eride

comparing the two is like apples to oranges, two completely different animals. if you are an agressive driver by nature no doubt about it, gett the TT996 or 997. it's much more a canyon run car and endless modds if you just that type of guy to keep you busy. if you just want to stab the gas and point then it's the 55 for you. apples? or Orange?

alroumi

I would get the SL55 its a winner because of the Amazing Metal hardtop and comfortable interior also its fast as a 996TT

BoBcanada

you guys cant read or smth, i said i would defenetly get sl55 if i wanted a cruiser for the city, 996tt is nice and all but after sitting in one, it just doesnt feel right, its kinda small. SL55 is perfect tho, really like the car, but I want a sports car, and new z06 is just that.

I'm not looking for drag queen, im looking for all arounder! and yes 11.4 is not a deam, its been done by the very good driver.

I had benzes all my life, and its time for a change

KillerZJ

"I had benzes all my life, and its time for a change"

Just a question, but did you think of this to yourself before you started the thread? Hope you enjoy whatever you choose.

CY

When youre driving a SL55 with top up in the rain and forget its a convertible and then wake up to a sunny warm morning and pop the top while enjoying almost 500 HP of rage...you will realize the 996tt seems like a go cart....997TT for fun and SL as a fun daily driver or just a SL for everything IMO.

Also for me safety is quite important..and the SL is said to be quite safer by some.

55User

I own both and I can honestly say that given the choice of only one, I would choose the SL55. The Turbo has a lot less sense of speed and so it, shall I say, numbs the experience. When driving the 55, the experience is as bad *** as you could want, it's loud, comfortable, and easy to drive fast.

blueSL

I too have both because the cars are very different. Personally, I would never go with an automatic 911 or a 911 cabriolet because they are both unhappy compromises in terms of performance and look. People driving around in a 911 cab with the roof down look like they are taking a bath and I have never found mating the 911 engine to an auto box, even with torque converter lock-up, very satisfactory. If you want the 911, manual coupe is the way to go.

If you want a convertible or an automatic, get the SL55, but don't think you are getting a sports car. If you want a true sports car, get the 911, but don't think you are getting a luxury high performance GT and don't complain about the lack of toys like keyless go.

The 996 TT manual shift is night and day different from the SL55, much faster but it has to be said rather less comfortable. It all depends on what you are looking for. Since I got my 996TT, I've hardly used my SL55, I find it sluggish, just too heavy, though fine for weekends away. The 996TT is my daily driver and I can't wait for the 997 TT I have on order to arrive.

blueSL

By the way, I can understand you thinking the 911 feels small, because it is even by European standards. I was quite struck on a trip to NYC how small even the SL looked in comparison to the "standard" car there. At the end of the day, though, the reason the 911 achieves the performance and handling it does is because it is small and light - nearly half a ton lighter than the SL55.

JR.

hey Blue,
i have a tip 996TT and think the tiptronic is fabulous and if i own any more Porsches, that is my tranny of choice. the paddle shifters are a friggin blast and very easily support my style of driving, which is quickly moving through all traffic. yes, it is idiot proof, but still rewarding enough. if it's good enough for Hurley Haywood, it's good enough for me, incl. the track...
.
additionally, i am seriously considering the purchase of an SL55. .. i love the AMG paddle shifter etc., reminds me of my TT.. . yes, the car is heavy and quite different than a TT but you really get more bang for your buck with the SL55. they are two different animals (apples and oranges) but in a straight line, very close. plus, i find the the ride of the SL55 to be much better than TT.
.
i like the fact that so many TT owners have, had SL55's, or are going to SL55's. must mean something.. or we are just getting older..

for those on the fence.. got to drive em both to make a decision...

eride

we are getting older....haha the tt is a sports car, the 55 is a cruiser with easy drifting abilities.

blueSL

Well, it's all down to personal preference. I regard the SL55 more like an appliance, you buy it, you use it, but it doesn't get under your skin. For my money, the 996TT is the better car but it all depends on what you are looking for. Driving conditions in Europe are very different from those in the US and I certainly accept a GT with lots of grunt will appeal to US buyers. The SL is not a track car by any stretch of the imagination. Go to the Nurburgring which has to be the ultimate drivers track and there isn't an SL in sight, you cannot move for 911s.

Here in Europe, standard performance figures for a 996TT are 4.2 seconds 0-60, 4.7 seconds in an SL55. That half second may not sound much but it make a big difference to how the car feels. It just confirms what I have always said about the SL55, one of the world's finest GTs but a sports car it is not.

JR.

Blue,

i am not sure who brought up the SL55 as a track car but it wasn't me. as my Porsche mechanic, who owns a chicagoland Porsche race shop, pointed out to me, my TT (which is almost 500 hp and unfortunately, 3500 pounds) is really ill equipped for efficient track use. the car is too fast relative to weight, with the brakes (incl. discs) taking a beating.. a better solution that i have in mind is a 1200 lb race car (at the most) with at least 250 hp, probably mazda powered (bullet proof) ... almost as fast in the straights but MUCH faster (and more fun) in the turns.. (actually, as far as i am concerned, track motorcycles are even more fun) ... my point, along with many others is that the SL55 is an extremely competent car and much better bang for the buck than the TT.
.
although, i wouldn't own a Mercedes without a warranty... ever.. especially the newer ones...
.
regarding Europe, i keep a fast motorcycle in Milan and if you think fast cars are fun, try riding from Milan to Monaco by motorcycle. .. or Paris to Florence.. very high speed travel, park ANYWHERE and when the traffic jams occur, shoulder riding is acceptable, as is lane splitting, whether in Italy or France. .. and the gas mileage ain't bad.. GREAT fun. !

blueSL

As I say, it's down to personal preference and if I thought the SL55 was better than a 911, I'd be buying a face-lifted SL55 as my next car. As it is, I'm buying a 997 TT just as soon as the dealer can get me one. The SL55 will continue to serve me well for its intended purpose, a bit like a dishwasher does.

I was in Milan last week actually. What a dump!

AMG&AMG

at the mean time the SL 55 , becuase the 997 TT is out , before launching the new SL with the 63 AMG engine , either trade in for the new one or just get the TT 997

JR.

Blue,

regarding Milan, i assume that you are not into fashion or the Last Supper. .. even tho Milan is a very industrial city, like many German cities. But it has some value and then there is the food.... not every city can be like Florence or Venice or Rome
.
and it is a great place for an american to keep a motorcycle... which someday i will take to the Isle of Man for the races (as a spectator)
.
ciao..

blueSL

My primary interest was La Scala which was wonderful but the level of congestion, grafitti, riots, general run-down-ness was striking, especially when you venture away from the admittedly lovely centre. What really surprised me too was that my MSO couldn't find anything to buy in Georgio Armani for her birthday and that was with me paying...

An OK place to visit for a couple of days but I certainly wouldn't want to live there.

Scruffyone

I have a 997TT coming in June, Launch Edition. Two very different cars for two different types of driving experences. I plan to enjoy both.

sprins

Some illustrations:

sprins

Good for you! Tiptornic or manual? That thing must be a genuine blast. And I already found the 996TT explosive...

Scruffyone

WOW! Thanks for the pics. Um..could you make that SL into a SL55 in Agean blue and the 997TT Black? Just thought I would ask.
I fell into this car(997TT) It was offered only to the inner circle of Plocal P guys. A friend with a GT2 (and a GT3 on order) turned me on to it. It is the launch model, the very first ones to come into the country. I found out about it on Thursday, bought it on Friday.
It is coming with the 6 speed, as spec.ed by dealer.
Black
Black top
Black full leather.
342 Heated front seats
P01L Adaptive sport seats in full teather
XSC Porsche crest in headrest
692 Remote CD changer
450 Ceramic brakes
640 Sport Chrono plus
XXZ Foot Rest Aluminum
762 PAG Code-Launch code ???
810 Floor mats-interior color
It's all over but for the waiting now.
The tip is even faster than the stick!
Let me dig up a vid I found today, *** awsome vid.

Scruffyone

Vid is not in english.
http://www.************/car-movies/03...turbovideo.htm

The 997TT will be a good companion to the SL55. Beauty and the beast. I get to pick it up the Monday following the launch party.

blueSL

I agree, having both the SL55 and the 911 is the way to go.

As for the 997TT, it's going to be a difficult decision for me, stick shift or auto. Stick shift is the natural choice for a 911, just as you'd never consider one for an SL55, even if it were available but when you're down to sub-4 0-60, the speed of the 1-2 change makes a difference.

Are all the launch cars the same specification?

Great video as well, showing the car to be quicker off the mark than the 996TT; given how quick the 996TT is, the new car is just awesome.

At least some of it was filmed at the development centre, Weissach, and if you go visit the factory with the Porsche Club, you can often be taken around the track by development engineers who delight in showing off like that. Shows that in normal driving, you never approach the limits of what the car can do, huge safety margins.

W210

Agree it will be a tough choice. Or should one wait for the PDK/DSG dual clutch transmission which should be better than the tip.

Decisions...

Scruffyone

For some strange reason their launch car was not custom spec,d by a customer. I really don"t know the process but the launch car had no buyer so I grabbed it. Even though the Tip is quicker I am happy with the stick. If I want juice drive I have the SL55 (soon to be Kleeman stage 2) Monday I plan on going to the dealer and ordering another 997TT in my spec, for delivery next spring. I think the demand for these cars will be strong enough that I will prob not take a hit at all. At least that is what I hope.
I had planned on a Gallardo but just could not pull the trigger. I came upon the TT and fired the gun in less than 24 hours.

blueSL

Difficult to justify the ceramic brakes as well, expensive option and you may or may not get it back at re-sale time. What's the sticker on your car, about $135k + tax? Here in the UK, the 997TT is actually cheaper than an SL55.