In your price range there is no option, its 997.1 - and your not compromising one bit. An ECU and exhaust is not going to tax either of them so I would not worry about weak this and that but your price point dictates it mostly.

Smart money is on the 997.1, based on the moddability of the engine it may hold its value much better as time and miles add up. This may not happen at all, but if spend any time on here and the racing pedigree of the 997.1 engine comes up all the time.

 

I totally agree that price wise, as of today, 997.1 is the better deal of the 2. However, long term, I have a different point of view. I may be wrong, but with classic Porsches, the trend is to keep them stock. In this case, moddability would no longer be important. In stock form, the 997.2TT would be a better car (slightly), it will have the final iteration of the 997 Turbo title (991TTT would most likely be a totally different car), and given that most people will chose PDK and the PDK-only Turbo S, the 997.2TT manual would have a lot less production numbers than the 997.1TT manual. Just my guess, and I'm in the minority point of view, 997.2TT will hold it's value better in the long run. Although I know, I can't really compare the following cars, 997.2TT vs. 997.1TT may follow the route of the 1989 930 Turbo G50 and 1993 Turbo 3.6 or so I hope. Sorry, just a different perspective we can discuss.

 

I agree with DaBrat. I test drove a 997.1 TT 6M before settling on a new 997.2 TT 6M. Personally, I don't like paddles - I like to be able to put the car in neutral once in a while. There will always be a market for manual transmission, especially in the age group who can afford them in the future. Manual isn't prone to obsolescence like the generation changes in paddles (i.e. Tiptronic, PDK, etc.). This might have an edge in resale value in the long run.

Questions:
1. What is the mod limit on the 997.2 TT 6M?
2. Can realistic mods can be done with predictability and reliability to achieve 650hp from the stock 500hp with stock powertrain?

 

Take also under consideration that the limited 2010 gt2rs has the 997.1 3600cc engine... Not the new 3.800 one.. Porsche didnt choose to sell this car with 3.8 for a reason..

 

Did not know this!

 

I think it is a fact that the GT1 engine is a strong engine that has huge mod potential. However, does this mean that the DFI 3.8 is a weak engine? Again, I have no basis for my comments, but I would like to say no. As a company, Porsche has to be moving forward by improving on every model. Plus, I don't believe that the 911 Turbo, which is one of the top and most expensive models in the 911 range, is a model that Porsche needs to cut costs on given that the 911 Turbo's target customers would have no problem paying more for a superior GT1 engine if it were the right engine for this car. This would be especially true in China where more expensive = better.

Personally, I think that there is a purpose to every car in the lineup. The GT cars are built as a road / track car while the Turbo is built as a road-going car. Maybe the GT1 engine is needed for the track, but the DFI 3.8 is sufficient for the road? To Porsche, one thing is clear - the 997.2TT is "better" out of the box than the 997.1TT and it is certain that the 991TTT will be "superior" to both 997TTs.

What I'm trying to say is while the GT1 engine is a proven race engine, the DFI 3.8 hasn't proven to be a weak engine either. If I wanted to use the car for modded drag racing, I'd definitely take the 997.1TT, but if I accept that 500-600 hp is more than enough and I wanted better handling, I'd take the 997.2TT due to it's improved technology.

Historically, long-term value is based on production quantity and mostly last iterations. If history is an indication, then the 997.2TT manual should be able to hold onto its value well. Look at the 964 Turbo 3.6 vs. the 3.3. 3.3 is a proven engine, yet the 3.6 held value better. Well, this is what I hope at least.

 

Please forgive me as I may not have my facts right and I really don't have enough knowledge compared with you guys, but I am very interested, so I wanted to chime in.

If we look at the GT3 RS 3.6, GT3 RS 3.8 and GT3 RS 4.0. They have different engines too right? Doesn't matter here, so why should it matter in the Turbos?

 

The 997.1 is clearly a better value, the engine is bomb-proof. The 997.2 updates are more compelling if you are going to DD your car (mileage, Bluetooth, other amenities) but let's be frank - they are certainly not worth the price premium. And I do not know many people who daily drive Turbo 997's, especially when the resale value plummets so quickly for cars with over 20-30k miles.

 

For those of you who wants improve technologies should just wait for the 991 TT to come out. By then the 997.2 TT will be in the same category as the 997.1 .
According to the guru Todd Knighton of Protomotive, the 997.1 TT is the number one car to mod for high HP.

 

OK You dont need PCCB. Better suspension? if you plan on driving your car at 8-10/10s on a PUBLIC road you MIGHT need that. Do you need it? Not in the least.
Dynamic mounts. No you dont need it.
Back to PCCB. Go look at replacement costs, then read up on them. You will find that the PCCB actually are a little worse than the standard brakes until they warm up. Then they are still within a couple feet. Picture one or two of your Computer screens. However they do not fade. So I guess if you are insane and driving on a public road at 9/10ths you would need those brakes as you put the general public in danger.

Now PCM3 is a worthwhile upgrade or just buy a Kenwood 9990 and use your steering controls.

 

Oh to address the DD idea. Thats what Porsche Designed it for. The GTs are for the weekend track days.
I bought a car to drive not to park and gleefully rub my hands to together as its now worth 5k less then when I bought it but 10k more than the dude that actually enjoys driving his.

 

The 997.1 TT and all of the GT variants (GT3, GT3RS, GT2, GT2RS) are based off the GT1/Metzger engine. Lots of history, love and respect for that engine. The 997.2 TT is based on a new DFI design with an "integrated" dry sump, which is completely different.

 

Same engine (Mezger GT1) just different displacement.

 

I learn something new everyday. Thanks for clarifying.

Conclusion, 997.1TT has the better engine. I'm just hoping the 997.2TT's engine is sufficient.

 

I spec-ed my car with Steel Brakes after people told me the same thing about PCCBs. Made the upgrade a year later. Believe me, I can feel the difference in unsprung weight - kinda like having lighter wheels. I think in terms of stopping distance, PCCBs and Steel are about the same, but the PCCBs bite a lot better even at reasonable speeds in public roads, allowing for later braking and better weight transfer. Finally and the most important thing to a road driver - in exchange for $20k, you get no brake dust. Even though I'm somewhat joking, the no brake dust is amazing! I agree not to go crazy on public roads, but even at enjoyable speeds, the advantages of the PCCBs show in my opinion. Will definitely get PCCBs in the future. Replacement costs, don't know yet. I'm sure it won't be easy on the wallet.

Personally, Dynamic Mounts and PTV, I can't feel. Don't know the difference of having them vs. not. I just assumed Porsche says it's better, so it's better.