The only advantage it has is stock HP which is easily cured in the 996 at little cost.

I think the front of the 996tt is way nicer than the front of the 997tt, but I do like the looks of the 997 rear as much as the 996.

The 997 is 0.9 inches wider.

After this discussion I went ahead and checked weights and there is good reason why the 997tt feels heavier, because it is. Curb weight rating is 3550 for it with a test weight of 3710. I have several original reports on the 996TT and they all state a curb weight of 3395 and 3480 (must be tiptronic) with the highest test weight being 3600. That is between 100 and 150lbs difference. In spite of many weight saving features, the additional safety features add weight.

The 993 for discussion sake is listed as gross weight of 3305 which is 90lbs lighter than the 996, this coupled with a much shorter wheelbase makes it feel nimble as you say.

The width of the 993tt is 1.3 inches less than 996tt