Hi All,

Lately, I've been looking for a clean 996TT and I've actually been in discussions since December with a owner who has exactly what I want. I haven't seen the car yet because it is in storage for winter and won't be available until mid/late Feb.

So I was speaking with the wife this weekend and she gave me to "green light" to get a 997 which was a huge surprise. Now I'm 50/50 on whether I go for the 996 or wait for my 997.

Price/Power: 996 $50-$53K for full bolt-on car vs 997 $65K for likely just exhaust/tune. Mileage the same across both cars, 40-50K

The car I'm looking at has the mods below. My guess is there would be some significant power difference between the 996 below and a 997 tune/exhaust setup?

I prefer the 997 look over the 996, but don't know if its worth giving up the car below + $15K more. If there isn't a significant power difference between the two, then I may wait for the 997 but I think the 996 I have lined up may be a lot of car for the $.

Engine
K24 / 68HTA billet turbos w/ 1bar wastegates from Sambo
Older style Evoms headers
Walbro 450 in tank pump
Siemens 650cc injectors
911tuning 2.5" intake
997.2 GT2 Intercoolers (have 996 GT2 IC's as well)
Dual 3" - dual 2.5" Unobtainium exhaust (have 996 GT2 exhaust as well)
Samco F-hose
Bosch 710N diverter valves
Custom tuned by Markski of 911tuning

Drivetrain
Sharkwerks Sport clutch kit - essentially all sachs racing components that uses stock flywheel set up for good driveability.
Bilstein pss10 fully adjustable coilovers (still have stock suspension)
Tarret - front droplinks
Torque Solutions - Rear adjustable toe links
Torque Solutions - Engine mounts
Cargraphics 19" Forged 3 piece "Race" edition wheels

 

OP,

that looks to be a well sorted/modded 996 you posted.

that being said, it were my money............... I'd still get the 997.

My opinion is based solely on looks and styling.. yours may not be.



my .02

good luck

 

Hey Hitter,

I just moved from a 996T (quite modified, but stock turbos) to a stock 997.2T, it is getting an exhaust tomorrow (maybe a tune). My 996 was similarly sorted and was BLAST to drive, I traded it in to Stevens Creek Porsche, so you may want to drive it and see what you think. It will at least give you a feel in case you haven't driven a modified 996T before-- Maybe I can help there as well, I think it just went up on their site as being for sale this weekend, but it is mislabled and lame pictures.

I know I will miss the rawness of the 996, but the 997.2 is quite a vehicle. LMK how I can help-- KH

EDIT
Here's the link:
http://www.stevenscreekporsche.com/d...-16057847.html
As you can see, it is identified as a Carrera (which it is), but if you look carefully, it's a Turbo. It also says it's an auto, but it's a 6 speed, the mileage is right, I guess they just wanted to throw it up on the site ASAP

 

Just go drive them and see what you like. That car and a tune and exhaust 997 will be pretty close on pump gas.

 

I wish it was that easy. There are none local to me that I'd buy. The 996 is up in Canada and the 997 is over in Arizona.

There are 997 cars local but they are asking $80-$90K and I don't feel right wasting someones time just to drive their car knowing I'd never buy it.

 

Appreciate the feedback on this. I've driven a 996 with exhaust/tune and also got to do a single pull in a exhaust/tune 997 and from a power perspective, I could feel a difference in power delivery.

The 996 continued to build boost as it climbed, where the 997 seemed like it got to full boost quicker and again just continued to pull to redline.

My vehicle history is of all kinds, the latest being a 97 Viper (440rwhp/470rwtq). I loved the low end torque, but the car was just too big and too heavy for my liking. It seems as though the Porsche will give me that (more torque than my Viper?) and be able to be nimble/confidence to carve through the canyons.

I've heard people say the 996 is more "raw" vs the 997 but I think anything coming from the Viper, nothing will be more raw than that, and I honestly don't mind it since it will be my weekend car.

I just think, a well put together exhaust/tuned 997 will be "easier" and potentially less problematic, vs a highly modified 996 even though that car has plenty of preventative maintenance done and seems solid. I just don't want to be disappointed from a power perspective if I end up shelling out the extra money for a 997.

 

I had a 996 mild mods and now a mild modded 997.........997 all the way.

 

Would love to hear your experience of why

 

People say the 996tt is more raw, I think if you do the semi solid mounts on a 997, the trans mount, and a GT2 clutch master, they will feel pretty raw if thats what you are looking for. But I am pretty sure people move to the 997 for the 100 million times better interior, the better body to include mostly the better front end. You can not beat the 997tt for the money. The 997 is just a better updated car all around. Just my 2 cents. I had a 03 turbo.

Here is one of my old FS pics!!!! LOL I always took rear shots as I hated the front.

 

I will say, that black one you posted is beautiful. Just cant stand that interior. Its so cheap and outdated and I thought that back then. The front is also a killer for me.

 

Can't argue this point much . . . After driving the 997.2 in the morning and popping back in my 996, it was disappointing; not abysmal, just clearly not as updated. I guess I am starting to show my age-- I never hated the front, but I can also admit that it was never a draw either, the 997 is beautiful at any angle, here's an old shot of mine:

 

You guys are funny. What makes the interior of the 996 so bad. IMO it's more futuristic looking than the hard lines of the 997. They're both pretty abysmal for a six figure car. I like the 996 turbo, guys that say they don't care for the interior or front end don't make sense to me. 996 front end still looks like the newer car when parked side by side.

 

Well then you have answered your own question! Buy a 996 and save money!

 

But I'm the one who asked the question!

 

So, what are you thinking as of today?