Hi everyone, bit new to this part of the forum!!.
I have decided that I want to get a 911 and had originally set my sights on a 997, but aftdr reading the £20k 996 thread and looking at some slightly more expensive lower mileage ones Im torn on what to do.
How much difference is there between actually driving the two of them?, is the 997 noticeably better?.
Obviously I do prefer the looks of the 997 but I could get a very good 996 with the X50 pack for mid to high 20s and all the 997s that are low mileage,decent colour and manual are about £25k on top.
What are the performance stats for a 996 X50 with say a DMS remap like compared to standard?.
As much as I love the 997 Im really starting to think of going for the 996, I could buy outright whereas a 997 would require about half on finance.
I defer to the good people of the forum.....

Don't know the actual stats but a 996 X50 with a DMS remap feels significantly quicker than standard and would out run a standard 997TT....but it doesn't change the interior or the looks..so if you can live with the looks and the interior...go 996TT X50 DMS and save £20K+

Have a 997 turbo and have driven a 996 X50. If you get a nice 996 buy one. not a lot of difference performance wise

Funny you say that. I happen to know a leading current F1 driver who has a 997TT (freebie from the Silverstone Porsche driving centre) and his comment was that it has an awful lot of power for the average Joe in the street. He actually considered it way over the top for road use. An interesting comment coming from someone who certainly can drive a bit! I guess the straightline Turbo kick would be fun at first.

In that case you are much faster without the forced induction......cupla fannies!!

Go for the 996 - I have both at the moment, just bought the 997 to replace the 996, but it doesn't feel at all a 25k difference - if it was maybe a 10k difference then maybe would be worth it - and this is mainly just because the 997 is newer, less to go wrong (in theory), etc.... I seem to prefer the 996 for a weekend toy. Only bought one month ago from OPC and in negotiations with them to sell it back to them and I will now keep the 996!!!

Can someone pls explain what the mezger engine is? Keep reading about it on here ...

TX.

Thanks for the advice, my view is that yes the 997 is a better looking car,but then Ive never really considered the 911 to be beautiful in the way that something like a 458 is for example, but then thats not why I want one, I want one because they are a very fast capable car and are more understated and classy rather than dramatic looking.
The 997 also has a nicer interior but Im sure things like the sat nav etc a bit dated now too,and I dont think its like the 996 has a bad interior its certainly no 80s Vauxhall!!, it has most creature comforts, a/c,elec seats,cruise control etc so I wouldnt consider the 996 interior to be a huge minus.

I think for saving £25k ish I would be quite happy to put up with headligts that dont look quite as good and an older interior, especially if the driving experience is mostly the same.

Is the X50 quite tuneable then?, I probably wouldnt be doing more than just a remap. I want something that offers a good performance gain over the torque monster AMG and actually handles well too.
I would have thought a remap would see just north of 500 bhp?.

Lastly what are running costs like?, Ive read things about radiators etc, I would have thought overall they would be quite similar to the E55?, discs and pads all round on that were £900, tyres about £220 each.

The thing the 997 really has going for it is I could still have a factory warranty on it, whereas the 996 is for the most part becoming too old.

I think the main issue people have with the 996 interior is the quality rather than it looking dated - bit plasticky (particularly for the cost when new).

Running costs are similar to what you're used to, although tyres are maybe slightly more. I think I paid nearly £600 for two rears last time. Three radiators but you have to consider stuff like that consumables.

My (non-X50) 996 turbo has a map and it's more than quick enough. On a dual carriageway / motorway I occasionally want a bit more (although I shouldn't) but chuck in a couple of bends on an A road and I absolutely wouldn't want more power (in fact I sometimes think it's got a bit much!).

I have a similar view to you - I think 997s are prettier but still not in the same league as some other cars. I'd prefer a 997 turbo to my 996 turbo based on looks - but I can't justify that price difference and on a practical level, I think my car is fantastic - does everything I want. Took me to Edinburgh last weekend (from Surrey).... quite quickly. In fact I get nervous when I see the postman at the moment.....

Superb cars - you could almost buy two 996 turbos for the cost of a 997 turbo and that just doesn't add up to me.

This is an interesting thread as l have been pondering this exact dilemma. Having never even driven a 911TT I dont have any reference point. Maybe its just me but l love the lights on the 996TT, it could have been a poster I had stuck on the wall in the office when it was released in 2000 that everyday drove me mad with want but they look great to me. Seems mechanically there isn't a lot of difference between the two models so it comes down to looks and interior.

More reading to do but an interesting thread

Cheers
mondie