What to buy - 911 996 Turbo S or 997.1 Turbo?
Discussion
I have never owned a Porsche but that is about to change 
Budget is around 40k. For that sort I can buy a mint low mileage 996 Turbo S or a 997.1TT and l would like to ask owners opinions on what would be the better car. Were the improvements made to the S more than matched by the 997? Would the S retain its value a little better? She will be a manual and purchased soon, l am looking now for the right spec and colour.
The car will be used for a second car duties covering ~5k miles per year. This will be my dream car, having just moved to Scotland from Australia where these cars are unobtainable to most I am thrilled l can finally get my hands on one.
Thanks in advance for any advice
Cheers
Simon
Budget is around 40k. For that sort I can buy a mint low mileage 996 Turbo S or a 997.1TT and l would like to ask owners opinions on what would be the better car. Were the improvements made to the S more than matched by the 997? Would the S retain its value a little better? She will be a manual and purchased soon, l am looking now for the right spec and colour.The car will be used for a second car duties covering ~5k miles per year. This will be my dream car, having just moved to Scotland from Australia where these cars are unobtainable to most I am thrilled l can finally get my hands on one.
Thanks in advance for any advice
Cheers
Simon
Fantastic that you are now in a position to buy your dream car 
I'm not sure you will buy a good 997.1 T around £40k, but will certainly get a good 996 Turbo S which I happen to think are a lovely package and good value for money.
Can't comment on driving, but the 997 is a big step up on the 996 in the cabin albeit Porsche ICE leaves a lot to be desired in either model. They are both similar, but different with the 997 feeling upmarket against the 996.
Good luck with your search.
I'm not sure you will buy a good 997.1 T around £40k, but will certainly get a good 996 Turbo S which I happen to think are a lovely package and good value for money.
Can't comment on driving, but the 997 is a big step up on the 996 in the cabin albeit Porsche ICE leaves a lot to be desired in either model. They are both similar, but different with the 997 feeling upmarket against the 996.
Good luck with your search.
erics said:
Do you prefer a car that was built in hundreds or in tens of thousands?
Very little between them.
Vtg turbos of 997 are fragile.
I drove very extensively, 997, 996t which i owned 2 years, 996 gt2 and ended buying the mintiest 996 turbo s i could find.
Thanks for the comments falla's.Very little between them.
Vtg turbos of 997 are fragile.
I drove very extensively, 997, 996t which i owned 2 years, 996 gt2 and ended buying the mintiest 996 turbo s i could find.
I would love a GT2 but these are all 2 seaters l believe? If they had 4 seats the decision would already be made.
I like the look of both the 996 and 997, probably prefer the alloys on the 996 to the 'flashier' stars on the 997 but can see the appeal in a nicer interior. However there is some appeal to a more limited model like the S especially if there are reliability concerns over the 997 variable turbos.
Cheers,
simon
Edited by mondie on Saturday 7th July 18:07
very early vtgs had an issue with variable vanes getting stuck but this was fixed early on by a recall in 2006. vtgs have since been bullet proof .
they're both fantastic cars but wouldn't spend £40k on a 996 unless it was a gt3 or gt2. I've seen some fantastic 997t at opcs for £47k.
If you're happy with a 996t buy a good one for £30k - there's plenty of fabulous ones for this sort of cash
they're both fantastic cars but wouldn't spend £40k on a 996 unless it was a gt3 or gt2. I've seen some fantastic 997t at opcs for £47k.
If you're happy with a 996t buy a good one for £30k - there's plenty of fabulous ones for this sort of cash
Is the base engine in the 997.1 the same as that used in the 996tt? I have been reading through a bunch of threads and there have been some negative comments on the blocks used in the later 997's but nothing too specific. Good to know the turbos in the 997 have been reliable as that must be one of the most expensive things that could go wrong on these cars
Cheers
Simon
Cheers
Simon
Yes - '07 - '09 have the Mezger. Starting in 2010 you have the new DFI engine which is a semi dry sump. The Mezger is a true dry sump and a fully serviceable racing block. Way over engineered for road use and very expensive to make. This is probably another reason why Porsche moved to the new DFI.
IMI A said:
very early vtgs had an issue with variable vanes getting stuck but this was fixed early on by a recall in 2006. vtgs have since been bullet proof .
they're both fantastic cars but wouldn't spend £40k on a 996 unless it was a gt3 or gt2. I've seen some fantastic 997t at opcs for £47k.
If you're happy with a 996t buy a good one for £30k - there's plenty of fabulous ones for this sort of cash
A nice 's' in manual with low miles would be way more than 30k.they're both fantastic cars but wouldn't spend £40k on a 996 unless it was a gt3 or gt2. I've seen some fantastic 997t at opcs for £47k.
If you're happy with a 996t buy a good one for £30k - there's plenty of fabulous ones for this sort of cash
Gt3 / gt2s are not for everyone. Had 996gt3.2 for a while and quickly grew tired of it.
ROK said:
No debate if budget allowing
Dry sump for life!!!!!
Thanks for the link on Mezger, you can tell I have no idea about 911's when l am asking questions like that! Is the dry sump a feature of all 996's and 997's that use the Mezger designed engine?Dry sump for life!!!!!
A question on the ceramics, l have read quite a few threads about them and think l should consider them but we live in the NE os Scotland and l wonder about low temp performance. There was a couple of breif comments in threads questioning their performance at or below zero.
Appreciate all the advice.
Cheers,
Simon
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