996 v 997 turbo compared?

[g7jhp]

Just realised I missed the 996 v 997 turbo comparison article in Total 911 last month and the new issue is now on the shelves.



What was the outcome?

[nickpan]

Buy the 997. The 996 felt comparatively old and less exciting to drive. The 997 they test drove was a tip whereas the 996 was a manual - to add insult to injury.

[EGTE]

Each to their own, no?

[Sine Metu]

Two mags out at the same time with the same test more or less. Same conclusion. But that's only part of the story.

[Homer J]

EGTE said:

Each to their own, no?

What he said, plus, I can't afford a 997 so I'm stuck with my 996...............Not a bad place to be "stuck".

[RedNick]

Hi all, ive owned my 996 turbo for 13 years and now it has a 9e30 tune. I also currently
own a 997 turbo S cabriolet. Whilst the 997 is a very impressive bit of kit, especially the
PDK and launch control and ceramics, it just does not feel as connected as the 996.
I will be keeping the OLD 996 and selling the 997.

[luigisayshello]

If money isn't a problem (difference today is even less), just go 997, better at everything, looks better (I like 996 look tho, but interior is just another class altogether), faster, better hardware, 997 aged A LOT better than the 996.

The 997 Turbo is just everything the 996 Turbo is, but a lot better/improved. If tiptronic, you have to have a tiptronic tune, it becomes a LOT better, otherwise, it's horrible. MT would be the ideal one.

[Adam B]

I tried both and they are both great cars.

Some claim the 996 is more feelsome but neither is a scalpel sharp 911 and I didn't feel much difference. The 997 is slightly quicker but both are rapid.

I paid 10k extra for a 997 3 years ago and don't regret it - I prefer the exterior looks, interior and seats - now the gap has narrowed the decision would be easier.

Both great cars, try both and get a manual coupe

[smudger911]

Other than the obvious interior differences, I found the 996T more involving than the 997T. Over 50,000 miles in my 997T and to get the most of out it you have to wind it up to silly speeds - certainly with the factory suspension to get that 911 involvement.

[franki68]

Had both and the 996 was the more fun for me.

[Digga]

franki68 said:

Had both and the 996 was the more fun for me.

The 996 turbo was a step-change; it really pushed the 911 into super car territory. The car gained a lot of clever tech, much from the 959 project, and prodigal performance. Even today a 996 turbo will happily hang out with the latest 4WD sports cars like the R8. The 997 version was a definite improvement, but more of an evolution than step change.

A lot of the personal preference will come from whether you prefer the 997 interior or the definitely more retro 996 version. Both have merits, but having gone from 996 turbo to 997 GT3, I think the older one mo special. Just my take.

Yes, steering feel and handling can be a bit inert on both cars, but IMHO the modern turbo is too quickly dismissed as a mere Grand Tourer when, in fact, it's a very clever jack of many trades.

[chris2002hk]

The journal's are not the judges. A pointless exercise as the 996 was origionally slammed by the very same mags that are now praising its qualities. Simply because the rising prices lifts all boats. As most the specialist porch mags are on the buy anything now and sell at a huge profit in 5 years. As most of us know, the yearly cost of this investment can often outweigh the gains .

I bought a Panamera, because its better than a 996 or 997. Not faster, not for the track, its just all round better.
I still hate the 996, its an ugly pug, is unreliable and will not sustain any value once there is an economic downturn. The 997
values will outperform the 996 in 15 years.

[kevs 172]

We have just sold our 996 Turbo S which was used daily,and replaced it with a 997 Gen 2 Turbo,which again will be used daily.Both are brilliant in my eyes, and so usable.
Nothing else comes close.
Cheers

[E34-3.2]

Money wise, I would bet on the 996 to be a better long term investment.

[Desert Dragon]

E34-3.2 said:

Money wise, I would bet on the 996 to be a better long term investment.

I think the 997.1 i the ultimate interpretation of that platform. Styling wise i think the 996 is a very interesting piece of design. Was looking at a 993 turbo sitting next a 996 turbo a few days ago and whilst the 993 is one of my all time fave 911 especially in turbo form the 996 easily held its own in terms of road presence. there's no wrong answer here.

[catsey]

kevs 172 said:

We have just sold our 996 Turbo S which was used daily,and replaced it with a 997 Gen 2 Turbo,which again will be used daily.Both are brilliant in my eyes, and so usable.
Nothing else comes close.
Cheers

how did they work out as a daily driver I have a 996GT2 and a TVR supercharded griff both are weekend cars I,ll be retiring in 2 years to UK (living working abroad) and was contemplating a 996 or a 997 as a daily how were the running costs. I willnt have endless amounts cash.
cheers .

[huggies]

Isn't this a daft question?

If Porsche had not improved and evolved the 996 into the better 997 they would be in trouble!

It's a bit like saying a Turbo is everything a 911 should be
It's not it's just one take on the theme

Any turbo is great
Any turbo has its downsides
And ditto I would say for every other 911 derivative of every model since 1964

Money no object I'd have one of maybe half a dozen different variants
But it ain't so my 996 Turbo will suffice and very nicely too

[kevs 172]

catsey said:

kevs 172 said:

We have just sold our 996 Turbo S which was used daily,and replaced it with a 997 Gen 2 Turbo,which again will be used daily.Both are brilliant in my eyes, and so usable.
Nothing else comes close.
Cheers

how did they work out as a daily driver I have a 996GT2 and a TVR supercharded griff both are weekend cars I,ll be retiring in 2 years to UK (living working abroad) and was contemplating a 996 or a 997 as a daily how were the running costs. I willnt have endless amounts cash.
cheers .

They are great as a daily driver.
The 996 was just usual running costs,pcm unit played up every now and again but on the whole very reliable.Computer said 18 mpg so not bad considering it did the school runs everyday.
Only had the Gen 2 997 for two weeks but so far enjoying it,the other half reckons the 996 was better to drive because it was a manual though!
Cheers

[Adam B]

huggies said:

Isn't this a daft question?

No, its a pretty sensible one, given they are roughly the same price and if someone is looking to buy either they might canvas opinions of comparative strengths from those who owned them. It's what this place is mostly about!

[Digga]

Adam B said:

huggies said:

Isn't this a daft question?

No, its a pretty sensible one, given they are roughly the same price and if someone is looking to buy either they might canvas opinions of comparative strengths from those who owned them. It's what this place is mostly about!

True and, lest we forget, whilst it is certainly not the case with the 911 turbo, there are many cases of cars 'going bad' as they evolve; the M3 being a prime example.