drive them both.....

Many good points and all of which I agree with. Thank you for your opinion.

Let me address each :
1) I'm not an olympic swimmer but I still jump in the pool . In short anyone who drives the car is somhow linking himself to its capabilities --just at differrent driving levels . Just because a car has high Hp does not mean it has to be driven full throttle like a racecar driver . BUT --its there for you to learn . If one never jumps in the pool , he never learns how to swim .

2)You want a sports car that's slower? Why not just have the fast one and drive it slow ? If gives the choice that if you ever want to go faster --it's there.

3) Warranty -- He get a little less time but on a highly reliable engine . The 09 997S is a new engine in many ways and with that can come some growing pains . The Gt1 engine is a proven benchmark . It leaves no doubts.

4) Price will be near equal . An 07 997tt used will cost almost the same as a new 997S with some options . It ought not be much of factor UNLESS he waits until the 09's are here . He won't be the only person with that idea and used Turbo prices will go up when dealerships see customers wanting that Turbo instead .

If one gets accustomed to the Turbo Hp , basic tweaking the engine is within reach and quite simple . If you are in California my guess is the day you see other tuned 997tt cars you will re examine that position . What's most interesting with the Turbo is the ability one has to take a great car and create a unique customized beast with some of the modifications available.

Here's an impressive one that from your region that is at 600 (in case 700 sounds too much) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCdVce4MdS8 .

I'm on the other side of the map . If you make it to Florida you are more than welcome to see my car and even though I have not met some of the other Turbo drivers yet (regional meets are at 8AM on Sunday --never happen for me) there's a lot of great cars here.

I have video of mine but not on youtube . Mass if you want to see my car let me know. I have yet to film it on the 700kit . All mine clips are at 600 . I only recently made the jump to 700 about three months ago .

You're very welcome.

Good luck with your decision. The good news is that I don't think you can really make a bad choice either way.

And let me offer a rebuttal.
1) The "measly" 355bhp (380 for an '09) is already more horsepower than I can safely use on the streets in 90% of circumstances. You may disagree, but IMO most of us are kidding ourselves when we say we really need more power. Would it be nice to have? Sure. Can I safely use it here in S. CA? Absolutely not.
2) I didn't say I wanted a car that was slower. What I said is that sports cars are emotional things for me. And the ability to pick and choose the colors and options that I would get on my car is very important to me. With all the custom options that Porsche offers us, how lucky would you have to be to find a used turbo that was outfitted exactly how you wanted it? You might find something close but you know what that's called? Settling.
3) The motor isn't the only thing under warranty. Frankly, I'm not worried at all about the drivetrain, brakes and suspension on my car. What worries me is all the very expensive electronic doo dads. I don't even want to think what replacing the PCM headunit runs.
4) Not according to the OP. His original query stated a $20,000 price difference and that's where I pulled that figure from. To regular Joe's like me... that's still a lot of clams.

The morale is that to each his own.

I'm definitely in the minority here and that's not a problem from my perspective. The OP asked for opinions, and he got mine.

Enjoy whatever your drive.

I have like many on here had both,but I would actually go for the non turbo,I just think it has more soul and actually is a more rewarding drive.The Turbo is so quick and has so much grip I actually felt a bit detached from the experience.
But try them both and see which one you prefer,they are both awesome.

To me there is nothing more "rewardable" than owning a car with the capacity to smoke the competition --even if I choose NOT to use it , just knowing its there is in itself a reward .

The 997S does offer a seamless acceleration which differs from the Turbo yet it lacks the AWD and lsd found in the Turbo , (also in the Gt3 and Gt2 --BTW) .

The essense of the Turbo is the dry sump engine as opposed to a wet sump (again only found in Gt cars too) .

To each his own and I do understand the appeal of the 997S . I almost bought one instead of the M3 which my girlfriend drives and I owned two 997S since Aug 04 (launch) . We needed the space offered in the M3 .

One can't lose with either car -but a modified Turbo is needed for those who want more than just the elegance and sophistication -- they want to go for the win too !!!

Here's some entertainment -- in closing.

M6 Vs 997tt -Both stock -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmIkQnTzwec

F430 Vs 997tt --Both stock --http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaS2wWbbWS8

997tt (Tiptronic) - M5 Touring - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02btTj97m0Y

997tt Vs Gallardo -- look at this 997tt pull hard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF5YoAz67DM

These are stock Turbos -- Modified the gap widens immensely !!!

[quote=Da Hapa;1996432]And let me offer a rebuttal.
The "measly" 355bhp (380 for an '09) is already more horsepower than I can safely use on the streets in 90% of circumstances. You may disagree, but IMO most of us are kidding ourselves when we say we really need more power. Would it be nice to have? Sure. Can I safely use it here in S. CA? Absolutely not.[quote]

My 07 Honda Civic Si (third car used for supermarkets and shopping malls) is enough power for street use . I'm not selling my 997 turbo though. To me coming to 6speedonline and modifying my car and seeing the improvements is an extension of my creativity as a car owner with the assistance of the forum and the technicians who are the core of its development .

I can get more enjoyment out of the Turbo because its design and engineeering are built on a platform with more growth potential than a 997S .

To me -- my car is art , special . It may not be "needed" yet I could not imagine having lived without having had the experience.

Here is a detailed comparison of the Gt3 Vs 997tt .

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/H...GT3_162632.htm

Dahapa and Yrralis:

I greatly appreciate both of your insight in this matter. I truly am confused and the more I think the more confused I become. I've only been a Porsche owner for 1.5 years so "merely" owning a Carrera S is still beyond a dream to me. I have always wanted a turbo and someday I may get that, maybe even in the immediate future. Part of me feels like I am not quite ready for the turbo, if that makes any sense. Allow me to address the 4 points made by each of you in my opinion.

1. With the exception of a track, and even that is questionable, no one on any public road in America should be driving more than 100mph. I could argue all day on how people think their car is safe, stable or that they are an accomplished driver. The reality is there are so many other variables out of our control that could happen and that likelihood is amplified at greater speeds. Now, am I advocating we all drive a Hyundai because that will hit 100mph? Of course not. I truly enjoy driving a Porsche at any speed and get an immense joy out of every single drive. But, I cannot advocate that a 700HP car is remotely necessary. Fact is, 385 hp is so much more than you need to get yourself in a lot of trouble in CA, either by multiple tickets or worse, by accident. What I am trying to say is, the S is more than fast enough and 99% of drivers can't drive more than 7/10s of it's potential, either by lack of skill or by lack of proper roads. Yet, I still want a turbo someday, go figure. I think it's necessary for most Porsche owners, myself included, to go to driving events and really learn how to drive their car, which from what I've heard is much more enjoyable and beneficial than going fast in a straight line with a million hp.

2. This car is a very emotional purchase. I am connected to the car and the fact that I can choose, and did choose, from 30 pages of options makes this car unique and "mine." It is impossible for me to find a turbo with remotely the options I have chosen. In fact, I bet I would have to compromise on color, which I imagine many other owners who did not order their car did as well. My color choice on the next car is guards red. Not that common. The question remains is this compromise large enough to forgo the huge performance improvement of the turbo in exchange for building a car that no one else has and that I built.

3. With regards to warranty, the engine is the least of my concerns. Most of these cars are bulletproof, but there is a certain sense of security in purchasing a brand new car, or any item for that matter, with full knowledge that no one has done anything to compromise it, regardless of what a CPO may provide. Certainly that security is worth something or no one would ever buy a new product.

4. My 09 with options is coming to mid 90s. I have not see a turbo under 115. If anyone knows of ones that are in the low 100s, then it is now a 10k difference. May not sound like much, but you have to draw the line someplace. Additionally, with a turbo, I know I will want to modify it, which means more money later.

Finally, I have heard countless times by people and magazines that the turbo is more of a GT cruiser in stock form and even less raw than the stock Carrera. Probably due to the 4 wheel drive and turbo lag and weight, etc. So without spending 20K in mods to drastically alter the suspension and all the bolt on mods to reduce turbo lag, you have a car that is probably less aggressive than a Carrera. Granted after the 20k, you now have a monster, but now we are talking almost 40k more.

With the vast improvements in 09: LSD, Sports suspension, much stronger engine, different exhaust, better oil pumps, DFI, better crankcase, better cams, I would imagine that the new S is going to drive even that much better than the old S. They really have created a new car and purposefully did not call it a 998.

To me, there is no question that the turbo is much faster, more exclusive, will hold it's value better, much easier to mod, and is a great deal currently. But for the reasons that I and Dehapa have listed, I really think it's hard to get away from the 2009 S.

Now that I wrote a novel and probably bored the crap out of everyone, for you few people who prefer an S and for the even fewer who have a stock turbo and believe that the S is indeed more raw and more responsive, please give me your insight.

I really enjoy this dialogue and it is invaluable to me.

Franki,

Please elaborate on your opinion that the S is more rewarding.

Btw, yrrallis, the new 09S has LSD.

carrera S no questions asked just make sure it comes with an aerokit

The great thing about Porsches are that a variety of models are offered . Keep in mind that the 115K car would sell new for 150K .

I am not sure how an "emotional" purchase fuses with logic . It can be argued that even a C2S is over the top in terms of price and Hp for street use .

It took me 5 months with my C2S and a set of F77 mods to begin questioning . I saw the change when I customized that car and before I even swaped the wheels and suspension I traded it in for a Turbo .

In jumping to 700 Hp what i found with the Evoms modified Turbos is that lag is reduced to the point where the car almost feels normally aspirated . It's an absolute monster .

Press in the pedal and I can't even describe what it feels like to have precision linear acceleration combined with tidal wave of power . It's low level flying and with the Techart suspension and kit it simply rips the ground surface .

Sitting in the cabin with my Tubi's roaring is driving bliss to me yet I can I can still feel comfy driving it 5 MPH next to a Prius in traffic .

Just because a car has 700 Hp does not mean it can't just trod down the street BUt make no mistake the car is spectacular in a way that only was attainable with a Turbo .

You mention the Porsche as a"dream" and I can relate and I am on my 8th . As a child when I dreamt of a Porsche of my own I never envisioned that I would want anything other than the fastest Porsche that i could afford .

I am older now --but I never forgot . Creating this car kept me in touch with a very special part of myself and even if I happen to drive 5 MPH I am glad I made my dream come true to this level .

Not even close. TT.