I’m sorry if this topic has been beat to death already. I’m getting close to making a decision, and have two cars I’m deciding between. Both are 6-spd manual cars around the same price (high $50k range). I don’t have PPI details on either yet, but I was hoping to get some of your opinions to check my gut instincts.

One is a 2008 with 87k miles on it. It’s alpine silver with black interior (carbon interior package), with about $25k worth of parts and work in the last few years (AccessPort, Kline catless exhaust, Sachs 2.5 clutch kit and BBi slave cylinder conversion, headunit, tune up, all new brake pads/rotors, DSC Sport V1 suspension controller, Avant Garde wheels with new tires, semi-solid motor mounts, coolant pipes pinned and Sharkwerks elbows). The ad from the 2014 sale indicates “APR tuned” and “New, upgraded turbochargers”, but it currently has an AccessPort, and the local shop didn’t notice anything special about the turbos. From 2008-2014 (0-78k miles) it was a California car with frequent service (shown on CarFax). From 2014-2017 (78k-82k miles) it was in Alaska with virtually no records. And in 2017 (85k miles) it came back to the US and has detailed records from the last year. I’m told the exterior is in great shape, but that the interior has some flaws and some of the carbon is yellowing and delaminating.

The other is a 2003 with 38k miles. It is a sunroofless seal grey with black interior (carbon interior package and manual adjust sport seats with red stitching). It in almost all stock with the exception of a Markski exhaust, Ohlins suspension, and ceramic tint and paint protection. From 2003-2012 (0-18k miles) the car was in New York/Massachusetts with frequent service (shown on CarFax). From 2012-2016 (18k-32k miles) it was in Oklahoma with PDF service records. Since 2016 (32k-38k miles) it has been in the Bay area (no notable records). Both interior and exterior are mint on this car.

So, I guess I’m looking for your opinions on the pros/cons of a high-miles, mildly-modified 997TT vs. a low-miles near-stock 996TT. I’ve driven several 996TT’s, but not driven a 997TT at all (scheduled to look at the car this Tuesday). The exterior (headlights) and interior of the 996 do not bother me at all (I know some people can’t stand them). I’ve read that a well-maintained high-miles 997TT with the coolant pipes addressed is often a fairly trouble-free car. I’m guessing that the lower miles 996TT may be more likely to need work (radiators replaced, coolant pipes welded, etc.) while I own it.

I have enough vehicles that I don’t put many miles on any of my cars. From a future-value standpoint, is it a crap shoot about which would be a better decision? From a driving standpoint I can appreciate the advances in the 997 (electronic AWD and damping control, improved seat/comfort). Anyway, I’m just hoping some of you that have worked through this same decision might be able to weigh in with what factors you would consider, what direction you would lean, and why. Thanks!

-Dan

 

 

I generally agree that a maintained high-mile 997 is good to go. However, that 996 in the classifieds is kind of special IMO. Nice color, upgrades and that sunroof delete option is very cool. I'd take a higher mileage 997TT if it were special in a similar way (cool color, aero kit, etc.), but otherwise that 996TT looks like a good one if you don't mind the stigma. (Personally, I've found that over the last couple years the 996 has become old enough to be officially "cool.")

 

Thank you tinman and Skwerl!

I've been doing lots of searches (cargurus included), but most of the 997TT's under $60k are either tiptronic, convertible, or high-miles manual coupes. There is one at: https://cargur.us/q4TDM but the price seems priced way too low.

I also agree about that particular 996 being somewhat special. That is one thing that really drew me to that car. I've heard many people predict that an equivalent 996TT will never sell for more than a 997TT, but both cars seem to have bottomed out. Assuming I do go to sell the car at some future point, I'm guessing a special 996TT with under 50k miles will attract more interest than a more ordinary 997TT with over 100k miles.

That said, I've read a lot of threads about high-mile 997TT's, and most people tend to agree that there is nothing particularly worrisome about them.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
-Dan

 

My missus sold my very immaculate 996 TTS (FBO RWD) for $50k... it had about 44,00 miles... she sold it cause I had to leave USA for a while.. when I heard what she sold it for I almost threw up..... but if the 997's out there with high miles can be had anywhere near the same price as a 996 Turbo and you are going to drive it then buy the higher mile, newer car... in the above example I would not pay above 50k for the 996 Turbo but if the 997 Turbo tests out okay I would pay >> 50k

Good luck

 

Ill vote for the 996.

 

Tough call.

A 997TT with coolant pipe address does sound attractive for sure!

 

I used to have a 996TT. I vote 997TT but that's MY opinion. Had mine for 4 years

 

 

IMHO Porsche 996 head/fog lights combo is ugly, 87K miles on a 10 yrs old Turbo is too high for my blood.

 

Definitely the 997. Get it checked out properly and make sure youre not leaking anything, etc. Value should hold steady or go up even if youre putting on miles

 

Thats the thing about a 996 vs 997 TT. A 996 is a good car but not perfect. The 997 was made to improve where the 996 missed, it looks. Just wait for 997 with less miles than have to have some buyers remorse later.

Its(997) really a better package than a 996. You will get your moneys worth. And its just going up in value too.

 

pricing on both SHOULD dip a little in a few months as the cool weather rolls in

 

Thank you all again for sharing your insights. Your experiences have been really helpful for me as I'm collecting my own thoughts. And Roffle Waffle makes a great point too. As the temperature drops, prices may drop a little too. I should check out the 997 and see if it's worth saving up more for a lower miles 997. Or perhaps I will find that I prefer the older, more analog model.

Whatever 911 Turbo I end up with is going to be the 7th car in our two-person household, so there's no urgent need to get a car immediately. That said, the last time I was seriously considering a 996TT the prices were about $10k under what they are now.
-Dan

 

Dan (the OP) is an old buddy of mine, and nearly bought my old 01TT back in 2013, so you know I'm rooting for him to have his first water cooled 911, whether or not it's a 996 or 997. He has enough seat time in the 996 that I think he'll know pretty quickly what he wants after trying out a 997!