Tough decision... 996tt or x50, decision to make today!
Discussion
Good afternoon,
I've spent the day driving round a handful of dealers checking out a few 996 turbos (and some other exotic stuff too, but just window shopping there).
Got it down to two, and I'll be leaving a deposit on one of them. Both cars are in great condition and excellent history with all the right jobs having been done. Both come with warranty.
996tt,
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
lower miles of the two, 6 months warranty from the dealer who have their own garage and racing facilities. RPM really seem to know their s
t and I was blown away by the facility. We turned up silly early so were given a tour of the workshop and shown some of the projects they were working on whilst we waited!
Important note, has red seatbelts, I loved this!
996tt x50
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
12 month warranty on this one (from the specialist it recently was sold through)
Really nice guy at the dealer, one of the cheapest cars in the garage, some really exotic stuff on display, there's a short and not very interesting story behind it but it was sold through another specialist only a couple of weeks ago (Paul Stephens Porsche) and still have pretty much the full 12 month warranty on it. Very impressed with the setup here (and the exotic stuff on display). All appeared to be excellent examples, not a dealer I'd expect to mess around with anything but the best of any given car.
I honestly dont think I could go wrong with either car, maybe my mind will be made up for me if one of them sells today anyway (there were other viewings booked)...
Really after any thoughts from the forum, anyone know either of the cars?
Is the x50 worth the few grand extra despite the higher mileage?
The car will be a bit of a garage queen, it'll likely not see much foul weather use but will get used all year round, but I'll be avoiding gritted/salted roads. Unlikely to do more than 3-5k a year (yes, yes, I know! )
I'm really torn, my inner child is saying get the x50, MORE POWER! but in real world driving I know it'll make no odds.
The lower mileage on the tt appeals (and the red seatbelts... lord help me....) future value with the low mileage raises it's head too... but would the x50 do better as it's a little more rare... (this is really crystal ball gazing so I dont expect a real answer)
Over to you porsche people, this will be my first porsche so I thought I may as well start with something good!
Cheers
I've spent the day driving round a handful of dealers checking out a few 996 turbos (and some other exotic stuff too, but just window shopping there).
Got it down to two, and I'll be leaving a deposit on one of them. Both cars are in great condition and excellent history with all the right jobs having been done. Both come with warranty.
996tt,
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
lower miles of the two, 6 months warranty from the dealer who have their own garage and racing facilities. RPM really seem to know their s
t and I was blown away by the facility. We turned up silly early so were given a tour of the workshop and shown some of the projects they were working on whilst we waited! Important note, has red seatbelts, I loved this!
996tt x50
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
12 month warranty on this one (from the specialist it recently was sold through)
Really nice guy at the dealer, one of the cheapest cars in the garage, some really exotic stuff on display, there's a short and not very interesting story behind it but it was sold through another specialist only a couple of weeks ago (Paul Stephens Porsche) and still have pretty much the full 12 month warranty on it. Very impressed with the setup here (and the exotic stuff on display). All appeared to be excellent examples, not a dealer I'd expect to mess around with anything but the best of any given car.
I honestly dont think I could go wrong with either car, maybe my mind will be made up for me if one of them sells today anyway (there were other viewings booked)...
Really after any thoughts from the forum, anyone know either of the cars?
Is the x50 worth the few grand extra despite the higher mileage?
The car will be a bit of a garage queen, it'll likely not see much foul weather use but will get used all year round, but I'll be avoiding gritted/salted roads. Unlikely to do more than 3-5k a year (yes, yes, I know!
)I'm really torn, my inner child is saying get the x50, MORE POWER! but in real world driving I know it'll make no odds.
The lower mileage on the tt appeals (and the red seatbelts... lord help me....) future value with the low mileage raises it's head too... but would the x50 do better as it's a little more rare... (this is really crystal ball gazing so I dont expect a real answer)
Over to you porsche people, this will be my first porsche so I thought I may as well start with something good!
Cheers
CGJJ said:
You could buy a 997 Turbo gen 1 from OPC for that money with fewer miles.
True, but In my humble option the 996tt is a better car! 997 gen1's don't exactly have the best rep for reliability either.
I had considered a 997 prior to this, having finally whittled
It down to a gen2 gts. But they are more again(60-70k last time I looked).
And if I was going to spend that amount right now I'd get an f360 or f430 instead.
Budget creep is a b
h! Basically I want to buy the absolute best 996tt that I can get my hands on. (Within reason, not paying 70k for one with 300 miles on the clock!)
Many times I've bought cars at the bottom of the market and had big bills to put them right.
This time I'll get one I know for a fact is spot on.
Although I did see two stunning f308's today!
shantybeater said:
I'm not going to bother telling you which best, every non-x50 owner will harp on about how theirs is better and so will the x50 guys.
Snip...
P.S the whole, map a k16 and it will be quicker than a stock x50 is all well and good, but if you map the x50 it will be even quicker.
Understood! I did the mid range party trick of 30 to "something" whilst driving the x50 today, it really is something else. As far as lag goes... I've always seen it as "being in the wrong gear" from my days of driving Japanese turbo nutter things in various guises. An over simplification granted. But your point about the more exciting shove into the back of the seat is very valid. The GF is used to me in quick cars and she even was shocked how a huge lump of acceleration came in such a short space. I do really like the bigger turbos.Snip...
P.S the whole, map a k16 and it will be quicker than a stock x50 is all well and good, but if you map the x50 it will be even quicker.
Edited by shantybeater on Saturday 4th April 20:37
Even from all my research I didn't realise rhe clutch and box were different. Certainly doesn't feel any different to drive a standard tt from a transmission point of view.
I've got till Tuesday to make up my mind anyway.
Absolutely no plans to mod in any way, keeping it standard. I'm fussy like that.
It really is a toughie!
davek_964 said:
How can an OPC miss a boost leak? Surely it wasn't boosting properly?
If it's minor I'm sure it would get past an OPC, I doubt they pressure test the whole system like a proper specialist would do.Point taken, the x50 has just come from Paul Stephens , which as I understand it are very well regarded, not been there though. It's God a 12 month warranty from them.
The other is covered by a 6 month RPM technik warranty and has had the full inspection there. I've no doubt that RPM are very good at what they do.
I'm not a fan of main dealers, and would far rather use a true specialist for an older car than them any day of the week.
By the way, I should add, I hadn't made my mind up come closing time on Saturday, everyone had gone home when I tried to call both places with a couple of additional (minor) questions.
I'm flip flopping between the two at the moment.
I think if the x50 were the same or close in price to the tt id have it (considering the extra miles). However it's a big leap (for me anyway) to justify the x50, when I prefer the colour of the tt, it's lower miles, and has red seatbelts ! (I'm not really deciding on seatbelt by the way)
Yet the x50 drove like a new car, has embossed headrests, and a tape player, which is pretty damn cool, 190mph whilst listening to my Metallica tapes from school!
The point is I think I'm splitting hairs now!
I'm flip flopping between the two at the moment.
I think if the x50 were the same or close in price to the tt id have it (considering the extra miles). However it's a big leap (for me anyway) to justify the x50, when I prefer the colour of the tt, it's lower miles, and has red seatbelts ! (I'm not really deciding on seatbelt by the way)
Yet the x50 drove like a new car, has embossed headrests, and a tape player, which is pretty damn cool, 190mph whilst listening to my Metallica tapes from school!
The point is I think I'm splitting hairs now!
Edited by ILoveMondeo on Sunday 5th April 17:16
Not yet, haven't been able to get hold of the dealers yet for a chat, have a couple of outstanding questions.
The RPM guy is away until tomorrow anyway.
I will admit you did have me looking at 997.1 Turbos, I'm surprised at how cheap some of them are. However I'd be doing precisely what I said I wouldn't, buying at the bottom of the market. Residuals are possibly a little more of a risk with the 997 and as I'm planning on keeping the TVR as well I need it to at least maintain most of it's value over a few years. Which in my opinion is probably more likely with a 996, having well and truly bottomed out a year or two ago. Of course that's all guess work really.
The RPM guy is away until tomorrow anyway.
I will admit you did have me looking at 997.1 Turbos, I'm surprised at how cheap some of them are. However I'd be doing precisely what I said I wouldn't, buying at the bottom of the market. Residuals are possibly a little more of a risk with the 997 and as I'm planning on keeping the TVR as well I need it to at least maintain most of it's value over a few years. Which in my opinion is probably more likely with a 996, having well and truly bottomed out a year or two ago. Of course that's all guess work really.
Bit of a nightmare, spoke with both dealers, and still not made my mind up. I'm hopeless at this...
I must admit I'm struggling a bit with the money having seen the small gap to a 997 now.. not that I want a 997, I want a 996, but cant help thinking these are a tad steep, when there's 6-7 years between the cars (996 to 997),
I suppose I should just bite the bullet and get one, even if I decide to change in a year or two, I wont be losing that much on it (if anything if current trends persist)..
Coin toss time!
I must admit I'm struggling a bit with the money having seen the small gap to a 997 now.. not that I want a 997, I want a 996, but cant help thinking these are a tad steep, when there's 6-7 years between the cars (996 to 997),
I suppose I should just bite the bullet and get one, even if I decide to change in a year or two, I wont be losing that much on it (if anything if current trends persist)..
Coin toss time!
I've done it!
Just put a deposit on the atlas grey car @ RPM, subject to a test drive to ensure it's not all rattley and squeaky.
They're waiting for a couple of parts for it at the moment to finish the prep work, so I'm going for the final drive and collection on the 18th.
Also, if I don't gel with the car and have to trade it in for a vantage in 6 months time I'm holding everyone here responsible!
Thanks for all your help and advice!
Also, because I'm a bit naïve to this sort of thing, do I call the other dealer out of courtesy to let him know I've bought one elsewhere? is that a courtesy or a kick in the nuts?
Just put a deposit on the atlas grey car @ RPM, subject to a test drive to ensure it's not all rattley and squeaky.
They're waiting for a couple of parts for it at the moment to finish the prep work, so I'm going for the final drive and collection on the 18th.
Also, if I don't gel with the car and have to trade it in for a vantage in 6 months time I'm holding everyone here responsible!
Thanks for all your help and advice!
Also, because I'm a bit naïve to this sort of thing, do I call the other dealer out of courtesy to let him know I've bought one elsewhere? is that a courtesy or a kick in the nuts?
Ta, I just gave Slades a call to let them know I'd put a deposit on another car and to thank them for their time.
FWIW I was VERY impressed with them and the seriously exotic stock they had in.
If I wanted a Ferrari this time around I wouldn't hesitate at getting one from there, definitely the cleanest set of cars you'll lay eyes on.
I hope to be back there in a few years collecting something else exciting!
Will be counting the hours now until the 18th, feels like a massive relief having actually made a decision.
FWIW I was VERY impressed with them and the seriously exotic stock they had in.
If I wanted a Ferrari this time around I wouldn't hesitate at getting one from there, definitely the cleanest set of cars you'll lay eyes on.
I hope to be back there in a few years collecting something else exciting!
Will be counting the hours now until the 18th, feels like a massive relief having actually made a decision.
Crimp said:
Low miles 911's that are not used and parked up most of their lives develop far more problems (especially leaks etc) than a regularly used variant. Any Porsche mechanical expert will tell you.
I agree, it's the same with most cars to be fair, coming from a TVR owning history it's much the same with them. It wont ever stop the low mileage cars being far more expensive than the high milers. Dramatically so the lower the mileage (55-60k for a 10-20k 996tt for example).
Of course, the downside of potential mechanical niggles is counter balanced by a far more pristine set of paint/trim/interior/chassis/etc...
Mines going to be a bit of a garage queen, cant see me doing more than 3000 miles a year to be honest. regular use, enough to get it fully warmed up and a bit of a blast but not long distance use.
I'll still have the TVR which will need a leg stretching too!
New remote control roller door went in on the garage yesterday, it's a bit cool!
Side door and window next week, and new roof at the end of the month. Will make it nice and homely for the little Porsche when it arrives!Well all the work is complete, along with a replaced cam actuator too (I think that's what is was)..
Should be getting detailed today.
Going for a final test drive, payment and collection tomorrow morning first thing!
Bit excited now!
Will post some pictures too.
Thanks for all the help and advice!
Should be getting detailed today.
Going for a final test drive, payment and collection tomorrow morning first thing!
Bit excited now!
Will post some pictures too.
Thanks for all the help and advice!
Digga said:
hread bump! Everything decent and at a reputable source seems to be selling.
Thanks to the OP and this thread for galvanising me into action; I hope to complete on my own 996tt within the week.
Good luck! I've only managed to do about 100 miles in mine since I got it... now it's grubby so I'm going to polish the sThanks to the OP and this thread for galvanising me into action; I hope to complete on my own 996tt within the week.
t out of it this weekend and take some pictures for here... then go out and get it grubby again! With the recent good weather I've been gravitating back to the TVR a little bit and have driven that more than the 996... which is weird.
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