I'm seriously interested in getting a 911 Turbo. I think the model I've settled on is the 911 996 series model. I like the looks, maybe even better then the 997. I also like the fact it comes with a spare tire. I've been burned by run flats before and I'll never consider a car without a spare again.

My question for current owners: Is this really a car you can use everyday? I was considering getting the 911 Turbo as a daily driver. My current schedule means I'll put 20k miles or more on the car.

I know this may have been asked before, but now I'm wondering in the context of 2011, the 2001 996 is now a 10 year old Porsche 911 Turbo. Are there any owners out there still driving the car every day and putting serious mileage on the car? Is 20k too high for this type of car? IE. will I be replacing tires 2-3 times a year, or getting major level services done too often?

I have been looking at the market right now, and it seems like most of the 911s available have had several owners (sometimes 7+) and it seems like there is a pretty consistent pattern of at least 2-3 unscheduled maintenance events per year in the history report (several issues read: electrical system checked, things of that nature).

I would love to own the car and drive it everyday, but if it's going to be in "the shop" more then on the road, especially as a daily driver, I might just get too frustrated with it.

Just looking for feedback and advice from current owners of 996 turbos.

 

I drive my 996TT daily, even in the winter, and have had no worries so far. Once the known issues were addressed (clutch hydraulics, water lines, etc.) and my performance mods were made (turbos, clutch, LSD, etc.) it has only been oil changes and tires. As for tires, depending on brand and use I would suspect you would be lucky to get much more than 15K out of a set which is pretty standard for any performance car. I have two sets - winters and summers - and I figure to replace them every couple of years. It really is an amazing machine.

 

i drive mine twice a month or so, then it's really fun!!!!!!! if you drive it every day it becomes just a car whata car but still just a car... the old story goes a Porsche owner took his car to his tech and complained ,it just has lost its power. the tech took it for a drive returned and said it's fast as hell your just driving it to much(get use to a great thing and you don't appreciate it)

 

I think you can drive it every day as long as you don't go to crazy with the suspension.

 

It rides pretty rough and there isn't a lot of luggage space. I love the car but if I had to do it again I'd probably get something a bit more practical (though I look around and there's always something wrong with another car that can be tough to overlook).

Go drive one around some roads you know and give it a proper evaluation. Just make sure you don't do it with rose colored glasses.

 

I drive mine everyday. Year around. In Iowa. I put snow tires on in the winter and it just keeps going. I have put 30K miles on (bought it at 54K) and have had minimal maintenance issues.

So can you? Absolutely. It is great fun.

BUT (and it is a big but). It isn't my only car. Way too often I need to use something bigger and I can hop into the E55 wagon or the mini-van.

If I could only have one car, it would be the E55.

 

mine is a dd and it averages 50 miles a day in mixed LA fwy/canyon driving. which means i get in a LOT of clutch time. once the many known issues of these cars have been dealt with they are incredibly reliable, in relative terms.

i have my car lowered with sway bars and suspension so in canyons while a blast to drive, it's stiff as hell and you feel every bump ( stock was softer ).
so, it's not the most practical dd, but it can be done and with confidence. i'm about to drive 20 + miles to have the CHP inspect my barely legal flattrack triumph so by tomorrow, my TT will feel like a cadillac brougham

i wouldn't worry about putting mileage on these cars, the maintenance and any repairs are just part of daily driving any 10 yr old car. go for it, you'll be glad you did. just don't think they are maintenance free!

ps. join aaa

 

I drive mine about twice a month I wouldnt drive this car everyday. Im sure you can as far as reliability but too the comfort level is not there . You need a spare car DD no way

 

DD since I bought it new in '02 including Maryland winters. Most reliable car I have ever owned. 85K on the clock

 

Daily here in AZ heat. I see a lot of clutch time as well. It's fun, but I don't find many places to open it up with the traffic.

 

...and it doesn't take long to find you can't blast thru buckeye on the way into phx either!

 

Space is the only issue for me as a daily driver (and I can generally work around that). As far as ride, reliability and fun, it's been a perfect DD for me for the 2 years I've had my 996TT. Note that this even includes the occasional stop and go traffic.

As far as reliability, I've probably had the car in the shop no more than 3 times over the 2 years (and for no more than a day each). Since I also managed to get some regular maintenance done during those times (e.g. oil changes), I don't really consider that to be excessive. Also, the items to be fixed were somewhat minor and haven't caused the car to be non-operational at all.

Put it another way -- as a DD, you'll look forward to your daily drives!

 

Steve, I do the same thing. I also drive a jeep wrangler. When I go back to the TT it always makes me smile.

 

I drive mine everyday and through our winters, which are pretty crazy. We received 600-800 inches of snow last year. The car has been rock solid with only maintenance items being oil changes and the 30K service. I do have a pretty short commute though - 8 miles, but I still haul my 12 & 14 year old to school in it everyday.

I think people that garage these cars are the ones that, in the long run, end up with problems. Cars are meant to be driven, especially these cars. My mechanic, who has been prepping race cars and only works on Porsches has told me several times, that driving the car is very important in maintaining reliability. You don't see that many garage queens in Germany.

 

I drive mine every day. On the weekends, my 3 year old wants to go in daddy's car, so it is our family car over the 5-series unless we're going to Costco.

I do wish the driving range was longer though, I generally go 220miles on a tank before refilling, and the computer tells me I average 18-20mpg.