you pay half I'll pay half, and well switch every other weekend

 

Yikes Larry, I think you're saying I'm ridin a transgender! Just between us friends, I'm lovin it - I hope that doesn't make me a bad person!
Bob

 

Well, there's gotta be a reason it's so popular out East

How are you finding the conversion Bob? I know you obviously took this route yourself but did it involve a similar thought process comparing with a newer 911?

 

I'd love to but the trouble is, you'd never get me out of it. I'd sleep in it if I could

 

Hi Dave,
I never considered the 997.2. I know it's a substantial update, but I think if I was going to go that route, I'd wait until the 998 (or whatever it will be called). My '06 997 C4 had already lost a lot of its value so I thought spending the money on the TPC turbo was like getting a whole new experience for a lot less money than the new car.

I don't doubt Larry's and others points about complicating trade-in, but I have all the original parts which I can swap back and unless I win the lottery I think I'll be driving this one for a long while.

The car's been great. Very fast and I love the sound of the new exhaust. I have no regrets. TPC's also been very good to deal with. If you were closer you could go for a test ride in my car and be convinced.
Bob

 

It doesn't make you a bad person.
It doesn't make it a bad car either.

What it does do however is make it a different car . By "different" I mean that it no longer fits into an OEM Porsche category and with (approx) 8 models of 911 Porsche to choose from you have created a 9th model .

Most of the modified cars are tuned versions . They are either enhanced 997 Turbos or normally aspirated cars where the base config has been tested by Porsche . With an aftermarket Turbo on a 997S platform it's a different domain than simply tuning a car. You have created a new model and with that might come some benefit but also some doubts.

The biggest doubt in the original posters scenario is that his car already has 37K miles and adding this kit NOW to face selling it someday with over 50K miles can translate into more financial cost than buying a new car -which was his biggest detterent .

In short -the whole premise of his move is to save money when in essense he will lose more money going this route.

 

Larry, I have high esteem for your insights which I enjoy following, but I didn't see a detailed financial analysis in your response to justify your conclusion so I'll offer up two simple areas that worth thinking about when modding. I think you've got to look at the time you want to hold onto your car and how much you will enjoy the car after the modifications.

This forum encourages and provides commentary on all sorts of modifications. Few of the posters get anywhere near 100% of their investments in modifications returned to them when they sell their cars. If you turn in your cars on a frequent basis, it may not be the best investment to add mods. And in your own posts you've commented on planning on holding on to your turbo for a long time because of the depreciation hit you've already taken and the costs to upgrade to another turbo. Presumably that's been your mindset when you've added new wheels and air intake systems on your previous S. So, whether proven correct or otherwise many of us plan on holding on to our cars for a while. And that makes modifications less of a financial concern as the cars will be depreciating already during our ownership.

Most important for me is the joy of driving the car itself. If I wanted something utilitarian, I'd lease a Toyota Camry for 3-4 years and then get another. Yes, that would be cost effective. But life's too short to not find joy in getting from one place to another. And for me I think the turbo option provided a cost effective modification. It included a new exhaust system, something that folks pay several thousand for and a turbo that dramatically changes the performance profile of the car. And I have all the original parts so I could put the car back to its original state if I had to sell it stock.

Got to go enjoy my car....

 

I think it's a mix of all your points.

First, I agree that highly modded cars aren't worth to the gen public what they are in the owner's eyes. Only he has been through the process and spent the time and money. I received more offers and for higher prices on my Lexus GS after I took out my C/O and wheels (don't know if that classifies as mods, but u get my point).

That being said, the TPC add on is not irreversible. If you are cool spending over $10K on a turbo kit with the possibility of having to spend more $$$ to remove it, and then hope to get $.40-.50 on the dollar back for what you paid, and that marginal difference is worth the enjoyment for you, then I say go for it. At the end of the day, maybe you are out $6-7K over what you would normally be. Your car, if put back to stock, isn't necessarily worth any less than if you never modded it at all. The depreciation curve will slow down over next couple of years (it's already take an 40-50% hit off MSRP at this point).

Conversely, you take a bath now on your car, and spend another $80K on a newer 997.2S, you are in the same undesirable position 2+ years from now. A 4 yr old car worth about $50-55K. I'm sure the next owner will appreciate you taking the $30K hit for him... That's extra dime that can go to your next car purchase...

 

ABSOLUTELY. The 997.2 TT is vastly superior in so many ways. Do it if you have the means you won't be sorry. In addition you get a new 4yr/50k mile warranty

 

If I could afford a 997.2 TT we wouldn't even be having this discussion! Of course that's the ideal situation but I can either have one now and have to live and sleep in it for the rest of my life, or I can put the money towards med school and ensure there will be a garage to put it in

 

Looking at all this seriosly enough - do you really feel you need way more power when you drive your car now?

 

I probably don't *need* it, but do I want it? YES.

I've spent my life driving Italian/German super cars and while I appreciate the engine and its finesse in the C2S, I would love a little more punch when I put my foot down.

 

LOL...IF this is true,makes me think of an old saying......."Anything more than a handful is a waste"....if that was true the plastic surgeons(boobie Dr.'s) of the world would be broke.....

Do the turbo.....TRUST me even though you don't need the extra power,you sure will enjoy it!

Stacy

 

lol.

 

I completely understand ,I was on a track recently and my car has springs and sways and rcompound tires.Around the turns I was keeping up with Lambo SG and even a GT3 RS.but once we hit the 1.5 mile straight they pasted me like I was standing still.I don't want that to happend again thats why I am getting the turbo hope fully soon.Still saving.