Hi All,

I've been lurking here for almost a year now I think and debating between 996TT vs 997TT, and finally said I'd rather not deal with massive depreciation.

I found one locally at Stevinson Imports (Porsche dealer) that was interesting. I included a horrible picture below just to avoid the "It didn't happen without pics" reaction

I got the car for 46.7k - 2003 with 48k miles with GT2 wing, LTW flywheel and possibly upgraded clutch, SSK, loud exhaust and broken aftermarket stereo. I need to go find a good Porsche guy in Denver to really go through this thing with a fine tooth comb.

The interesting part is that it has a year left of CPO on it, which is really what sealed the deal for me. So I'm just trying to figure out everything that needs replacing on a 9 year old car.

My initial reactions:
1) How does anyone use this thing in the winter? With summer tires you pretty much break traction above 4k in 1st or 2nd WOT. Do winter tires help you grip better? I put up an ad in the for sale section. The car is pretty ridiculous though. I can't imagine what a 600-700hp version feels like. You guys are crazy.
2) I really need to replace the ugly orange side markers pronto
3) Why do people like LTW flywheels? It makes the gas super touchy and half the time the car sounds like it's broken when it's below 2k RPM.
4) I think I have my first CPO repair which is the clutch accumulator/slave. The clutch is the heaviest thing I've ever driven!
5) No auto down windows? Really? This thing IS purpose built.


All that said, I'm excited to join the club!

 

get a set of snow tires - makes all the difference in the world. It is the most capable car in the snow I have ever driven. I would NEVER drive in the snow on performance tires - they simply are not made to work when the temp of the tire is below 30 something degrees.

My windows auto down and up

Maybe people like the LWFW because it makes the gas pedal super touchy

 

Love that pic.

If your windows are auto-up auto down, then I just found another CPO claim The windows did seem pretty sluggish on mine...love this forum.

I don't plan on rockin PS2's in the snow - I have an old beater car for that. I tried to drive around on the snow on top of my garage...AWD is still pretty useless if you have bad tires.

 

If the battery has been off, auto up/down won't work until "configured". You do this by pushing "up" on both window buttons for 10 sec with doors closed (you really need to keep holding the buttons for more than 10 sec - count slowly). After this they should work up/down with one touch.

If you turn off the AC (* symbol), the rattning from the LWFW decreases a lot. At the temps you are at right now I don't think you need it on.

It's fun to drive with LWFW b/c the throttle response is awesome.
If you need to do accumulator etc just do GT2 slave conversion right away, will save you $$ down the road when you are out of CPO and most of all drivability improvement is unparallelled.

Get good winter tires.

Enjoy!!

 

With winter tires in the snow, the car runs almost the same as on pavement. You really have to try to get it to break loose. I am surprised every time I let off the clutch and get a head snap while on snow.

 

If your clutch is super stiff it may mean that you have the GT2 slave conversion done already. Just something to consider since you don't know the car well. The stock 996TT clutch pedal feel is 'overboosted' to say the least, but I've never driven a car with a bad accumulator either.

Congratulations, and it sounds like an exciting 996TT based on condition and mods. I look forward to hearing your continued impressions of the car, and of course look forward to better pictures too.

 

Even with a bad accumulator, the clutch effort should decrease as soon as you turn the engine on since the clutch assist is driven by the power steering pump. If your clutch is heavy even with the engine running, then your car probably has the GT2 clutch conversion already.

 

Ah, shoot. It's heavier with the engine off, but not by a drastic amount. Two people suggesting I already have this done makes me think I'm SOL. Looks like I'll just have one really big calf then.

So I guess that I just "lucked out"?

Maybe the guy before me pulled that spring that assists or something. I'm taking it on Friday and will report back (with pictures).

 

Snow tires on dedicated (inexpensive) wheels. I bought the Tirerack recommended package. I live in Iowa and drive my car year around. You're limited to plowed roads (3 inches of snow is the limit), but it is unstoppable. Best snow car I have ever driven. Only car I've owned that can safely do our driveway without it being plowed/salted. My Expedition couldn't. My Explorer couldn't. My 996TT can with ease.

 

congrats, love the color

 

Another Denverite! I won't be driving mine in the winter, can't help you there, other than getting good snow tires.

Depending on what part of town you are in 3zero3 motorsports in Lakewood/Wheatridge/Arvada area does a lot of Porsche stuff. I'm considering using them as an independant shop to avoid dealer gouging.

When you get it smogged, make sure they know it is all-wheel drive!! They scanned my VIN and it came up rear-wheel, so they put it on the 2wd dyno. Needless to say I was a little miffed. This was at Aircare Colorado in Golden (hwy 58 & Mcyntire area)

 

If you smog in Denver than they should not put the 996tt on a dyno. These cars are exempt in Denver. They will only do an idle test, very simple. I used the smog station near Parker and Hampden. There was a huge line there and they just waved me to the side of the building and did the test with the car parked and idling. Clean smog with 100 cell cats. As far as service goes, Joe at 3zero3 is excellent and also Chance at Stevinson Porsche is top notch and a member here. I wouldn't trust my car to anyone else.....

 

LOVE the snow in the intercooler ducts!

 

ok video if you have never seen it...doesn't get much better than a Turbo for driving in the snow.

 

Isn't that the guy that wrote of a Lambo (I think) in spectacular style?