2001 996 Turbo, pre facelift?
Discussion
Hi there
I'm considering joining the world of 911 ownership and can spend up to £25k.
I started out thinking of a £2.5K z3, but inflation has led me to the 911 world.. eek!
I have test driven a few including 03 c4 cab, 03 c4s coupe, 04 c2 cab, 99 c4 cab and an 02 turbo.
The turbo got me thinking, I am not mad on the looks, but the handling and performance were unbelievable. I like the sound of the reliability of the engine and drivetrain as well.
I am thinking of viewing a late 01 turbo, but I understand there may have been a facelift version in 02, is this true and if so what are the advantages over the previous model, and do these show in the price? I have looked online but cannot find anything concrete on what the facelift was ( it seems to be under the skin from what I read, different chassis/shell and changed suspension).
I have decided against a high miler turbo on the grounds of resale hassles, though I suspect they will be fine mechanically.
Any words of wisdom welcome.
The curve ball is a Targa, which I assume has to be a 2wd drive model, but they seem to be unusual (which I like) and seem to offer a good compromise. I am going to look at one today.
Thanks for reading!
I'm considering joining the world of 911 ownership and can spend up to £25k.
I started out thinking of a £2.5K z3, but inflation has led me to the 911 world.. eek!
I have test driven a few including 03 c4 cab, 03 c4s coupe, 04 c2 cab, 99 c4 cab and an 02 turbo.
The turbo got me thinking, I am not mad on the looks, but the handling and performance were unbelievable. I like the sound of the reliability of the engine and drivetrain as well.
I am thinking of viewing a late 01 turbo, but I understand there may have been a facelift version in 02, is this true and if so what are the advantages over the previous model, and do these show in the price? I have looked online but cannot find anything concrete on what the facelift was ( it seems to be under the skin from what I read, different chassis/shell and changed suspension).
I have decided against a high miler turbo on the grounds of resale hassles, though I suspect they will be fine mechanically.
Any words of wisdom welcome.
The curve ball is a Targa, which I assume has to be a 2wd drive model, but they seem to be unusual (which I like) and seem to offer a good compromise. I am going to look at one today.
Thanks for reading!
Face lift changes are fairly minimal. Comsmetic changes (it got a glove compartment, and I think the cup holders were new). I have seen posts claiming there were body changes that made the car more rigid but nobody has ever posted much proving that.
I wouldn't worry about buying an '01 - I don't think you're missing much by being pre-facelift.
Only word of warning I would give is : Engines do have a reputation for being bullet proof but other things can still break. I bought a one owner low mileage car, and I still have problem after problem for the first year of ownership. It would have been very expensive if it wasn't for the excellent dealer after sales support and it did stop me bonding with the car. When I posted some of my problems on forums, I was surprised at the number of "oh yeah, I had those problems too" type replies.
Everything seems sorted with mine now - and although things will clearly wear out I do think it's a fantastic car now and I'm very glad I have it. But don't make the mistake I did and equate "bullet proof engine" with "trouble free".
I wouldn't worry about buying an '01 - I don't think you're missing much by being pre-facelift.
Only word of warning I would give is : Engines do have a reputation for being bullet proof but other things can still break. I bought a one owner low mileage car, and I still have problem after problem for the first year of ownership. It would have been very expensive if it wasn't for the excellent dealer after sales support and it did stop me bonding with the car. When I posted some of my problems on forums, I was surprised at the number of "oh yeah, I had those problems too" type replies.
Everything seems sorted with mine now - and although things will clearly wear out I do think it's a fantastic car now and I'm very glad I have it. But don't make the mistake I did and equate "bullet proof engine" with "trouble free".
Back to the OP's question.........
I bought my 996T just over 4 years ago.
It's a 2001 and was at 55k when I bought it, so probably one of the higher mileage cars at that point. I don'r do many miles, so now, the mileage isn't too high for what is a 10 year old car.
Issues - nothing that isn't a recognised issue with the model. Discs, condensors, clutch, heat shields, alternator and pads. With all this done, it should now be fairly settled for a few years.
Thus far (touching wood), I've been delighted with the car. Totally driveable, sure footed (I did get Chris at CG to breathe over it), tremendous performance and real useability.
Be aware though, things on the Turbo can be expensive.
Consumables such as tyres, oil, and service items are all more expensive than you think they are going to be.
I didn't worry about the car being a pre facelift. Sure the navigation is useless, but I know where I'm going 99% of the time and I know how to read a map.
No cup holders!!! It's a sports car, not a branch of Starbucks!
Go for it - I don't think you'll regret your choice.
I bought my 996T just over 4 years ago.
It's a 2001 and was at 55k when I bought it, so probably one of the higher mileage cars at that point. I don'r do many miles, so now, the mileage isn't too high for what is a 10 year old car.
Issues - nothing that isn't a recognised issue with the model. Discs, condensors, clutch, heat shields, alternator and pads. With all this done, it should now be fairly settled for a few years.
Thus far (touching wood), I've been delighted with the car. Totally driveable, sure footed (I did get Chris at CG to breathe over it), tremendous performance and real useability.
Be aware though, things on the Turbo can be expensive.
Consumables such as tyres, oil, and service items are all more expensive than you think they are going to be.
I didn't worry about the car being a pre facelift. Sure the navigation is useless, but I know where I'm going 99% of the time and I know how to read a map.
No cup holders!!! It's a sports car, not a branch of Starbucks!
Go for it - I don't think you'll regret your choice.
RC said:
Dave I sense you still miss the 964 in some respects? Having had one myself and now thinking about the 996tt I'm wondering whether the gain in power and refinement etc offsets the soul thing I had going with the 964 if you know what I mean!
I went from a 964 targa to a 996T last Sept. It's a very different car, epically fast in comparison, and you can drive it any time of year.I love it (and can keep up with a friends 360, and anothers GT2 (some of the time!)), but there's a number of things I miss, such as the noise (even though turbo has a Tubi), the steering feel and handling of a 2wd 964, and the smallness compared with modern 911's.
I can myself going back to something older in the future, or a GT3 of some sort. In the meantime I'll enjoy the turbo until I can afford to change.
mr pg said:
RC said:
Dave I sense you still miss the 964 in some respects? Having had one myself and now thinking about the 996tt I'm wondering whether the gain in power and refinement etc offsets the soul thing I had going with the 964 if you know what I mean!
I went from a 964 targa to a 996T last Sept. It's a very different car, epically fast in comparison, and you can drive it any time of year.I love it (and can keep up with a friends 360, and anothers GT2 (some of the time!)), but there's a number of things I miss, such as the noise (even though turbo has a Tubi), the steering feel and handling of a 2wd 964, and the smallness compared with modern 911's.
I can myself going back to something older in the future, or a GT3 of some sort. In the meantime I'll enjoy the turbo until I can afford to change.
But, I don't think I will miss it that much. Yes, the 964 is a very different experience - it is go cart like and pretty nimble. Although, I think some of that is because I've had it so long I know it very well and can throw it about without a seconds thought. Certainly there is more feedback.
But, the turbo is really very very good at everything it does. When I use the 964 (in anger) then yes, I appreciate that it has qualities the 996 turbo will never have. But the key thing is - when I'm using the 996 turbo - I no longer miss the 964 qualities, and haven't since I had the alignment sorted last September.
Plus, I am on a quest for another classic car at the moment anyway, so if I miss the feedback of the 964 I'll just use the replacement classic instead.
mr pg said:
I went from a 964 targa to a 996T last Sept. It's a very different car, epically fast in comparison, and you can drive it any time of year.
I love it (and can keep up with a friends 360, and anothers GT2 (some of the time!)), but there's a number of things I miss, such as the noise (even though turbo has a Tubi), the steering feel and handling of a 2wd 964, and the smallness compared with modern 911's.
I can myself going back to something older in the future, or a GT3 of some sort. In the meantime I'll enjoy the turbo until I can afford to change.
Should more than keep up with a 360, more power and much more torque. As a pre-facelift 996tt seller I can honestly say that having come from a facelifted Carrera the glovebox and cupholders were not missed! I love it (and can keep up with a friends 360, and anothers GT2 (some of the time!)), but there's a number of things I miss, such as the noise (even though turbo has a Tubi), the steering feel and handling of a 2wd 964, and the smallness compared with modern 911's.
I can myself going back to something older in the future, or a GT3 of some sort. In the meantime I'll enjoy the turbo until I can afford to change.
isleoflewis said:
but I understand there may have been a facelift version in 02, is this true and if so what are the advantages over the previous model, and do these show in the price? I have looked online but cannot find anything concrete on what the facelift was ( it seems to be under the skin from what I read, different chassis/shell and changed suspension).
The 996 Turbo was unveilled in late 1999 for 2000 model year.The 2001 models gained electric switches to open the front and rear lids, and improved interior illumination.
2002 models were the so-called facelift cars: glovebox, twin cup-holders, soft-touch plastics, better ventilation, Bose sound system, an auto-dim interior mirror and a rain sensor. Also, X50 power upgrade became an option.
The turbo always had the "996 mk 2" lights (adopted by the rest of the 996 range in 2001)
ETA: just found this
the article said:
In 2002, the 996’s rigidity and crash protection were both enhanced while the interior quality was improved
Edited by monthefish on Thursday 14th July 11:49
GreigM said:
monthefish said:
ETA: just found this
Which is why you shouldn't read GTPP - as its just nonsense....the article said:
In 2002, the 996’s rigidity and crash protection were both enhanced while the interior quality was improved
So 'rigidity improvment' remains unsubstantiated then?
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