I sold my 996tt(2001) about 16 months ago due to, what seemed like, monthly small fixes that always ran north of $700. I loved driving the car but got sick of the little things... That said, I've got the bug again and think I've narrowed my choices to two; 997tt or GTR. I've read a ton and know the differences, on paper, between the 08-09, and 10-12 but in real life is there that big of a difference?

I'd never considered owning an 'auto' sports car but feel like the 2010- 997tt w/ the PDK might be worth it, also it's directly comparable to the GTR, though I'm still going to look for a manual.

Any feedback on the tiptronic auto's in the 08-09 vs. the PDK, and any year that should be avoided... Also, what needs special inspection on these? I got burned on my PPI on last one(they missed the 2nd gear pop-out and I didn't know what to look for exactly-downhill deceleration)

Thanks in advance and excited to get back in the mix!

 

From what i've seen the 997TT is very reliable. Tiptronic version has the bullet proof 3.6 engine and being auto has less chance to be abused. The engine of a PDK car allows less power with bolt ons but compensate that lost with the stupid fast gearbox.

 

Have a 2007 6MT suspension, engine & gearbox seems bullet proof, even close to indestructible.

But everything else is far from the quality of a "modern" car, tons of small issues (and some larger). Leaking radiators, door switches, hydraulics for wing, seal for roof hatch, small rattles in cabin (especially on cold days).

I love the car for the power and engaging drive (would never ever even remotely consider a tip car) but it's far from my wife's Hyundai in terms of reliability or numerous BMW's I owned.

 

Thanks for the comments and I haven't seriously considered a tip but I need to drive one before really deciding.

 

997 is a better car all around but the bones are pretty much the same.
Biggiest issue is the coolant pipes coming apart, that is on both models.
Clutch issues on both with accumulators.
But just do those when you have engine out for something.

I have a 2007 and the only thing I have replaced that was worn was a tie rod. Rest is just tires, brakes, maintainence.

I have a shop and work on numerous 996 turbos and 997 and have yet to see a major failure of an engine or transmission. The 996 turbo trans can have issues but can be fixed with 997 parts.

The non-turbo ims bearings are another issue, LOL. They make me a lot of money though.

 

I have not had issues with my previous 997 or my current 997tt...its probably the SOLE turbo car Id ever own without some sort of a factory / aftermarket warranty.

 

I track my car hard and have never had an issue. I extended the warranty last year to the tune of $6k+ thinking that it would come in handy with how I use the car, and nothing has broken! Hope I can at least get my money's worth, Hah.

 

Id say the only worry of big box repairs that I would purchase warranty on would be the porsches with the IMS issue - in that case taking the *liability* of you if there is a catastrophic failure. Otherwise these cars are extremely well built compared to still some *COUGH BMW* modern day german automobiles having issue after issue that Id give up a kidney before considering driving out of warranty.

 

I was more concerned with this car nickel and diming me about smaller repairs, not really major. Under the factory warranty, I had maybe $10k/year in warranty work done. Power seat issue, convertible top, wing strut, rough ignition, etc. Even small repairs are usually pretty expensive at the dealer, so I figured $6k for 5 years of coverage was a no-brainer.