Cant decide whether to sell my 996TT
Discussion
Hold tight Billsnemesis - I'm hoping to test drive the Masser this weekend - lets see what happens! will give you a shout!
will have to be a complete home run to change though - i think the net net of the responses here, and probably the sensible choice from a residuals POV (even if it goes down a bit) is to keep it.
But then, these are emotional decisions in the end..!
Big thanks all for your responses - its been great to read them
final nudge for any Maserati Granturismo owners to chip in with a view - anyone made the jump?
will have to be a complete home run to change though - i think the net net of the responses here, and probably the sensible choice from a residuals POV (even if it goes down a bit) is to keep it.
But then, these are emotional decisions in the end..!
Big thanks all for your responses - its been great to read them
final nudge for any Maserati Granturismo owners to chip in with a view - anyone made the jump?
The Red Devil said:
Better how?
When I did my back to back test drives a few months back before deciding what to buy, the 997 ( gen2 specifically) felt better dynamically with more feedback to the driver. It also felt quite a bit more responsive. I think if you're keeping the cars standard (or want warranty) the 997 is the better car, but obv a lot more tuning potential with the 996. Also, as already stated the 996 interior is pretty poor (and felt very dated to me), and personally I still struggle with the front end looks, but that's obviously all in the eye of the beholder 
OP - Maser for me given your options so far. Certainly has the sense of occasion that a beemer lacks, and the noise!
Edited by StuH on Friday 6th November 09:26
Thanks a lot StuH - will try and get a drive and report back! FWIW i would have got a 997s, or turbo if I could have afforded the gene variant at the time. It was a budget thing that took me to the 996tt over those options. at the time it was half the price of those options thought and felt like 90% of the the car so i was stoked. even more so now the price gap has closed yay!
Lordjimimac said:
Thanks a lot StuH - will try and get a drive and report back! FWIW i would have got a 997s, or turbo if I could have afforded the gene variant at the time. It was a budget thing that took me to the 996tt over those options. at the time it was half the price of those options thought and felt like 90% of the the car so i was stoked. even more so now the price gap has closed yay!
I would say you made the prefect choice! You could step out of your 996TT into a 997TT and have money left for a nice holiday! In fact why don't you do that!! 
Don't get me wrong, I love M cars, I've owned enough! But the 911 just has that hard to define 'supercar' feel to it. Plus you can use it all year round.....
I have just sold my E46 M3 Cab after only 6 months ownership. Lovely low miles unmolested example but it just did not feel special enough for me. I came from a lovely 964 that I owned for 5 years, TVR Tuscan and 3.2 Carrera prior to that.
I collect my 997.1 Turbo (low miles unmolested example) at the end of the month as living without a proper sports car (forget fast saloons) just wont do!
Keep the 996TT and watch it mature into a very much sort after motor and a very savvy investment. My friend is looking at 996C4s models at the moment and the styling, in my mind, is very much improving with age.
I collect my 997.1 Turbo (low miles unmolested example) at the end of the month as living without a proper sports car (forget fast saloons) just wont do!
Keep the 996TT and watch it mature into a very much sort after motor and a very savvy investment. My friend is looking at 996C4s models at the moment and the styling, in my mind, is very much improving with age.
StuH said:
When I did my back to back test drives a few months back before deciding what to buy, the 997 ( gen2 specifically) felt better dynamically with more feedback to the driver. It also felt quite a bit more responsive. I think if you're keeping the cars standard (or want warranty) the 997 is the better car, but obv a lot more tuning potential with the 996. Also, as already stated the 996 interior is pretty poor (and felt very dated to me), and personally I still struggle with the front end looks, but that's obviously all in the eye of the beholder
OP - Maser for me given your options so far. Certainly has the sense of occasion that a beemer lacks, and the noise!
That's strange, most folks find the opposite. The 996 turbo has much more road feedback than the 997 turbo. The 997 turbo is quite dull in comparison. I also much prefer the interior of the 996 even though a little dated now.OP - Maser for me given your options so far. Certainly has the sense of occasion that a beemer lacks, and the noise!
Edited by StuH on Friday 6th November 09:26
My guess would be that a well sorted 996 turbo manual will end higher in value than a 997 turbo in 10 years or so when age is less of an issue.
Moosh said:
That's strange, most folks find the opposite. The 996 turbo has much more road feedback than the 997 turbo. The 997 turbo is quite dull in comparison. I also much prefer the interior of the 996 even though a little dated now.
My guess would be that a well sorted 996 turbo manual will end higher in value than a 997 turbo in 10 years or so when age is less of an issue.
I guess not many people get to drive them back to back. 996 felt much more old school turbo, with lag and then rush. A lot like my M12 used to be. The 997 much more linear, which could I guess be considered dull if you like traditional turbo power delivery. I felt like the 997 was giving me constant feedback and was more predictable and exploitable. When the 996 was much cheaper it might have made sense, but since the recent price rises I think the 997 (partic gen2) is the better car. Which is why I don't agree re residuals, but I guess we'll see in time.My guess would be that a well sorted 996 turbo manual will end higher in value than a 997 turbo in 10 years or so when age is less of an issue.
Nobbles said:
What about keeping the 996tt and doing a 5k car as a runabout? At this price, if you buy wisely and don't hold on to them too long you could scratch the itch on cars that you would like to try, an Audi A8, fiat panda sport, golf gti. It has kept the bug from me but I enjoy my little panda to much to change it.
Agreed. I was going to suggest keeping it and trying out a Honda Civic Type R for revs or a Merc E55 AMG for V8ness. Might scratch the itch sufficiently or even make you love the 911 more. Lordjimimac said:
StuH you've got me looking at classifieds! let me get this correct - the 997gen1 turbo still has the 964 sourced engine? i.e. none of the IMS issues?
Yes correct.The 964 had a M64 engine
996 turbo and 997gen1 turbo have a twin turbocharged/intercooled 3.6L H-6 derived from the 1998 LeMans winning GT-1 car which used the M64 as it's basis.
Edited to add, no IMS issues.
Lordjimimac said:
StuH you've got me looking at classifieds! let me get this correct - the 997gen1 turbo still has the 964 sourced engine? i.e. none of the IMS issues?
I know that feeling! - when you get the itch it's just a matter of time. Hopefully my 997 will keep me honest for a couple of years - I mean how quickly can a 650s drop into my budget 
Have you heard a Maser with a Capristo exhaust, because if you haven't yet you're in for a treat!
thanks Moosh - i can't read those le man heritage words enough - such pride! big reason to keep it.
But maybe the noise and differentness of the maser gt will win me over - test drive at 1030 tomorrow (just after i pick up the turbo from GT One with a clean bill of health - i may ask they're advice on the market)
will report back on all!
BTW - the idea to get a £5k additional car is great, but i would just worry that 1) something would go wrong and 2) i just wouldn't drive it (2 kids and not driving commute = not much driving time!)
big thanks for the replies - really enjoying this thread
But maybe the noise and differentness of the maser gt will win me over - test drive at 1030 tomorrow (just after i pick up the turbo from GT One with a clean bill of health - i may ask they're advice on the market)
will report back on all!
BTW - the idea to get a £5k additional car is great, but i would just worry that 1) something would go wrong and 2) i just wouldn't drive it (2 kids and not driving commute = not much driving time!)
big thanks for the replies - really enjoying this thread
Moosh said:
That's strange, most folks find the opposite. The 996 turbo has much more road feedback than the 997 turbo. The 997 turbo is quite dull in comparison. I also much prefer the interior of the 996 even though a little dated now.
My guess would be that a well sorted 996 turbo manual will end higher in value than a 997 turbo in 10 years or so when age is less of an issue.
Correct, the 6T has more driver feedback, more like driving a 993, and the power is moreMy guess would be that a well sorted 996 turbo manual will end higher in value than a 997 turbo in 10 years or so when age is less of an issue.
of an explosion which is very much old school. When you map them though and its done
right the cars transform, they go from quick to frantic and a lot of restraint is required
and learning to use the massive power in only roads that genuinely will allow. So a light
map makes them as quick if not quicker than a standard 7T and the suspension is all different
in a 7, the experience is just diluted simple as that, nobody with a 7 is going to tell you
that is a 6 is better, think about it...
The Red Devil said:
Moosh said:
That's strange, most folks find the opposite. The 996 turbo has much more road feedback than the 997 turbo. The 997 turbo is quite dull in comparison. I also much prefer the interior of the 996 even though a little dated now.
My guess would be that a well sorted 996 turbo manual will end higher in value than a 997 turbo in 10 years or so when age is less of an issue.
Correct, the 6T has more driver feedback, more like driving a 993, and the power is moreMy guess would be that a well sorted 996 turbo manual will end higher in value than a 997 turbo in 10 years or so when age is less of an issue.
of an explosion which is very much old school. When you map them though and its done
right the cars transform, they go from quick to frantic and a lot of restraint is required
and learning to use the massive power in only roads that genuinely will allow. So a light
map makes them as quick if not quicker than a standard 7T and the suspension is all different
in a 7, the experience is just diluted simple as that, nobody with a 7 is going to tell you
that is a 6 is better, think about it...
Modern Classics
66 posts
6 months
[report][news]Friday 25th Septemberquotequote all
9e 28 said:
Mark I think you hit the nail on the head. The 996 turbo has a raw and more mechanical feel to it than the 997 turbo. Whether this helps long term values of the 996 turbo who knows as the 997 interior and headlights are an improvement no doubt. I guess i'm also saying Mezger 997 turbo seems a bargain at the moment.
Here here. The 996 T is starting to look and feel like an old school Porsche
now. And if you send it to 9E for even a mild tune just as quick as the 7T. For me
the 6T will remain the ultimate 911 Turbo and every other bugger is starting to
see just that now too, the older stuff is not quick enough and the newer stuff....
.well.......where is the fun in that
9e 28
4,761 posts
100 months
[report][news]Thursday 24th Septemberquotequote all
Billsnemesis said:
The price differential between 996T's and 997T's seems to be very close at the moment. There are 7T's in the low forties and 6T's at similar prices with only modest differences in mileage.
Should we be suspicious of the quality of the 7's or sceptical about the price of the 6's?
9e 28 said
996t has better steering (no vario rack), better and more reliable conventional turbos, and a better 4wd system from a driver perspective as 95% of the drive always goes to the rear wheels unless the viscous coupling system senses wheel spin at the front and then sends drive to the front hence its far more progressive and predictable than the later system. In fact in the Ruf RT12 R which is based on the 997 they kept the 4wd system from 996 and went for conventional KKK turbos on a forged 3.8 Mezger producing 730 bhp although many say this car had more like 780bhp. My perfect car in fact!
https://www.excellence-mag.com/issues/200/articles...
Going back to the 996 turbo long term for the reasons above it may be more sought after than the 997 turbo just as the 993 turbo is more desirable than the 996 turbo albeit because its air-cooled and a beautiful 959 esq shape.
The Red Devil said:
nobody with a 7 is going to tell you
that is a 6 is better, think about it...
Except maybe someone who was undecided a few months back, drove several examples of both and much preferred the 997 that is a 6 is better, think about it...
Everyone's criteria for the best car for THEM is different, BETTER is subjective. I totally get why some people like the old-school 996. But to me it just felt dated, a bit low-rent and less exploitable to drive due to the on/off nature of the power delivery. Plus the 996 will always be the ugly duckling to me, BUT that's just my opinion and if you want something to modify then he 996TT is obviously the better bet. Why do people insist on comparing apples with oranges all the time?
I own a 996 turbo X50.
Before buying a tried a E92 BMW M3 and B7 RS4. The engine is nice in the M3 but when I stood back and looked at it, it's just a 3 series. I loved the RS4 but the suspension issues are a PITA.
The 996 turbo is in another league performance wise. Some don't like the interior or the front lights, but it's a nice place to be and I love mine. The 997 turbo obviously has it's own downsides...the standard wheels are far too bling and it's not as pure as the 996 turbo when side by side.
The 996 turbo was an instant hit at launch with rave reviews, it's still an amazing package which has matured over time and is a classic.
In manual coupe form it's a very sought after car. If you don't need the extra money it's probably safer than any of the other cars from a depreciation POV and better than money in the bank.
Before buying a tried a E92 BMW M3 and B7 RS4. The engine is nice in the M3 but when I stood back and looked at it, it's just a 3 series. I loved the RS4 but the suspension issues are a PITA.
The 996 turbo is in another league performance wise. Some don't like the interior or the front lights, but it's a nice place to be and I love mine. The 997 turbo obviously has it's own downsides...the standard wheels are far too bling and it's not as pure as the 996 turbo when side by side.
The 996 turbo was an instant hit at launch with rave reviews, it's still an amazing package which has matured over time and is a classic.
In manual coupe form it's a very sought after car. If you don't need the extra money it's probably safer than any of the other cars from a depreciation POV and better than money in the bank.
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