How to test drive a 996TT or 997 just for information
 

Its been a long time. Long enough that it is midlife crisis time. I am in the market for a car. It needs to have a back seat capable of holding a 3 year old and a 1 year old. I've been thinking hard about a 1M, and was planning to go drive one locally before it got sold. My problem is that for the 1M cost, I started realizing I can also get a 996TT, or even a 997.2S if it has a few miles.

My problem is that I've never ridden in any of these, let alone driven one. At least with the 1M, I drove a nicely prepped 135 on the track years ago so I know a 1M would be just that much better. Plus, the 1M I think I'd do pretty well on the depreciation front.

So how do I get a ride in or drive one of the 911s mentioned above? Going to the dealer makes my peepee hurt just thinking about it, plus you'll just end up driving around the block a few times, which does nothing for really figuring out if I like the car. I could go to a private seller, but I don't like the idea of driving their car around when I have no intention of immediately buying it regardless of how the drive goes. I want to try these cars out, go home and think about it.

Maybe there are some forum members here with a 996TT or a 997 who want to let an old crusty forum member go for a spin in their sweet ride? I'd totally buy some coffee and bagels or something... hell, a bottle of scotch might be in order if its a lot of fun.

Any ideas?

Oh, and Hi everyone.

Sure. Come on over.

I actually never drove a 996 Turbo before buying. Didn't even see the one I bought until it was delivered. Didn't need to. I read everything written about it. It lives up to the reputation.

Careful- if I end up in LA for some reason I'm going to be at your door.

Have you driven a 997 (regular or s)? How'd you like it compared to your turbo?

Man, I need a fun car back in my life pronto.

I had a 987 for a couple years. I'd say they're both impressive, and the biggest difference 996 to 997 is the interior styling is 100% better in the later car. Chassis rigidity is improved a bit in the 997, but both are very rigid cars.

But right now, the 996 Turbo is the bargain sportscar on most lists.

Same here. Bought mine sight unseen and had never driven one. It exceeded my expectations and continues to amaze me the more I drive it. The power delivery is AWESOME.

I drove a 911 3 blocks once. Was an SC of some 80s vintage. I just remember the steering- it was so weird- like very unfiltered, and just interesting. Wish I could have driven it hard for awhile.

For those of you who don't recall, my Porsche experience was limited to the 951 I had for a few years. Which I still miss.

Whatever I get needs to be very reliable. I can do easy work in my garage if needed, but I sold my frankenstein E30 last month because I don't have time to wrench much beyond fluid changes for the next few years until my little ones are old enough to be self sufficient (that happens once they turn 3, right? RIGHT?) It's my understanding that the 996T is actually pretty solid. Other than that, I'd only be able to consider the 997.2, as the whole RMS/IMS thing is too much stress for me to think about (yeah yeah, 1% affected, guess who would most certainly become a member of that elite 1%?).

I saw a 997.2 S for sale at a dealer in Tampa that is supposedly certified (but it has over 50k miles so I have no idea how much warranty there could really be). It was within budget.

I dunno..... I want free rides :D

I test drove a 2006 911S and a 2011 Boxster at the dealer a few months back, trying to answer a similar question. I spent at least 15-20mins behind the wheel of each and about the same amount of time as a passenger. I felt I started to get a decent feel for the car in that time.

Yeah, I fear this is gonna be the route I take. Dealers in Miami are just such a hassle.

Dealer: "Jou gonna buy d car?"

Me: "I have no idea- I haven't even driven one"

Dealer: "Sign the paper to buy car"

Me: "Wat?"

Dealer: "Let's discuss GAP insurance"

Me: "sigh"

Contact the local PCA and see if there are members that would offer up a ride/drive?

I know it sucks, but hitting the dealerships is probably your only good option.

Try on the 996/997 forums on Rennlist. Someone may be near you to offer you a ride or drive.

When I was considering a D3 Audi S8 I posted on Audiworld and a guy nearby offered to let me take a spin in his. Awesome, awesome car, but ultimately it was a pipe dream that didn't fit my needs, but I still want one!!!

So, how was life with the Franken30? If I recall, this was the sedan in Michigan originally built by "4ngie". I was the next in line behind you. Seemed to last you a long time...

So I got to speak with my potential buyer for my 914 the other day - after a zillion emails and pix sent his way. He asked if he would 'fit' in the car, which I thought an odd question, sorta. He had never sat in one, nor driven one.....

So I asked - how tall are you?

6'2" (ok, not a problem, so am I)

How much do you way?

"just a bit under 300lbs, maybe 285 or so" :eek:

So I would not take his deposit until he found a local car and had a 'test sit'....which he did, and he [sadly] did not fit.

My point - most of the time buying a car without driving it is cool, unless there are 'extenuating' circumstances!! SmileWavy

td

Try fitting the kids and baby/booster seats in the rear before you decide. It may not work.

^^^ Not trying to be Debbie Downer, but one of life's inevitable truths is that kids get bigger. So while they may fit now, in a few years it'll be awfully tight. The rear of a 911 is great for small kids or adults with removable legs and a fold-down head - that's about it. My wife wasn't keen for our kids to ride in mine so I actually removed the rears seats and put 'em in storage (fairly common mod).

Sounds like the "Miami Blues" monologue.

"I do not think you are a Porch-A customer"

Even if he somehow fit himself in the car, it would handle dangerously with 300 lbs. of shifting meat on one side. The whole car only weighs around 2k. :eek:

Having carried kids in the back seat of a 911, I wouldn't plan on doing so for any extended period of time. I would say 7-8 with no booster is probably about the max. When they are old enough to go without a car seat it's actually better, but eventually they grow legs.

Well, part of my plan calls for this vehicle to only be around for a few years. My research seemed to indicate that the car seats I have should fit, although I'd be sure to test that just in case. That said, it is another reason the 1M is a better choice (along with the seemingly non-existent depreciation). I was just too slow in getting my stuff in order and missed out on a local 1M which should have been mine. But so it goes.

I should also note that for anything other than a quick trip from school, or for when my son wants to go in the race car (which he most certainly will) the wife's family hauler will always be the primary for trips to the park/grocery store/emergency room/follow up doctor visits/etc.

I drove past a dealer on the way home and saw some used 997s. I saw a brown one that looked really nice. It said GTS on it. Then I noticed centerlock wheels and something in my brain made me realize that this would be over my budget. Holy hell- those are expensive. Why not just get a GT3 at that point?

There's also that pesky Mustang GT350 that looks pretty awesome on paper- but it isn't out until January and will likely cost a lot more. Plus, I need my crisis now.

I mentioned the words "Ferrari" and "Home Equity Line of Credit" to the wife. I think she is starting to think I shouldn't have sold the E30 :p

Indeed it was. Nothing big ever went wrong. I just stopped having time to go to junkyards for the random window motor/door lock actuator/ plastic thingy from here or there. Parts were cheap, and the major stuff was all still flawless. But I couldn't keep up with it. At this stage of my life, if I have 3 hours of free time I should be on the track at a DE, not at a junkyard looking for a door handle.

I put the car up for sale and it was sold in a day. Probably could have asked for more, but I felt good that it went to another forum member who I know and is gonna keep it up nicely.