996 Turbo

I've always loved the idea of the 996 Turbo, ever since road testing at launch for one of our magazines - five of the best days of my life. 997 TT, 997TT S, 991 T, subsequently, just didn't do it for me though of course faster, better, etc.
Thinking of buying one seriously now, aiming for best possible example (as ever). But Porsche-collecting friends who know far more about the marque tend to sneer at all 996s (except perhaps GT3/GT2/GT2 CS). They say it's a low point, Wiedeking cost-cutting, under-engineered, and will be ugly duckling forever. And that 997 similar but so much better.
Peer pressure I know, but I don't want to be the sucker who bought the ugly duckling cheap Porsche; I'd keep it, take it to meets, etc and I like exchanging compliments, not sneers...
What would anyone's views here be? I know the Turbo has the good, Mezger engine and doesn't have IDS issues of most 996s, which is the only reason I'm considering it, apart from the fact that I loved driving it of course.
I just remember that the 'general view' on Testarossas was pretty negative once, and has changed, correctly in my opinion. And 964s were very unloved at the time I owned one, and even that has changed.
There are lots of opinions on Rennlist, but I'd appreciate considered views from any owners of both Ferraris and Porsches.
Thank you.

 

Go for it, drive what you like. I recently bought a 997 turbo, but I would love the 996 turbo too. When I see a 996, especially a turbo the head lights and the entire car has really grown on me. I think they will be appreciated in the future.

 

Thank you...I preferred driving 996 Turbo but I wondered if I was alone in this.

 

I bought a 996TT a few months ago and it is AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

996TT is a great buy. It's going to be like the 964, unappreciated for decades, then get love.

 

Just picked up a 996 TT as well. Solid car, great engine, huge brakes, AWD, wonderful DD. In stock form its very fast, if you want more power its easy to add. 30-40k will buy a great example and put a smile on your face everytime you drive. Best part is I have two booster seats in the back and my boys ride everywhere with me.

 

I still think it's ugly, uninspiring looking, has hideous air vents for engine, rides too high, too much technology etc. to me it looks like a small modern minivan with all it's electronics, bubble shapes, ride height. Hideous.
Performance is astounding but you don't even know your doing 110mph due to all the sound proofing, weight, and sophisticated suspension bits.
Great value right now tho.
I'd say buy it if ur going to run it. If u are going to polish it and google it, there are soooo many better specimens out there, like a 964.

 

Approaching 60k miles on an '04 996tt cabriolet after about 9 years. Love it, absolutely emotionally attached; like most 911s, it keeps getting better with age/miles. Great compliment to your 550 (and others) as well.

Have since gone back to the OEM lip.

-Joe
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Love the 996 TT, stunning and amazing cars.

 

Great car dont hesitate to get one.

 

Neat vid showing the value of the 996TT;
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JFTrBhDKmI[/ame]

 

BTW one guy on Rennlist just posted a pic of his odometer at 300K miles.
Another guy said he was close to that.

List of repairs so far


'Here is a list I have compiled over the years for the repair work:

• All three front radiators (right front now twice)
• water pump
• coolant expansion tank (as a precaution with water pump)
• power steering pump/reservoir (for the annoying squeal)
• right front bearing, left rear bearing
• front diff (due to front bearing issue)
• clutch accumulator and slave cylinder (4 times now for the slave - one time lasted only 4 days and it failed - PCNA pulled all the parts on the shelves in the US as a result of this and a few others in the country with a similar issue)
• wiring harness repair (passenger side front most cylinder – harness to the coil pack chaffing issue)
• rear main seal (while engine was down for a wiring harness repair we pulled the tranny to inspect the bearings, clutch, pressure plate and flywheel)
• two bearings in the clutch assembly – one was bad, one was fine
• Decarbon the secondary air ports from the intakes to the exhaust
• Gas cap – the gasket finally went at 186,000+ miles
• Check valve and carbon canister on the vapor recovery system for the fuel tank
• normal services done on time
• brake pads (only on the 4th rear set and 5th front set - car has PCCB's and is tracked 6-10 days/year)
• oil changes every 5000 miles religiously – Mobil 1 0W-40
• tranny and diff fluids every 60,000 miles
• Baileys DV's
• GT-3 Cup front brake ducts
• Idler pulleys
• Belt (done a couple of times)
• Suspension will be replaced shortly (KW Clubsport)
• Carden shaft will be replaced (second time now) when the suspension is done
• All four half shafts will be replaced with the suspension
• Motorsport Sways and Tarett drops links will be replaced with the suspension
• Protomotive intercoolers going in when suspension is done
• Two rear heat shields will be replaced when the suspension is done

The car is on the original turbo's, original clutch and original engine still.

T2 continues to knock on wood....................'

 

996TT is arguably one of the best values out there right now. Last Porsche meet I went to nobody was looking down there nose at them, at least not openly. As has been stated before, buy what you like, not somebody else! Doubt I would buy one in the thirties but have seen some very nice examples in the mid to upper forties... Be aware of the necessity to get the coolant hoses and clutch actuator updated get a ppi and enjoy it!