Which porsche 911 to replace my E55
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 782
Likes: 6
From: Buffalo NY
3 Porsche rotation
Which porsche 911 to replace my E55
My lease for the 2006 E55 will be up next year. I am always facinated with Porsche 911, it being the ultimate sport car, I am serious considering buying one. I have never driven a porsche before but I am planning to visit the local dealer for a test drive. The 911 I am considering is 911 4S with PDK, and I don't mind preowned 911 include the 911 turbo. For daily driving, including 2 young children(3 and 5), which 911 is more practical? I will also be doing some winter driving to-and-from work. And which options are essential for a 911? The list of options is dizzling to look at and pricy too. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
John
John
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: CT
2005 E55
My lease for the 2006 E55 will be up next year. I am always facinated with Porsche 911, it being the ultimate sport car, I am serious considering buying one. I have never driven a porsche before but I am planning to visit the local dealer for a test drive. The 911 I am considering is 911 4S with PDK, and I don't mind preowned 911 include the 911 turbo. For daily driving, including 2 young children(3 and 5), which 911 is more practical? I will also be doing some winter driving to-and-from work. And which options are essential for a 911? The list of options is dizzling to look at and pricy too. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
John
John
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,799
Likes: 1
From: Khalifonia.
4 wheeled car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
As it looks like you'll be driving the car in the winter then yes, you'll need either a C4S or turbo with snows on it.
I replaced my '04 E55 with an '06 C2S. Neither was my daily driver and it did take me a couple of weeks to "get" the whole porsche thing. A few times I wondered If i had made a mistake. Fast forward and i'm thrilled I made the decision I did. I kept the S for a year and have had my TT for about 15 months (still not my DD but 16K miles on it).
If it were my DD I'm not sure I'd go this way though. The rear seats are just about useless.
The porsche options list can be dizzying - if you need any help or have any questions feel free to ask.
The C4S is tricky as it will get into TT category (price wise) very quickly with a few options. You may want to search for a used 997TT as the market continues to sink - a lot of guys are having to get rid of their cars.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
I replaced my '04 E55 with an '06 C2S. Neither was my daily driver and it did take me a couple of weeks to "get" the whole porsche thing. A few times I wondered If i had made a mistake. Fast forward and i'm thrilled I made the decision I did. I kept the S for a year and have had my TT for about 15 months (still not my DD but 16K miles on it).
If it were my DD I'm not sure I'd go this way though. The rear seats are just about useless.
The porsche options list can be dizzying - if you need any help or have any questions feel free to ask.
The C4S is tricky as it will get into TT category (price wise) very quickly with a few options. You may want to search for a used 997TT as the market continues to sink - a lot of guys are having to get rid of their cars.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
2009 C63 Capri Blue
Same goes here. I've had two 911s in the past 3 years, and my '07 was a custom order - feel free to ask any questions. You can pay more in options on a 911 than it costs for an E55 new.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: New York
old daily driver '07 E63(gone); new dd '14 750xi; 2013 Viper GTS
...test drive one first.
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Orange County,New York
My lease for the 2006 E55 will be up next year. I am always facinated with Porsche 911, it being the ultimate sport car, I am serious considering buying one. I have never driven a porsche before but I am planning to visit the local dealer for a test drive. The 911 I am considering is 911 4S with PDK, and I don't mind preowned 911 include the 911 turbo. For daily driving, including 2 young children(3 and 5), which 911 is more practical? I will also be doing some winter driving to-and-from work. And which options are essential for a 911? The list of options is dizzling to look at and pricy too. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
John
John
This one, pictures from 2008 car show.
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: NC
03 E55 AMG
I just sold my 996 (non turbo) to buy my E55. I have a 4 year old and she was getting way too big for the backseat of the Porsche. Gas mileage was better in the Porsche and handling was great, but other than that I'm happy to stick with the E55 over the Porsche. A TT is definitely a fun car though and is much faster than even the S's. PDK is a nice option. The market for 996/997 right now is near rock bottom, plenty of good deals to be found. Post up some pics if you buy or feel free to ask any questions. I know Porsches and Corvettes much better than Mercedes actually....
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 782
Likes: 6
From: Buffalo NY
3 Porsche rotation
Thank you all for the response. It seems like the general consensus is 911 TT is the best way to go coming from the E55. I guess once you are spoil by the E55 torque monster not much out there can top it. I have been browsing ebay for 911 TT and it seems you can get a decent 2007 911 TT for a decent price. And next year the 2007 price should plunge further. I have a few questions for you guys,
1) For those with young children, can you put a booster seat adequately in the rear?
2) What are the differences between the seats(sports and adaptive)?
3) Beside the sport chrono option, are there other must have options?
4) How comfortable is the TT for long distance drive? I go to Toronto every 3 weeks with the family.
5) I heard Porsche dealer don't like to negotiate the price. Is this true?
The only problem is getting a test drive for a 911 TT. Local dealer have 911s but haven't seen the TT yet. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
John
1) For those with young children, can you put a booster seat adequately in the rear?
2) What are the differences between the seats(sports and adaptive)?
3) Beside the sport chrono option, are there other must have options?
4) How comfortable is the TT for long distance drive? I go to Toronto every 3 weeks with the family.
5) I heard Porsche dealer don't like to negotiate the price. Is this true?
The only problem is getting a test drive for a 911 TT. Local dealer have 911s but haven't seen the TT yet. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
John
Last edited by JohnAMG; Oct 26, 2008 at 11:45 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 8
From: Denver, CO
Formula Mazda, Beast Junior...400HP 135i
My GT3 had $35K+ in options and it was all basic stuff.
As to what Porsche, I would skip the C4S and go right to a TT. The C4S is a very well balanced car but the power of the TT is fantastic and the AWD platform make it very easy to drive. Especially when the weather gets nasty.
With a nice C4S trading hands within $15K or less of a TT, it is very difficult to justify the C4S as a real option.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,735
Likes: 1
CLK 63 Black Series, 2009 S550, 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, BMW F800 GS Anniv Edition
Lots of good advie here. I have had/driven/raced just about every version of the 911 from the 993 on. IMO the 993, for the enthusiast, is the best platform. Sure, the latter cars have many more comfort features etc....Porsches are expensive to work on, so if you want a good warranty, the 993 is out. But, if you want the best, the 993 is the way to go. Rennlist is a great place for help. www.truspeedmotorcars is a great place to buy. And, http://carnewal.com is the best place for mods. If you can find the right optioned 993 Turbo, and throw $20k in mods to it, you will have a bad azz ride.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: New York
old daily driver '07 E63(gone); new dd '14 750xi; 2013 Viper GTS
Thank you all for the response. It seems like the general consensus is 911 TT is the best way to go coming from the E55. I guess once you are spoil by the E55 torque monster not much out there can top it. I have been browsing ebay for 911 TT and it seems you can get a decent 2007 911 TT for a decent price. And next year the 2007 price should plunge further. I have a few questions for you guys,
1) For those with young children, can you put a booster seat adequately in the rear?
2) What are the differences between the seats(sports and adaptive)?
3) Beside the sport chrono option, are there other must have options?
4) How comfortable is the TT for long distance drive? I go to Toronto every 3 weeks with the family.
5) I heard Porsche dealer don't like to negotiate the price. Is this true?
The only problem is getting a test drive for a 911 TT. Local dealer have 911s but haven't seen the TT yet. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
John
1) For those with young children, can you put a booster seat adequately in the rear?
2) What are the differences between the seats(sports and adaptive)?
3) Beside the sport chrono option, are there other must have options?
4) How comfortable is the TT for long distance drive? I go to Toronto every 3 weeks with the family.
5) I heard Porsche dealer don't like to negotiate the price. Is this true?
The only problem is getting a test drive for a 911 TT. Local dealer have 911s but haven't seen the TT yet. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
John
Now if a child will be in the back for a very short trip, like picking up from school etc, then it is possible, but any more than that you should look for another ride. Sorry.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 1
From: NJ
2005 E55
Agreed. I test drove the 997 C4S and really, really missed the grunt. It will build speed, but it doesn't give you that sense of "hang on" you get as you are nearing the top of second gear in the E55
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 3
From: Philly
997TT, C192 GT63, W464 G550, MS Plaid
Personally I would go for a 996TT even though I like the styling of the 997 muuuuuch more. 996TT can be had for a very reasonable price, throw a APR or AWE tune on it and you're set 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 0
From: Long Island
'07 Porsche 997TT
If you have to transport your kids long distances I'm not sure the p-car is the right choice. If it's just you or a passenger, I can't think of another car that i'd rather take across the country.
As far as the different seats - you need to go sit in them. I have the adaptives (had the regular in my S) and I love them. Plus, on the tt they were a fairly inexpensive option (for porsche, anyway).
As far as must have options = sports chrono, LSD, thicker steering wheel I guess if your buying used. Everything else depends on how much you want the car to be your own, how much money you want to spend. Remember, most of these options add nothing when it comes time to trade in. I don't care - I spec'd my car how I wanted it, and didn't buy it for the next guy. I was also about 30K in options.
Finally, I'd disagree with those that say you won't like anything but a TT. It all depends on what your looking for, and what you want the car to do for you. I came from a modded E55 to an S and while it took me a few weeks to understand what the porsche was about, it was a much more enjoyable car (FOR ME) to drive. If you are a torque junky and can't do without crazy straight line acceleration, then yes, the TT may be better. don't get a 4S. Either 2S (I guess out since you need it in the snow), or TT.
One more thing. I know it's hard to get a test drive at a dealer, but you may want to go visit some of the porsche forums (rennlist, 6speed) and see who lives in your area. You could probably get a test drive with another owner. If your ever near the city or even Westchester i'd be glad to meet up with you. I'm always looking for a road trip as the roads suck around here LOL
As far as the different seats - you need to go sit in them. I have the adaptives (had the regular in my S) and I love them. Plus, on the tt they were a fairly inexpensive option (for porsche, anyway).
As far as must have options = sports chrono, LSD, thicker steering wheel I guess if your buying used. Everything else depends on how much you want the car to be your own, how much money you want to spend. Remember, most of these options add nothing when it comes time to trade in. I don't care - I spec'd my car how I wanted it, and didn't buy it for the next guy. I was also about 30K in options.
Finally, I'd disagree with those that say you won't like anything but a TT. It all depends on what your looking for, and what you want the car to do for you. I came from a modded E55 to an S and while it took me a few weeks to understand what the porsche was about, it was a much more enjoyable car (FOR ME) to drive. If you are a torque junky and can't do without crazy straight line acceleration, then yes, the TT may be better. don't get a 4S. Either 2S (I guess out since you need it in the snow), or TT.
One more thing. I know it's hard to get a test drive at a dealer, but you may want to go visit some of the porsche forums (rennlist, 6speed) and see who lives in your area. You could probably get a test drive with another owner. If your ever near the city or even Westchester i'd be glad to meet up with you. I'm always looking for a road trip as the roads suck around here LOL
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: NC
03 E55 AMG
Also if you plan on hauling more than a backpack or small suitcase forget about it. The Porsche is built for 2 person weekend getaways or 1 person trackdays. I tried carpooling with the wife and kid in mine for a few months and then realized it just wasn't safe or practical. So I bought the E55... a real family car.
