I was toying with the idea of upgrading to a 997TT for a while now. First time I drove a 997TT was some months back and not really properly. Yesterday I went for an appropriate two hours test drive. I wanted to obtain a non-magazine article opinion but a real world one. Hereunder are my observations. (997TT owners please stop reading right here, right now it might be dangerous to your health). :-).
997TT was a demonstration vehicle with 2150 miles on the clock. I am comparing it to my car which is 996TT X50, lowered (H&R) springs, Cargraphics exhaust and flash (1.2bar) which might be a bit unfair but that’s what I have.

1. In the car - at home straight away. Very similar in feel – steering wheel a bit higher.
2. Start the car, drive off, nice but soon I say to myself what’s that? It was the steering. Much less direct than the 996TT. It is really vague in the middle which was a real put off to start with.
3. Then I pick up the pace, all I can say is soft, soft, soft. Jesus 997TT is a true GT car. Quick slalom test left-right-left-right on motorway at 100mph+ revelled increased body roll versus my car and double slap-backs. On the A road, fast driving through sweepers inspired much less confidence than my car does. Grip is completely comparable. Over the bumps and potholes 997TT is much softer and suppler granted but I don’t consider that to be a good thing as I like my cars set-up harder as I am prepared to sacrifice comfort for performance.
4. Power? What power. Ok, I must have 40bhp on 997TT with my tune but this car was positively not going anywhere. Tiptronic? Well, not for me either. Sport-chrono is a joke. I remember someone posting (in the 997TT section of the forum) a question how can he tell if it’s on or off? Well that’s because you can’t. When you press it on all I could notice is that exhaust got louder and that’s it. Car firmed up ever so slightly and fractionally, and if I wouldn’t be a motorcycle racer I wouldn’t even notice. And the extra boost can’t be felt. It’s a true marketing gimmick for city yuppies if you ask me.
5. I don’t like the interior, never did, do not consider it an upgrade.
6. Seats are bigger and more comfortable granted.
7. Car feels more spacious.

That’s it. Think carefully if you are thinking about “upgrading”. The 997TT is still a Porsche and a wonderful car, make no mistake but to me with slight modifications you get much closer to a more proper “race car” in a slightly tuned 996TT. 997TT is now positively a GT car. I am now really content with myself and my car and will not be swapping for 997TT ever-ever. Long live the king, and for me, it is the 996TT.

 

Hey Sir,

Thank you for your review of the new turbo. One quick question, how does the VGT compare to the turbo lag in the 996's? Is it really a lot smoother or what?

And I like the new body better on the 997's, but I hate the price....

-Alex

 

[/quote]I am now really content with myself and my car and will not be swapping for 997TT ever-ever [quote]


So you weren't content before but you are "now".
You affirm this twice . Actually three times :1) "ever" 2) "ever" and 3) that outide of "bigger seats" which are "more comfortable spacious" of an interior which you "don't like and never did" you conclude that the 997tt is just "a true marketing gimmick for city yuppies" .

YET --you drove it for TWO HOURS . You must have been miserable .

I'm glad you like your car and wish you the best with the "king" .

BTW --I like both cars.

 

I have a friend at work who traded his 993 in on a 997 Turbo, kept it for 6 months and then took it back to the dealer. Fortunately for him, his 993 hadn't sold, and he got it back... This happened at the Tyson's Va. Porsche location if anyone cares to verify, and he took delivery in Late December 2006 and traded it back in late summer 2007. The car was a Red 997TurboCab with saddletan interior and looked stunning. Steve was very uninspired by the car the more he drove it. He brought it to one of the PCA potomac events at Summit Shenandoah to watch us run and I got a chance to look at the car... Porsche made a gorgious car, but it's clear that the 997TT is geared more at being an "ultimate" GrandTouring car and less a real racecar. Might explain more why the GT-R is cleaning its clock in the comparison tests.

That said, anyone who thinks they're buying a GT3RS W/turbos when they buy a 997Turbo is sorely misinformed... Comparing a stock anything to a modified 996TT is just simply unfair, on many many levels... As my friends constantly remind me...
Mike

 

VGT felt the same as non VGT to me. 997TT had more lag than my car but then again that's comparing it to my tuned 996TT which isn't really fair. I know stock 4 stock 997TT is faster than 996TT and more so tuned 997TT would probably also be a very fast proposition. What would concern me is that suspension-wise, stiffening the 997TT up would probably be a very expensive affair.

 

I am now really content with myself and my car and will not be swapping for 997TT ever-ever My post wasn’t meant for 997TT owners. :-).

 

So, the whole comparision isn't fair, I guess. Try it with a similar modded 997tt, engine wise and suspension wise, bet it will be a different story.

 

Not to add fuel to any fire, but I have been lucky enough to drive most 911's due to knowng the right people at certain times, I even had the chance to drive a new carrera GT, but turned it down since I did not want to pay for any repairs I might cause.. Anyway, I have driven the 997TT and completely agree with the above. It is a much more refined car IMO. The 996 still has the stiffer feel like the 993 and older models. It's funny that so many so called purists scoff at the headlights, but likee the 997 which is the most plush and soft 911TT of all. I love the 997TT, just like I love all the TT's of all years. But I think the 996TT and even the 993TT are more sports car feel than the 997TT. I would not trade my 996TT in for one, but I would get one if I could, someday I would like to have one of every generation

 

Overall I like the exterior of the 997TT better. Although I must say I think the rear end of the 996TT might look a little beefier (I'd be curious to see a rear shot of both cars). Interior-wise, I like simple interiors so I would almost prefer the 993TT interior to what I have.

Performance-wise, I've never driven one, but I imagine that stock for stock the 997TT has to be significantly better just from the magazine numbers??? .. but maybe this is less pronounced than I'm thinking.

Does anyone have the best magazine test published time on 0-60, 1/4 mile etc for a stock non X50 turbo?

 

A tuned 996tt will outrun a stock 997tt but even a modded 997S might give the stock 997tt a good run , In stock form most of these cars are quite civilized but then again most of the buyers are street drivers. After all would Porsche want "city yuppies" crashing their Turbos on city streets ? So they held back yet the car has plenty on tap for those who want a more agressive car .

Upgrade the 997tt suspension,flash the ECU , and add a few bolt on parts and the 997tt becomes avery different animal than stock . So does the 996tt.

The body structure of the 997tt and interior quality are worth noting too. I have had two 996 cars in my past and am on my third 997. (2 997S cars and now a Turbo) and happen to like the new interior and even look forward to some possible future upgrades.

For one driving a modified 996tt the reasonable comparision would be to drive a similarly enhanced 997tt .

Both cars have a lot to offer .

 

here is the rear of my car, not sure if that will help:

 

I think the key is the 996 has had a few years for the tuners to hone to a sharpened tool. The 997 should blossom the same way in a year or two, though many folks still prefer the feel of the 996 chassis like when comparing the 6GT3 to the 7Gt3

 

prche951 - the rear shot of your car looks awesome!

 

You're probably right, but I wonder as the cars get more and more powerful (and emissions get more restrictive) if less performance is left on tap for future mods ...

 

I guess so, but $ versus $ wise I wonder how much different? I guess not all that much...