Please consider stand up career ...

 

jim, i have yet to read more than the first cpl pages, but when you(?) suggest it'll happen to "most if not all 997tt's" is that (a) your assertion? or (b) the consensus of the 8+page thread?

and is that "will happen" analogous to the assertion by many that "all 996 turbo's will blow their coolant fittings one day, sooner or later".

because well all know there is no consensus on THAT one either. i just have such a hard time reconciling the notion that porsche builds catastrophic failure into their cars such as that vario camshaft issue. 996 IMS issues NOTwithstanding

 

i have, but they keep telling me to sit down

 

Thanks to all for the responses, I really appreciate it.

I know this is a decision I have to come to grips on my own as I will be the one paying and driving this car for a very long time.
For some of you that asked, I'm married with 2 kids (low teens) and haven't had a car payment for +4 years so I've been saving for this. This will not affect my finances at home as I have been planning for this for a few years now. This type of purchase as well as golf makes absolutely no financial sense so trust me I know that very well . Thus why I'm trying to make sure that if I'm making a financially senseless decision is the least senseless of them possible...

I love the look of the new 997 front end. yet I love the rear of the 996 better. From a power goal point of view and mods I only plan to exhaust, tune, a new audio unit and maybe just maybe suspension if its really not good. If I can get around the 500hp mark thats plenty for me. Not planning to touch the exterior.

I have the 996TT guaranteed if I wanted and the price is pretty firm which I completely understand and agree given the conditions and lack of "need to sale" by the owner. The higher mileage 997 is completely stock and the lower mileage one (more $$) has upgraded exhaust and some upgraded rims that I absolutely hate. Still waiting on complete list of mods (which would worry me a bit if goes too far).

So going for either of the 997 will cost me 20-24k more than the 996 and thats why I was trying to figure out if getting the 996 and making those subtle mods (and still have $ left) will net buying the 997 for the extra cash.

 

Knowing a bit more about your situation. If you could wait, I'd invest as stated in my last post, buy your car with the proceeds in say 2 years.

If you have to have it now, the 996! More visceral, funner to drive, timeless "Porsche" curves and design, less cheap plasticy interior, none of the typical dated styling cues of the 997 and typical cars of the era. Just my perspective, I know others will disagree.

I am curious why those here that so adamantly are pro 997s don't have one? Both are wants, not needs, if you are using that much cash on an emotional purchase, get what you want. I believe our friend and guru in the business, Sam just bought a 996 for his personal toy.

GL, whatever your decision.

 

I made my reasons abundantly clear, and cost is a factor with anyone. if they are being truthful. mine definitely came down to that. no shame there

 

25,000 miles for $60,000. Only mods diverter, and tune with 498 whp (586hp?). 420 whp (490hp?) completely stock. (Hp # are conservative only using 15% loss. Some quote 20% loss awd and other add another 15% for accesories alone.) These were end of model production, metzger that were hand built by individual artists which usually beat advertised 450 hp total with ease.

Manual shift you are constantly engaged. Who cares if you can save a tenth of a second with a tiptronic for a handful of times you will race.

As for handling, I will not argue with the guys who race on a weekly basis. I have never taken a racing class and do not make a habit of taking curves at high speed. Why wear out tires for no real reason. But, a nice summer cruise, along a unfamiliar winding river road and a group of "croutch rockets" pull behind me reving their engines. Put the peddle to the metal, confortably going through sharp unfamiliar curves at 3 times posted limits, while remaining in my own lane. Looking back to see the cycles in my dust. Then pulling up to a fruit stand, with the cyclist beeping there horns and thumbs up is heaven. I think the 996 handled just fine.

The only problem is once you experience the exhilaration of this kind of speed you want even more. I am 65 years old and have never been a speed demon. Opened up the vette only several times in the past 40 years.

The Turbo S has many of the initial upgrades you will probably want to do. If You are looking for more than 650 whp I would go with a standard turbo with the mods you want, saving the premium of the Turbo S.

After only 2 1/2 months I am now contemplating 1000 -1500 whp. If I do the "S" $ premium was totally wasted. Good problem though. If I never made the leap I would still be driving the boring 66 vette.

What ever you decide you will have one of the fastest cars on road that can be driven daily with minimal expense. ENJOY Dreams will always change. But if you never do what you think you will enjoy you will never experience the greatest thrills of your life.

 

Its apparently clear its all about the money and what one can afford.

 

I'm thinking of buying a 997tt just for something different but the same if that makes sense. I will probably sell my 996tt in spring. I do like the 996tt better but am growing bored. Would keep both but no room.

 

that's about what you'd be getting! but i get it! no one here would ever need to explain to ME, an upgrade from 996 to 997! umm, gee....lemme think... (duh lol)

 

I like the 996tt hands down better as I do not like the 997 interior and find the 996tt more raw with older 911 feel. I do a lot of thinkin lol but who knows my wife says keep the car I have since its basically just something for me to play with. Honestly the main reason I have it is to be on the forums and being part of the club.

 

i think she's right! another way to look at it *might* be that if you re-up to 997.t sell the 96?.. than you might actually DRIVE the newer one, and then your depreciation curve might approach mine ... well, that ain't gonna happen,... no matter what!

of course, i kid

 

I put a 20% depreciation into my pre-purchase calculations and believe it would be less then that if I sold. I sit in it often and make vroom noises does that count?

 

Well, unless the 996 Turbo values take off and this is about as likely as pigs flying, the Turbo is still a depreciating asset and will remain so. Compared to even a new but less expensive car the used Turbo costs more to buy, run, maintain, insure, register, and will likely depreciate more.

Anyone that believes a 996 Turbo is an investment is lying to himself.

I will admit to the possibility that sometime in the distant future someone will find a 996 Turbo in a barn in some forgotten corner of the world and this Turbo will sell for a king's ransom. That could be my Turbo, it could be your's, but the odds are we'll not be around to see it let alone benefit from the appreciation in value.

 

Not that I really care but comments like this are why more people aren't jumping on the 996tt band wagon and only a half truth= Macster no one blows more money when it comes to a car then you, I believe you would take your car to the dealer to get the ash tray emptied.