I wanted to say thank you to everybody for your input. I think I now understand that this car, just like any other 10-year old car, is going to have issues. As a former Supra, Evo, 335i, A4 1.8QT, FD RX-7 owner, I am used to expensive problems...but it sounds like the 996tt won't be too much more difficult than those. I'm going to continue my journey to educate myself on this platform and will start my (months-long, I'm sure) hunt for a 996tt.

For what it's worth, I doubt I'd do much more to the car than a tune - I'd like to keep it as reliable as possible.

 

Don't cheat yourself. There are more 600+rwhp cars on this forum that are reliable.

 

Curious as to what would be considered abused?? My nephew pampers his to death, never going over 3000 rpm on shifts, me with mods never sees under 6k on shifts? Yet he has had more minor problems?? After tracking the car a month ago for the first time I really appreciate there design and what they are capable of.
I say; buy it - try it - and if its a hassle sell it.
Everything is always for sale

 

I love my 911CTT, but if I have to do it again, I would get a 997S. any one want to trade?? (J/k)

 

I have both a 1991 C4 cab and a 2003 TT. While I can't really speak for the TT yet (I just bought it a couple weeks back), my C4 has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. Yes it leaks oil, finally bad enough that I need to do a re-seal, but the car runs like a champ, starts every time and feels solid as a rock. I've owned the car now for over 11 years and most of the work that I have had to do on the car was fun mods like suspension and exhaust. The only thing that I have had go wrong with the car other than standard maintenance was my distributor belt broke once during start up. It cost me $800 to repair with new rotor caps and belt. I can't say that for any of the other cars I have owned including Acura, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Audi and BMW.

 

I bought an 01 without a warranty with zero hesitation after a perfect PPI from RUF. I have had no problems at all - not even little stuff. Forums are always skewed because enthusiasts post their issues, so you never hear from the other 95% of owners with no problems.

For the money I don't think you can get a better combination of incredible engineering, flat-out performance, drop dead gorgeous looks, and a serious case of the tingles every time you use your left hand to turn the key. Emotionally it's the best car decision I ever made (although I do wish I hadn't sold my NSX).

 

Before my 996CTT, I owned a 03 996 C2 conv. Never a problem, no oil leak, absolutely no problem.

 

The only problem I am having is that my wallet isn't big enough to go faster and handle more crisp. I love this car

 

I have a 2002tt with 38125 miles i bought her in 2006 with 23000 miles and no 2'gear pop up so far,no problem with anything so far.Little modded and my best car ever by far.

Porsche cars bother much less then a wife

 

You get what you pay for plain and simple. The cars are 40-45k for a reason. These cars are expensive to fix.

 

No problems so far here.

My CEL went on last night and somehow the car mended itself overnight and all is right with the world again this morning with no more CEL. Incredible things these cars.

 

600hp for $6K additional, what more can you ask...

Oh, and that is a reliable 600hp, these cars are true beasts, I think the only other platform that is this mod-friendly is the Dodge/Cummins.

 

+1 Mine is perfectly a reliable 600 hp DD. There are many excellent cars out there...just look patiently. I searched for 6 months.

 

Yes, yes it is! Change the air intake, the exhaust, and get a chip! Then you can blow black smoke over all of God's green earth! Trust me, I know! The plume of black smoke out of my 01 Dodge Diesel 4x4 3/4 super duty was like a train starting up under load in the 1st 5 gears.

It was awesome to watch people drive around the cloud of it in the city.


It also got rid of tailgaters and would snap your head against the seat when I punched the throttle to the floor.

 

Bought 2002 X50 for $45000. In the year I've owned it, it's had to have a light switch, a seat heater, a new toe arm, an oil pressure sensor, a gas cap, both rear drop links (cornering fun!), and both side radiators. Fortunately the car came with a warranty that paid for the radiators (which would have been pricey).

Honestly, every time I buy a car I wind up doing a few repairs to get it straight. I expect this year to be smooth sailing.