Help! - I'm bored of my 996 Turbo
Discussion
('03 Manual Turbo, 60k miles. Standard.)
I need a little help here...
I've had the car for 5+ years, and in the last year I've only done 2k miles in it. Work and other commitments aside, it's just no fun any more and the initial excitement of owning my childhood poster car has faded. Dragging out all the clichés but it's too clinical I suppose.
I can't really afford to upgrade to anything else (I was considering a GT3) as it'd need £20k+ of capital putting in that I don't have currently. Maybe in 3 years or so, but not currently.
So, what can I do? I went for a service last summer at NineExcellence and was very close to a chip / exhaust / intercooler package but chickened out. It was a fair bit of cash, and I didn't know if it'd help. Maybe the geo needs sharpening up? I was thinking about a short-shift kit?
I'd like the car to feel more "urgent" and sharper to drive and if I can make it sound a bit more exciting then maybe I'll hang on to it a bit longer.
Can anyone suggest what I can do? Has anyone else tweaked their turbo to make it more exciting?
Thanks
I need a little help here...
I've had the car for 5+ years, and in the last year I've only done 2k miles in it. Work and other commitments aside, it's just no fun any more and the initial excitement of owning my childhood poster car has faded. Dragging out all the clichés but it's too clinical I suppose.
I can't really afford to upgrade to anything else (I was considering a GT3) as it'd need £20k+ of capital putting in that I don't have currently. Maybe in 3 years or so, but not currently.
So, what can I do? I went for a service last summer at NineExcellence and was very close to a chip / exhaust / intercooler package but chickened out. It was a fair bit of cash, and I didn't know if it'd help. Maybe the geo needs sharpening up? I was thinking about a short-shift kit?
I'd like the car to feel more "urgent" and sharper to drive and if I can make it sound a bit more exciting then maybe I'll hang on to it a bit longer.
Can anyone suggest what I can do? Has anyone else tweaked their turbo to make it more exciting?
Thanks
Agree, cracking all round car but once the novelty of the turbo kicking in wears off its business as usual. Sold mine after 9 months . Just too clinical and not what I was looking for in a weekend car.
996 GT2 ? Different ball game altogether. Real drivers car for those with balls but GT3 money + , and uncertain residuals at the moment, and a hell of a job selling on if you are looking at short term ownership.
996 GT2 ? Different ball game altogether. Real drivers car for those with balls but GT3 money + , and uncertain residuals at the moment, and a hell of a job selling on if you are looking at short term ownership.
mollytherocker said:
It sounds like you are not looking for outright speed and maybe need to go 'air cooled'.
What about a nice 3.2 Carrera?
MTR
I've been thinking that might be an option - I know nothing about them though. You're right - outright speed here in the South East really isn't needed! What about a nice 3.2 Carrera?
MTR
pilchardthecat said:
Get something rear wheel drive and naturally aspirated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkF--vCvtFc
Either you take the simple step getting the 996T beast out in the open; air filter, exhaust, remap and more aggressive set up, or you can go to 996 GT3. If a little more nostalgic, sell the 996T and find a nice a good shape air cooled.
You are in good hands with Nine Excellence, good luck making the right decision.
You are in good hands with Nine Excellence, good luck making the right decision.
Either
- Remap and enjoy for another year (though you could be putting of the inevitable if you just fancy a change).
- buy a 2nd car to go alongside it (e.g. Lotus / 993)
- don't drive the turbo for a couple of weeks and then go back to it and decide (believe me this helps if the other car is not as fast - helps to re-adjust your mental benchmark)
- Remap and enjoy for another year (though you could be putting of the inevitable if you just fancy a change).
- buy a 2nd car to go alongside it (e.g. Lotus / 993)
- don't drive the turbo for a couple of weeks and then go back to it and decide (believe me this helps if the other car is not as fast - helps to re-adjust your mental benchmark)
a little left-field I know - but sometimes less is more!
For example . . . I have owned 2 motorbikes - a Ducati 748 and a Ducati 999 - the 999 is faster in every way imaginable but I have to say that living life on the ragged edge with the 748 was much more "fun" in real daily life, both on track and on the road.
Maybe you have the same symptoms - its true any 911 Turbo is a mental super car, no question, but I doubt that even on track you could get to that magical edge, where the fun really is.
This is even crazier . . . . every now and then we hire a little ford fiesta from down the road to do a few jobs @ £30 per day - it is a piece of s
t, but what a great laugh round the country roads, wringing its neck and drifting round the bends.
less is more!
For example . . . I have owned 2 motorbikes - a Ducati 748 and a Ducati 999 - the 999 is faster in every way imaginable but I have to say that living life on the ragged edge with the 748 was much more "fun" in real daily life, both on track and on the road.
Maybe you have the same symptoms - its true any 911 Turbo is a mental super car, no question, but I doubt that even on track you could get to that magical edge, where the fun really is.
This is even crazier . . . . every now and then we hire a little ford fiesta from down the road to do a few jobs @ £30 per day - it is a piece of s
t, but what a great laugh round the country roads, wringing its neck and drifting round the bends.less is more!
khushy said:
a little left-field I know - but sometimes less is more!
For example . . . I have owned 2 motorbikes - a Ducati 748 and a Ducati 999 - the 999 is faster in every way imaginable but I have to say that living life on the ragged edge with the 748 was much more "fun" in real daily life, both on track and on the road.
Maybe you have the same symptoms - its true any 911 Turbo is a mental super car, no question, but I doubt that even on track you could get to that magical edge, where the fun really is.
This is even crazier . . . . every now and then we hire a little ford fiesta from down the road to do a few jobs @ £30 per day - it is a piece of st, but what a great laugh round the country roads, wringing its neck and drifting round the bends.
less is more!
Agree... Bikes are livelier and pushes the adrenaline buttons. There's nothing like going round tight bends and being sling shot out with the rear struggling for for grip while you are battling keeping the front down. So, you could also do the light mods on the 996T and get a decent super-bike, then you get the best of both worlds For example . . . I have owned 2 motorbikes - a Ducati 748 and a Ducati 999 - the 999 is faster in every way imaginable but I have to say that living life on the ragged edge with the 748 was much more "fun" in real daily life, both on track and on the road.
Maybe you have the same symptoms - its true any 911 Turbo is a mental super car, no question, but I doubt that even on track you could get to that magical edge, where the fun really is.
This is even crazier . . . . every now and then we hire a little ford fiesta from down the road to do a few jobs @ £30 per day - it is a piece of s
t, but what a great laugh round the country roads, wringing its neck and drifting round the bends.less is more!
911Viking said:
Agree... Bikes are livelier and pushes the adrenaline buttons. There's nothing like going round tight bends and being sling shot out with the rear struggling for for grip while you are battling keeping the front down. So, you could also do the light mods on the 996T and get a decent super-bike, then you get the best of both worlds
I was also using the analogy for maybe a change to a "lesser" car 
Personally I would look at any 90's M series BMW too.
Lets make a fun "on the limit - less is more" option list for the OP . . . .
993 C2
BMW M3
BMW MZ3
BMZ MZ4
Lotus Elise/Exige
khushy
Thanks for the input chaps.
Having the four seats is pretty important, as I have a child seat to stick in the back. A 2 seater, whilst it'd be more fun potentially, would render the days I get to use it even less than now.
The car isn't a commuter; I'm based in London. I'd say it gets used a couple of weekends a month and often a mix of motorway and then a few back roads. I don't get the chance to "go for a drive" very often.
I considered the GT2 @ 911V (And sticking a belt in the back for the car seat) but the incremental cost I can't justify on a car I use so rarely.
So, I need to tweak this one or spend between £15k -> £25k on something else I suppose. The missus wants me to keep the car, as we are unlikely to get another, but could be persuaded into something else "nice". I also find it hard to cough up so much on insurance and yearly servicing when I use it so rarely - so something a little cheaper to keep running might be nice.
I do like some of the "M" cars I have to admit. I keep hearing the CSL is a great car?
Having the four seats is pretty important, as I have a child seat to stick in the back. A 2 seater, whilst it'd be more fun potentially, would render the days I get to use it even less than now.
The car isn't a commuter; I'm based in London. I'd say it gets used a couple of weekends a month and often a mix of motorway and then a few back roads. I don't get the chance to "go for a drive" very often.
I considered the GT2 @ 911V (And sticking a belt in the back for the car seat) but the incremental cost I can't justify on a car I use so rarely.
So, I need to tweak this one or spend between £15k -> £25k on something else I suppose. The missus wants me to keep the car, as we are unlikely to get another, but could be persuaded into something else "nice". I also find it hard to cough up so much on insurance and yearly servicing when I use it so rarely - so something a little cheaper to keep running might be nice.
I do like some of the "M" cars I have to admit. I keep hearing the CSL is a great car?
I know what you mean about the Turbo. My X50 was the same although now its gone I bloody miss it!
When I was looking at cars I test drove several, a standard K16 car, several X50's and an X50 that had been chipped and had an uprated exhaust.
I chose to go with the standard X50 car and did not regret it BUT I have to say the modified car was absolutely bonkers!
I have also heard of some Turbo owners disconecting the front dif to make the cars rear drive only. Not sure if that is internet myth or a technical reality although I suspect it would make the cars more lively and challenging in a going backwards through a hedge sort of way. (kinda like sex with Grace Jones. You know you shouldn't but you want to AND you know you will get bitten).
Otherwise I understand a six pot front brake conversion can transform the braking performance on the turbo therefore unleashing a bit more fun and user experience.
When I was looking at cars I test drove several, a standard K16 car, several X50's and an X50 that had been chipped and had an uprated exhaust.
I chose to go with the standard X50 car and did not regret it BUT I have to say the modified car was absolutely bonkers!
I have also heard of some Turbo owners disconecting the front dif to make the cars rear drive only. Not sure if that is internet myth or a technical reality although I suspect it would make the cars more lively and challenging in a going backwards through a hedge sort of way. (kinda like sex with Grace Jones. You know you shouldn't but you want to AND you know you will get bitten).
Otherwise I understand a six pot front brake conversion can transform the braking performance on the turbo therefore unleashing a bit more fun and user experience.
neilcoker said:
go out and try some old school air cooled 911's you'll love them and wont need them to have rocket ship performance to float your boat instead just a retro cool mobile thats faster than your average repmobile, you wont get bored of it either
Do this. Classic car insurance policy, minimal depreciation. pp
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