enzom

Since before I got my license some 20 years ago, I always wanted a 911 Turbo. As I look to replace my E55, I finally got a call from my local dealer to tell me that they had received an 03 Seal Gray 6-speed TT on trade.

Went for a test drive, and I am sad to say that it left me a bit unsatisfied. I wanted to be so "wowed" by the car that I could not resist taking it home this afternoon. Didn't happen.

Seating position was a bit awkward, even taking into account that the 996 is a true sports car. Steering wheel wouldn't tilt, so I couldn't get it to where I wanted it. Car pulled great in first and second gear, but it seemed like it dropped off quite a bit in 3rd. Probably just the gear ratio drop off. Or maybe the 220 lbs. salesman riding with me. Also, I had not driven a 6-speed in 4 years, but the throws on the shifter seemed a bit long to me.

On the way back to the dealer, the shifter popped out of 2nd on its own. I read afterwards that it is the subject of lots of complaints and that it requires some pricey work to repair. (And if it meant that the dealer would rebuild the tranny for me before delivery, would I really want a rebuilt tranny?)

I am also thinking that I will miss the comfort and convenience of the E. I drove sports cars for years before trading in my Z06 in 2004 for the E. But today, I felt strangely out of place. Maybe I am getting old.

Dealer priced it out at my car + $29,900. I did not try to negotiate. I suspect that I could get the 911 with $25k over my car's trade, but I am having a hard time justifying it. Maybe if I didn't drive that less-costly CL65 this morning, it would have been different.

oldgixxer

How much of a difference between the 996 and E55 as far as acceleration?

enzom

Dang you are quick, Gixxer.

I think the E just pulls harder. It would stay close until the 996 shifted to 3rd at about 75 mph. Then the E would drive off.

edit - by drive off, I mean pull out a couple of lengths through the 1/4 mile - NOT leave it for dead.

cte430

I'm a bit surprised by your comment on seating position. Granted mine is a 997 and it's been quite some time since i've been in a 996, but the differences can't be that great.

The seating position is one of the major things I love about my car, as well as when I had the 997S. I think it's absolutely perfect and the adaptive sport seats are the best seats I've ever sat in. The seating/driving position of the 911 is one of it's great attributes - especially compared to other cars.

compared to the E the pcar is a low, loud sports car. It could take a bit of time I to get used to the change.

If it's an every day car it may not be for you.

oldgixxer

+1
Our 997 C4S was very comfortable;it shifted like butter and the seats felt amazing once your in blitzkreig mode owning corners at will

hamann69

I test drove a few 996tt's prior to getting the E55. The E55 defently feels faster over 75mph like you said, but once u chip the 996tt is a whole different animal. I still want a 996tt and will probably get one in addition to my E55 eventually. You just cant beat the sound of those turbos spooling.

DFW01E55

Bear in mind that the 996 responds strongly to tuning, headers, intake etcetera. If you live in an area where you get to do a lot of cornering, the 911 will shine.

Go to 6speed and see what you find in the classifieds.

SLK55R

In my opinion 997 is multiples beyond in terms of seating and in shifting.

I loved the shift feel of the 997. Significantly better than the 996.

Zod

Well how was the CL65 then ?

tthoang1

I agree.

kip

From a dig the awd 996tt is just too fast, not a lot ,but more consistently, but then they are about even. This video is pretty good and demonstrates their difference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbIVChrVGIo

They are just so different cars. The 996TT gets looks and thumbs up from everyone ,the E55 usually just gets a bully reputation and the wing up. In the E55 you have your peace and quiet and power when you want it, in the 996 you get a sportscar feel and man it is noisy compared to the E. The grip from a dig is just incredible, almost no wheelspin and you are off, despite the weather.

Blacksport350

If you want to be worked in the sense of an old 911 Turbo, you need either a GT3 or a GT2, those will work you hard. Oh, and you will really miss the creature comforts as your fillings or pounded out of your head!

V12Godspeed

Lorenzo, I would try to find a good deal on a 65...best of both worlds. Let me know if you still need a longer ride on the 65.., anything to help make up your mind.

enzom

I know what you mean about mods. They respond well. But just as I haven't modded my E55, the 911TT was going to stay stock also.

I would only buy from a dealer because I wanted a CPO car.

enzom

The biggest problem for me was that the steering wheel in this car did not tilt down. I like to drive with the wheel lower than what the 911 allowed me to do. I am not sure what seats this car had, but I don't think there was anything adaptive about them. They were nice (a bit hot from sitting in the sun) and comfy, but I couldn't get the wheel where I liked it.

It was definitely low and loud inside. Like I said, maybe I am getting old, or maybe my driving needs are such that the TT isn't a good choice.

Not knocking the car, and I can see why it has such a cult following.

I wanted it to be like the first time I drove a 300ZXTT in 1991, or the time I picked up my E55 from the dealer and drove it for the first time. Those "wow I NEED this car" moments are few and far between.

enzom

It was amazing. A bit different from the 55 in that there is a tiny bit of turbo lag before hell is unleashed, but once the power comes it is scary fast. Talk about torque. I can't see anyone upgrading the ECU/TCU in those cars without also committing to replacing R compound tires every 4 months.

Quiet, comfortable. Noticeably heavier than the E55 but also much more luxurious.

I regret that I didn't try to park it in the garage to see how it would fit. (I have a support pole in my garage, and I need to make sure the driver's door doesn't hit it.)

V12 - thanks.

enzom

A year ago, I test drove the 997 CS4. (I posted about it on the board somewhere.) I thought the seating position was great in that car. It felf "right". Same for the shifter.

I expected the 996TT to also feel "right", but it did not feel the same.
Before I finally drove one, I actually imagined that it would be like driving the 997C4S with substantially more torque.

AMG Rider

Lorenzo, you won't be impressed with the acceleration on stock 996 turbo.
But, once you chip it and do other simple mods (K24/18gs, coilover, GT3 seats,exhaust, etc) it will transform into a different car~
I had the same impression when i first drove it, but after driving all my friend's modded 996tts (simple to 650 kit) , i changed my mind right away.
Then again, it is totally up to your taste and decision~

adean1979

I love the moddability and price of the used 996 turbos, but I think the interior is crap for a car costing well over $100K just a few years ago. I personally would skip the 996TT and wait for the 997s to come down in price The interior is much improved!

alroumi

I would wait until the Facelift 997 Turbo's come out, thus it will make the existing post facelift 997 TT's depreciate slightly and provide buyers like yourself a cheaper price on 04-05 Porsche 996 Turbo's be it X50 or Turbo S for a reasonable price.

The X50 and Turbo S come with K24's, which is good if you want to further modify you car and exceed airintake, headers, ecu update, mufflers, dv's.

Yacht Master

To bend shift forks (BTW syncros are steel) the repair from a dealer will be less than desirable, Let that car go.The next Porsche you drive test 2nd with a power on off on real hard if it pops walk. That said, by all means get a Porsche at some time in your life, sooner better. I could go on for hours, but I'll spare everyone the pain of that.

enzom

Thanks, YM. After what I read last night regarding the 2nd gear pop-out issue, I decided to pass for sure.

I am sure that I will own a 911 at some point. I need to close the loop on the 20 plus year fantasy.

ChicagoX

Right there with ya.

I'm just not sure I can pass on a '65 in the meantime......

05VENOM

I had a similar experience before I got my 63. Test drove
a 911S with aero pack. Car was arctic silver/auto and looked stunning. The wing maybe a bit too much but otherwise a good looking car. Now I know this is not a turbo but it was the only automatic they had and it would be my daily driver. Anyway, car drove OK but a BIG disappointment in performance, esp. acceleration. Although the interior headroom was decent (always an issue with me) and the layout and materials were top notch. Could not justify(sticker was 100G) the price for the vehicle. Definitely didn't WOW me. Glad I went with the 63.

MB_Forever

Enzom, I think the SL65 would be perfect for you: it is the lightest of all 65 models, it still has a lot of the luxuries of the E, and its price keeps dropping with the introduction of the new SLs especially hitting the dealerships.