scratching that TT itch...

[PTE993]

I've been hankering for a TT for a while. And in a moment of rashness at the weekend my beloved wife, said 'oh why don't you just go and get one'. She didn't need to say it twice and as you can imagine I was onto the autotrader ads on the net in a whisker.

I've been looking for a 993 TT for a while but haven't really seen one I want. And even if I did get one I would not use it regularly much the same way I don't with my C2S. So with limited choice in the 993 market and a desire to use the car daily I've decided to take the 'plunge into water' and am now on the look out for a 996 TT.

Since there are more 996 TT's out there I am hoping I can track down my perfect spec - black/black, manual, X50 (PCM2 - not sure??) OPC Warranty, 04 model (longer service intervals). Seen one at RSJ's that looks pretty close. www.rsjsportscars.co.uk/vehicles/porsche_911_996_x50_turbo_5.htm
Would appreciate any views on what else I should be thinking about in this prospective purchase? Anyone have any experience of dealing with RSJ's?

Also, since I am acting impulsively (can't help myself with cars) I'll need to sell my C2S soon. Hopefully get a PH ad up shortly, but if anyone's interested in my car, you can see pics of it in my profile let me know or drop me a PM. Will sell at sensible price to a PH enthusiast.

PTE993

[verysideways]

C2S is beautiful i don't think you'll have any problems selling that.

996tt is a very different ball game, have you driven one? Be careful that you don't end up with a car whose novelty value wears off quicker than you expect.

I've had a 993tt, and as awesome a car as it was i was very happy to go back to a naturally aspirated 993 to have more fun at lower speeds and with the throttle response and noise that goes along with losing the turbos.

I guess what i'm trying to say is, if you're thinking about a 996tt perhaps try a GT3 as well?

Good luck, and keep us informed (preferably with pictures!)

[PTE993]

Hi VS. Thanks for your reply. I did take a 993tt out the other day. Performance-wise it was amazing. But it didn't have the sound you get with a NA 993 - and was actually eaiser to drive since it has the lighter clutch. I am expecting the 996tt will be similar. I think it will lose a little soul and will be less involving but a devastatingly accomplished grand tourer. I'll only find out when I get one. Also as much as I would like a GT3/GT2 I would like to take the family for weekends away in the car hence need rear seats. Although a spirited drive in the 993 does get the little ones feeling a tad quesy in the back.. And as great I driver as I like to kid myself I am I am no track day warrior and a proper track car would be wasted since I wouldnt use it.

I hope the 996tt will do the trick for now.

Have you had any experience of buying from RSJ's? They seemed pretty straight.

I've only bought from Ray Northway in the past and I've always been very happy but the only 996tt he's got is not the spec I'm after.

[Adam B]

As obviously you don't mind the 993 interior I am surprised you don't go for a 993T over a 996TT.

Nicer exterior IMHO and stronger residuals, also the 996TT will feel a fraction more "grown up, less raw" than a 993TT.

Quite fancied that 996TT myself (I can't live with the 993 interior) but didn't have any of the ali interior bits I was after

Edited by Adam B on Monday 23 October 20:26

[lanesra10]

You also need to factor in the minimal depreciation on the 993TT vs the greater depreciation of the 996TT, but I'm biased.

[verysideways]

Ok, given your comprehensive reply and reasoning behind each response, it seems you have already decided on the right car, the 996TT

Yes, i bought my second 993 from RSJ, in fact the only time i bought from a "porsche place". Joel is a nice chap though can be a little short if he's busy. He doesn't do test drives but if you pays your money and you're not happy with the car then just take it straight back. His showroom and preparation make it obvious why he isn't keen on test drives, and i bet it saves a packet on insurance too!

Enjoy your 996tt - though i'd spend less if i was you, merely to try and save some of the hit. There are some very good value 996tt's out there at present in the £50k area...

[PTE993]

thanks folks.. on the depreciation front you're right... I know I am going to take a bigger hit with the 996.. Looking at prices for 2000 cars they seem to be in the early 40's. I would think that in 3 yrs time when this car will be a similar vintage (6-ish yrs old) it'll be worth around the same... give or take.

RSJ's wasn't busy when I went there this morning. Did sense that Joel spent 30 mins or sizing up whether I was serious or not. Couldn't get a close look at the car it was in their bodyshop. They're getting it prepared and it will be ready later this week. I'm going to have another look then.

[egbert]

I always found Joel to be very straight.

[wrn]

PTE993 said:

Since there are more 996 TT's out there I am hoping I can track down my perfect spec - black/black, manual, X50 (PCM2 - not sure??) OPC Warranty, 04 model (longer service intervals). Seen one at RSJ's that looks pretty close. www.rsjsportscars.co.uk/vehicles/porsche_911_996_x50_turbo_5.htm
Would appreciate any views on what else I should be thinking about in this prospective purchase? Anyone have any experience of dealing with RSJ's?

I was also looking at that car - it is a cracking car (though living in London I like rear parking sensors - but I appreciate that I can't afford to be THAT fussy on a used car!). It is more than I want to spend on a 996 TT - and I have spoken to RSJ and they appear to have very little room for movement on the price for that car (though that was when it was first in a couple of weeks back). I have been down to see them and they know what they are talking about and seem like good guys - I would not hesitate in buying from them. They know their cars better than an OPC used salesman does - meaning that I'd rather buy from than an OPC (aside from the price difference).

It's also worth bearing in mind that it is the latest 996 TT model and therefore (so they tell me) only requires half as many services as the earlier models.

I have been looking for a while and there are VERY few X50 black/black ones around - drop the X50 requirement and life becomes easier. My requirement is for a manual black/black (as per my wanted ad) and cracking deals do come along but I have not been able to get to see them before they have been snapped up. Someone sold a black/black manual 04 car with 21k miles for £54k privately a couple of weeks back - that's the sort of deal that's worth hunting.

Will

[AL001]

Is the RSJ X50 from Glasgow area? Spec and miles seems very similar to one advertised a month ago by another trader here, though the asking price was 57k then. I would have been tempted by it myself if hadn't just bought a GT3 Mk2.

[wrn]

AL001 said:

Is the RSJ X50 from Glasgow area? Spec and miles seems very similar to one advertised a month ago by another trader here, though the asking price was 57k then. I would have been tempted by it myself if hadn't just bought a GT3 Mk2.

I'm not sure - but at £57k that car looks far more attractive.

[AL001]

Agreed and my max. offer would have been £55k.

Here's original trader's ad, click thru to stock: www.adambrae.eu/

Edited by AL001 on Tuesday 24th October 11:12

[wrn]

AL001 said:

Agreed and my max. offer would have been £55k.

Here's original trader's ad, click thru to stock: www.adambrae.eu/

Edited by AL001 on Tuesday 24th October 11:12

I didn't see that ad - a shame as I would have definitely been interested.

[Neilpeel59]

PTE993 said:

Have you had any experience of buying from RSJ's? They seemed pretty straight.

I bought my 996c4 from RSJ and it has been absolutely perfect. Joel seems like a straight talker. Recommend.

[PTE993]

Thanks for the comments. Yes it is from Glasgow. So probably the same car. Interesting it was at £57K up there. At that price it does become much more viable!! When I spoke to Joel he wasn't up for budging on the price. I think he know's the rarity and that someone will probably pay the asking. According to RSJ it is the 04 model which does have the longer service intervals.

I do have the matter of shifting my current car. Although I don't neeeed to sell it, I'm not really interested in having both the cars at the same time. And in the cold light of day I think rather than rush to chop it in at a dealer I am going to wait and try and get a fairer price on the open market.

Glad to hear the RSJ guys check out. I liked their attitude and gives me confidence if/when I buy from them.

Incidentally FWIW I also spoke to JCT600 in Sheffield. They did have a nice 02 (non-X50 though). Sadly that's been sold as well. But they did offer to source me a car to the spec I wanted. Didn't think an x50 black would be a problem... Also they predominantly source from Scotland to the Midlands so if there is any North/South divide on price you might benefit.

Also their view on PCM was that it wasn't that big a deal (RSJ seemed to think it was mandatory). And if you did have it, go for 2 rather than 1.

[Adam B]

PTE993 said:

Thanks for the comments. Yes it is from Glasgow. So probably the same car. Interesting it was at £57K up there. At that price it does become much more viable!!

Also their view on PCM was that it wasn't that big a deal (RSJ seemed to think it was mandatory). And if you did have it, go for 2 rather than 1.

cheeky! RSJ buy cars oop north and add 6-7k to the price w/o lifting a finger, nice business if you can get it!

PCM2 is defintiely desirable and non-equipped cars and much harder to shift IMHO. If your not bothered that find one without and knock them down. I would rather hae a non-PCM car than have PCM1 jsut to avoid the tape deck on the dash.