I'm just dying to get back into a Porsche! Been trying to be open to all possible alternatives. Had my mind set on an '09 Turbo, but have expanded the search to '08's as well. Now I consider whether an '11 GTS would also fit the bill. Looking for other thoughts that I may have missed!

GTS - newer, near full warranty, powerkit, new PCM, LED tails, etc. 400 hp should be enough! Centerlocks can be a PIA although they look cool. I think these will be classics. I feel like if I get a GTS, I will STILL want a turbo!

Turbo - nothing like a turbo. Great resale and a classic car. The '08 has the dinosaur PCM and it is 4 years old. No warranty. I think reliability shouldn't be a major issue. All wheel drive can be a plus in the winter.

Still wondering which way to go. Anything I'm missing?

 

if it were me i would base my decision purely on what motor i was buying! 08tt you get the metzger

 

Turbo; better engine/tranny hands down
Turbo will hold its value better
Porsche dealer can still Cpo it with 2 yr warranty
You know you want one.....

 

ryem3,
I had this same situation. It was between a '12 GTS 4 and a '09 Turbo. I drove both. My previous car was a 07 Targa 4s. I couldn't tell the difference in my Targa and the new GTS in power. That was a huge disappointment. I missed the power of a turbo. After driving both it was a no brainer for the turbo even though the GTS had a nicer interior. My turbo has a CPO until '15 so I wasn't worried about the warranty. I never looked back.
Even on the '08 you can still do mobridge or some thing similar. I had that in my '07 and it worked great. I know some on here had problems with the mobridge but I never did. Its all good though, I am glad that my biggest worry is which Porsche to buy. LOL

 

The main thing is that the GTS is 300+ lbs lighter than than Turbo. And, if it's a RWD, it has purer steering feel. But, the turbo has significantly more power and a much fatter power curve.

I had an 09 C2S prior to my 07 Turbo (and several M3s). I don't think the NA cars are enough of a power jump over the Turbo... My M3's weren't a huge change in power from the C2S. C2S PDK was a little bit faster, but I wouldn't say a huge amount... and at times, the M3 felt faster, especially given that the high revving V8 sounds sooooo sweet.

As others have pointed out, the Turbo is on a much shallower part of the depreciation curve than the GTS. Figure you'll still pay high 80s for a GTS, and you could easier get a turbo for that, including a good extended warranty.

The Ancient PCM 2.1 is pretty bad, but even PCM 3.0 is not great, and low resolution compared to any of the recent iDrives. Even my newer Pioneer and JVC decks in the 911s pale in comparison to the iDrive in my daily driver F30. I think you should get a turbo, since the issues are easier to change/fix than the the issues of of the GTS (resale and power)

 

Well, you are on the Turbo forum you know Drive each one, I don't think there is a 'wrong' in this decision...........I traded an '09 carreraS pdk for an 08 turbo tip-very happy with my choice. js

 

Definitely go with turbo in this decision. But try both and see for yourself, no way anything other will work.

 

True, it is the turbo forum and there's a reason I'm here! Well, the GTS sure is tempting, but in the end I suppose the interior is virtually identical with the old car anyway. That's why I was really looking for an 09. Now I have a GTR and I suspect the power of the GTS will be disappointing! However I can tell you that a turbo is MUCH smoother and quieter than a GTR. A test drive doesn't tell the story about trying to live with one. It is a rocket, but it is not a daily driver.

 

I traded the m3 on the GTR because the torque was so disappointing. Sure it can rev to 8 grand, but how often can you do that around the neighborhood. Around the neighborhood the m3 is disappointing because it doesn't jump of the line and doesn't have any pull until 5 grand. However, it is a great daily. Just needed a change, now I'm in trouble!

 

TT all the way!

 

The GTS is an awesome car. But after a few weeks you'll still be longing for the performance of the TT. It's will be much more so on par with your GTR. Either will be a great choice, but the power of the TT is the icing on the cake.

 

No brainer: 08TT

 

find a cpo turbo that you like...you wont regret it

 

Thanks for all the comments. I haven't driven a GTS, but I found and drove a TT that I like. It was like coming home. The same rush of power like the GTR, but without it sounding like the whole car is coming apart! I agree that a GTS would look very nice, but I would still yearn for the TT. Crossing my fingers I can do a deal now!

 

You will definitely like the TT better Good luck on doing the deal and keep us posted on what you end up doing.