Upgrade my Turbo - What to do?

[zorba]

I've been looking at upgrading my current 996 tt. Looked at the new 07 turbo hardware and came away with the feeling like I was buying a MBZ SL65 rather than a P car.

On the other hand, I've also been looking at low mile '03 vintage GT2 cars. While these land rockets aren't latest and greatest, I kinda want to stick with a more seat of the pants P car. Yes, I saw that the new GT2 is going to be available first of the year, I'm reluctant to part with $200K+.

Most '02 or '03 cars with under 10K miles are going for about $110 - $120K sell price.

Would welcome your opinion.

Thanks,

Zorba

[sketchers356]

Sorry, I have never been in a 997TT. What makes it like a MB?

Also, why do you want to upgrade? More performance, more toys, better styling etc?

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by zorba
Most '02 or '03 cars with under 10K miles are going for about $110 - $120K sell price.

I think that is optimistic. It depends on the market, but a 10k 996tt, fully loaded, would likely only fetch $85-95k at this point. I recently came across a low mileage 996 turbo S that was $104k.

Why 'upgrade' to a new car? If you want the new body styles, and you have the means, then go for it. But you can dial in a 996tt to put out some monstrous amounts of power. 500+hp is easy.

A 996tt is not 'seat of your pants'. I find them down right comfortable. Its a gentleman's car. And I think you should keep it that way. Unless you are building a track monster, why screw around with the subtle and (I vote) superb suspension on the TT? That 'seat of your pants' feel gets real old, real quick on public roads.

Just my very unqualified opinion....

[89911]

Obviously your budget is more then the average poster, which poses some question on what exactly you want the car to do. Once you buy a car such as the 07 turbo, you really are buying for the image rather then the car. Face it, you are never, ever going to drive 170mph for hours at a time. The car is too refined and isolated for track use. The biggest draw to the car is that "Turbo" script on the back. For some, that is statement saying the car they are driving in cost more then most could afford. Seems your already have grown tired of the 996tt. I'm not sure if the GT2 is going to do much more but possible get you into trouble sooner if you push it. If I had the coin to pick up a car, it would be a new GT3 or better yet, GT3RS. Slowly get into some track driving and develop my skills. I think you would have plenty of time to try to master that car over the years. Nice problem to have.

[CJFusco]

If you are left with the feeling that the new Turbos are too much like a M-B, I would recommend something more "raw" like a GT3.

[zorba]

Thanks for all of the replys. Let me try and answer some of the comments. My current 02 996 tt is stock except for 1 bar springs and is fun to drive. Currently have 30k miles on it and has a market value of about $65-70K have grown a little tired of it on a daily basis.

A replacement car is just a form of spending my kids inheritance to some degree, but what the heck, let them earn it like I did the old fashion way - work for it! The std 993, 996, and 997 cars are all 4wd and have PSM. Where as the GT 2 and the GT3 are s2wd cars that are going to handle much differently on the street as well as on the track.

The new 07 997 tt is quite nice but in most ways a further refinement of the 996 series. The new GT3/RS cars are probably the best P cars on the planet currently but every dealer west of the Mississippi won't take a @MSRP order + they are asking $20-30K premimum for GT3 cars and 50K+ on the RS they have in stock. I'm not about to pay over sticker for any car period. And at that price I want it my way not theirs as far as options.

I have a racing background in drag race cars (8-9 sec. 1/4 mile), scca S2000, as well as reasonable amount of track time in P cars, and I feel confortable at most speeds that I would drive it on city steets or track days. Its the other crazy people on the road that scare me most of the time any way.

I've driven GT2's in the past and they are not your standard 996 with PSM by any standards. Some what of a beast with a "firm" ride that can get you in serious trouble if abused or pushed beyond ones skill level. Currently looking at a CPO certified 03 GT2 with under 4K miles that is loaded for under $115K and I think I'm going to go that direction.

The only difference my wife will notice will be the color and the neighbors won't think I've completly lost my mind. Besides, I almost eligible for Social Security in a year or so I might as well spend it while I can still pass my divers test.

[David]

I'd give Stephen at www.imagineauto.com a call. If anyone here can give advice on your situation, it would be him.

[herman maire]

2WD is the only way to go.... 4WD is for getting to the ski hill in the winter.

Something you might want to look into, some guys can modify the 4WD transmission to make it a 2wd set up. You can reverse this later. Then just swap in a C2 or gt3 front end and you should have pretty much a Gt2.

[zorba]

One thing to remember about the GT2 is that it just not a 2wd 996, but all together different car that looks like a 996 turbo. Not only 2wd but different cams; turbos, suspension, and transmission that are designed for a as much as a street race car as anything with some people comforts sprinkled in to make it fun for the common folks.

While I'd go to a GT3 if I could do it my way for a MSRP deal, I guess I've pretty much made my decision a go with the GT2 option. I'll shell out less $, get one hell of a ride.

[speeder]

I understood the 997tt=MB SL65 remark; both cars have INSANE performance, (~200mph & 0-60 in ~4 seconds), lots of grip and state-of-the-art safety and other technology. I'm not saying that they are the same, but they would appeal to similar customers. I'd love a 997tt for a street car, but I understand what it is, a very luxurious sports car.

I've ridden in a GT2, and it was (is) a dangerously fast car. Like all 996s, it feels incredibly rigid and solid. Even though the GT2 is lighter by a few thousand lbs., it reminded me of what Leno said about the Bentley turbo once: "It feels like you are in a bank vault that someone pushed-off the top of a 10 story building..."

[bell]

get one of these......you'll have an eternal grin
it has a turbo.....

[sketchers356]

+1 imagineauto

[JeremyD]

#1 there are GT3's around - You just need to call around to some dealers - some deal with you - some won't. Plane tickets are pretty cheap these days.

Yes, the GT3RS are going for well over list.

I like the GT2 - crazy fast - 2WD

I like the new GT3 too - 700 lbs lighter than the TT and you will feel it.

Ah to have those choices - GT2 or GT3 - pretty sure these are just two "right" choices

[kaisen]

Wait just 6-8 months and 996 GT2 prices will have fallen considerably, and there will be more cars to choose from. Current GT2 owners will wantr the new car.

[David]

Originally posted by herman maire
2WD is the only way to go.... 4WD is for getting to the ski hill in the winter.

Something you might want to look into, some guys can modify the 4WD transmission to make it a 2wd set up. You can reverse this later. Then just swap in a C2 or gt3 front end and you should have pretty much a Gt2.

A friend that owns a high end shop in town took off his front drive. He said it felt a lot less stable at very high speeds so he put it back on.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Have you driven a 996 GT3? While not as fast as a TT, it's far faster than you can enjoy on public roads, and it might give you the raw feeling you're looking for.

I also think Steven at Imagine Auto in KC would be a good guy to call. He could probably make your TT exactly the car you want it to be.

[stuartj]

Originally posted by zorba
I've been looking at upgrading my current 996 tt. Looked at the new 07 turbo hardware and came away with the feeling like I was buying a MBZ SL65 rather than a P car.

On the other hand, I've also been looking at low mile '03 vintage GT2 cars. While these land rockets aren't latest and greatest, I kinda want to stick with a more seat of the pants P car. Yes, I saw that the new GT2 is going to be available first of the year, I'm reluctant to part with $200K+.

Most '02 or '03 cars with under 10K miles are going for about $110 - $120K sell price.

Would welcome your opinion.

Thanks,

Zorba

996TT+cage, seats, harnesses, new brake pads and terratrip= tarmac rally weapon....

[zorba]

As for GT3 availability - I've been told that Porsche dealers have been instructed to refund deposits on '08 cars and that allocations have been cut to 80-90 cars total for GT3 and 40-50 for the RS model. Having said all that all of my local P dealers that I have talked to won't take a deposit on a '08 car. Example: European Moters in Palm Springs has 3 "used" GT3 cars. All at $150K+and a RS for $199K. Pacific Porshce has a striper GT3 ($106K MSRP) for sale at $130K.

The comment about GT2 cars going down in price is probably accurate but I think I would lose less money on a used GT2 vs a GT3. Still the GT3 is alot lighter than any of the tt cars.

I have talked to Steven at Imagine Auto in the past and think he is one of the best P car guys on the planet. But I decided not to carve up my current 996 car and plug on a bunch of performance hardware just for the sake of building a super HP street car. My final thoughts are pushing me to a 2wd car and the only real choices are a GT2 or GT3. Probably going to be a GT2 at this point. Have an appointment to test drive a car at 11AM this morning.

Thanks to all those who took the time to comment and give me some valuable advise.

Zorba

[onewhippedpuppy]

Post a review of your GT2 test drive. Always good to live vicariously!

[zorba]

Results of my test drive.

1. Car is absolutely prestine! Car has only a few options, with an orginal MSRP of $190K and 11K miles. Is a CPO car with an additional 2 year warranty from date of purchase.

2. Driving impressions: Much heavier clutch; stiffer ride (this car has standard US sports seats and not the European Recaro versions) but the seats make up for some of the harsh ride.

3. Absolutely must be driven with some respect with unbelieveable acceleration in 2nd, 3rd, and so on. Doesn't handle like a 4wd 996 tt particularly when cornering and if pushed hard you can feel the back end push out. However using that thing on top of your sholders rather than between you legs, the car has a very manageable envlope. Having owned a '94 3.6 car, it displays some of the 3.6 characteristics when pushed hard. All in all quite a reasonable driver but demands much more respect when driving agressively.

4. Also drove a GT3 the dealer had and while they are certainly much different cars, the GT3 doesn't have the bottom end grunt the turbo has. Could easily get use to either one.

5. Bottom line, I can buy the GT2 for $112K or the GT3 for $145K ($20K over sticker).

6. Haven't made a final decision but probably with go with the GT2. Porsche will finance either car at reasonable rates so I'm going to talk with the CEO of the house (my wife) and then make a decision.

All for now.

Zorba