Just how quick is the 996 Turbo ??
Just how quick is the 996 Turbo ??
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Discussion

dunkdafunk

Original Poster:

111 posts

187 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
quotequote all
Hey All,

Posted yesterday regarding the 996 turbo vs 997 c2s and I'm thinking I'll go for the c2s as on paper at least it's near enough the same stats....

Is this is correct ??? I know there's prob loads of threads regarding this but was just after owners opinions as to how quick the turbo is. I've had a r5turbo, fiat coupe 20v turbo, 3.0l Z4 and BMW 645... how much quicker can it be ??? wink

Cheers - Duncan

davek_964

10,691 posts

198 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
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My mate had a 20v Fiat turbo - my 996 turbo would destroy it.

The turbo is very quick - it's the first car I've owned where I've questioned whether it really needs to be that quick.

S1MMA

2,449 posts

242 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
quotequote all
it's not that difficult a choice really:

997 C2S = not got the mid range of the 996 Turbo, but 80% as fast 0-100 etc...
Interior is modern
Get a well specced one and you have all the toys
Newer than a 996 turbo
I like the look of 997 over 996 generally, this is personal preference
Porsche Warranty easy to maintain on standard 997 - no real bug for mods

996 Turbo = standard has fantastic mid range punch when turbo's on boost
Older cars coming to end of Porsche warranty days
Tuners dream, difficult to keep standard. I drove a 650bhp 996 turbo a couple of weeks back and it was hilarious, stupidly fast
Interior older design, not nice to be in (even with all the carbon etc...)
Maybe consumables will cost more as car is older (suspension worn out etc...)

What are you looking for? If it's a newer car thats reasonably quick and you need the warranty, go for the 997. If you can live with the 996 looks/interior and you want to tune (you really prioritise performance) then 996TT is hard to beat tbh. Stats may say they're close on paper when sprinting 0-100 etc... but on the roads in gear acceleration the 996 turbo will be quicker standard vs standard. Tuned, the 996TT will eat a 997 C2S for dust.



Spy

1,321 posts

230 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
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The Turbo is far too quick for UK roads - bordering on the scary: the speed freaks weapon of choice.

You should probably go for the C2S, less likely to scare the sh*t out of you and a little more sedate (if that word can be used for a Porsche !) for our roads - the housewife's choice.

As regards warranty, if you pick up one of teh later ones 2003-2005, you will still have a good 3-5 years of warranty life left in it, if you keep it that long.

Edited by Spy on Tuesday 3rd August 09:26

Peely

902 posts

242 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
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Took mine out at weekend after not being able to use it for a couple of weeks due to work commitments and although it's a 997T this is exactly what I thought eek ...........................
Spy said:
The Turbo is far too quick for UK roads - bordering on the scary:

Edited by Spy on Tuesday 3rd August 09:26

lynchygt3

633 posts

206 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
quotequote all
dunkdafunk said:
Hey All,

Posted yesterday regarding the 996 turbo vs 997 c2s and I'm thinking I'll go for the c2s as on paper at least it's near enough the same stats....

Is this is correct ??? I know there's prob loads of threads regarding this but was just after owners opinions as to how quick the turbo is. I've had a r5turbo, fiat coupe 20v turbo, 3.0l Z4 and BMW 645... how much quicker can it be ??? wink

Cheers - Duncan
hahahaha mate you need to have a good drive in them both, there will be what looks like very little on paper stats for 0-60 runs etc but a 996 turbo will leave a 997c2s for dead in any real world situation there so much faster chalk and cheese faster

as for the other list of cars now thats just being silly "how much quicker can it be" hehe

S1MMA

2,449 posts

242 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
quotequote all
lynchygt3 said:
dunkdafunk said:
Hey All,

Posted yesterday regarding the 996 turbo vs 997 c2s and I'm thinking I'll go for the c2s as on paper at least it's near enough the same stats....

Is this is correct ??? I know there's prob loads of threads regarding this but was just after owners opinions as to how quick the turbo is. I've had a r5turbo, fiat coupe 20v turbo, 3.0l Z4 and BMW 645... how much quicker can it be ??? wink

Cheers - Duncan
hahahaha mate you need to have a good drive in them both, there will be what looks like very little on paper stats for 0-60 runs etc but a 996 turbo will leave a 997c2s for dead in any real world situation there so much faster chalk and cheese faster

as for the other list of cars now thats just being silly "how much quicker can it be" hehe
The Fiat Coupe 20vt / Z4 3.0 and 645 will be fairly well matched in a straight line, Fiat and 645 slightly quicker than the Z4, but not huge amounts in it. A 996TT is a lot faster, simple as that. You need to experience the difference, go try a 996TT and a 997C2S and you will know what is right for you.

SydneyP

224 posts

201 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
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Ignore the comparisons, don't forget that most 996 Turbo reviews were done on older rubber... with new black stuff underneath them cars are SIGNFICANTLY quicker for lap times. With something as racy as a Turbo getting it to ground is the hardest part despite 4WD...

Phooey

13,500 posts

192 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
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The 996T is over 100bhp/tonn more powerful than your previous cars yikes

supermono

7,457 posts

271 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
quotequote all
Spy said:
The Turbo is far too quick for UK roads - bordering on the scary: the speed freaks weapon of choice.
Well last night I checked my GT2 on UK roads and I can confirm that at 70mph it's doing 70mph just like any other car.

In fact it's only when you put your foot down a bit that it all gets a bit bezerk, and you can choose precicely when to do that (though obviously not as precicely as if you were in a GT3, eh readers?)

I think in a C2 I'd be wearing out the carpet under the pedal. Turbo every time for me, the C2 I tried was far slower than the M5 I was getting out of and really not what I expected of a 911. Even if you don't use wide open throttle that much, it's still lovely to have the option when you want to.

SM

ZeroH

2,915 posts

212 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
quotequote all
SydneyP said:
Ignore the comparisons, don't forget that most 996 Turbo reviews were done on older rubber... with new black stuff underneath them cars are SIGNFICANTLY quicker for lap times. With something as racy as a Turbo getting it to ground is the hardest part despite 4WD...
Good point on the rubber Sydney and a fact oft overlooked !

I'd love HvS to run a 2005 turboS with X73 on the ring with MPSC's on and see how much quicker he'd be than the 7m56 he got in 2000. I'd put money on it being quicker than the 997GT3's time of 7m48 !!

GreigM

6,740 posts

272 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
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Also remember the turbo has the GT1 bottom end and is pretty much bullet-proof compared to the M96/M97 units in the carrera.....in my mind this more than compensates for age.....

Phooey

13,500 posts

192 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
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Buy this and be done with it. yes . - http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1844840.htm







THE END.

dunkdafunk

Original Poster:

111 posts

187 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
quotequote all
Hahaha..

Thats a little over my budget. I've got upto 31k but am also worried about reliability on the turbo as I can't afford to be replacing turbo's etc...

I love the idea of a mentally quick car even if I don't use the power every day.

I'm sure there's loads on here about it but doesn anyone have a pointers for what to look for on a turbo. I've hear the engines are bulletproof but to check for corrosion on the exhaust, turbo's, heat sheld's & generally the engine as it's exposed.

Any help would be greatly received.. Also if anyone know's of a good turbo for that money I'd be very interested.

Cheers all - Duncan

98C4S

2,939 posts

213 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
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Turbo all the way, no competition


sleep envy

62,260 posts

272 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
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supermono said:
Spy said:
The Turbo is far too quick for UK roads - bordering on the scary: the speed freaks weapon of choice.
Well last night I checked my GT2 on UK roads and I can confirm that at 70mph it's doing 70mph just like any other car.

In fact it's only when you put your foot down a bit that it all gets a bit bezerk, and you can choose precicely when to do that (though obviously not as precicely as if you were in a GT3, eh readers?)
you know what he means

the thing is, when you can do over 100 mph in third with another 3 gears to go, it does make you wonder if cars are becoming a little too capable of doing big numbers

davek_964

10,691 posts

198 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
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dunkdafunk said:
Thats a little over my budget. I've got upto 31k but am also worried about reliability on the turbo as I can't afford to be replacing turbo's etc...
I'd say the engine / turbos are not your main concern - they generally seem pretty reliable. It's all the other stuff that breaks, and can get very expensive unless you have a warranty. My engine is fine - however, in the 11 months I've owned my turbo I don't think a full week has passed without something being wrong with it. And the costs add up quickly - my service a few weeks ago cost me £2,600 - of which the warranty company will only refund £1,200 (not an OPC warranty) - and I've not received that yet.



Edited by davek_964 on Tuesday 3rd August 12:22

dunkdafunk

Original Poster:

111 posts

187 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
quotequote all
Yeh... this is what I'm worried about.

I can get a 2005 997 c2s and have the 111 point check done & then stick a porsche warranty on it for £900 (i think) a year. Servicing is every 2 years so i know what i'll be spending and can budget for it.

If I get a bad turbo.. I could be hit with dirtyness every month.. But then I know I could get a bad 997.

Think i'd try to get the seller to get the porsche check done as part of the sale. That way I know I can get it warrantied and shouldn't be hit with any big bills (apart from tyres, brakes etc..)

Alibongo001

50 posts

238 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
quotequote all
I have not had my 996 turbo long, but thought that my experience on Sunday may add some perspective here:

I have had the car about 3 months and really enjoyed the performance / feel and looks of the car (just as well it is the realisation of a desire for a Porsche since I was small!)

The performance is certainly leagues ahead of most cars you may come across on an average day, press the throttle and they disappear quite quickly, regardless of how hard they try!

At the weekend I attended a meeting of a groupd of PHers and drove in convoy with some more exotic cars (which was great fun!). What is also offered was an idea for the first time how quick the turbo is Vs Ferraris etc.

Now obviously we were on public roads and well within the speed limits legal and for appropriate good driving practice and you never know how wide open the throttle is in other people's cars, BUT I would say that the turbo is at least as Quick as the other cars I was near (355 / Exige / etc). When I was baulked by a slower moving car it was not difficult to catch up (fairly quickly) with the pack.

Hope this helps are there are more cars out there to choose from........Sunday's trip was excellent and made me realise further how capable the 996 turbo is!

Cheers Alastair

davek_964

10,691 posts

198 months

Tuesday 3rd August 2010
quotequote all
dunkdafunk said:
Yeh... this is what I'm worried about.

I can get a 2005 997 c2s and have the 111 point check done & then stick a porsche warranty on it for £900 (i think) a year. Servicing is every 2 years so i know what i'll be spending and can budget for it.

If I get a bad turbo.. I could be hit with dirtyness every month.. But then I know I could get a bad 997.

Think i'd try to get the seller to get the porsche check done as part of the sale. That way I know I can get it warrantied and shouldn't be hit with any big bills (apart from tyres, brakes etc..)
Most of my problems were not present when I bought the car - they all came later. If you're on a budget, then definitely consider either an OPC warranty or a maintenance plan. Remember that an OPC warranty may be fairly comprehensive - but severely restricts what changes you can make to the car (i.e. you can't make any) - and if you need something like a battery you'll be paying your OPC £300+ to fit it rather than going to Halfords / Costco and spending £100.