996TT-450Bhp

[robbo66]

Hi,
I've had a 996TT and it remains the most complete car I've driven. Just out of a 360 which was also outstanding and have a 997S due for delivery in April. I test drove it last week and found it a little muted, and twitchy on the high speed cornering. By the time I've specc'd it, I'm looking at circa £74K, and it just doesn't feel that money.
I'm seriously considering getting back into a 996TT, but with the performance pack. The 996TT looks exceptional value at the moment with the 04 plates with 2-3000 miles at below £80 k!!.
If anyones had experience of driving the X50 450 bh upgraded version, please comment. Much appreciated.
Rob

[Don]

I'm sure Daz will comment shortly. All I can say is that his fine motor absolutely blew me away.

[cyrus1971]

Good call to not go for the 997 until 997 Turbo comes out at the least. This is a dynamic and interior comment. Exterior of 997 is good. I have had a drive in one now and they are disappointing compared to the 996 turbo. Also I have to say the interior (visually speaking) is no improvement, I cant stand all the straight lines etc, feels fake to me - can't explain the lgic of that comment - just an emotional response I prefer the interior of the 996.

As for the drive of the 996TT x50 I can not comment but I have driven a 500+ Bhp 996TT and it was simply exceptional in evry way.

[turbobloke]

Was passengered by Daz at VMax, car exceptional, driver half decent too where are you Daz?

[dazren]

In answer to turbobloke's question, just going through the answer machine messages and checking the post. Now aside from business, back to PH.....

I've not driven the standard car so can't offer a comparison. I'd suggest driving both back to back and see which one you want. I know "Buster" did exactly this and bought an X50.

As the market stands now, the discerning value for money play would be to buy an early standard turbo and chip it. Even more power than an X50 for less than £65k...... This does open up a large debate on aftermarket tuning and does it cause premature wear of components.

DAZ

[grant3]

Hi Rob,
The 996TT is one hard car to replace, as I have had mine for two years & have slightly itchy feet, I also had a test drive in the new "S". It is a great car, the driving position & seats are vastly better, as is the ride comfort. BUT it just hasn't got enough grunt compared to the Turbo, I personally also feel the Turbo is the better drivers car, the steering is more alive, the ride tells you more about the road surface & grip levels! I know the S only had 1200 miles on it & the weather is cold at the moment, which is good for Turbos' but the TT's sheer grunt pumps the adrenalin,I'm having to hang onto the steering wheel at the moment, the S is deceptively quick, but didn't get my heart pumping!!

[burriana500]

Drop 'Rods' a line on here... he got a 996TT a couple of months ago and his, as if by magic, is pushing out around 530bhp... and sounds like a Messerschmit going past!

[robbo66]

grant3 said:

Hi Rob, The 996TT is one hard car to replace, as I have had mine for two years & have slightly itchy feet, I also had a test drive in the new "S". It is a great car, the driving position & seats are vastly better, as is the ride comfort. BUT it just hasn't got enough grunt compared to the Turbo, I personally also feel the Turbo is the better drivers car, the steering is more alive, the ride tells you more about the road surface & grip levels! I know the S only had 1200 miles on it & the weather is cold at the moment, which is good for Turbos' but the TT's sheer grunt pumps the adrenalin,I'm having to hang onto the steering wheel at the moment, the S is deceptively quick, but didn't get my heart pumping!!

Hi grant, thanks for the info. I had the 996TT from new in april 03, and thought it was superb. Got out of that and into the 360 which offered a totally different experience. Both are immense, but couldn't use the 360 for work whereas I did use the 996TT. I know the itchy feet feeling, but beleive me, there remains nothing to touch it at the moment, and I include the 997S.

Rob

[t urbo]

Hi Rob,
Two years ago i had a std 996 tt then traded it in for a new x50 (always one for more go me)and i must say i think its the absolute nuts.The car is brilliant all round, in the summer i tracked it a couple of times and it ran faultless and this weekend i took the misses and my two kids to the swimming baths with it!

>> Edited by t urbo on Monday 15th November 18:20

[grant3]

robbo66 said:

[quote=grant3]Hi Rob, Hi grant, thanks for the info. I had the 996TT from new in april 03, and thought it was superb. Got out of that and into the 360 which offered a totally different experience. Both are immense, but couldn't use the 360 for work whereas I did use the 996TT. I know the itchy feet feeling, but beleive me, there remains nothing to touch it at the moment, and I include the 997S. Rob

How did you find the 360 in comparison with the TT, I have to say with prces dropping because of the new 430 the ferrari's are starting to look tempting, what are your thoughts???

[robbo66]

grant3 said:

robbo66 said: [quote=grant3]Hi Rob, Hi grant, thanks for the info. I had the 996TT from new in april 03, and thought it was superb. Got out of that and into the 360 which offered a totally different experience. Both are immense, but couldn't use the 360 for work whereas I did use the 996TT. I know the itchy feet feeling, but beleive me, there remains nothing to touch it at the moment, and I include the 997S. Rob How did you find the 360 in comparison with the TT, I have to say with prces dropping because of the new 430 the ferrari's are starting to look tempting, what are your thoughts???

The 360 is the ultimate drive, you feel everything. I had a series 1 996GT3, and it was a similar feel, though nowhere near as exciting. Nothing I have driven has surpassed the experience. I also fitted a Tubi sportds exhaust, an option in Europe and the US. Made a superb sound, should have been offered as a standard upgrade in the UK. It's how a Ferrari should sound. Frantic drive, really twitchy.
BUT....as I've stated before, it remains the motoring equivalent of a gold tooth. Great to drive through the mountains of wales, and France... but through town...you must be joking. I'd need a balaclave. No class, but the sound an experience...the ultimate, though I would not have another. It just tries too hard and that just aint cool IMO.

Rob