Hello Everybody,

As you can tell I am new to this forum. I was referred by someone on another forum.

As the title says…996 Turbo or 997 C2?

A few months ago I decided that it was time to move on from my fascination with Subaru. I bought an 04 WRX new and sold it a few years back to get an 07 STi new. It has been a great car that is hard to beat in all weather conditions with speed and agility that most cars in its price range cannot touch. I have decided, however, that it straddles the line a bit too much between sedan and sports car. It looks a little “boy racer” and just isn’t as nice of a package as I would like. The two option are go more sedan like (RS4) or go more sports car like.

I started looking at Porsches and realized that I could get a used one at a great cost that I could afford. After a bit of searching I had my sights on a 996 Turbo. It seems to be everything I want. Still has the four wheel drive I love so much. Is as much of a sports car as I can buy, and has more power than my STi does so I won’t be bored any longer with its abilities.

I went to my local Porsche Dealership over the weekend (Herb Chambers Porsche) and talked to a really nice sales guy. We took a drive in a 2003 C2 and he allowed me to actually DRIVE the car like its meant to (he says he races Porsches so he pushed it as well). It was a great introduction to the Porsche. Problem was, I wasn’t blown away with it. It was only a little faster than my STi and at no point did I get that uncomfortable feeling when accelerating hard (anyone who steps into a fast car for the first time knows that feeling). He thought that it might be a good idea to get my feet wet with an entry level Porsche before I jump right into a Turbo. I went back and forth on this and decided that if I was to get a C2 it would be a 2005 997 C2 (I like the way they look all around compared to its 996 counterpart).

After a week worth of thinking, I am back at looking towards a Turbo again. I just can’t get them out of my thoughts. So what do I do?

My budget is 43k final price after all is said and done. I have 7k to put down, so I will finance 36k. I really like the idea of the C2 being CPO but am not sure if that is something I should even worry about. I don’t have enough money to solve major complication if something goes wrong (with a non CPO Turbo), but have more than enough for routine maintenance and little issues along the way.

Are 2003 and below Turbo known for having issues? Is there a 3rd party that I can get a warranty through that won’t break the bank? Is the 997 C2 a better all around car (not power wise) and I should just go with that? I live in MA so is a non four wheel drive Porsche even doable in decent snow?

Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

This has been discussed, but here's my opinion-

If you like the feel of your STI, you'll like the turbo better- I'm a fan of the turbo kick in myself- having had a very modified turbo Audi in the past.

The 997 Carerra and Carerra S are very nice cars, with more modern interiors than the 996. The 996tt motor is based on the GT1 block, which is much more reliable than the N/A 996 and 997 motors. The N/A motors have had issues with intermediate shaft bearings, which basically means motor replacement.

Also, I've read to stay away from 2005 997, 2006 would be the way to go.

Bottom line is, there's nothing like the rush when the turbos spool up and your head gets pinned to the seat! That doesn't happen with the N/A cars!

 

Hit the search button at the top, there are literally hundreds of comments on this exact, common question. General consensus usually seems to lean towards the 996tt - And it also gets my votes hands down. Happy reading.

 

Yes Yes I know all about the search button. It is said every 1/2 hour on NASIOC. Sometimes, you get much better data about your exact situation (like the info about the 2005 997 haivng some issues) than with a search.

Thanks for the quick tips!

 

I've had both 996 NA and now 996TT.
Buy the turbo. Life is short. You don't want to miss out on this.
If you buy the NA, you may regret and second guess the decision. It may provide you a stepping stone to the P-car world that may be less expensive, but not as exciting.

 

Personally, I wouldn't finance a 996 turbo at your price point, which likely means you will end up with a 2001 or 2002, possibly an 03. That is a relativley old car to be financing IMO, obviously this is my opinion, so please don't be offended, as your not here for financial advice.

If you can't pay cash for the TT, then I would look for a new car with warranty, possibly a 2010 S4, the new V6 with supercharger has some nice tuning options and is in the same ballpark as your budget.

Save your money for another year or two, then pickup an 04 or 05 TT.

These cars are pricey to fix and mod, if the mod bug bites be prepared $$$.

 

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...carrera-s.html

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...carrera-s.html

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...sing-over.html

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...-purchase.html

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...-vs-996tt.html

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...t-porsche.html

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...o-997-c4s.html

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...6-v-997-a.html

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...-997-997s.html

Those threads are all on your "exact situation" and that's only a search back to September of last year... It's by far the most commonly asked question on the forum - There's plenty there from both the 996 and 997 point of view to help you out. Just trying to save you time rather than wait for replies. Good luck.

 

ask yourself this question - will I be modding or will I need/want more power? The answer to that question should guide you towards the correct answer.

Did you mod your STI?

 

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...liability.html

 

The 997 looks better to most people on the outside and to everybody on the inside. A 997s is nearly as fast as a stock 996TT. The turbo will cost you about $500 more per year for insurance. You will probably spend more money on gas in the turbo. You have better financing and warranty options on the 997. It is said that the turbo cars are more reliable but how often does a car blow a head gasket or throw a rod? Most maintenance is a few $100 here and there - from that standpoint, newer is probably better
On the other side, the 996 will probably hold its value better and is possibly more likely to be in your price range. And the endless modding possibilities of the turbo cars. Did you mod your STI, if not, you probably wont mod the Porsche.

 

I did mod my 04 WRX but did not on the STi. It is very hard to get a good price on a moded STi so I left it stock knowing I would let it go sooner than later. It is a 2007 with under 12k miles on it.

I wont mod the Porsche because there really is no need. If I had tons of money I might but you really should like the car for what it is sometimes for a while.

My STi takes 93, I fill it up when the light goes on (about 14 gallons) and that lasts me about 3 weeks. Oh yea, I get 15.5 mpg, I have been tracking it online (http://mymilemarker.com/) for about 2 years. Gas is not an issue.

Thanks for the links to the other posts. I am checking them out now!

 

I am also in the hunt for a 996tt and coming from a 05' competition smg M3 I need something that will outperform it, and to me the turbo is the only option within my budget...

 

Then you are on the right path. I came from E46 M3 as well and I believe many members here are as well. Though not with the competition pkg, my M3 was quite decently modded. I have been happy with my decision to go with the Turbo over 997 C2s. I didn't bother to throw a thread up here when I went through that inner battle...the only models in the 911 family that really hold special place in my heart are Turbo and GT3. I know I'll regret if I picked up a C2s, whether I mod it or not.

In case you wonder...For the price of GT2, that goes to the next league of dream rides...

 

I think another question we need to know is if this is going to be your DD. Sounds like from thread that it is and in my opinion the 997 is a better option. Based on your 43k budget you are looking at an 01,02, maybe high mile 03 turbo and all of these cars are going to be 30-40k+ miles on the ticker. If it is your DD and is financed I would be hesitant to put my $$ in the 996TT even though it is very reliable without having a significant pool of repair dollars (5k should do it) just in case something happens.

Now if you have something else to DD or can put aside some extra $$ for potential repairs then go for the 996TT as it is one heck of a rush.

 

It is a common "choice" as prices are similar.

996TT if you want a part of the legend "Porsche Turbo".

I drove 997 C2S on street and track and LOVED it.
Then I drove Turbo and was blown away.
Then I drove 997 C2S again, on track, and felt like I was in a Miata powerwise. Just no punch whatsoever.

996TT is an enthusiast car, incredibly fast, that can be driven every day.
997 C2S is a beautiful car and very easy to live with.

What do YOU want, a legend or just want a "mass-produced" Porsche? (don't get me wrong, C2S is still a really sexy car)