Interesting perspectives for sure from your comparo link. Mine differ considerably and I hope some may agree.

For my comparison, I drove a N/A 996 Cabriolet for 7 years before buying my '04 TT. My '99 C4 was extremely highly optioned from the "Exclusive Program" like I'd never seen and had a msrp of over $95K. So the interior had it all, except wood. My fondness for that interior came to be as I was comparing it to 993's that I nearly bought, test drove, almost fell in love with, but couldn't stomach their interiors that reminded me of all the 1960's British sports cars I'd owned. They had that dusty and moldy smell that I didn't want either.

Funny about the power of first impressions, and how we hang on to them. My '04 TT was like brand new when I bought it over 6 years ago with 17.5K miles on the clock and now with just over 30K still looks brand new inside. It's not been parked outside in the sun but a hand full of days since I've owned it. My Natural Brown leather and black accents with carpets looks very good, comfortable, inviting and classic. Nothing like the plastic transformer, techy look of the 997 up models, sorry.

Power, acceleration wise, the X-50 is slow to spool compared to the base motor. I've driven both several times, bro had an X-50. With the base model and practice, knowing the boost characteristics, you can drive with no lag ever. A tester being unfamiliar with the '6T and taking a few short drives, then comparing it to a much newer and civil, less visceral example, would certainly find faults.

Commenting on the OP's dislikes:

1. I really like the headlights. They are a styling cue from the original 996 GT1 in 1997. How many have followed this and are aware of it?
2. If you feel the lag, you're not driving it right. I agree at very low RPM, the N/A models may have more punch. Know the power band of the TT, shift accordingly.
3. Classic, comfy, timeless organic design, vs. Transformer, techy, plastic, no right or wrong, it's a choice
4. 996TT was never made for 19" tires. The VS works, it also lends itself to easy removal, ala GT2. Handling, tracking, ride is said by many better with 18's, your choice.
5. Sound systems, nav, phone integrated systems become obsolete almost at the time of vehicle production. Unfair comparison. Don't buy the '6T for its radio!











I'm done.

 

Yes, points well taken. Don't get me wrong, I love the 996TT. It's a great car to have and we're all very fortunate to own one. Just my 2 cents on the things I like about our cars and the things I don't. I'm sure my next car (whenever that will be) will have it's likes/dislikes. I really want to eventually get into a 997 GT3 one day as I thoroughly enjoy wringing out high revving motors. But it's not a fair comparison to make. The 996 TT platform is geared more for drag and 1/4 mile, trap speed, etc (although as many on the forums here also use it as a track car). The GT3 is more of a track focused car. Both great cars for different styles of driving. For an all around sports car, TT platform is the way to go.

As far as interior goes, yes, everyone's taste is different, but I really miss the more modern 997 interior I used to have. I agree however about the 991. It does seem a little bit more techy and trendy.

 

I can only imagine the pain it will be to wrench on the new ones, once the warranties expire. This alone will guarantee a price bump for the 996tt.

 

Vehicle manufacturers have little interest in high resale values and inexpensive repair costs down the road. They want you in line to write the check for their latest and greatest every 3-4 years. As depreciation curves plummet and non repairable sub-assemblies become cost prohibitive to replace, it will be interesting to see the future of the new vehicles. I would be afraid to own one. I now see people driving older Mercedes', Audi's, BMW's and 'Rover's that I'm certain will junk them or part them out when a major repair is needed.

Thinking to myself, with the ever increasing use of plastics, manufacturers may have incentives to be good stewards of the earth and give components a finite life span before degradation and them giving themselves up to the environment. If this is true at what point will you see your $200K sports car start to crumble into a pile of dust and rubble of recyclables?

 

HI I have a 01 tt that has champion wheels 19s and kuhmo 305 zr 30 x19 and the ride is great first time for kuhmo had bridgestone so2s and the side walls were really weak on 3 sets these tires are holding up great good luck with your ride john