Dreams do come true - picked up my very own 911 Turbo
#1
04-23-2010, 10:18 AM
Dreams do come true - picked up my very own 911 Turbo
(WARNING: Long read. Cliff Notes at the end)
Like many here, my love affair with the 911 Turbo started at a young age. After years of saving up, plus the recent economic malaise that caused the value of 996TTs to take a heavy plunge, I found myself in a position to be able to finally afford one.
The search was an arduous process. I wanted factory aerokit, lots of carbon fiber inside, relatively low mileage with a decent list of modifications. My 1st color choice was white with black interior. After searching all the usual suspects for months, I couldn't find a car that fit my exact wish list.
Another problem was that during this time, I was still working overseas and wouldn't be back in the States for another month or so. I found workable alternatives, but most of the sellers I spoke with didn't like the idea of having to hold the car for a month in exchange for a deposit.
That's when I saw fellow member 292's ad. Biarritz White, factory aero kit, black interior with lots of carbon fiber pieces. It has pretty much all the mods I would do myself too!
I approached Mike (292) with trepidation, not expecting him to go with the arrangement of deposit in exchange for waiting a month. However, to my surprise, he agreed.
The following month went by SLOWLY. I finally returned to the States on Monday night. Got cashier's checks on Tuesday and I was on the first plane to Seattle (where the car is) Wednesday morning (6:30 AM flight).
I was severely jet lagged, had 2 hours of sleep the night before and now I have to drive a modified 996 Turbo home, which is 1,200 miles, in pouring rain. This is probably not one of my brighter ideas.
Mrs. 292 picked my father (aka co-pilot) and I up from the airport and I met 292 and my future Turbo at the bank. The transaction was painless (although my bank account might disagree) and Mike is a top guy. The car is as described and he made many accommodations for me along the way. I might have finally gotten my dream car, but I felt, more importantly, I made a good friend along the way.
Onto the car: Both my father and I must have stalled the car at least 3 times per person during the drive home. The engagement point is extremely high, which made it tricky to drive.
The power! I've driven stock 996 Turbos in the past but I was not prepared for how brutish the acceleration of a modified Turbo (exhaust, intake, ECU flash) can be! I didn't have the ***** to go WOT during the entire trip. Even at half throttle, the car got up to 116 mph in a blink of an eye.
RIP, front lip spoiler: The lip spoiler did not survive the trip. Lowered with JIC coilovers, it scrapped at any signs of a steep driveway. Heading to the dealership later today to pick up a C4 lip spoiler.
Did I mention how scary fast this car is?! I've had some quick cars in the past (modded RX-7, Supra Turbo, M3s, etc.) and I am scared to go WOT in this car. Glad I held off on picking up a K24/18g.
Drove 1,200 miles in 1 1/2 days. Could have done it faster as 120 mph in this car felt like cruising speed, but the poor weather and the high number of highway patrols I encountered suggested I should slow down instead.
By the way, the car is a magnet for attention! I always thought 911s were kind of low key, but I had people honking and giving me thumbs ups, following me to snap pictures of the car, etc.
Haven't had time to take my own pictures (and I gotta fix the lip spoiler first), so I am attaching two from Mike.
As for Cliff Notes: Dreams do come true. For those searching for your own dream car, hold out for the exact car you want, they do exist.
Like many here, my love affair with the 911 Turbo started at a young age. After years of saving up, plus the recent economic malaise that caused the value of 996TTs to take a heavy plunge, I found myself in a position to be able to finally afford one.
The search was an arduous process. I wanted factory aerokit, lots of carbon fiber inside, relatively low mileage with a decent list of modifications. My 1st color choice was white with black interior. After searching all the usual suspects for months, I couldn't find a car that fit my exact wish list.
Another problem was that during this time, I was still working overseas and wouldn't be back in the States for another month or so. I found workable alternatives, but most of the sellers I spoke with didn't like the idea of having to hold the car for a month in exchange for a deposit.
That's when I saw fellow member 292's ad. Biarritz White, factory aero kit, black interior with lots of carbon fiber pieces. It has pretty much all the mods I would do myself too!
I approached Mike (292) with trepidation, not expecting him to go with the arrangement of deposit in exchange for waiting a month. However, to my surprise, he agreed.
The following month went by SLOWLY. I finally returned to the States on Monday night. Got cashier's checks on Tuesday and I was on the first plane to Seattle (where the car is) Wednesday morning (6:30 AM flight).
I was severely jet lagged, had 2 hours of sleep the night before and now I have to drive a modified 996 Turbo home, which is 1,200 miles, in pouring rain. This is probably not one of my brighter ideas.
Mrs. 292 picked my father (aka co-pilot) and I up from the airport and I met 292 and my future Turbo at the bank. The transaction was painless (although my bank account might disagree) and Mike is a top guy. The car is as described and he made many accommodations for me along the way. I might have finally gotten my dream car, but I felt, more importantly, I made a good friend along the way.
Onto the car: Both my father and I must have stalled the car at least 3 times per person during the drive home. The engagement point is extremely high, which made it tricky to drive.
The power! I've driven stock 996 Turbos in the past but I was not prepared for how brutish the acceleration of a modified Turbo (exhaust, intake, ECU flash) can be! I didn't have the ***** to go WOT during the entire trip. Even at half throttle, the car got up to 116 mph in a blink of an eye.
RIP, front lip spoiler: The lip spoiler did not survive the trip. Lowered with JIC coilovers, it scrapped at any signs of a steep driveway. Heading to the dealership later today to pick up a C4 lip spoiler.
Did I mention how scary fast this car is?! I've had some quick cars in the past (modded RX-7, Supra Turbo, M3s, etc.) and I am scared to go WOT in this car. Glad I held off on picking up a K24/18g.
Drove 1,200 miles in 1 1/2 days. Could have done it faster as 120 mph in this car felt like cruising speed, but the poor weather and the high number of highway patrols I encountered suggested I should slow down instead.
By the way, the car is a magnet for attention! I always thought 911s were kind of low key, but I had people honking and giving me thumbs ups, following me to snap pictures of the car, etc.
Haven't had time to take my own pictures (and I gotta fix the lip spoiler first), so I am attaching two from Mike.
As for Cliff Notes: Dreams do come true. For those searching for your own dream car, hold out for the exact car you want, they do exist.
#2
04-23-2010, 10:21 AM
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#11
04-23-2010, 11:54 AM
Basic Sponsor
wow that car looks gorgeous! great pickup.
dreams do come true some times.
work hard, play harder
dreams do come true some times.
work hard, play harder
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997TT SilverSpool - 210.8 mph 1/2 Mile WR Apr 2019, 9.2 @ 168 mph 1/4 Mile Manual World Record , 3.15 60-130 mph , 2.72 100-150 mph , 1400whp E85
996TT SpoolBus - 204.6 mph 1/2 Mile 996TT WR Aug 2018, 9.5 @ 154 mph, 3.23 60-130 mph, 2.5 100-150 mph Manual Porsche World Record, 1400whp E85
997TT SlowBerry - 205.0 mph 1/2 Mile WR Nov 2018, 9.7 @ 170 mph 1/4 Mile , 3.2 60-130 mph , 2.4 100-150 mph , 1420whp E85
ESMOTOR | DO88 | TPC DSC | SYVECS | COBB | IPD | KLINE | XONA | AMS | ID | ERP | SACHS | TURBOSMART | CSF | DODSON |
#TeamAIM
997TT SilverSpool - 210.8 mph 1/2 Mile WR Apr 2019, 9.2 @ 168 mph 1/4 Mile Manual World Record , 3.15 60-130 mph , 2.72 100-150 mph , 1400whp E85
996TT SpoolBus - 204.6 mph 1/2 Mile 996TT WR Aug 2018, 9.5 @ 154 mph, 3.23 60-130 mph, 2.5 100-150 mph Manual Porsche World Record, 1400whp E85
997TT SlowBerry - 205.0 mph 1/2 Mile WR Nov 2018, 9.7 @ 170 mph 1/4 Mile , 3.2 60-130 mph , 2.4 100-150 mph , 1420whp E85
ESMOTOR | DO88 | TPC DSC | SYVECS | COBB | IPD | KLINE | XONA | AMS | ID | ERP | SACHS | TURBOSMART | CSF | DODSON |
#14
04-23-2010, 12:25 PM
great write up ruddy ..... welcome, congrats and i loooooove that car. i remember when i first saw it posted for sale and thought how it wouldn't last long. ummmmmmm seriously stunning and timeless style and color.
