What do I need to know about the 996tt?
 

Been kicking around the idea of picking up another 911. I've always wanted a GT3, but those bottomed out a few years ago and are even more unaffordable (for me) now. I've thought of picking up the previously most unloved 911 of all time--the 964 (remember when those were in the 'teens?)--but I hardly even see C2 coupes with manual transmissions for sale, let alone at anything less than $45K, which is the lowest dealer ask I've seen.

So skimming through Craigslist, I've seen a few 996 turbos for sale. For as low as $35K! (Coupe, manual.). OK, I'm lukewarm on the styling. But it's got 993tt levels of performance, but at a fraction of the buy-in, and lower upkeep costs to boot. And it's got the Metzger motor, so no IMS stigma.

Talk me down from the cliff. I drove a friend's 993tt a couple years ago on a SoCal Hangover Run, and that thing made me feel like a superhero.

(I think Lubey had a thread going a year or so ago, but i couldn't find it in a search.)

I would recommend you drive one or two. I drove one last Aug when I was looking for another car. I was thoroughly underwhelmed. It was fast, capable, nicely appointed and comfortable, but too much of a GT car for me to enjoy. Maybe if I could buy one and then upgrade the suspension so it felt more lively. My first Porsche was a stock '88 911 targa. Then I had a '97 miata, then an '04 turbo miata. I like a car that's lively and communicative. Maybe the turbo that I drove was a bad example, but it wasn't lively or communicative. I suspect I'd like a GT(2|3), but the standard turbo was not even close to as much of a pleasure to drive as the '08 Boxster S that I ended up in. And, while I know it's not, the boxster feels like it's quicker than the 996tt because of the driving dynamics.

If my wallet was fat, I'd probably have a really sporty Boxster or Cayman (like a GTS) or probably a GT3 for my personal driving and then maybe something like a modern 911 turbo or Panamera turbo with an automatic for driving the missus to the theater or yacht club.

I know a guy in OK that has one and loves it... Tons of car for the money, on my shortlist too.

I have seriously considered them also, the 997 turbos are coming down in price. I really miss my 964T, but at the price they are commanding right now there is now way I'd buy another one.

Interested in seeing the responses in this thread.

Bill

I just can't get over the styling for the 996. You have a low entry price but still high $$$ to fix anything. I would try to get into the 997TT or just bite the bullet on the 993TT.

G

No biting the bullet on the 993. My buddy with the 993tt has an open offer on it to me. I couldn't afford it a few years ago when it was worth $80K; now it's worth about double that amount. 2 weeks ago he walked into a local P-car dealer and they thought they could list it at $195K if he'd consign it through them. Even at buddy pricing, I don't have the ability to spend 6-figures on a car.

Maybe if I stall for long enough 997tt prices will drop into my range. They still came in non-PDK format, correct?

Whoa - really, 200k for a 993TT? That thing must be cherry. Even then!? I didn't know. Last time I had a chance to buy one it was for mid 40s in 2009! Not kidding. But I was almost out of a job and apparently so was everyone else!

Yes, the 997 will be the one to wait for then. 60k should be doable soon, still have the Metzger engine and a stick.

I think the stick shift era is over and the "last stick shift 911" will be similar to the "last air cooled 911" in desirability. If I had the dough, I think a 997 GT3 would be a good buy. Definitely more car for the money than a 993TT.

It is sad to see our cars take off in price like this. Even my C2 993, I am unsure if I still want to go take it for a track day again?

G

Enter the 996 and 986. The cheap track day weapons of this era!

Yes, you want a 997.1 Turbo with the Mezger engine. If you can afford it, an '09 (last year for .1) with the upgraded HMI is best.

996s are ok if you don't mind the ugly exterior and garbage interior.

Wow, they are that much now? How many miles and how clean is it? I just bought a very low mileage, 26000 miles tt. Its in the shop waiting to get some going over then to the paint shop due to a nasty scrape by a fork lift right on the front bumper. I've had it for about a year and its finally out of the dungeon. Damn new bumper from Porsche is not cheap.

I think that 996 TT will out turn, out do the 993TT all day long. Its a superior car. Great bang for the money.

Only downside is that its a bit ugly.

Great car but what scares me the most about any modern car is the electronic boxes. That and brittle trim issues specific to the 996 cars. Did the Turbo suffer from this?

But I bet they are a blast to drive even in Auto. The best part about the car is the reliable motor.
At the time of their release they were given the gong of the best drivers car of all time by Top Gear.
Sure that was some time ago but that quality would still be there.

Enjoy!

"Now, let's talk styling. No, the 996 isn't the most attractive car in the world. But when you go home tonight, take a good look in the mirror and ask yourself:
Am I the most attractive human in the world? Of course you aren't. You're probably mediocre. You're probably in the bottom 50 percent, overall.
In fact, and I don't mean to be disrespectful here, but let's face it: there's a good chance that you are the 996 of mankind. Suddenly the car's flaws don't seem so bad now, do they?"

Here

That, my friend, is fuuuuunny. So true.

Exterior is totally subjective. The interior is of equal quality to the 997. Of the two the 996 probably wears better over time, especially the base interior. The 987/997 has a lot of "soft touch" paint throughout, God help you if the previous owner had fingernails......

I think the 996TT is a smoking deal for what you get. It will destroy a 993TT in every measurable performance category for a tiny fraction of 993TT money. They are simply bulletproof cars, there is no fatal flaw. Add a few modifications and they are supercars by modern standards. I rode in a friend's car that had over 550 HP just with bolts-ons, really there aren't words to describe that experience. In stock form they do lean more towards the GT car end of the spectrum, but a few suspension modifications gets them much closer to GT2/GT3 territory.

Is there any way to put a 997 front end on one?

Yes, but I believe you need new fenders as well. I've seen it done and it looks awkward, it really doesn't flow with the rest of the car.

What do I need to know about the 996tt?
 

Yep. Agree 100%.

How do you know there aren't subroutines built in there to "help" the car destroy itself once the mileage or age get to certain points? Planned obsolescence and repeat sales and all that you know. Seriously, what's stopping a mfr from doing something like that? Nobody would ever know.

On a less conspiracy-theory-ish note though I have a hard time trusting anything dependent on low-bid programmers that can only be understood by other programmers (assuming they can even get security access to devices and programming). One reason I really don't want to give up my '74...

Put tin-foil on the fusebox and ECU.

Surprised by the negativity regarding styling. I think they look great. Its a few years since I drove one, but I recall turning on to a highway entrance ramp and stomping on it, and feeling like my eyeballs were being pushed into my head. The acceleration is ferocious, but its also very comfortable car you can live with. A GT car to be sure.

http://mbworld.org/forums/attachment...57-medium-.jpg