need advice: buying a 996 turbo

[NYNick]

Originally Posted by Catorce

I get it, but the arguments that kind of go like "waste to have that much power on the street" really fall flat with me. This is not a practical hobby. I have basic transportation covered, and I have 2 drivers with 12 high performance cars in the house not counting utilitarian cars.

I own and frequently drive cars up to 1000hp on the street - my 2011 Camaro with Vortech V7Ysi makes 850whp. It's a blast and it drives like a lamb until you floor it.

The 2007 turbo is getting Tial Xona 3076 turbos as well as cams and heads and punched out to a 3.8. it will make about 700whp.

These cars are fun on public roads....it isn't about the VMax....it is about how quick they can get to the speeds that is the thrill for me.

I also don't consider a 997TT in stock form to be a supercar; not sure it ever was. To me that is LaFerrari, McLaren, GT2RS territory, and the 997TT is not in that league.

OH - and your 2009 6MT Cab is worth BUCKS now....!!

Point taken. But practicality and supercar status is a matter of opinion. One man's ceiling and all that. It is of course a hobby as you say, but maybe I'm just closer to not having a pulse any longer than others. Or maybe the new technology and speed just don't thrill me anymore. Age? Maybe.

For me, I'd rather be driving your 356 than my old 997TT, and I've owned 3 997's and 2 996's, along with air cooled cars and a muscle car or two. I don't really care about the 09 TT being worth big bucks either. I've never regretted selling a car I was ready to sell.

I don't find exercising a car of this type on a public road fun. I find it a little dumb and a little dangerous, which is why I sold my car, along with the fact that it was sitting around 8 months a year. But that's me (no offense meant).

I'm jealous of some of the cars in your collection and would love to try some of them out, but I'll pass on the 04, the 07 and the 09. BTDT. Let's remember it's people like both of us who keep this hobby going and I appreciate your POV.

Keep driving.

Nick

[Tremelune]

Well. It's insured. It's also not depreciating with time so much. That's what makes these modern Turbos most interesting...We're talking about supercars for Camry money in terms of total cost of ownership. Can't drive the 365 in the snow. Can't drive it six hours down the highway. Can't drive it in 100°F sun or 0°F cold. These Turbos cover a lot of bases.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Tremelune

Well. It's insured. It's also not depreciating with time so much. That's what makes these modern Turbos most interesting...We're talking about supercars for Camry money in terms of total cost of ownership. Can't drive the 365 in the snow. Can't drive it six hours down the highway. Can't drive it in 100°F sun or 0°F cold. These Turbos cover a lot of bases.

Rubbish. Just make sure it has a GT diff.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8iQjTZvRWmg

[jferrante]

Originally Posted by Tremelune

Well. It's insured. It's also not depreciating with time so much. That's what makes these modern Turbos most interesting...We're talking about supercars for Camry money in terms of total cost of ownership. Can't drive the 365 in the snow. Can't drive it six hours down the highway. Can't drive it in 100°F sun or 0°F cold. These Turbos cover a lot of bases.

My first one I drove every day - put 12k miles on it in 10months. Snow and all. My other one is a full RWD conversion with Matt's diff and is a completely different animal. But you are correct these are more than capable in a bunch of different scenarios.

[Catorce]

Really interesting perspectives here guys - there is no right answer.

Yeah like I said the cars I have really provide a different experience. Want to show up half deaf and smelling like exhaust? 914-6 baby. No power ANYTHING, makes a 911 feel like a Bentley. Heats up the whole car because of the headers. But I would never sell it for the world.

Different cars for different purposes.

I accumulated all of them over a period of years and enjoy them all for different reasons.

I hope I did not come across as "Turbos are better than the others" because it's not true. I am a huge Turbo apologist and mega fan but they don't provide the entire Porsche driving experience.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Catorce

I did not come across as "Turbos are better than the others" because it's not true. I am a huge Turbo apologist and mega fan but they don't provide the entire Porsche driving experience.

ronnie’s job is safe from you.

[Catorce]

^LMFAO

turbo powaaaa

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by NYNick

Too bad TW. I sold my 6 speed 09 TT Cab less than a year ago. It was a low mileage sweetheart.

But I found it a waste to own. On ramps? Really? I'm owning a supercar for the experience of on ramps? Or high speed corners at 90 in a 35 MPH zone? Tracking it was fun, but I couldn't come to terms with balling an $80K car into a wall at speed.

It's gone. My classics are all the fun I need for now.

Funny - my 'other' classic is rather quicker than my TT. But it's a bit modded.

It's also louder, less comfortable, less practical and requires way more effort to drive sensibly. It's been out twice this year. The TT has had 5k put on it in the same timeframe.

[Catorce]

^what is it?

[Rawknees'Turbo]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

ronnie’s job is safe from you.

I think that ol' Catorce is either being shy (doesn't want to pizz the N/A crowd off too much and have them start slinging monkey shart his direction) or he's a bit confused about this whole, turbo powaaa' thang (aka - there is no other Porsche driving experience worth experiencing . . . more than once)!

Originally Posted by Catorce

^LMFAO

turbo powaaaa

Ha ha - excellent!

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by catorce

^what is it?

tr250.

[NYNick]

Well said.
I think I'm a car guy first and foremost.

[NYNick]

Originally Posted by pmax

Too fast to drive.

Too costly to track

so what's the point ?

The working A/C ?

My point exactly.

[Catorce]

Originally Posted by pmax

Too fast to drive.

Too costly to track

so what's the point ?

The working A/C ?

the satellite radio. Definitely the satellite radio....

[JeremyD]

Originally Posted by pmax

Too fast to drive.

Too costly to track

so what's the point ?

The working A/C ?

Why the negativity? What's the point? If you don't like the car - then move on.

As far as being too costly to track - that's the reason I bought a 996tt - I was originally looking for a GT3 - but didn't want 80-90K wrapped up in a car that was going to hit the track. Same reason that I sold the 74 IROC - it was a simple car - and fun to drive - but no heat, no AC, and no galvanizing (and I live 42 feet from saltwater)

Too fast? that's like having too much money or being too good looking.

[Matt Monson]

I used to love having an Accessport on my Subaru. I could go from my fuel economy low boost map to 100hp more with the push of a button and 60 seconds. Now that Cobb supports Porsche we can do the same thing. I love a modified car that only feels modified when I’m feeling frisky. Or for race gas at the track. Most of us here don’t have the bank account for an actual exotic.

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by pmax

Too fast to drive.

Too costly to track

so what's the point ?

The working A/C ?

I think that was sarcasm as pman has a 6t....

[plexiform]

So to get back on topic...the initial car I was looking at fell through as another car I was looking at came in to the picture. I ended up getting a 2003 996tt seal grey/blk with PSS10s and GIAC tuner. Stock everything else. I love this thing. With regards to all the reasons people have been posting buy or to not buy this car........to each their own. I posted this thread to get advice on what to look for when buying this car. I ended up having it inspected by Jae Lee at Mirage Intl in San Diego. He says it checks out nicely. Compression/leak down test were perfect. Had him put in new ignition coils and plugs while he was at it. I drove the car home yesterday from San Diego. I actually took the Surfliner train down the coast from Grover Beach which ended up being an adventure in itself. Should have been a straight 8hr ride but the train ended up hitting a pedestrian in Oxnard so we had a 2hr delay. Then another 2hr delay as they made us stop in Camarillo to change trains because this one was now involved in a pedestrian death. Turns out a 32yr jogger was listening to music and ran head on in to a train that was moving at speed. Ended up being a 13hr train ride. Took an Uber to the sellers house. Car looked great sounded nice. Attached my new Escort 360max radar detector....filled her up with gas and made it back home with almost no traffic the entire way through San Diego, LA, Santa Barbara...one stop for refueling in Carpenteria. Made it home in under 4.5 hrs by 2am. Best ride ever! I love my "new" 996turbo. Looks great next to my modified 75 911.

[JeremyD]

Excellent - and Jae is a straight shooter - that looks like a beauty (although way too fast, the AC is too cold, the gears shift properly, and it's too expensive)

[Matt Monson]

Congrats.