RE: Porsche 996 Turbo: Catch it while you can

[num2uk]

IMO these cars need some minor modifications to really shine. I love mine!

I guess Porsche might have wanted to dumb that character down so it felt like more of a GT car and was positioned well in their hierarchy, IMO this was a mistake, it makes the car as standard a little boring as it is so capable.

With an exhaust and a minor tune they really shine. The minor mods really bring the character of the car to the forefront.

[iloveboost]

GTEYE said:

The 911s that have rocketed upwards tend to have at least one thing in common, rarity. The 996 era was when Porsche production expanded massively compared to 993 and earlier, so perhaps there are too many of these around.

I'd also forgotten how ghastly the 996 interior was too, it really hasn't aged well.

I'm happy to be proved wrong though.

I agree the 996 isn't as rare as older generations, and it has a reputation for being less characterful. Also the interior quality is arguably slightly worse than an E36 3 series. I think the 996 will be relatively 'cheap' for many years, and will never rise in price as much as older generations have. However right now just look at the value of a 996 Turbo, compared to older generations of 911:

Performance of a 996 GT3 or 997 C4S (or better) around a track, not bad looking (other than the flatter and longer looking headlights), more refinement than older models, no IMS issues, 420-250hp with loads of mid range, decent brakes (I think ceramics were an option?) and 911 handling (plus AWD).

At sub £30K it has to be better value overall, than any pre-996 car.

[iloveboost]

J4CKO said:

Just read a sobering tale of a snapped camchain, the owner rebuilt it himself for about £3500 but it suffered some running issues which he managed to rectify, the owner of Hartech kept offering advice and support which was impressive.

I'm really impressed that someone did that themselves, that's a heck of a job. It's not like changing brake pads is it?!

[Mr Whippy]

iloveboost said:

At sub £30K it has to be better value overall, than any pre-996 car.

Overall though they might drop while a 993 might stay still in value terms.

It's a tricky time but I think the time for the 996T has passed for now. They were cheaper in the past. So a newer car appreciating with age. Win win.

Now they're an older car possibly over valued with a bit or a lot to lose.

I'd be more positive if it were not for the fact even MORE 997T are coming down the pile and they're arguably a better car given you're buying to drive not garage queen it!


Hmmmmmm

[redsport]

The standard 996 looks so much nicer than the turbo..

could you look out the window every day and think mmm that looks great?

[David A]

996 turbo s cab. Polar silver and special order colour interior. S so all the toys inc pccbs. Lightly modified by 9e last year. So one of the rarer ones and certainly one of the faster. Interior is fine perfectly functional. Exterior I prefer the looks to anything other than a couple of RS models. Certainly prefer it over the 997/991 and earlier 993/964s to me look like classics.

It's a keeper and the bonus of seeing advertised prices consistently higher than I paid is nice too.

[J4CKO]

iloveboost said:

J4CKO said:

Just read a sobering tale of a snapped camchain, the owner rebuilt it himself for about £3500 but it suffered some running issues which he managed to rectify, the owner of Hartech kept offering advice and support which was impressive.

I'm really impressed that someone did that themselves, that's a heck of a job. It's not like changing brake pads is it?!

Oh I dont know, rear drums on a Mini can be tricky

Impressive man skills.

[iloveboost]

cheese said:

I am in the incredibly fortunate position of owning both. At this time I am more excited by the 996TT, but that is simply because I've just quite recently purchased it and the CSL is tucked up in the garage waiting for dry roads. There is little point for me of using the CSL on wet roads as you simply cannot drive it as it needs to be driven, whereas the 996TT is excellent at any time is seems.

The CSL is by far the more involving and in many ways, exciting car. I'd class the CSL as a sports car and the 996TT as a GT. The CSL has a visceral edge to it and the involvement, noise and excitement it provides is frankly ridiculous. The CSL is a fantastic car which makes me feel very lucky and special every time I use it. DO NOT listen to people who moan about the gearbox as it's fine and suits the car well. Would I prefer it as a manual - yes, but the SMGII is great and snaps away at the gears very nicely. On a tight track, without too many long straights I think the CSL would quite comfortably be faster than the TT, as that is what it's designed for.

The 996TT, which has the X50 pack, is laugh out loud fast in the right gear and on the right road. I love that it is small and wieldy and feels chunky and tight. It's true when people say that it inspires confidence and you don't quite realise how fast you're going. I haven't done this myself but, I heard of people setting a beeper to go off at just over a 100mph to notify them of their speed - the point being that you can easily hoof it up to a ton without blinking.

I'm trying not to be a tiny bit jealous as you sound humble. I...am...very...glad...for...your...good...fortune...sir! Blimey that was still harder than I expected.

My only real world experience of 911 Turbo performance came from following a 997 Turbo with those nice 'three thin-spokes in a five spoke' wheels. Suddenly a short straight appears, and it disappears making no real noise. Round the next corner and I find he either engaged a cloaking device, or the driver has forgotten to use the other pedal for quite some time.
After witnessing this road going Tie Fighter I was pretty amazed. At the time I had a car with a staggering 80, yes 80, fast and furious Japanese horses. I also had no idea how fast a supercar was in the real world, but it turns out it's Tie Fighter fast.

[J4CKO]

Have driven a 996 turbo on a track at one of those Supercar experiences, it didnt want to let me slide it, turning off the electronics was not an option but it felt like I could do but I reckon that could end badly.

Been in a 997 turbo, seemed bit quicker than the 996.

Been in a 1980s 3.3 Turbo and that felt bonkers at the time as a sixteen year old, driver was not very good and it all nearly went very wrong !

I have driven a 964 turbo, in the wet, with a hangover in Switzerland, the loon of an owner laughing at me at being a big girls blouse when he told me to put my foot down and it started squirming.

[Birdster]

Really hoping to jump into one of these within the the next twelve months.

Have they risen that much? As I seem to remember seeing them as low as £25K and 911Virgin has one for £28K.

To be fair I'm basing my prices on 911Virgin/RSJ prices.

http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/704/996Tur...

[FRPs Porsche]

As a 996 turbo owner i may be biased! But can anyone tell me for the money where you can get mind bending accelleration, turn key reliability and the value of the cars are actually increasing ? If you take care of a 996 turbo and blast it from time to time (big smiles) then it will not let you down. Circa prices are £30+ for a good one and they are rising, premium for manual x50 models. However, nothing wrong with a TIP gear box model, good for 750bhp if that rocks yer boat!! every mile is a smile!!!

[EarlOfHazard]

redsport said:

The standard 996 looks so much nicer than the turbo..

could you look out the window every day and think mmm that looks great?

I myself prefer the looks of the C4S over all of the other 996s. With out the rear spoiler, it has such a nice bum.

[supermono]

My experience of x50 was it seemed laggier than standard turbos. Ok a bit quicker eventually but I liked the snappiness of my standard. The gt2 (standard x50 bits plus more) being lighter has best of both worlds, still slightly laggy compared to non-x50 but light enough to really shift.

996 turbos are amazing value though that's for sure. So much fun in the rain too

[g7jhp]

I hadn't looked at manual 996 turbo coupe prices recently but I'm staggered by the range (£32k-57k) of asking prices for sub 60k mile cars:

2003 Porsche 911 turbo, manual, coupe with 55k mies, blue @ £32k




2000 Porsche 911 turbo, manual, coupe with 28k mies, silver @ £36k DEPOSIT TAKEN




2002 Porsche 911 turbo, manual, coupe with 50k mies, blue @ £38k




2003 Porsche 911 turbo, manual, coupe with 18k mies, black @ £43k




2002 Porsche 911 turbo (X50) manual, coupe with 14k mies, silver @ £46k SOLD




2002 Porsche 911 turbo (X50) manual, coupe with 54k mies, black @ £47k at Slades




2004 Porsche 911 turbo, manual, coupe with 17.5k mies, black @ £53k at JZM




2005 Porsche 911 turbo (X50), manual, coupe with 18k mies, silver @ £57k




I probably shouldn't be given all other Porsche prices at present!

Edited by g7jhp on Saturday 28th March 07:45

[MGR]

I've often considered buying one of these, then I realise I'm only considering it because I wanted one of the other versions 930, 997 etc but can't afford them so end up looking at these. Its not because I want one in its own right.

I think it must be down to the looks but its just not a car I would want to own. If prices are rising I believe its only due to the other models becoming out of reach.

[k-ink]

May as well wait for 997 TT to bottom out. They are making tons of those. Plus they are better looking and faster.

[GekkoRules]

Birdster said:

Really hoping to jump into one of these within the the next twelve months.

Have they risen that much? As I seem to remember seeing them as low as £25K and 911Virgin has one for £28K.

To be fair I'm basing my prices on 911Virgin/RSJ prices.

http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/704/996Tur...

This is my old car. It's a beauty. Really great condition and history.

[Mr Whippy]

k-ink said:

May as well wait for 997 TT to bottom out. They are making tons of those. Plus they are better looking and faster.

I agree, I'd wait on the interior alone.

[g7jhp]

MGR said:

I've often considered buying one of these, then I realise I'm only considering it because I wanted one of the other versions 930, 997 etc but can't afford them so end up looking at these. Its not because I want one in its own right.

I think it must be down to the looks but its just not a car I would want to own. If prices are rising I believe its only due to the other models becoming out of reach.

Funny all the above could be written about the E36 M3 Evo!

[EarlOfHazard]

g7jhp said:

MGR said:

I've often considered buying one of these, then I realise I'm only considering it because I wanted one of the other versions 930, 997 etc but can't afford them so end up looking at these. Its not because I want one in its own right.

I think it must be down to the looks but its just not a car I would want to own. If prices are rising I believe its only due to the other models becoming out of reach.

Funny all the above could be written about the E36 M3 Evo!

I had the chance to buy my mate's m3 evo for 2.5k back 2008. Instead I bought an Audi S6 2.2 turbo- a week later the engine blew up. As far as cars go, that was my biggest regret.
That M3 was soooooo quick