Can I afford a 996tt?

[techweenie]

I don't really get what you guys are talking about.

It kinda reminds me of the OT 'chest' thread where a few guys rave on about how a woman needs to be thick/chubby/flawed to be sexy.

I've had around 50 911s and various other Porsches and have a 996TT at the moment. It has soul, as far as I'm concerned. But it's short on quirks. I particularly appreciated DTW's comment " If you mean that the 996tt doesn't smell like partially burnt oil and gas, doesn't have an electrical system that is trying to set the car on fire, and doesn't leave puddles on the garage floor, then ok sure, it has no soul. If it has to do with more subjective driving characteristics, then I'd say the average stock air-cooler has no soul either." I would add that the typical air cooled Porsche -- soul and all -- can be embarrassed by any number of current $30K cars.

[Farrell]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Coolant fittings only need to be pinned or welded if you track the car. Don't worry about it otherwise. Or pay to do it when you eventually need a clutch job. It's an engine out thing.

The car is a gt3 with a turbo and awd. I don't know how that can be soulless. But that's just me.

I completely agree. Two turbos, gobs of torque, awd, fairly reliable, sounds like a good time to me!

i guess if the coolant lines are the worst thing on the car, it can't be that bad. its better/ the same as having a broken head stud on your old 3.2 or 3.0.

[techweenie]

There's a guy on Rennlist with over 350K miles on his 996TT, but this one... well the ultimate economy is longevity.

https://www.pca.org/panorama/edition/panorama-june-2015

[Matt Monson]

Cool.

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by techweenie

I don't really get what you guys are talking about.

It kinda reminds me of the OT 'chest' thread where a few guys rave on about how a woman needs to be thick/chubby/flawed to be sexy.

I've had around 50 911s and various other Porsches and have a 996TT at the moment. It has soul, as far as I'm concerned. But it's short on quirks. I particularly appreciated DTW's comment " If you mean that the 996tt doesn't smell like partially burnt oil and gas, doesn't have an electrical system that is trying to set the car on fire, and doesn't leave puddles on the garage floor, then ok sure, it has no soul. If it has to do with more subjective driving characteristics, then I'd say the average stock air-cooler has no soul either." I would add that the typical air cooled Porsche -- soul and all -- can be embarrassed by any number of current $30K cars.

The old aircooleds are unique with their flaws, quirks and charme. The 996tt is just another 12 year old sports car. I like it but it is no 911 and never will be.

[Matt Monson]

Right. A Mezger heart and g96 cup car based gearbox leaves it a great pretender. Keep driving v8 and i4 powered Porsches, Christian.

[christiandk]

The 996 is a good car but just a car. Matt, you mention the 928. Would you like to discuss build quality 928 vs 996?

I hate working on the 928 but that does not change the fact that it was the car Porsche invested most in - special models aside.

[Farrell]

sweet, one more reason to buy one.

[RD911T]

Originally Posted by christiandk

The 996 is a good car but just a car. Matt, you mention the 928. Would you like to discuss build quality 928 vs 996?

I hate working on the 928 but that does not change the fact that it was the car Porsche invested most in - special models aside.

Christian, if you read the story in Pano, their prior car, that they put 367,000 miles on was a .... 928 S4! They've driven the 996TT 50% more miles! I think they like it!

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by RD911T

Christian, if you read the story in Pano, their prior car, that they put 367,000 miles on was a .... 928 S4! They've driven the 996TT 50% more miles! I think they like it!

Thanks, I know. It is a good story and the is 996 a nice car - just not the same quality of build as the old hand build ones.

PS I would love a 996 TT as DD.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by christiandk

Thanks, I know. It is a good story and the is 996 a nice car - just not the same quality of build as the old hand build ones.

PS I would love a 996 TT as DD.

There's a lot of commentary about the plasticy interiors and trim bits on the 996 family of cars. But under that all is the same bulletproof engineering that has always existed in these cars. You sound like the guys 15 years ago who swore they would never own any 911 with water flowing through its engine. And if you haven't driven one I suggest you with old judgement until you do. Who cares if you coffee holder cracks.

[Reddy Kilowatt]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

There's a lot of commentary about the plasticy interiors and trim bits on the 996 family of cars. But under that all is the same bulletproof engineering that has always existed in these cars. You sound like the guys 15 years ago who swore they would never own any 911 with water flowing through its engine. And if you haven't driven one I suggest you with old judgement until you do. Who cares if you coffee holder cracks.

I don't know if this is your opinion or not... but when people say that the older cars were built to higher quality standards back before [insert mythical transformation date], I call bull****. They're probably higher quality now, they're just built differently.

[christiandk]

Only driven a standard Carrera 996. Drives very well. But I guess that we just have to agree do disagree.

Have a nice weekend!

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Reddy Kilowatt

I don't know if this is your opinion or not... but when people say that the older cars were built to higher quality standards back before [insert mythical transformation date], I call bull****. They're probably higher quality now, they're just built differently.

Pretty much.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I'm looking forward to the $20K TT. Maybe next year.

Porsche 911 Turbo | eBay

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

I'm looking forward to the $20K TT. Maybe next year.

Porsche 911 Turbo | eBay

I doubt it. Many of the water pumper guys have been bemoaning the death of the Mezger. 996tt prices, and all variants of gt3 have been holding steady or even going up. Go look at the ton of gt3s on RL at or above msrp! The cat is out if the bag on the TT too. People who can't afford the gt3 are gobbling up the turbos.

[manbridge 74]

I'm in 996 cars almost every day. TT seems a good bang for the buck. Wish they had made more in other colors beside silver and black. Or a non GT2 RWD version.

The coolant pipes aren't that big of a deal IMO. Not a weld fail but epoxy they chose.

And cars don't have soul...

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I doubt it. Many of the water pumper guys have been bemoaning the death of the Mezger. 996tt prices, and all variants of gt3 have been holding steady or even going up. Go look at the ton of gt3s on RL at or above msrp! The cat is out if the bag on the TT too. People who can't afford the gt3 are gobbling up the turbos.

996TT prices have been rising for 2 years for decent cars. The market has needed to 'unlearn' a few things: unlike the 3.0/3.3 Turbos, they do not need engine overhauls at 90K miles. Unlike other 996s, they do not have IMSb issues. Also, it is unnecessary to turn in your Man Card if you get one with a Tiptronic.

Not to mention: name another car that can be boosted a (very drivable) +40-60HP for $1K.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Westy, how is the search going? Are you looking at any cars this weekend?

As I said on page 2, soul is entirely subjective, as unique to the individual as the plethora of magnificent 65 to 89 cars that grace the Tech forum pages.

I spent the day today adding soul. I hope Mr. Haywood would approve. These cars are like a box of Legos. You can make almost anything with them.

[Westy]

I'm not even looking. For some reason my SC won't pass low RPM smog. I have to get whatever it is fixed so I can sell it so then I can start looking. CARB is a wonderful organization!!!