Back in the saddle
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Back in the saddle
I remember when this forum was founded back in July 2003. It was a small community made up primarily of refugees from Fun Cars . . . Alex/Sharky, Jack, Oak, Steve, Ben, Darren, Kevin, Fred, Chad, Robert, Buddy, Joe, Dock, Scott, etc etc etc. The 996 was still relatively new and we all were trying to push its limits. It was a wild time.
Like many, I got caught up in the mad desire to make big power. I did every available mod, and then became the guinea pig for new, yet untested mods. I opened up my engine several times and replaced all of the internal components. I sent my transmission to Germany to be reinforced. I tried several different turbos, custom exhausts and intercoolers, wild fuel systems, etc etc etc. Unfortunately, I also made countless mistakes. First and foremost, I worked with several different tuners, each with a different philosophy, approach, parts configuration, and skill set. Moreover, I did my mods in a never ending set of increments. In the end, my mod experience was largely a failure. While I achieved decent power, I never achieved the performance I desired and, in the process, I endured endless frustration and disharmony. Interestingly, I enjoyed my 996TT most when it was only mildly modified, but smooth as silk and a blast to drive. While the car was undeniably faster in later years, the end result was not worth the trouble.
I sold my 996TT in September 2007 and purchased a BMW M6. I choose the M6 precisely because it is not an easily modded car and I was determined to drive a car in stock form for a while. I have enjoyed the hell out of my M6. It is a great car and it has served me well.
During my first year with the M6, I stayed in touch with 6Speed. Thereafter, I drifted away. I continued to speak with a few close friends I had made over the years, but I rarely read the forum.
After three years, I was overcome by the desire to own another Porsche. However, as with my M6, I was determined not to f*ck around with it. Rather, I promised myself that I would keep it stock and resist the urge for more power. I went with a TTS in order to get the additional power, along with the other features of an S, without having to mod it.
I have owned my 2011 TTS for three weeks now and I am pleased to say that I love it! With my 996TT, I was yearning for more power from day one. With my 997TTS, I have not yet even tapped all the available stock power.
I have done three mods: tinted windows, clear side markers, and a silver hood badge (I was surprised to discover that silver hood badges have become something of a rarity).
While shopping for a TTS, I discovered that the far and away most popular color is black (followed by silver and white) -- in fact, black TTSs were abundantly available. My last two cars were black on black., so I was naturally drawn to black. However, in the end, I decided that I wanted something a little less common, so I went with midnight metallic blue. I love the color!
Having driven a normally aspirated coupe for three years, I had forgotten what it feels like to drive a smaller, tighter, forced induction car. My M6 has a very linear power delivery. It is nice and predictable, but lacks a certain thrill. In contrast, the TTS has a non-linear slingshot feel to it as the turbos spool and it catapults forward. Much more exciting to drive.
In my M6, I lost all sense of what the road feels like. Conversely, in my TTS, I can feel the road again. I feel a renewed connection with the road. Likewise, I forgot what a tight steering wheel feels like. For all its virtues, the M6 fully utilizes power steering. Conversely, the TTS is a tighter, harder and far more precise steer.
The M6 does have one meaningful advantage over the TTS. One need only slightly tap the SMG shifter to change gears. Conversely, the PDK shifter requires much more force to change gears. I prefer the more sensitive M6 SMG shifter.
The ergonomics of the 997 interior are much improved over the 996, as is the Nav.
Here are a few photos of my new TTS:
Regards,
Craig
sm
Like many, I got caught up in the mad desire to make big power. I did every available mod, and then became the guinea pig for new, yet untested mods. I opened up my engine several times and replaced all of the internal components. I sent my transmission to Germany to be reinforced. I tried several different turbos, custom exhausts and intercoolers, wild fuel systems, etc etc etc. Unfortunately, I also made countless mistakes. First and foremost, I worked with several different tuners, each with a different philosophy, approach, parts configuration, and skill set. Moreover, I did my mods in a never ending set of increments. In the end, my mod experience was largely a failure. While I achieved decent power, I never achieved the performance I desired and, in the process, I endured endless frustration and disharmony. Interestingly, I enjoyed my 996TT most when it was only mildly modified, but smooth as silk and a blast to drive. While the car was undeniably faster in later years, the end result was not worth the trouble.
I sold my 996TT in September 2007 and purchased a BMW M6. I choose the M6 precisely because it is not an easily modded car and I was determined to drive a car in stock form for a while. I have enjoyed the hell out of my M6. It is a great car and it has served me well.
During my first year with the M6, I stayed in touch with 6Speed. Thereafter, I drifted away. I continued to speak with a few close friends I had made over the years, but I rarely read the forum.
After three years, I was overcome by the desire to own another Porsche. However, as with my M6, I was determined not to f*ck around with it. Rather, I promised myself that I would keep it stock and resist the urge for more power. I went with a TTS in order to get the additional power, along with the other features of an S, without having to mod it.
I have owned my 2011 TTS for three weeks now and I am pleased to say that I love it! With my 996TT, I was yearning for more power from day one. With my 997TTS, I have not yet even tapped all the available stock power.
I have done three mods: tinted windows, clear side markers, and a silver hood badge (I was surprised to discover that silver hood badges have become something of a rarity).
While shopping for a TTS, I discovered that the far and away most popular color is black (followed by silver and white) -- in fact, black TTSs were abundantly available. My last two cars were black on black., so I was naturally drawn to black. However, in the end, I decided that I wanted something a little less common, so I went with midnight metallic blue. I love the color!
Having driven a normally aspirated coupe for three years, I had forgotten what it feels like to drive a smaller, tighter, forced induction car. My M6 has a very linear power delivery. It is nice and predictable, but lacks a certain thrill. In contrast, the TTS has a non-linear slingshot feel to it as the turbos spool and it catapults forward. Much more exciting to drive.
In my M6, I lost all sense of what the road feels like. Conversely, in my TTS, I can feel the road again. I feel a renewed connection with the road. Likewise, I forgot what a tight steering wheel feels like. For all its virtues, the M6 fully utilizes power steering. Conversely, the TTS is a tighter, harder and far more precise steer.
The M6 does have one meaningful advantage over the TTS. One need only slightly tap the SMG shifter to change gears. Conversely, the PDK shifter requires much more force to change gears. I prefer the more sensitive M6 SMG shifter.
The ergonomics of the 997 interior are much improved over the 996, as is the Nav.
Here are a few photos of my new TTS:
Regards,
Craig
sm
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2010
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Nice color craig 
kinda looks to be less purple Lapis?
what color is your interior blue and white leather (drool!!)
either way, enjoy the car, welcome back...no 9ff gearbox for you this time eh?
kinda looks to be less purple Lapis? what color is your interior blue and white leather (drool!!)
either way, enjoy the car, welcome back...no 9ff gearbox for you this time eh?
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Texas
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There are several tunes out now that will give you more power ("wuhahahahaha...." said in my most demonic voice)
"..in the process, I endured endless frustration and disharmony."
But you took it out very eloquently on Rob (cue demonic laugh again)
"..in the process, I endured endless frustration and disharmony."
But you took it out very eloquently on Rob (cue demonic laugh again)
Last edited by Dr_jitsu; Aug 23, 2010 at 01:45 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: New Jersey
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Welcome back. I agree that most people I know who went mod crazy had similar experiences. I know just my modest mods to get ipod and sat radio drove me insane.
I think a few light mods would make you very happy in the end...exhaust, ECU tune, etc. But enjoy the car as it is...I'm sure you won't get bored of it for at least a month or two!
I think a few light mods would make you very happy in the end...exhaust, ECU tune, etc. But enjoy the car as it is...I'm sure you won't get bored of it for at least a month or two!
