Test Drive in 997 Turbo

[clarkeyjnr]

First time I've been able to drive one yesterday.
Thought I'd at least try and write a no holds barred, completely objective review.......

I would, if only I could stop grinning long enough

Absolutely unf*ckingbelievable. Incredible torque. Incredibly linear acceleration. The handling was just mind blowing (in the most horrible damp/cold/greasy/country lanes) and clearly Porsche's designers are busying themselves with more than just car development - I suspect they may be competing for a prize for the first person to change the laws of physics.....

It was everything I had hoped it would be, after hearing and reading all the reviews, and a whole lot more. In fact, the only two bad things about my experience yesterday, was 1) Turning off the engine and giving the keys back, and 2) The sudden realisation that I will never win the lottery......

Did I mention the breaks? Jeepers! Thank goodness, is all I can say!

If anyone is doing a Noel Edmonds inspired Cosmic Ordering anytime soon, you may want to consider this......

Edited by clarkeyjnr on Friday 26th January 11:44

[silver993tt]

Sounds fantastic! Porsche's flagship car gets even better

[WetWipe]

Top Man!!

Test drove a "mere" 996 TT a couple of weekends ago. It was a 52 plate with highish miles but it was SO strong and I really was taken aback by how fast it was.

Was also impressed with the torque distribution between front and rear when presing on and throwing it round tight corners. Thought it would be a little numb compared to my C2 but it was having none of it.

In all fairness, I went to the dealer hoping to drive a TT and a MK2 'three back to back. Wasnt able to do that as the 'three was a SOR car - but I loved the TT so much I really don't think I will be looking at anything else as my next car


Stu did you get my mail?

[kennyboy]

997 turbo laps nurburgring faster than the 997gt3 doesn't it - or is that gt3 rs?

either way that's incredible in such a heavy car - I assume it's the first time the turbo 911 has been faster than the race derived 911?

[timmo]

I drove the 997 Turbo around Millbrook on the various courses
I was also in a 997 GT3 RS 2 weeks ago
for the same money the new 997 GT3 RS is a much better car,
as quick as the turbo but feels lighter
+ it looks twice as better IMHO

tim

[Koln-RS]

I haven't driven either, yet. But, from what I've read, the new GT3 and RS is even better than the TT.

[supermono]

kennyboy said:

either way that's incredible in such a heavy car - I assume it's the first time the turbo 911 has been faster than the race derived 911?

Out of interest, what % of the 996 turbo's weight is the GT3's?

SM

[supermono]

*stop press*
tt 1540, gt3 1380. With an unusually light driver at 75Kg in both, that's a full 90% of the tt's weight.

Is that really especially noticable? I didn't think so when I drove that GT3. I'm thinking geometry and setup differences are the main reasons for any particular feeling of lightness.

Of course no diff in the front will help that end feel lighter.

SM

[supermono]

clarkeyjnr said:

Absolutely unf*ckingbelievable. Incredible torque. Incredibly linear acceleration.

Is this compared with a C2? Have you driven a 996 turbo for a more fair comparison? I know when I was looking I was massively disappointed with the speed of a C4S compared with my E39 M5. The tt was much much better (than the C4S) and a bit quicker than the M5 to boot.

Obviously both cars would stretch into the distance at the first hint of a damp corner. Or a dry one actually

SM

[kayc]

I know i have been regularly berated for my opinion on 'tt's in general,but its nice to know some other people on this forum finally are starting to realise how good they are.I have driven a 997 tt which is awesome however its not worth paying twice as much for than a 996tt as the car is only marginally better imo.996tt's are the automotive bargain of the century at the moment for the amount they cost compared to other cars with nowhere near the capability.

[WetWipe]

kayc said:

I know i have been regularly berated for my opinion on 'tt's in general,but its nice to know some other people on this forum finally are starting to realise how good they are.I have driven a 997 tt which is awesome however its not worth paying twice as much for than a 996tt as the car is only marginally better imo.996tt's are the automotive bargain of the century at the moment for the amount they cost compared to other cars with nowhere near the capability.

:glup:

I agree. I have always lusted after a TT, but I didnt think I would like the 4WD thing but I am smitten.

As for VFM, I really cant think of a faster, more reliable car for sale that gets anywhere near the all round abilities of the TT.

There is a very clean 2000 turbo in the classifieds for £40k exactly. OK i know is got the most horrid interior ever (must have been a footballers car) but bloody hell £40k for a supercar that has only just started to loosen up is astonishing.

[nbetts]

WetWipe said:

kayc said:

I know i have been regularly berated for my opinion on 'tt's in general,but its nice to know some other people on this forum finally are starting to realise how good they are.I have driven a 997 tt which is awesome however its not worth paying twice as much for than a 996tt as the car is only marginally better imo.996tt's are the automotive bargain of the century at the moment for the amount they cost compared to other cars with nowhere near the capability.

:glup:

I agree. I have always lusted after a TT, but I didnt think I would like the 4WD thing but I am smitten.

As for VFM, I really cant think of a faster, more reliable car for sale that gets anywhere near the all round abilities of the TT.

There is a very clean 2000 turbo in the classifieds for £40k exactly. OK i know is got the most horrid interior ever (must have been a footballers car) but bloody hell £40k for a supercar that has only just started to loosen up is astonishing.

I own a 997 GT3 - and I love it but I still view the 997TT as the Flagship car. I thought the 996tt was too fast for UK roads to be any real fun - so I suspect the 997tt will be even worse.

Still fantastic though.

[Adam B]

WetWipe said:

As for VFM, I really cant think of a faster, more reliable car for sale that gets anywhere near the all round abilities of the TT.

There is a very clean 2000 turbo in the classifieds for £40k exactly. OK i know is got the most horrid interior ever (must have been a footballers car) but bloody hell £40k for a supercar that has only just started to loosen up is astonishing.

I hear what you are saying (TT is a grreat car) but that's still 44% of original £90k cost after 6 years!! Why is this regarded as cheap? Without the hideous interior it would be like £45k or 50%.

Maybe its something to do with the car being technically almost unchanged and as powerful as 2005 TT which fetch £65-70k.

[bergmeister]

997 tt will leave a gt3 or rs behind at the ring in a month of nov,well known journo there with one,very quick.
But IMOM not as fast as a !!! Are you enjoying it

[clarkeyjnr]

kayc said:

I know i have been regularly berated for my opinion on 'tt's in general,but its nice to know some other people on this forum finally are starting to realise how good they are.I have driven a 997 tt which is awesome however its not worth paying twice as much for than a 996tt as the car is only marginally better imo.996tt's are the automotive bargain of the century at the moment for the amount they cost compared to other cars with nowhere near the capability.

I second Wetwipe's astonishment.......

As I know I will never own a 997T (unless my six numbers get picked.......) I have a 996T as my aspirational car. Impending house move and potential family means it may get put on back burner for a few years, but I'd like to be driving a 996T (around an 04/54 plate) by the end of 2010........you got to 'ave dreams aintcha?

Didn't get your e-mail Darren, can you send it again?

[993rsr]

bergmeister said:

997 tt will leave a gt3 or rs behind at the ring in a month of nov,well known journo there with one,very quick.
But IMOM not as fast as a !!! Are you enjoying it

Back to you after lunch, he's on his way in it!!

[997gt3]

supermono said:

*stop press*
tt 1540, gt3 1380. With an unusually light driver at 75Kg in both, that's a full 90% of the tt's weight.
SM

So does that mean i'll have the fastest GT3 - i only weigh about 60kg

[superlightr]

kayc said:

I know i have been regularly berated for my opinion on 'tt's in general,but its nice to know some other people on this forum finally are starting to realise how good they are.I have driven a 997 tt which is awesome however its not worth paying twice as much for than a 996tt as the car is only marginally better imo.996tt's are the automotive bargain of the century at the moment for the amount they cost compared to other cars with nowhere near the capability.

Kayc is spot on. It is a fantastic value for money car. Its still up at the top of its game. I could not think about changing my 996tt for a 997tt as its not going to do anything better than mine and cost me 50k for the pleasure plus another 40 over 3/4 years in depreciation.

[supermono]

997gt3 said:

supermono said:

*stop press*
tt 1540, gt3 1380. With an unusually light driver at 75Kg in both, that's a full 90% of the tt's weight.
SM

So does that mean i'll have the fastest GT3 - i only weigh about 60kg

Well only if the seat goes far enough forward so you can get the accelerator pedal to the floor

I was just thinking back to the number of lard arses shoehorning themselves into 911s. Present company excluded of course

SM

[lowndes]

I have been running my 997TT since October having recently had 996TT and 997s. Just an ordinary grey driver in a grey car with no track day or roundabout heroics and never approaching the edge of the performance envelope. But given a safe piece of road in the right condition with temperatures and pressures at working levels and sport mode selected there is simple unalloyed pleasure in steadily feeding in the power through third and fourth. The thrust is relentless and ferocious and the scenery just warps around you. As oblivion looms the brakes offer a massive helping hand and you still rail round the corner at speeds you never thought possible. And then when the devil subsides just ease off the pedal and turn up the Bose and smile. Its very good, no its f***ing fantastic. And remember, just like the 996TT before it, in a couple of years time good low mileage examples will be there for the taking.