Guys,

With the prices the way they are on these cars I have contemplated adding either a 996tt or 997 c2s to the garage. I am posting in the the 996tt sub-forum because there is a lot more action here compared to the general 997 sub-forum.

To give you an idea of how I will use the car..maybe 150-175 miles a week (roughly 7500-9000 miles per year). So it will be somewhat of a daily driver.

I love the power of the Turbo, but I'm thinking getting the newer C2S may suit my needs as well because I'm already getting the great straight line performance and torque from my E55.

When I first started thinking about this I was thinking 996 turbo all day long, but the more I thought about maintenance costs on a car that will be 6 or 7 years old (depending on if I get an '03 or '02) I thought the 997 C2S may be the way to go.

I really like the looks of both cars, and either one I get I plan on doing exterior mods and a most likely a few engine mods as well.

You unbiased thoughts and opinions are truly appreciated!!

Best,

Mark

 

I think you've asked your question in a biased forum. My guess is that 90-95% will say 996TT. POWER is intoxicating.

I just reread your title - but I don't think we can be unbiased.

 

Even we are telling you our unbiase answers... 996TT, you would still think it is biase.

 

I could give you better feedback if I'd ever driven a 997...sorry!

 

Based on your comments I was thinking that the 997s would be better for you (newer model, more familiar rear-drive handling), but then I read the "most likely a few engine mods as well" line. That line says "996tt" all over it.

Standard response: Drive both for awhile and see which one you like better. If you're thinking of a few power mods, you should drive a modded 996tt for comparison (at least the ECU flash on the standard K16s, but preferably hybrid turbos or K24 turbos (on the X50 package or Turbo S) to get a feel for what some mods will do for the car.

 

I had a brand new 997C2S as a loaner car for a week while my car was in for warranty repair. Honestly liked the interior of my 6TT better, the driving position, the external styling, and of course the performance - the TT is in a different league. The C2S, although a torquey sucker, didn't put a grin on my face like the TT. It's not really fair - the TT is a supercar, while the C2S feels rather ordinary by comparison.

 

Once you've driven the boost, you can't go back. All other Porsches seem ordinary to me.

 

Thank you all so much for the quick responses...to clear a few more things up..if I were to buy a 996tt it would DEFINITELY by an X50 (or turboS..doubt I'll find one in a coupe).

It looks like the responses are 100% 996tt, which I was expecting. I guess I'll test drive both and see what I like best.

I've driven a stock 996tt and stock 996tt X50 but haven't driven the 997 c2s yet. If I got the 997 I would immediately do gt3 front and wheels, as I can't stand the OE front on the 997.

I'll keep you guys updated, but please keep the responses coming. I would like to hear some arguments on why I should get the 997 c2s instead of the 996tt..

 

Are those crickets I hear?

 

an X50 makes more sense in the US as you don't have many corners or roundabouts

 

Well, I have to say that as a DD, the 997 whether it a regular car or S might indeed be the better option. It will be more economical and cheaper to live with. Porsche does put a lot of premium on the S version, in my test drives I didn't find it to be well justified. The S was all that different than a 3.6l car. It is tad more torquer, but the TT is a completely different animal.

 

I am a big believer in the gt1 block and its inherent superiority....and lack of RMS issues more or less. And dry sump.

I would not bother with an x50 unless it was the same price....get a tune and exhaust aftermarket, perhaps bigger hybrid turbos and enjoy.

(and suspension, aero, harness bard, DE days, )

 

the premium for X50's isn't much...just a bit harder to find..what would a tune, k24's and exhaust typically run me??

 

Call some tuners. I have great experience with Kevin at UMW. Others like EPL, Vivid, Protomotive, Evoms, etc.

I don't want to get into a my tuner is better thing here...find a person that is good, you can work with. What I like is a person that: will work to get you where YOU want to be and that builds in an upgrade path in terms of costs as much as possible. This stuff is addictive because these cars are just so much fun to drive. They are wonderful cars. Period. Even stock, they are wonderful cars.

 

I too was just shopping for Porsches in the later part of 08 and couldn’t get pass wanting a Turbo. Stock ones are not much fun to drive but once you have some mods, no question I’d go with the TT.