Talk me into / out of this (996tt vs SC)

[Sicklyscott]

Hi Folks -

I am the proud owner of a black on red widebody SC. I will be taking it to the track a couple times a year to start learning how to really drive it. My last time (and first time) out I noticed how "slow" similarly weighted and powered cars are to most modern day track rats and it's left me feeling a bit inadequate. Now granted the skill I have (if you can call it that) will use up maybe 50% of what my 911 can do? So knowing that the next step up for this car would probably mean a 3.6 swap I was thinking about what I'd have into the car. The way I see it it's a 30k car as it sits plus the 20k into a swap. Even if I sell the 3.0 I'm still somewhere around the 40k mark.

For that money I can grab a 996 turbo. It'll be much more capable on the track, have modern conveniences, and looks to fit a child's seat in the back better. Drawbacks being consumables are more expensive and it's not an aircooled 911 (I enjoy the street cred of the older cars).

- So what do you think?
- Am I worried too much about track speed when it's only a couple events a year?
- Would the 996 prove to be a viable "investment" and not depreciate over the next 5 years?
- Do I need to stop *****ing about what I have and just enjoy it?

So here's what I have:
Untitled by sicklyscott, on Flickr

And here's what I'm thinking of selling it for:

[sc_rufctr]

I'd keep the SC and enjoy it as is. It's only going one way in value.

The turbo would be very fast and accomplished. I've heard nothing but good things about them but it will continue to devalue for the foreseeable future.

[NYNick]

You're worried too much about track speed, especially if you're only going to do a few DE's a year. You need to learn how to drive the car first. That means progressing up the DE chain, to the second to last or last Run Group color in your Region. I've never made it all the way up, and my car is still WAY more than I can handle.

When you know you need more car, you need more car. I expect however, when that time comes you will appreciate the SC more and more, because you'll be experiencing the car at 8 or 9/10th's.

The 996TT is a great car and value. Apples to oranges of course. The air cooled cars are just in a league of their own, and never the 'twain shall meet.

I'd stay with the SC. When you're track ready, you can do the swap, but keep the original engine.

Just my .02 cents.

Nick

[GaryR]

I agree with Peter on values, you have to ask yourself why you are going to the track and what your goals are. If you are there to learn how to drive your car at speed the best it can be driven, stay with the SC and cherish the learning experience. Your car can pass the newer cars if driven well, trust me. If you want a car to make up for your lack of ability then a TT is a good choice but adding speed and power to a novice's ability is not always a good recipe... Once your skill level is equal to the cars limits you can always add power, modify suspension, and add grip. Carbs,a matched cam, and headers will give you quite a boost and be easily reversible. Just my $.02 as a PCA DE Instructor.

[bbturbo]

I agree above to everyone. I would stick with the SC and get as much power out of a built engine as possible. I would look into other avenues other than the 3.6 too.

[CCM911]

A back widebody with a red interior? That puppy is like the Holy Grail of air-cooled!!! Only two track events per year? Seriously dude, stick with that gem you already have.

[impactbumper]

996tt is the last choice for track anyways.

[scarceller]

Keep the SC!

[mtndawg]

I've owned an '82 SC, sold it 3 years ago and now I own a 996. I still like the SC, but the acceleration of the 996 is awesome! Seat warmers, excellent AC and heat, removable hard top, it's much more modern. I just bought a child seat for my 3 year old for the back seat...the back seat of the 996 seems to be about the same as the SC. Who cares about $ when you're going 0-60 in 4 seconds with a seat warmer.

[mtndawg]

See what responses you get if you post this on the 996 forum.

[Quinlan]

I own both and have tracked them both. The SC is more of a challenge, and more rewarding when you do it right. The 996TT is FAST, and (this is a good point as well as a bad one) it will bail you out of a lot of mistakes. If your local track has lots of walls, this might be important!
It really depends on your uses/goals. As a daily driver, it's hard to argue with the TT. But for raw enjoyment, the SC is the way to go.

Keep in mind that even with a TT, you are still going to have your doors blown off by GT3's and GT4's.

[Sicklyscott]

All good points here. It is true, I am being wooed by the speed and power. In the end that won't really do much for me.

I do love driving my car and love winding it out, something you couldn't do in a turbo legally / safely in my area. I also love going to C&C events and getting the nod from the aircooled lovers. Chances are I'll spend more time doing that than on the track.

I just posted this in the 996 forums, curious to see the responses there.

[Rodsrsr]

Just turbo you're 3 ltr and be done with it. Thats a great looking SC.

[Cook&Dunning]

+1 on keep the SC. That is a great looking car. 996 - not so much

[dsfnctn]

Originally Posted by GaryR

I agree with Peter on values, you have to ask yourself why you are going to the track and what your goals are. If you are there to learn how to drive your car at speed the best it can be driven, stay with the SC and cherish the learning experience. Your car can pass the newer cars if driven well, trust me. If you want a car to make up for your lack of ability then a TT is a good choice but adding speed and power to a novice's ability is not always a good recipe... Once your skill level is equal to the cars limits you can always add power, modify suspension, and add grip. Carbs,a matched cam, and headers will give you quite a boost and be easily reversible. Just my $.02 as a PCA DE Instructor.

I 100% agree. Goals. It wasnt untill I bought a 944 that I really learned how to drive. Now I have a PCA race license. Race a Spec 944. Talk about speed differential. At first gridding up with a cup car for the start of a race scared the crap out of me. Now its no big deal.

[rkeele]

Agree great looking car, you should do suspension upgrades first and just learn to drive it then after that if you still want more a 3.6 is the way to go lots of HP and torque and very reliable did my own conversion It's not hard with help from Steve Timmins at instant G and if you do it yourself it's not going to cost 20gs depending on the cost of the motor of course, did mine in 2007 when engine price's weren't so high total cost $10,500.

[universeman]

Driving a slow car fast is more fun than driving a fast car slow.

Straightaways are for fast cars, turns are for fast drivers.

All this stuff is true, plus what is said above. You may have a faster car with a 996tt, but you may or may not be having more fun. Can you find one to drive for a month or so? Maybe a PCA member would swap with you?

[LakeCleElum]

Keep the SC and get a cheap track car like a Miata or something.....

[JacobS911]

The two pictures above are reason enough to stick with the SC!

I have never driven a 996tt but I've heard they are great cars. You will be tempted by the mod bug even more with that thing though.. My vote is for the 3.6 swap and find some ways to lighten the car up!

You'll regret the choice of selling it when it sells on here within 6hrs haha

[CCM911]

I have driven a BUNCH of 996tt cars on the track. With the weight and the four-wheel drive, they are quite a handful. Your SC is so much easier to point and shoot, and drift and slide.....so much fun to be had.