TVR Tamora to 996, 996 to boring?
Discussion
Hi all
Please be gentle with me, this is my first post on the Porsche forum.
I currently have a TVR Tamora and am thinking of getting a w reg 996 manual 2 WD coupe. I'm not sure if the 996 is going to be a big enough buzz after the TVR, I need something that I can drive fast and enjoy and at the same time be easy and simple for the wife to drive as well. I love my TVR, but the wife hates it and moans every time she has to drive, so it has to go, but it would ease the pain of giving the TVR up if I had a 911 sat on the drive
Going to drive one this weekend, but would appreciate the input of anyone whose gone from TVR world to Porsche world. Good or bad.
Regards
>>> Edited by bumcrack on Wednesday 7th July 22:09
Please be gentle with me, this is my first post on the Porsche forum.
I currently have a TVR Tamora and am thinking of getting a w reg 996 manual 2 WD coupe. I'm not sure if the 996 is going to be a big enough buzz after the TVR, I need something that I can drive fast and enjoy and at the same time be easy and simple for the wife to drive as well. I love my TVR, but the wife hates it and moans every time she has to drive, so it has to go, but it would ease the pain of giving the TVR up if I had a 911 sat on the drive
Going to drive one this weekend, but would appreciate the input of anyone whose gone from TVR world to Porsche world. Good or bad.
Regards
>>> Edited by bumcrack on Wednesday 7th July 22:09
I will be gentle with you. Most of the porsche owners here are going to tell you to get rid of the footballers car and invest in some quality german engineering, so be prepared.
The 996 is a beatufully finished unbeatable all rounder but it will be very conservative compared to your TVR. Its whatever you want out of life I suppose; my advice is follow your heart, best of luck in your search.
The 996 is a beatufully finished unbeatable all rounder but it will be very conservative compared to your TVR. Its whatever you want out of life I suppose; my advice is follow your heart, best of luck in your search.
Stock reply to all potential TreVoR converts is that boggo 996 (esp in 3.4 form) is probably not gunna float ya boat, for rawness no driver aids and handling you wont quite belive- (esp coming from a car built of old girders & washing up bowls )an older RS or a 996GT3 is perhaps ya bag, for performance & more comfort you wanna be looking for a Turbo badge on the arse.
)an older RS or a 996GT3 is perhaps ya bag, for performance & more comfort you wanna be looking for a Turbo badge on the arse. I posted something similar when I had my first play in a 996 (cab) for a few months, whilst my Chimaera was off the road.
My initial impression was 'underwhelming'.. it just wasnt 'fast' enough...
how wrong I was...
The porsche is so much more a 'drivers' car... whilst the TVRs are staggering in a line.. they just dont cut the mustard as a package..
the porsche murders them in handling... i was taking corners literally twice as fast as I could in the TVR.. i soon realised that whilst sliding round corners was fun, going round them FAST was alot more fun
The porsche is strange, unlike most cars, the initial WOW is large, and then swiftly wears off...
for me it was the opposite, aside from the WOW, I own a porsche.. i wasnt 'that' impressed..
BUT, every time i drove the car, my opinion of it increased... I realised IT wasnt slow, I was just driving it like a TVR, once I DROVE it like a porsche... i loved it..
Its the only car I miss now.. EVERY time i drove it, it just got better and better..
I think Kev (456) said the same about his 996 when he got it...
They age well, like a fine wine!!
You will miss the raw power of the TVR (but thats that the 911 Turbo is for!!) but you wont regret the switch..
Well, i didnt.
My only regret is moving into docklands, and thus removing my commute!
My initial impression was 'underwhelming'.. it just wasnt 'fast' enough...
how wrong I was...
The porsche is so much more a 'drivers' car... whilst the TVRs are staggering in a line.. they just dont cut the mustard as a package..
the porsche murders them in handling... i was taking corners literally twice as fast as I could in the TVR.. i soon realised that whilst sliding round corners was fun, going round them FAST was alot more fun
The porsche is strange, unlike most cars, the initial WOW is large, and then swiftly wears off...
for me it was the opposite, aside from the WOW, I own a porsche.. i wasnt 'that' impressed..
BUT, every time i drove the car, my opinion of it increased... I realised IT wasnt slow, I was just driving it like a TVR, once I DROVE it like a porsche... i loved it..
Its the only car I miss now.. EVERY time i drove it, it just got better and better..
I think Kev (456) said the same about his 996 when he got it...
They age well, like a fine wine!!
You will miss the raw power of the TVR (but thats that the 911 Turbo is for!!) but you wont regret the switch..
Well, i didnt.
My only regret is moving into docklands, and thus removing my commute!
iguana said:
Stock reply to all potential TreVoR converts is that boggo 996 (esp in 3.4 form) is probably not gunna float ya boat, for rawness no driver aids and handling you wont quite belive- (esp coming from a car built of old girders & washing up bowls
Love the GT3 or the turbo, but for the sort of money I've got its not an option really, 40k is my limit. So the GT3/Turbo is not on the cards. I don't really like the 993, it has to be the 996, mainly because I want something that’s not too old and the interior on the 993 is crap too.
>> Edited by bumcrack on Thursday 8th July 18:44
I went from a cerb in to a 996.
Whats different is that the car is solid, refined and predictable in is handling. By comparison to a TVR this does make it seem less exciting initially.
It takes a while to appreciate it, its less instant perhaps than a TVR but after a while you realise its a different league. You can take it for a decent thrap without listening out for odd engine noises, and without worrying about leaving the exhaust on a bump.
Dont forget its £220 a service, can use every day, its watertight and almost entirely free of niggles.
I had a bit of a duel with Flasher in his 4.2 Cerb and as a few would confirm, there was absolutely nothing in it performance wise up to almost 130mph.
If you want something to enjoy owning and driving its the ultimate, if you want something to show off in then the TVR is better.
Bennno
bennno said:
I went from a cerb in to a 996.
Whats different is that the car is solid, refined and predictable in is handling. By comparison to a TVR this does make it seem less exciting initially.
It takes a while to appreciate it, its less instant perhaps than a TVR but after a while you realise its a different league. You can take it for a decent thrap without listening out for odd engine noises, and without worrying about leaving the exhaust on a bump.
Dont forget its £220 a service, can use every day, its watertight and almost entirely free of niggles.
I had a bit of a duel with Flasher in his 4.2 Cerb and as a few would confirm, there was absolutely nothing in it performance wise up to almost 130mph.
If you want something to enjoy owning and driving its the ultimate, if you want something to show off in then the TVR is better.
Bennno
Plus, if you do track days, you will be much quicker in a 996 than most TVRs.
That rear traction is monumental.Absolutely nothing touches it.
It makes you appreciate what an advantage it is having the engine over the back wheels.
In May I went from a TVR to a 996 and have not looked back.
I love TVR and still miss the raw edge and quirks but there is a whole new world with the 996.
The more I drive the 996 the more I apreciate porsche and now want to move up the range to GT3/Turbos. Its fast, handels great and is rock solid.
I know £ per BHP is better with the TVR but think the overall package is better with Porsche,
Still love TVR and have no regrets but would be hard pressed to go back in the short term.
I love TVR and still miss the raw edge and quirks but there is a whole new world with the 996.
The more I drive the 996 the more I apreciate porsche and now want to move up the range to GT3/Turbos. Its fast, handels great and is rock solid.
I know £ per BHP is better with the TVR but think the overall package is better with Porsche,
Still love TVR and have no regrets but would be hard pressed to go back in the short term.
I used to own a TVR Griffith 500. It was great fun but I always felt it had to much power for the chassis to cope with.
I'm now in the fortunate position of owning a new GT3. What a car! Its got the fun factor of a TVR but the quality and engineering integrity that Porsches possess.
If you can't stretch to one I'd go for a 996C2/4 with the GT3 bodykit (i.e. sports chassis).
I'm now in the fortunate position of owning a new GT3. What a car! Its got the fun factor of a TVR but the quality and engineering integrity that Porsches possess.
If you can't stretch to one I'd go for a 996C2/4 with the GT3 bodykit (i.e. sports chassis).
I don't think you will have a problem, just ensure you get a 996 with drivers spec....
e.g.
030- 10mm lowered suspension
Sports Exhaust - preferably Porsches own.
Will sound as good as the TVR, handle FAR better & be just a fast in the real world (the traction of the C2 is unreal).
But you can also use it every day & yes the Mrs can also drive it ok.
e.g.
030- 10mm lowered suspension
Sports Exhaust - preferably Porsches own.
Will sound as good as the TVR, handle FAR better & be just a fast in the real world (the traction of the C2 is unreal).
But you can also use it every day & yes the Mrs can also drive it ok.
I would recommend the C4 not the C2 - handles like a C2 with 95% of power going rear, but when it counts can push 40% up front. It makes a huge difference to the cars handling and sefety in the wet. Makes the power accessable and if you take the advice given above supercharging can give you turbo like performance too.
I would say the opposite.
having come from a TVR, he is used to RWD fun.
the C4 saps a fair chunk of the power, AND the fun from the experience.
It also drastically reduces the boot space!!
I would say get the C4 if you plan to Supercharge / turbo.
but if you just want fun.. the C2 afford a huge amount of grip anyway, wet or dry.
I can see the point of 4wd on the Turbo... but IMHO.. its just overkill/killjoy on the N/A 996
having come from a TVR, he is used to RWD fun.
the C4 saps a fair chunk of the power, AND the fun from the experience.
It also drastically reduces the boot space!!
I would say get the C4 if you plan to Supercharge / turbo.
but if you just want fun.. the C2 afford a huge amount of grip anyway, wet or dry.
I can see the point of 4wd on the Turbo... but IMHO.. its just overkill/killjoy on the N/A 996
JamieBeeston said:
I would say the opposite.
having come from a TVR, he is used to RWD fun.
the C4 saps a fair chunk of the power, AND the fun from the experience.
It also drastically reduces the boot space!!
I would say get the C4 if you plan to Supercharge / turbo.
but if you just want fun.. the C2 afford a huge amount of grip anyway, wet or dry.
I can see the point of 4wd on the Turbo... but IMHO.. its just overkill/killjoy on the N/A 996
secondedThanks for all the replies
I do love the TVR, and haven't driven the poker yet, but the Tamora isn't like the old TVR's in the sense that you can only go fast in a straight line. It corners really well on the smoother roads. Setup's a bit too firm on the bumpier roads though.
I'm used to RWD, so I'd stick to the C2 coupe manual. 4WD a bit dull for me, great for going fast from A-B though.
I'm looking at a 996 this weekend with sport suspension and 18's
Thanks for all the input
I do love the TVR, and haven't driven the poker yet, but the Tamora isn't like the old TVR's in the sense that you can only go fast in a straight line. It corners really well on the smoother roads. Setup's a bit too firm on the bumpier roads though.
I'm used to RWD, so I'd stick to the C2 coupe manual. 4WD a bit dull for me, great for going fast from A-B though.
I'm looking at a 996 this weekend with sport suspension and 18's
Thanks for all the input
Never having owned a TVR, so not sure I can add much to this. Think I know what you mean about the thrills though.
The main question is whether this is your everyday car. I had an early 996C2 for just over a year. That car had sports suspension, sports exhaust and lots of toys. It's a devastatingly capable car and one of the few sports cars that genuinely work as an everyday proposition. The only time I regretted not getting a C4 was when we had a very heavy snowfall, which was not fun at all in the C2.
My wife wasn't happy with the interior and floor-hinged pedals of the 993, so it had to be a 996. Being honest about it though, I think that was the wrong call. IMHO, the plain vanilla 996 isn't an overly charismatic car- it gets your pulse racing when you're dive bombing B roads, but not at other times. This is a very personal thing though, so I suppose the key question is whether the thought, just the thought, of getting a 996 to play with makes your heart beat faster? From your reaction above, maybe it does!
The main question is whether this is your everyday car. I had an early 996C2 for just over a year. That car had sports suspension, sports exhaust and lots of toys. It's a devastatingly capable car and one of the few sports cars that genuinely work as an everyday proposition. The only time I regretted not getting a C4 was when we had a very heavy snowfall, which was not fun at all in the C2.
My wife wasn't happy with the interior and floor-hinged pedals of the 993, so it had to be a 996. Being honest about it though, I think that was the wrong call. IMHO, the plain vanilla 996 isn't an overly charismatic car- it gets your pulse racing when you're dive bombing B roads, but not at other times. This is a very personal thing though, so I suppose the key question is whether the thought, just the thought, of getting a 996 to play with makes your heart beat faster? From your reaction above, maybe it does!
AC79xxx said:
I would say the opposite.
having come from a TVR, he is used to RWD fun.
the C4 saps a fair chunk of the power, AND the fun from the experience.
It also drastically reduces the boot space!!
I would say get the C4 if you plan to Supercharge / turbo.
but if you just want fun.. the C2 afford a huge amount of grip anyway, wet or dry.
I can see the point of 4wd on the Turbo... but IMHO.. its just overkill/killjoy on the N/A 996
thirded
Paul
(02 996 C2 with sports exhaust)
456mgt said:
Never having owned a TVR, so not sure I can add much to this. Think I know what you mean about the thrills though.
The main question is whether this is your everyday car. I had an early 996C2 for just over a year. That car had sports suspension, sports exhaust and lots of toys. It's a devastatingly capable car and one of the few sports cars that genuinely work as an everyday proposition. The only time I regretted not getting a C4 was when we had a very heavy snowfall, which was not fun at all in the C2.
My wife wasn't happy with the interior and floor-hinged pedals of the 993, so it had to be a 996. Being honest about it though, I think that was the wrong call. IMHO, the plain vanilla 996 isn't an overly charismatic car- it gets your pulse racing when you're dive bombing B roads, but not at other times. This is a very personal thing though, so I suppose the key question is whether the thought, just the thought, of getting a 996 to play with makes your heart beat faster? From your reaction above, maybe it does!
996,996, be still my beating heart
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