Hello All;

So here is what I know:
I am 55, 5 kids are grown, I like speed, I love motorcycles have had a dozen M/C current ride is a 2012 GoldWing that routinely hits the rev limiter. Hey It's still a motorcyclist after all.

Best car I have ever owned was a 2004 MB AMG E-55 super charged V8. Just an absolute blast to drive. Current daily driver is a MB E-350. Not a blast to drive but reliable transportation so this means I can supplement it with a fun car.

You all are a wealth of knowledge as is this website and I have been doing my research. However I have never even driven a 911 so here's where you all come in!

My gut says I want a 997.2 tt, I have been looking and they are a bit outside my price range still ($50K)
The 997.1tt makes me a bit nervousness with the whole IMS bearing thing, as do all 997.1 because if it should let go I realistically would not have the funds to get it repaired quick enough.

So with me leaning to a tt that I can't realistically afford, coupled with the fact that I have never driven any 911, and knowing that a 997.2tt with at min Sport Chrono Pkg rates a 10 in my eyes, where would you rank the following models given any personal experiences you all may have? This will not be a track car, just a fun semi-daily driver that I can leverage the great curvy roads here in VA and other such places.(no winters).

997.2tt=10
997.2 Carrera S=??
997.2 Carrera 4S=??

I look forward to reading your opinions on this.
Have a great Turkey Day all

Bill

 

Welcome and good news! The 997 Turbos do not suffer from the IMS issue. There are tons of threads on the merits and issues with all the variants. The manual vs. tiptronic vs. PDK wars wage on as well.

 

Ohh that is good news, Obviously I have missed that nugget in my research. So that can still be an option
thanks for the upddate Chris

 

You'll be hard pressed to find a .1 TT for $50k or less. Maybe if it's a Tip or cabrio with a lot of miles or accident history. A .2 Turbo will be pretty much impossible on that budget. Have you looked at 996 Turbos?

 

There are good deals to be had on 996TTs...best bang for the $$$ right now and you get a Mezger engine!!

 

I agree with everyone saying if 50k is your top dollar at the moment, a clean 996 turbo is probably your best bet. Or if mileage and pristine condition aren't the biggest concern go with a gently worn 997 turbo.

 

996 for the dollar. Most 996 would have likely had the IMS replaced with the upgraded unit.

 

Thank you all for the replies. Im not a big fan of the 996's just dont look like a 911 that I like. I did come across a 2012 911 Black Edition Cab with 20K mi for 52K from the dealer I bought my MB from so if they make good on the trade in I should be able to swing this no problem. It's not a TT but I think I can live with that to "Get into a 911"
Pluses - black on black, Sport Chrono, Bose, PDK, mint condition
Minuses - black on black (:-) ), no TT Wing which I love.

We will see when they call me as luck would have it they have my MB now getting warranty work done to it. Not the first time I pick up a different car from the one I brought in for service!

 

I think you need to drive a TT before you settle for something else.

I had a 996 Carerra, 6 speed, headers, tune, exhaust. Sounded awesome, drove great, but I felt it was under powered and looked dated.

I sold it for more power with a SL55 which I loved. I still craved another 911, but swore it would be a 997TT stick. I didn't realize how hard it would be to find a nice, low mileage, accident free car with the "must have options.

I recently found mine with 14k miles with all the "must have" options and all I can say it, WOW, what a car.

I think buying a non TT will leave you wanting more, it did me. Drive one back to back if you can, you will know what to buy.

Keep this in mind, once having a TT, it doesn't take much to dial in another 100 plus HP. That is the beauty of a turbo (or SC) vehicle. That is the insurance that keeps me intrigued above all of the other benefits the 911 provides.

My TT is my go to vehicle to drive, that says a lot for me to say...

Good luck in your search...

 

There is no comparison between normally aspirated vehicles and turbocharged vehicles. If you have waited enter into the 911 world, do yourself a favor and save up the extra 15K and look for a 6 speed MT (also another no comparison deal with a PDK) 997. There are issues with 997 (pinning coolant pipes & cams and clutch slave to name a few), but if you can find a low mileage, no or limited tracked example, you will have some time to plan for those items and be able to drive one of life's intrinsically pleasing vehicle, albeit it one that can bite you in the *** if you overdrive it in the wrong conditions.

 

I agree with what others have said here. If you like power and speed, which it seems you do, there is a big difference between a regular Carrera and a 911 Turbo. I have a 996 Cab as well as my 997TT and the difference in acceleration is night and day. I am probably a bit colored, as my previous cars have been highly modified (a race-prepped Lotus Exige and a track-prepped 3rd gen RX-7), so even a 500 hp 911 turbo feels a bit light on power. It’s a bit of a Catch-22. You should either drive a turbo so you understand the magnitude of the difference and consider spending a bit more, or perhaps avoid it completely so you don’t end up unhappy with whatever naturally aspirated 911 variant you end up with.