Older and better, or newer and lesser?
Older and better, or newer and lesser?
Author
Discussion

randlemarcus

Original Poster:

13,646 posts

254 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
Thought experiment, as while it's something I am pondering, its not likely to lead to a purchase soon.

Suppose you have a 911 itch. Further suppose that man maths and mission creep leads you down the Turbo track. You end up in a position where both 997 Gen 1 and 996 Turbo S are in the same ballpark of purchase costs.

Which way would you jump, and why?

Billy_Whizzzz

2,549 posts

166 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
997. Better in every way... how is it ‘lesser’?

markiii

4,204 posts

217 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
997 because it doesn't look like a 996 HTH

randlemarcus

Original Poster:

13,646 posts

254 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
Billy_Whizzzz said:
997. Better in every way... how is it ‘lesser’?
Simply because its not an S biggrin

Billy_Whizzzz

2,549 posts

166 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
randlemarcus said:
Billy_Whizzzz said:
997. Better in every way... how is it ‘lesser’?
Simply because its not an S biggrin
I’d have a base 997 over any model of 996 turbo included.

ric p

689 posts

292 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
randlemarcus said:
Thought experiment, as while it's something I am pondering, its not likely to lead to a purchase soon.

Suppose you have a 911 itch. Further suppose that man maths and mission creep leads you down the Turbo track. You end up in a position where both 997 Gen 1 and 996 Turbo S are in the same ballpark of purchase costs.

Which way would you jump, and why?
I would absolutely agree with your thoughts, especially as I’ll never be capable of ringing the last 1/10 of a second lap timeout of ether.

Currently selling my current toy. Then looking for something else to tick of the bucket list. Never owned a Porsche and whilst we can have a discussion over the best handling, newest, most suitable etc, if you are going to own one just once, then it should be a 911. Rather than other worthy models.

I’ve definitely missed the boat on air cooled, so we are in 996/7 territory. I’ve just never got on with the inside or outside of the 996 C2.

The 997 works as a package looks wise for a C2, notwithstanding any possible engine issues. However at that price range the 996 turbo comes into play. Looks wise, it is much more coherent to me.

The other factor that the turbo has in its favour, is that it is available in a much more interesting range of paint and interior colours. Being a bit more shouty, perhaps people were brave enough to be more adventurous with colours. I’ve been idly watching the 997s advertised and am amazed at the constant supply of silver/grey/black with black leather. Didn’t anyone want a bit of joy or colour in their lives when they ordered? Or was it a reflection of that decade? Blue with tan, please.

I sort of feel the turbo may just be a bit more wild, special, unique, whereas the 997 will be more modern, sensible, pragmatic, liveable with. Maybe.

But then also on the list is a Lotus Esprit or Maserati Gransport, so don’t take my thought processes too seriously, I’m a glutton for automotive punishment.




nunpuncher

3,703 posts

148 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
Neither. After a decent amount of time behind the wheel of a turbo I found I prefer the NA cars even if they are slower.

IMI A

9,955 posts

224 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all

randlemarcus

Original Poster:

13,646 posts

254 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
nunpuncher said:
Neither. After a decent amount of time behind the wheel of a turbo I found I prefer the NA cars even if they are slower.
But Boooooost biggrin
Am a bit of a forced induction junkie, I'm afraid. 944 T, Panamera T. I love the character change.

My dad had a 996 C4, so I'm aware that the interior is what it is in the 996. I'm easy either way aesthetically. My suspicion is that a 996TS and a 997TGen 1 are both of a sufficient age to make either a careful buy on condition, and neither one has sunk low enough to be an attractive proposition for someone who would prefer to be running a Micra.

Ongoing values aren't overly important, though if it didnt lose 95% in year one, that would be nice.

Question boils down to the fact that if 996T and 997T were equal in price, it would be the 997T. But throwing the Turbo S into the mix - were the runout improvements enough to tip the balance?

g7jhp

7,026 posts

261 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
Billy_Whizzzz said:
997. Better in every way... how is it ‘lesser’?
997.1 has known engine issues.

996 turbo has a reliable engine and its performance is in a different league.



markiii

4,204 posts

217 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
997.1 turbo is the mezger unit isn't it?

randlemarcus

Original Poster:

13,646 posts

254 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
markiii said:
997.1 turbo is the mezger unit isn't it?
Yup. 997.1 and 1.5 Turbo are. 1.5 is that little extra stretch though.

IMI A

9,955 posts

224 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
I had this choice back in 2005/2006. Chose to stick an order in for the 997 turbo instead of walking out wth a deeply discounted old new 996 turbo s lying around in stock. Pleased I did as 997 has aged well. Still looks modern today IMO next to newer stuff

StuB

6,695 posts

262 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
randlemarcus said:
Thought experiment, as while it's something I am pondering, its not likely to lead to a purchase soon.

Suppose you have a 911 itch. Further suppose that man maths and mission creep leads you down the Turbo track. You end up in a position where both 997 Gen 1 and 996 Turbo S are in the same ballpark of purchase costs.

Which way would you jump, and why?
Long time, no see. Hope you're well!

I'm biased, having gone down the modified 996 route 11 years ago (still have it), could have got the 997 with VTG, better looking yes, but 996 proven robustness for big outputs.

I'd think you might be struggling for a good S model 996 for similar money, or perhaps have good 997's started to rise again. As you say, for this age, condition is critical.

Have you discounted a 996 turbo altogether? There's a few interesting cars on the market and it'd be a great time to be a cash buyer I think.

randlemarcus

Original Poster:

13,646 posts

254 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
Afternoon Stu,

Very well. You?

Haven't discounted the 996T, and then playing, but I need to present a realistic budget for approval before going off down that route biggrin 996TS values are a bit up in the air - some folks think very low mileage is an instant high price. Am buying to use, not to store. Once you start looking its only a tiny jump from T to TS, right?

This one looks like its had some thoughtful part swaps - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102128...

As of right now, its still a thought, not a burning wallet biggrin

g7jhp

7,026 posts

261 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
IMI A said:
I had this choice back in 2005/2006. Chose to stick an order in for the 997 turbo instead of walking out wth a deeply discounted old new 996 turbo s lying around in stock. Pleased I did as 997 has aged well. Still looks modern today IMO next to newer stuff
I think both 996 and 997 turbo's have aged OK! wink


franki68

11,437 posts

244 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
I had both ,but I preferred the 996 to drive the 997 felt a little bit less involving but the 997 is the better looker ,but I also preferred the 997 Carrera s over either , they are all cracking cars though.

malcolm-coqci

29 posts

79 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
Fairly certain the 996 turbo s had ceramic brakes as standard and having had a Cayman R with same I can vouch for them being absolutely superb, but have you seen how much a set of discs cost?

All it would take is a trapped stone in a calliper for a really bad day!

randlemarcus

Original Poster:

13,646 posts

254 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
malcolm-coqci said:
Fairly certain the 996 turbo s had ceramic brakes as standard and having had a Cayman R with same I can vouch for them being absolutely superb, but have you seen how much a set of discs cost?

All it would take is a trapped stone in a calliper for a really bad day!
Yup, aware of those, the first service with discs and pads all round on the Panny was painful enough, and they were steels smile

MDL111

8,528 posts

200 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
quotequote all
I would get the 996 - i think the interior looks much nicer and the exterior a little nicer than the 997.1. Although to be fair I would then remove the NAV screen on the 996 and replace it with a normal radio - so not exactly like for like a they come stock.