It's all very well us banging on about 911 Turbos. But if you really want to get a picture of why the cars have such a following you only need to talk to your fellow PHers. So we did, starting a thread and asking about people's experiences, a selection of which we've collated and shared below.
A huge thanks to all the PHers who responded; those who haven't appeared here will feature in due course in more detail in PH Carpool.
1988 Grand Prix White 930 Turbo
"I wanted one since I was 14 when my uncle, who worked on the oil rigs in Brazil, came to our house in one and I was totally mesmerised. Opening the door for the first time the handle 'bit' me, giving me a blood blister. I remember looking at the wound and knowing right then that the car was in me and one day I would have one!
"Three years ago I came in to some money, and I had always told myself I would buy a 993 Turbo if ever in the position to do so. But, when I started looking at the adverts, I realised it would be a 964 Turbo that I really wanted. I placed a 'wanted' ad on PH; my budget was £40K, but I never stated that. I had a couple of replies, but nothing really of interest.
"About a month after placing the ad a guy from Northern Ireland called, and he starts telling me about his car. When he got to telling me that his car was a 3.6, I stopped him and told him I couldn't afford it, to which he replied, 'I haven't told you how much I want for it yet!" When he said £38K I couldn't believe it! These cars were over £50K by that time!
"My favourite part of owning the car? Very easy, opening the garage door and the sunlight falling on the yellow paint! This is my first Porsche, and probably my only Porsche too..."
Rodney's Turbo has been the centre of previous discussions on PH - see here and here!
993 Turbo (with 430hp upgrade), sold for a 996 GT2 (more on this in due course...)
"The 993 was on sale or return at Northway Porsche, I just missed out on it but, long story short, eventually it was mine.
"It was a step up in performance against the 993 C4 S, it was fantastically put together and very solid. The car was very planted on the road, but I found it lacked something after the excitement of the surge of the turbo power delivery wore off. The car was totally standard, apart from the factory 430hp kit. I had the air conditioning sorted as the condenser had failed in the front wheel arch, along with the heat shields being replaced. Only other non-service expense was the car developed a small rust spot on the rear screen pillar, which was taken car of properly by an approved bodyshop with the rear screen being removed and then the area addressed. These items are fairly typical weak spots on a 993 as they get older.
"Do I miss it? Well it was a great car to have had the privilege of owning and the shape of the iconic outline is missed, but for me the GT2 is a very hard car to beat for the money and ticks a lot of boxes, performance, rarity and driver focus so I'm glad I made the move. Will the value increase the same way as the 993 Turbo? Well let the debate start. In the meantime I get to enjoy a very special 911!"
993 Turbo (previously), 996 Turbo Cabriolet X50 (now)
"Had a 993 turbo as my daily driver a few years ago, was stock for a few weeks then I went with the RS Tuning Stage 1 (ECU, cats, exhausts) and this took it to 448hp and 500lb ft on stock K16s. Wonderful car but simply not as grin inducing as a naturally aspirated 993. I'd be doing half the speed in the normally aspirated car and having more fun, so having had two normally aspirated 993s before the turbo I went back to a 993 C2.
"Now running a 996 Turbo cab (X50) as a work car and it's very good at what it does. Goes well enough, stops well enough, and corners well enough. Somewhat lethargic at high altitude (I presume due to the larger turbos of the X50) but overall a very capable car. Best thing is the traction control, which doesn't interfere! Usually when I drive quickly I have to turn driver aids off (E46 M3, 360 Spider, and others) but the 996 Turbo doesn't 'nanny' the driver like so many other cars. Add that to the fact that it has tremendous traction in wet or dry conditions, in straight lines and in corners, and that the 4WD system is entirely unobtrusive in 99 per cent of conditions, and it's a massively capable car. Not necessarily huge fun, but point to point it's a quick car."
"Always wanted a 911 and had a year where a friend died and another was diagnosed with serious illness so I thought I should do something rash and live a little. I chose to buy at the lower end, knowing I'd need a clutch/major service soon. Alas I also ended up needing the air con fixing when I suspect someone improperly jacked it and one of my rads went. Expensive first year and not all planned for!
"What do I love? If accelerating is enough to make me giggle like a child, it can only be topped by making your Mum scream and swear (very out of character).
"Find a decent indie and servicing doesn't have to ruin your bank balance - it is best to be proactive. And it's a keeper for now ... there is a world of mods ahead of me. First I'm going to get used to it and become a better driver. I'm the limitation, not the car right now!"
: "The 911 Turbo was a a Top Trumps killer card, along with 512BB, Countach and Pantera. Timeless classic and even now a 996 is a proper fast car. The VFM these cars offer right now makes it a no-brainer. Running one doesn't cost the earth, if you buy wisely. Understand that you have to pay, either up front or as you go, and it all becomes a bit easier.
"The OhmyGODwhofiredthehorizonatme feeling when I floor it still puts a smile on my face, even though my reactions have now caught up with it. The screams the kids let out when they're in the back and I do it. And the everyday usability - a most important quality in a quasi-exotic.
"Downsides? The exhaust note sounds like a Dyson on steroids. It does take an age to demist/de-ice. When it's very cold the windows freeze in place and won't drop when you open the door (I keep forgetting this). Otherwise, nothing."
"It's totally standard apart from Design 911 exhaust tips to brighten up the rear end - doesn't make it sound any different though. I had several Porsches before this one and contrary to all the 'boring', 'worst 997 in the range' type comments you read on here sometimes, it always puts a massive smile on my face and, hence, I'm still loving it."
"I bought it because I'd had a C2 S for seven years, and felt it was time for a change, the dealer gave me a test drive in a 997.2 Turbo and I was blown away! At the same time the S was just released so it was a no-brainer to order it as it had all the goodies already fitted as standard!
"What I wish I knew? Well not a lot TBH, as I already owned two previous 911s there wasn't such many surprises to be had, except they get smoother and more refined as they bring out newer models. I might have had second thoughts about the centre-lock wheels, with all the forum activity about them, but mine came with the upgraded parts already fitted, they haven't been a problem and look awesome!
"I love, that kick in the chest never ending acceleration, launch control, usability in all weathers, the brakes are incredible, ability to chuck it down B-roads as it's not too wide, good fuel consumption, reliability, reasonable(ish) service costs, great long distance cruising ability. Costs have been reasonable, apart from one standard Porsche service the car has cost me nothing and insurance is a very reasonable £550.
"I took the car to Germany last summer, for a few months, it was incredibly easy to see 280km/h when traffic conditions allowed on the autobahn, and the brakes hauled you down to half that in a matter of seconds. I haven't the bottle to take it on a track day yet, though having driven them on a Porsche driving experience at Silverstone, I know what a devastating weapon they can be! They fell quicker than GT3RSes but that's mainly out of the corners."