So I believe I've narrowed down my choices btwn a 2011 Boxster Spyder and a 911 Turbo and I'm leaning towards the 911 TT since I want to have a powerful car for once and manual Spyders are hard to come by without paying a premium.
I've autocrossed my Boxster S several times and I absolutely loved how it performed. There's not one thing I disliked about my Boxster S during autocross.
Now I'd like to know how the 997TT performs during autocross. I've read that once the turbos are able to spool up, you have to brake. Can I even enjoy autocross in a 997TT without major suspension upgrades?
When I make the purchase, I'm looking at getting wheels/tires, exhaust, and ECU.
Thanks!

*edit*
I plan on transitioning to more track time/HPDE events as I prefer that than autocross. I just like autocross because it's quick (close by), I get to safely test the limits/grip of my Porsche, and relatively inexpensive.
I'd just like to know if I'd still enjoy a 911 Turbo in autocross and if it's still fun to drive at lower speeds. I love the raw/responsive characteristics of my Boxster S and I just fear that I will be moving into a fast but bigger/heavier GT car/cruiser w understeer.

 

I wouldn't waste your time auto crossing a turbo, go to a high speed track and use that horsepower. Leave ax to the boosters and Miata crowd, those low power momentum cars do well on short tight ax courses. I'm not a fan of AX, too much wear and tear, chasing cones around a parking lot.

 

If you like to auto-x the turbos won't do great competitively, if you're doing it for fun, knock yourself out but you'll do better on open track events.
Auto-x is a great starting point if you haven't done real track events yet but once you start tracking its hard to go back.

Good Luck.

 

It really does not matter what kind of mods you do to the tt, the car is not built for small courses and low speed turning.

The boxster S is going to be more competitive in the category it falls under, which I believe is AS, correct? The TT will probably be in SS.

The turbo is a heavy car; it also has fairly narrow tires up front. Most of the grip is in the rear, so you will tend to understeer at first and then once you finally get traction, all the weight from the back will come around you - makes for awesome spins.

If you get the TT, fully enjoy it, but take it to the track where you will really get to smile about the boost and power.

Cheers!

 

Thanks for the replies so far. I figured a GT3 is more suitable for my needs it that will be further down the line in the next few years.

I plan on transitioning to more track time/HPDE events as I prefer that than autocross. I just like autocross because it's quick (close by), I get to safely test the limits/grip of my Porsche, and relatively inexpensive.
I'd just like to know if I'd still enjoy a 911 Turbo in autocross and if it's still fun to drive at lower speeds. I love the raw/responsive characteristics of my Boxster S and I just fear that I will be moving into a fast but bigger/heavier GT car/cruiser w understeer.

 

There's a guy in a 991 C2 that's killing the GT3s locally in AutoX
I think his name is Adil and he's pretty good but just to show u you don't need a gt3 to have fun.

 

A turbo setup correctly can easily outrun GT3's. The only issue I have found is, that it will cost more to do it!

 

I bet! But besides the lower hp, the 991 is probably better suited for the track/autocross: naturally aspirated, RWD. The 991 C2 beat an M4 on a short track even with 75 hp less.

I'm just questioning the power delivery (turbo) and understeer from the AWD, as well as the heavier weight. I read that some people have said that in autocross by the time the turbos have spooled up you have to brake.

I'm thinking at least lightweight wheels, probably Ultraleggeras, springs, rear sway bars.

 

I'll be autoXing for the first time this sunday in my TT. Can report back, but i'm not doing this competitively, just more for fun.

 

Nice, can't wait to hear about it. Do you track your car or a previous car?

 

Never done an AutoX but have done a couple HPDEs in my M3 about 4-5 years ago. Was fun. Eventually ill get the turbo on a track too.

 

This. It's fun, safe, and short. HPDE is much more fun, a bit more risk, though.

 

Ah okay cool. Looking forward to hearing about it.

I would like a car that is capable of doing both Autocross and HPDE. I'm looking for a driver's car, not a GT car. I've seen many GT3's and some 997TT's when I do autocross with the PCA although I've never paid attention to their time or watch them since I'm focused on my run.

I did a quick search and this 997TT looks like it had a good run with slight oversteer at one point.

This is possibly driver error but it looks like a lot of oversteer here:

 

most of all the above look to be driver error, which is expected

 

I was referencing the C2 to the Gt3 Incase you were considering the GT3, I just wanted to let you know the C2 on the Auto-X would make you competitive.
As for the Turbo, I've Auto-X my 996TT twice so far. Depending on the layout I'm mostly in second gear rarely shifting into 3rd. I Try to avoid hitting the limiter in in the TT but keep the revs up and you'll always be in boost above 3k. I was on Michelin PSS 245 upfront and 305 rear and would still plow. Most of the other Porsches (boxters, caymans, gt3 usually had dedicated AUTO-X tires).
I've been Auto-X'ing since 2000 mostly in MR2s (turbos and non-turbos). Even in those cars the non-turbos still did better.
Its not about power but power delivery, the gearing and powerband down low helps out more than top end.
Over time I stopped worrying about getting trophies and just did it for fun. I never had the time and money to fully prep a car with full suspension and tires. And even in stock classes, without the best tires it was hard to come in first in class.

Enjoy it tho but now I'm looking forward to doing more track events in the turbo....