I like knowing that the engine in my car has race track roots. Regardless what the car is used for, its a porsche, it should have a special engine. I could have chosen a 997s and modded it, but i wouldnt have been as secure with regards to its ability to handle those mods with the same level of reliability as my 996tt is.

 

I agree but disagree.

The TT looks similar to any other P car to the casual observer. So, at least for me, it's not about flash. I picked the TT because I knew there were easy always upgrade options to keep up with whatever time brings. like many here I have owned over 2 dozen cars. I was always chasing the "next" it car. But somehow I'm done. I would love to add a 315HP Z3, that car is pure sex, but I will never sell this TT. It's a keeper IMO.

C'mon. $4,400 to get 24/18g hybrids, injectors, Electronic boost controller and the flash to make it all click? The Porsche tax is gone bye bye. That's an HONEST 700 HP car. All you need is an exhaust, diverters and wastegate springs (which I have). Maybe another $3,000 new?

Show me a contender for that $$$$.

 

Not sure exactly which part you disagree with. The base 997 is "any other P-car".

The 997 TT doesnt even handle better than the 996 TT, in fact, by many accounts, worse, with more tail wagging (may have to do with factory alignments). Other than more power, it's just bigger, heavier and more of a GT car. And even if you argue that point, performance is completely out because the TT will dominate the 997 in every category, so how then is the 997 a better car?

Better motor? Nope (worse)
Better Suspension? Nope (worse)
Better Brakes? Nope (same)

Better interior? yeah
Better looking? (matter of opinion)

So how then could one possibly conclude that the 997 is a better car?

 

I owned one and replaced it with my 996TT. They're fun, reasonably quick, feel extremely light, but have snap oversteer and other "issues" that need to be addressed. There's a whole lawsuit thing going on over the rear subframe failing, and the car isnt' real well known... Lot's of people just didn't know the difference in the Mroadster and the Z3... Mine was a 2002 and it was as expensive or MORE to maintain than the 996TT.

 

AWD/RWD, torque up the wazzo v just a lot of torque, tunabilityt a huge amount of power versus not.

GT1 block vs M96 with RMS issues....and no dry sump.

And, these are cars. Nothing too important beyond that to say. Dont' waste your time worrying about what others think of you or your car. In the big picture, does it matter?

Oh, I did the suspension and exhaust...and boy oh boy is this baby raw enough for me now. DD car. Love it. Borrowed a 997S for a day. Nice. But not a turbo.

The ONLY car I might be willing to move to would be a 997GT3 variant. But, I use all four seats every week. And I drive in rain and even snow.

I must admit, a targo turbo would be cool....and I am the rare guy that if I had to buy new I might go targer 4s pdk....might.....but I just don't know. And if optioned out the way I want (gt2 seats) it closed in on 120k.....that is a lot of money to me for a N/A car...


My PCM1 died. Replacement was 3500 dollars... I got a Pioneer Avic D3 system with xmnavtraffic, bluetooth, ipod, video, usb integration. I am current there...1800 out the door installed. So don't let a radio interface bother you abotu a 996TT. If you don't like the lights, get a TechArt light cover and have it painted body color. Bingo, 997 look almost. I actually think the 997 interior is very, very nice but looks just like an Audi. The 996 is not quite as "tight" inside, but my car has no rattles and it sure looks more Porsche to me...I have a superb color on the inside...natural brown...look for it if you like leather...

Good luck.

JB

 

I have both a 996TT and a 997 and I prefer the 997. I have always been a turbo guy and never thought about a NA Porsche until the 997 came out and I put my preconceived notions behind me and drove one. First is the styling - I never warmed up to the 996 interior or the headlights. The 997 is light years ahead in terms of styling. Second is lack of all wheel drive. A 997 GT2 is probably the perfect car for me. The 997 feels so much better to me than the 996TT. I forgot how much fun it is to break the rear wheels loose now and then.

There is no doubt the 997 NA is seriously down in power to the 996TT but for the street and my stop and driving around North Scottsdale I do not feel inadequate in the 997. I will probably be getting the 997TT soon.

I bought my 996TT brand new and I've never felt 'connected' with the car. That said a 996TT probably represents the best bang for the buck in a newer used car right now.

I still prefer my 997, to me it is a better all around car. Both have exhaust and have have been lowered but are otherwise stock.

If you are going to mod it then there is no question you should get a 996TT.

Just for reference I've had a 1978, 1986, 1988, 1991 1994 and 2002 turbo and the 997 was my second NA P-car the first being an 1986.

 

i think to be fair you need to compare a 996tt against a 997tt

 

Like Woodster said, get the 997 TT for best of both world.

 

I originally looked at a 2006 997 S - once I did a test drive I was surprised it was slower than my chipped 335. It's a good car, just didn't live up to the porsche ownership hype I always dreamed of.

I focused on trying to test drive a 996TT and once done, I never looked back. All the comments are correct, the audio/communications/nav part is dated but everything else is fantastic. The cars are also solid from a build quality perspective.

On another note, the 335 is much more ahead of the 997 in the internal luxuries department (audio/communications/nav).

I think people compare the 997s to the 996tt as they are in the same price range. Due to the great economy (depends on what side you are on), people like me can afford Porsches now and the 997s and 996tt are in the same ballpark and are now the "entry level porsche" decision they need to make.

I bet Porsche is selling less Caymans and Boxsters as people prefer to go for a slightly used and highly depreciated 911.

 

Test drove quite a few 996TT's before actually buying one - yet the day before i bought an X50996TT, i test drove a 997S and it was fantastic, the reason i went with the 996TT was the turbo's, the AWD and the presence but, imo a standard S is immensely better then the 996TT and has enough power to use all the time on city streets, whereas the 996TT power is never put to use... Is the 997S better then a 996TT?... extremely subjective, no one is right or wrong

 

I bought my first Porsche last June a 05 997S and loved it and I agree it feels nimble and sounds great and with the sport chrono on gets going. The interior is a no brainer imo. Then my friend let me drive his 997tt and I mashed it in 2nd and the boost hooked me. 400 miles later and in Sept after buying a 996tts cab I sold the car back to the dealer. In October I picked up a 03 996tt coupe. The stock pwr on the x50 car really distinguished my 997S and the 996ttS apart. Imo, yes both my TT's feel a bit heavier probably due to awd but the pwr/boost and just knowing that I had a turbo made it an easy decision for me. My coupe is now Protomotive 650 tuned and on high boost is VIOLENT. My turboS cab also has a Protomotive flash and fabspeed exh and is much peppier than before. For me I made the right decision to step back but also step UP

 

Choose the car you like. I liked the 997 overall, but even the s lacked enough power / tq. But, strap on a blower or turbo(s) and you have a rocket. But the whole package may not be as good as a factory TT. My 997S is a daily driver and is wonderful - much more enjoyable with the extra SC power. However, I do think my next P-car will be a GT3 or TT.. Enjoy whatever you get.

 

+1

I still don't like the interior in my 996TT and have done a few things to make it a little better to the eyes, but the 997 interior looks so much better, imho.

I even put my 996TT up for sale... it wasn't until I took it out to the track (Tom Kerr as my instructor) that I really started to enjoy and appreciate the car.

Still, I would change it for a 997TT no questions asked, if my finances would allow for it...