Better Drive... 997TT or 997S?
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Hi there
You have got to drive both for sure. I've driven both and if you can afford the best solution is to take both, but for me I could not afford both and the Turbo was stretching it, so I went with a spec'd up 997 S, Aerokit, Ceramics, X51 etc.
Turbo Advantages:-
Incredible in-gear acceleration and acceleration full stop (0-100mph in 8s stock)
Hugely tunable on 997.1 TT, easy and affordable to get 600-650BHP (0-100mph in 6s region)
Great traction and safety from 4WD system.
Generally more reliable as derived from GT1 engine.
Sound of the turbos ripping up the road is rather cool.
997 S X51 aerokit Advantages:-
Zero lag, very sensitive throttle with instant pick up.
More rawer driving experience, as close to GT3 as it gets without been a GT3
Incredible sound, engine note/snarl really shines through.
Considered a more purist driving experience, sharper front end, quicker steering etc.
Weighs far less 1390kg vs 1550kg
For me in the twisties and on trackdays I find the 997 S a more purer and fun experience as its a lot more engaging and the engine wants to rev a lot more naturally and faster all in all making it the better drive on country/twisty roads and track days.
The turbo however, nothing can beat the grin on your face when those turbos spool up and propel you to warp speed. The additional traction can sometimes come into use on those really wet days or for more novice drivers, but if your a good driver a C2S or GT3 has more than enough grip. The turbo is the better cruiser and has incredible power and tuning it can see another 150-200BHP for relative little money at which point the performance on offer is truly amazing and internal organ re-arranging.
I'd say the 997 S is a more sharper precise tool and in the right spec is ideal for those who want but can't afford a GT3 or want a GT3 like car but with everyday usability.
The 997 TT is more for those who want great straight line power, enjoy tuning their cars to make them even quicker but still enjoy the twisties as its 90% as good as the C2S in such situations and for the novice driver has the more sure footedness though the power can still get you in trouble.
Like I said if you can afford both, get both.
You have got to drive both for sure. I've driven both and if you can afford the best solution is to take both, but for me I could not afford both and the Turbo was stretching it, so I went with a spec'd up 997 S, Aerokit, Ceramics, X51 etc.
Turbo Advantages:-
Incredible in-gear acceleration and acceleration full stop (0-100mph in 8s stock)
Hugely tunable on 997.1 TT, easy and affordable to get 600-650BHP (0-100mph in 6s region)
Great traction and safety from 4WD system.
Generally more reliable as derived from GT1 engine.
Sound of the turbos ripping up the road is rather cool.
997 S X51 aerokit Advantages:-
Zero lag, very sensitive throttle with instant pick up.
More rawer driving experience, as close to GT3 as it gets without been a GT3
Incredible sound, engine note/snarl really shines through.
Considered a more purist driving experience, sharper front end, quicker steering etc.
Weighs far less 1390kg vs 1550kg
For me in the twisties and on trackdays I find the 997 S a more purer and fun experience as its a lot more engaging and the engine wants to rev a lot more naturally and faster all in all making it the better drive on country/twisty roads and track days.
The turbo however, nothing can beat the grin on your face when those turbos spool up and propel you to warp speed. The additional traction can sometimes come into use on those really wet days or for more novice drivers, but if your a good driver a C2S or GT3 has more than enough grip. The turbo is the better cruiser and has incredible power and tuning it can see another 150-200BHP for relative little money at which point the performance on offer is truly amazing and internal organ re-arranging.
I'd say the 997 S is a more sharper precise tool and in the right spec is ideal for those who want but can't afford a GT3 or want a GT3 like car but with everyday usability.
The 997 TT is more for those who want great straight line power, enjoy tuning their cars to make them even quicker but still enjoy the twisties as its 90% as good as the C2S in such situations and for the novice driver has the more sure footedness though the power can still get you in trouble.
Like I said if you can afford both, get both.
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Manifold -- I am totally with you on the Rs 4.0 .
Just to clarrify .. when I said "Gt3" I was splitting hairs over the models. The 4.0 was not out yet .
Just to clarrify .. when I said "Gt3" I was splitting hairs over the models. The 4.0 was not out yet .
The biggest snag isn't the car .. nor the price . i actually feel its decently priced for what the car offers . I just can't imagine owning one and driving it on the streets of South Florida . The road construction and carelessness amongst many of the drivers is not the ideal setting for any supercar . As it is .. I find myself driving my Porsches less than my M3 and Honda more .
Sadly .. even the M3 is too nice a vehicle for this place .
Sadly .. even the M3 is too nice a vehicle for this place .
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I like the feel of a normally aspirated engine compared to a turbo because the torque curve is more linear. Turbo cars tend to come on very strong which tends to make the vehicle get away from you at times. The TT would be a sick car to own and I wouldn't kick it to the curb but if I had the money I'd buy a GT3 over a TT. I'd probably even pick the C2S over the TT.
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So I just drove an 08 997TT today. I recall reading all of these articles talking about how great the 996TT is but how the 997TT is even better - and how they all but eliminated turbo lag etc.
Well I beg to differ. The car was an absolute beast on boost. But it definitely had lag. On an NA 500hp car if you burry the gas from a dead stop (without dropping the clutch) you get an instant response. With the 997TT there is a few seconds before it rips your neck off!
Anyhow, I digress. So I'm wondering if the 997TT is a case of more is not always more. I have not driven a 997S yet but plan to. Seems like the NA while slower could be a purer driving experience - better sound, quicker throttle response etc.
Anyone driven or owned both? Or shopped both and can give some feedback on which they think is the better drive?
Well I beg to differ. The car was an absolute beast on boost. But it definitely had lag. On an NA 500hp car if you burry the gas from a dead stop (without dropping the clutch) you get an instant response. With the 997TT there is a few seconds before it rips your neck off!
Anyhow, I digress. So I'm wondering if the 997TT is a case of more is not always more. I have not driven a 997S yet but plan to. Seems like the NA while slower could be a purer driving experience - better sound, quicker throttle response etc.
Anyone driven or owned both? Or shopped both and can give some feedback on which they think is the better drive?
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Good point. In the same vein, I think it's more important for a road car to feel fast rather than be fast. Since we're not racing, the point is to have fun, rather than to get from A to B as quickly as possible.
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Your point is why I bought the carrera instead of an M3. The Porsche felt much more "alive" to me.
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Likewise for me. It came down to the 911S cab and M3 vert, and the Porsche was an easy winner based on the fun factor (despite the considerably higher cost).
Last edited by Manifold; Oct 10, 2011 at 06:00 PM.
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Wow...isn't this the truth. I went to the Gym yesterday and parked on a corner spot so I could hug the curb. Wouldn't you know it....some stepford wife parks so close to my car anyway. No door dings thank god but give me a break! Same thing happen at the store the other day...I actually went back out to my car to move it because some goofball parked so close to my car. I drive the F150 Truck or GTI more often now because I cannot handle the brain damage parking the PCar.
Manifold -- I am totally with you on the Rs 4.0 .
Just to clarrify .. when I said "Gt3" I was splitting hairs over the models. The 4.0 was not out yet .
The biggest snag isn't the car .. nor the price . i actually feel its decently priced for what the car offers . I just can't imagine owning one and driving it on the streets of South Florida . The road construction and carelessness amongst many of the drivers is not the ideal setting for any supercar . As it is .. I find myself driving my Porsches less than my M3 and Honda more .
Sadly .. even the M3 is too nice a vehicle for this place .
Just to clarrify .. when I said "Gt3" I was splitting hairs over the models. The 4.0 was not out yet .
The biggest snag isn't the car .. nor the price . i actually feel its decently priced for what the car offers . I just can't imagine owning one and driving it on the streets of South Florida . The road construction and carelessness amongst many of the drivers is not the ideal setting for any supercar . As it is .. I find myself driving my Porsches less than my M3 and Honda more .
Sadly .. even the M3 is too nice a vehicle for this place .
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,335
From: Rye, NY
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Wow...isn't this the truth. I went to the Gym yesterday and parked on a corner spot so I could hug the curb. Wouldn't you know it....some stepford wife parks so close to my car anyway. No door dings thank god but give me a break! Same thing happen at the store the other day...I actually went back out to my car to move it because some goofball parked so close to my car. I drive the F150 Truck or GTI more often now because I cannot handle the brain damage parking the PCar.
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From: Denver, CO
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I am also a NA owner as i have both a 997tt and a 997S . hands down I'd pick the Turbo .. so much so that i bought the 997S in part to preserve the miles on the Turbo in order to keep it long term .
As for cost .. you are right .. the car should have been a 10 second car in stock form but perhaps porsche didn't want average drivers crashing them on public roads (so they made the car tame ) . They made a luxury power car much like an AMG Benz. (which BTW is expensive too)
When they revised the car with the 997.2tt they made significant improvemenrs yet the car can not be modified to the same levels as the 997.1tt. So it really boils down to whether the owner prefers getting a great stock car vs buildiing an amazing modded car .
As for the 997S .. it offers a balance . It's not a Gt3. It's not a Turbo . it's not even as fast as cars which cost less .
So in both categories it lacks the same greatness but what it does have is the versatilty that the others lack .
I have driven both of my cars back to back . There really is no comparison . Both are modded with quality parts .
I like my 997S .. but am in love with my Turbo . Big difference.
As for cost .. you are right .. the car should have been a 10 second car in stock form but perhaps porsche didn't want average drivers crashing them on public roads (so they made the car tame ) . They made a luxury power car much like an AMG Benz. (which BTW is expensive too)
When they revised the car with the 997.2tt they made significant improvemenrs yet the car can not be modified to the same levels as the 997.1tt. So it really boils down to whether the owner prefers getting a great stock car vs buildiing an amazing modded car .
As for the 997S .. it offers a balance . It's not a Gt3. It's not a Turbo . it's not even as fast as cars which cost less .
So in both categories it lacks the same greatness but what it does have is the versatilty that the others lack .
I have driven both of my cars back to back . There really is no comparison . Both are modded with quality parts .
I like my 997S .. but am in love with my Turbo . Big difference.
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From: South Florida
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Manifold -- I am totally with you on the Rs 4.0 .
Just to clarrify .. when I said "Gt3" I was splitting hairs over the models. The 4.0 was not out yet .
The biggest snag isn't the car .. nor the price . i actually feel its decently priced for what the car offers . I just can't imagine owning one and driving it on the streets of South Florida . The road construction and carelessness amongst many of the drivers is not the ideal setting for any supercar . As it is .. I find myself driving my Porsches less than my M3 and Honda more .
Sadly .. even the M3 is too nice a vehicle for this place .
Just to clarrify .. when I said "Gt3" I was splitting hairs over the models. The 4.0 was not out yet .
The biggest snag isn't the car .. nor the price . i actually feel its decently priced for what the car offers . I just can't imagine owning one and driving it on the streets of South Florida . The road construction and carelessness amongst many of the drivers is not the ideal setting for any supercar . As it is .. I find myself driving my Porsches less than my M3 and Honda more .
Sadly .. even the M3 is too nice a vehicle for this place .
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From: Los Angeles
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Had both.
If you want a faster, quieter and more comfortable car, get the turbo.
If you want a lighter, more agile car with a more pure driving experience and also sounds better, get the Carrera S, or better yet, get a GTS with a manual.
If you want a faster, quieter and more comfortable car, get the turbo.
If you want a lighter, more agile car with a more pure driving experience and also sounds better, get the Carrera S, or better yet, get a GTS with a manual.
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