calling all 996 turbo owners (who bought new)
Discussion
So, I'm ditching some other motors, selling my gran to the devil, lying to the bank manager and pushing out the boat on a new 996 tt - with x50 power upgrade. I have to spec car in a couple of months for a late summer delivery... what (in your opinion) am I missing or including in the spec that I shouldn't?
Any comments from peeps who are in the know, or have recently bought one would be appreciated. Thanks.
First up... waiting for the next version of the turbo is not an option (life = too short), and I want a black one. (ok... maybe lapis blue)
The car will be for life on empty roads in the Highlands of Scotland and a dozen or so track days a year. Do I need to go for bucket seats or are the sports seats up to the job of trackdays? Also - thinking of NOT fitting the roll over bar so I drive safer on track! + have some back seats
Here we go then. Provisional spec... Have I missed anything?
996 turbo manual
basalt black metallic/black leather/graphite logos
xaf turbo aerokit (need skirts)
x50 performance kit
xsb sports seats – backrests in leather
xx1 floor mats
e77 carbon package small
xpd three-spoke sports steering wheel in carbon
pcm communications management / sat nav / computer etc
pcm handset
CDR 32 audio CD/radio etc
Thanks again for any help chaps
Steve
>>> Edited by getcarter on Monday 3rd February 16:54
Any comments from peeps who are in the know, or have recently bought one would be appreciated. Thanks.
First up... waiting for the next version of the turbo is not an option (life = too short), and I want a black one. (ok... maybe lapis blue)
The car will be for life on empty roads in the Highlands of Scotland and a dozen or so track days a year. Do I need to go for bucket seats or are the sports seats up to the job of trackdays? Also - thinking of NOT fitting the roll over bar so I drive safer on track! + have some back seats
Here we go then. Provisional spec... Have I missed anything?
996 turbo manual
basalt black metallic/black leather/graphite logos
xaf turbo aerokit (need skirts)
x50 performance kit
xsb sports seats – backrests in leather
xx1 floor mats
e77 carbon package small
xpd three-spoke sports steering wheel in carbon
pcm communications management / sat nav / computer etc
pcm handset
CDR 32 audio CD/radio etc
Thanks again for any help chaps
Steve
>>> Edited by getcarter on Monday 3rd February 16:54
Very nice spec Steve,it should be a fantastic car..
As you are at the upper end of spec with this car,
relatively in expensive extras that seem to go down well are heated seats about £250 I beleive
also the rain sensor wipers are only a couple of hundred quid.
It may be personal taste,but I had a demo 996 for a few days with this carbon wheel,I liked the look of it,but hated using it in practice.I much prefer the all leather wheel,,,only my preference.
Another thing a few guys are getting are reverse stitching & carpets..
As in Basalt black body with grey leather,blue stitching & blue carpets....or combos of your choice.
either way you are getting THE car,summer cannot come quick enough.
As you are at the upper end of spec with this car,
relatively in expensive extras that seem to go down well are heated seats about £250 I beleive
also the rain sensor wipers are only a couple of hundred quid.
It may be personal taste,but I had a demo 996 for a few days with this carbon wheel,I liked the look of it,but hated using it in practice.I much prefer the all leather wheel,,,only my preference.
Another thing a few guys are getting are reverse stitching & carpets..
As in Basalt black body with grey leather,blue stitching & blue carpets....or combos of your choice.
either way you are getting THE car,summer cannot come quick enough.
Just for comparison I just got my new 996 TT with the following options:
Slate Grey Metallic Exterior
Boxter Red interior (full leather)
Tiptronic S (city use mostly)
PCM with phone module (no handset- don't use it that often)
6 CD Changer (need that with nav using the single slot)
Large Carbon Pack (looks great)
Carbon / Aluminiun Hand brake / Gear lever
Aluminium dials
Crest enbossed on seats
coloured crest wheel centres
Factory collection (so much better than the East end!)
Didn't go for X50, but agonised for weeks about it when time came to spec up, have to say I don't regret it (£9,000 for 30 HP = OTT)
Re. Tiptronic, jury is still out, no doubt much better around town but shift time a little slow when pressing on (around 1 sec), my last car was a 355 and it's F1 gearbox was vastly superior / appropriate. I would bet that Porsche will introduce this system as an option in the very near future.
Despite that one niggle, this car is beautiful and breathtakingly/ heartstoppingly fast.
And the colour combo looks great, I'm sure you will love yours just as much.
Good luck
Slate Grey Metallic Exterior
Boxter Red interior (full leather)
Tiptronic S (city use mostly)
PCM with phone module (no handset- don't use it that often)
6 CD Changer (need that with nav using the single slot)
Large Carbon Pack (looks great)
Carbon / Aluminiun Hand brake / Gear lever
Aluminium dials
Crest enbossed on seats
coloured crest wheel centres
Factory collection (so much better than the East end!)
Didn't go for X50, but agonised for weeks about it when time came to spec up, have to say I don't regret it (£9,000 for 30 HP = OTT)
Re. Tiptronic, jury is still out, no doubt much better around town but shift time a little slow when pressing on (around 1 sec), my last car was a 355 and it's F1 gearbox was vastly superior / appropriate. I would bet that Porsche will introduce this system as an option in the very near future.
Despite that one niggle, this car is beautiful and breathtakingly/ heartstoppingly fast.
And the colour combo looks great, I'm sure you will love yours just as much.
Good luck
basalt black metallic/black leather/graphite logos - Nice Combo. Black is difficult to keep clean although you know that from your M3.
xaf turbo aerokit (need skirts)-Personal Choice. Beware front skirt protrudes even further than standard and is painted so it is prone to scuff marks.
x50 performance kit - Absolute no brainer. It's not about the 30 bhp it's about lifting the entire torque curve up.
xsb sports seats backrests in leather - get heated if you can.
xx1 floor mats
e77 carbon package small - I'd add the Aluminium handbrake and gear lever. They really do set it off.
xpd three-spoke sports steering wheel in carbon - I'd drop this. Go for standard or with leather, you need a constant surface for feel. I drive couple of mercs with wood inserts on the steering wheel, I'd not order steering wheel inserts again.
pcm communications management / sat nav / computer etc pcm handset - Good but you loose the slots in front of the gear lever where you put your geodesy and laser "garage door opener" controller. Also means your aircon heater controls are dropped down right infront of the gearbox.
CDR 32 audio CD/radio etc - This cannot be ordered with the PCM coms man. above. It takes the same part of the dash board.
Dazrens recommended extras.
1 - 6 CD shuttle in the boot. Normally fitted by supplying dealer.
2 - Colour shield centre caps on the alloys.
3 - Porsche crest on the headrest.
4 - Cruise control for those empty motorways when you want to keep below 85 and protect your license.
DAZ
PS - Buckets and small rollcage are great but may effect residuals as it imply's you will have seriously tracked it.
xaf turbo aerokit (need skirts)-Personal Choice. Beware front skirt protrudes even further than standard and is painted so it is prone to scuff marks.
x50 performance kit - Absolute no brainer. It's not about the 30 bhp it's about lifting the entire torque curve up.
xsb sports seats backrests in leather - get heated if you can.
xx1 floor mats
e77 carbon package small - I'd add the Aluminium handbrake and gear lever. They really do set it off.
xpd three-spoke sports steering wheel in carbon - I'd drop this. Go for standard or with leather, you need a constant surface for feel. I drive couple of mercs with wood inserts on the steering wheel, I'd not order steering wheel inserts again.
pcm communications management / sat nav / computer etc pcm handset - Good but you loose the slots in front of the gear lever where you put your geodesy and laser "garage door opener" controller. Also means your aircon heater controls are dropped down right infront of the gearbox.
CDR 32 audio CD/radio etc - This cannot be ordered with the PCM coms man. above. It takes the same part of the dash board.
Dazrens recommended extras.
1 - 6 CD shuttle in the boot. Normally fitted by supplying dealer.
2 - Colour shield centre caps on the alloys.
3 - Porsche crest on the headrest.
4 - Cruise control for those empty motorways when you want to keep below 85 and protect your license.
DAZ
PS - Buckets and small rollcage are great but may effect residuals as it imply's you will have seriously tracked it.
dazren said:
xsb sports seats backrests in leather - get heated if you can.
xpd three-spoke sports steering wheel in carbon - I'd drop this. Go for standard or with leather, you need a constant surface for feel. I drive couple of mercs with wood inserts on the steering wheel, I'd not order steering wheel inserts again.
I also had a fast Merc with wooden steering.
A f***king nightmare. If you actually DRIVE a car rather than piss around in it then the palms of our hands will get moist. In the summer they'll get moist even if you're not driving fast. My hands kept on slipping on the wood bit of the steering wheel. ONLY leather on a steering wheel!!
Cruise control is a must if you want to travel fast but keep your licence. I drive 40-50K miles per annum most of it with a cruise control.
Rgds, WalterU
Er , this is really serious money ,and as you may know its big number depreciation in the first 18 months, so if its your own dough you should look around at a nearly new motor which may take a while to find right one, but still be there quicker than a new order. I'm assuming you are the same Mr Carter who takes all the great photos at easytrack events, so I'm trying to help here. Right now ,mainly because of collapse of banking/ sharedealing sector, there are plenty of near new flash motors around. As you are speccing it up, this rationale applies even more , the depreciation on customised extras is massive. Sports seats are good, PCM is great, best toy to have,.. I like tip but if not based in city then not a benefit, anything over 400 bhp is useful ( too much for me ) ..good luck !!
STEVE
Make sure you try out the different seat types whilst wearing a helmet before ordering. If you are tall you may wish to consider the reduced padding in the seat option together with deleting the sunroof.
Be sure to let us know your final spec.
cheers
DAZ
PS - Did I mention heated seats in my previous post? A cheap option on my car, only a couple of hundred pounds. I also added lumbar adjustment to drivers seat. Not sure if the last option is available on sports seats though.
Make sure you try out the different seat types whilst wearing a helmet before ordering. If you are tall you may wish to consider the reduced padding in the seat option together with deleting the sunroof.
Be sure to let us know your final spec.
cheers
DAZ
PS - Did I mention heated seats in my previous post? A cheap option on my car, only a couple of hundred pounds. I also added lumbar adjustment to drivers seat. Not sure if the last option is available on sports seats though.
Daz... bloomin good tip on the skid lid. Ta
Tifosi... just *have* to have the x50 (I wish I didn't have to - honest), cos I'm selling an R500 to buy the 911, and at least with the x50 it resembles the straight line performance of the Caterham.
Oldtimer... I was just reading a post from you on the easytrack forum. Thanks for the tips. I know it's financial stupidity... but I've been working my way up to a new tt for the best part of a decade. Just gotta' do it once. (If my accountant is reading this... ok, only once).
Good points re the cage, steering wheel and buckets, I think it's right to spec as a road car ( rear seats etc) and drive sensibly on track. (Almost).
>> Edited by getcarter on Monday 3rd February 22:10
Tifosi... just *have* to have the x50 (I wish I didn't have to - honest), cos I'm selling an R500 to buy the 911, and at least with the x50 it resembles the straight line performance of the Caterham.
Oldtimer... I was just reading a post from you on the easytrack forum. Thanks for the tips. I know it's financial stupidity... but I've been working my way up to a new tt for the best part of a decade. Just gotta' do it once. (If my accountant is reading this... ok, only once).
Good points re the cage, steering wheel and buckets, I think it's right to spec as a road car ( rear seats etc) and drive sensibly on track. (Almost).
>> Edited by getcarter on Monday 3rd February 22:10
We all have different priorities - thank goodness, otherwise it would be a very dull world! My spec included (in no particular order):
Heated seats, and what a luxury they are.
Cruise control, for motorway peace of mind.
Tiptronic S, for the system's versatility.
CD Autochanger, because the Bose system deserves it!
Various other unimportant bits and bobs.
No badges, to deter the wilder boy racers.
No sunroof, mainly because I never use them.
The leather steering wheel is a 'must' for me.
Rain-sensor wipers came as standard. Excellent.
No need for PCM, and it crowds the interior.
Thought a lot about the extra 50 bhp, and maybe I was wrong to decide against it, but it seemed an awful lot of money at the time. No intention of doing track days, so my spec was strictly for road use. Love it.
Heated seats, and what a luxury they are.
Cruise control, for motorway peace of mind.
Tiptronic S, for the system's versatility.
CD Autochanger, because the Bose system deserves it!
Various other unimportant bits and bobs.
No badges, to deter the wilder boy racers.
No sunroof, mainly because I never use them.
The leather steering wheel is a 'must' for me.
Rain-sensor wipers came as standard. Excellent.
No need for PCM, and it crowds the interior.
Thought a lot about the extra 50 bhp, and maybe I was wrong to decide against it, but it seemed an awful lot of money at the time. No intention of doing track days, so my spec was strictly for road use. Love it.
re R500... not sure yet. Trouble is, It spends half the time sitting in a damp garage getting eaten by mice. Actually, that's a bit of an exageration... it's not damp.
If I can, I'll keep it, but it's a bit of a no hoper as a road car (the roads round here are pretty bumpy and my eyes start to rattle after 10 mins) - so it's really just a track car - and I fancy doing all the circuits I've done in Caterhams in a 911
If I can, I'll keep it, but it's a bit of a no hoper as a road car (the roads round here are pretty bumpy and my eyes start to rattle after 10 mins) - so it's really just a track car - and I fancy doing all the circuits I've done in Caterhams in a 911
getcarter said: re R500... not sure yet. Trouble is, It spends half the time sitting in a damp garage getting eaten by mice. Actually, that's a bit of an exageration... it's not damp.
If I can, I'll keep it, but it's a bit of a no hoper as a road car (the roads round here are pretty bumpy and my eyes start to rattle after 10 mins) - so it's really just a track car - and I fancy doing all the circuits I've done in Caterhams in a 911
Better meet up with you soon then, Steve, as I fancy a ride in the R500. The Turbo would be nice, but the 996tts are so refined they don't scare as much as the rocket powered sleds from Dartford
All the best and sounds like a great choice of car - I presume both the M3 and R500 are going to make way for it? Had you considered an SR3 before making your mind up?
ATB
Dom
Ok so money no object and a virgin it will be, my remaining tip is keep the satnav option...didn't realise that Scottish highlands was your beat , better check they have been mapped on the satnav CD - I'm not kidding, Navtech go for populated areas first.. give us a location to feed in I'll check it on mine (May 2001 update)
OldTimer - you have mail
Dom - I'll make sure we meet up before (and if) I sell. SR3 crosses my mind from time to time - but I REALLY think that'd have to be a track only car as it would ground on the lane to my house! (I intend to get in writing that a turbo with skirts won't!)
Steve
Dom - I'll make sure we meet up before (and if) I sell. SR3 crosses my mind from time to time - but I REALLY think that'd have to be a track only car as it would ground on the lane to my house! (I intend to get in writing that a turbo with skirts won't!)
Steve
Hi GetCarter!!
great choice with the 911 Turbo, got mine in December,
,had a good number of Porsches, but the Turbo is the best so far,I just love this car.Throwing in my two pennysworth (for what it is worth)can I make a few observations..I don't think you will beat the exhileration of the Caterham for track days. The Turbo is fantastic at being an all rounder...you can cruise in comfort with all the toys, use it every day, or go ballistic engage warp drive & go round bends at speeds you wouldn't believe. It is a GT car & a great drivers car in one,inevitably, the raw seat of the pants drive of the Caterham is good for only one thing, but fun!!
Spec..Small touches inside will make it feel more special,the alloy handbrake & gearlever pack greatly lifts a dark cabin (as do silver dials) Porsche Crests in the seats look great & are cheap & the leather Turbo logo on the centre console box also lifts the cabin. I find Cruise invaluable (for speed traps!!). I don't like the aero kit (but each to their own) think the power kit is too expensive (& the turbo is already too fast for UK roads),the more you spend the more you loose come re-sale. I am told Sat Nav. is a must for re-sale.Otherwise is down to what you fancy.
I really hope you enjoy your Turbo, but I have to say that if you are using it mainly for trackwork, the new GT3 looks more your bag.
great choice with the 911 Turbo, got mine in December,
,had a good number of Porsches, but the Turbo is the best so far,I just love this car.Throwing in my two pennysworth (for what it is worth)can I make a few observations..I don't think you will beat the exhileration of the Caterham for track days. The Turbo is fantastic at being an all rounder...you can cruise in comfort with all the toys, use it every day, or go ballistic engage warp drive & go round bends at speeds you wouldn't believe. It is a GT car & a great drivers car in one,inevitably, the raw seat of the pants drive of the Caterham is good for only one thing, but fun!!
Spec..Small touches inside will make it feel more special,the alloy handbrake & gearlever pack greatly lifts a dark cabin (as do silver dials) Porsche Crests in the seats look great & are cheap & the leather Turbo logo on the centre console box also lifts the cabin. I find Cruise invaluable (for speed traps!!). I don't like the aero kit (but each to their own) think the power kit is too expensive (& the turbo is already too fast for UK roads),the more you spend the more you loose come re-sale. I am told Sat Nav. is a must for re-sale.Otherwise is down to what you fancy.
I really hope you enjoy your Turbo, but I have to say that if you are using it mainly for trackwork, the new GT3 looks more your bag.
Comment on the seats. If you have not done so, you should sit in and drive both available seats (other than the GT2/3 seats).
I have a car with the standard seats and one with the sport seats. The sport seats (in my TT) are ok but my wife will not ride in the car for any period of time. The "wings" on the seat push her sholders forward and she finds them very uncomfortable.
I rode in a car with the GT2/3 seats and really liked them. Great for the track, cannot comment on how they would be cross country.
Roy
I have a car with the standard seats and one with the sport seats. The sport seats (in my TT) are ok but my wife will not ride in the car for any period of time. The "wings" on the seat push her sholders forward and she finds them very uncomfortable.
I rode in a car with the GT2/3 seats and really liked them. Great for the track, cannot comment on how they would be cross country.
Roy
Gt3 seats are great,,,only thing is reversing is a complete nightmare...secondly GT3 seats are fixed back,which is not a problem in a 3 as there are no rear seats.In a Turbo with rear seats fitted you will greatly restrict access to the rear..
Having read this thread from the start, as already pointed out,you really should at least check a GT3 before you spend the extra £40k on a Turbo...Even if ultimately not as fast,it will probably feel as if it is & be more rewarding on the track.
Having read this thread from the start, as already pointed out,you really should at least check a GT3 before you spend the extra £40k on a Turbo...Even if ultimately not as fast,it will probably feel as if it is & be more rewarding on the track.
Thanks again for the help and tips people.
My problem with the GT3 is that this car also has to serve as a road/work car and 'her indoors' (let alone me) will need to drive it in the highlands (snow/ice/daft gradients and stuff)... and so I need 4 wheel drive and psm... which means getting there in winter!
...lots of good advice and help here though, esp re: seats and trim etc. Ta
Steve
>> Edited by getcarter on Wednesday 5th February 21:16
My problem with the GT3 is that this car also has to serve as a road/work car and 'her indoors' (let alone me) will need to drive it in the highlands (snow/ice/daft gradients and stuff)... and so I need 4 wheel drive and psm... which means getting there in winter!
...lots of good advice and help here though, esp re: seats and trim etc. Ta
Steve
>> Edited by getcarter on Wednesday 5th February 21:16
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff