I have researched, but most the threads were quite old. I need help. I have been lurking, searching for the car to buy. I've thought TT Viper, GT-R, Z06, 997, etc. etc. I think I have finally narrowed down that for my budget, goals, and everything considered, a 996 will be best all around choice.

I am a mod guy, and stock power is not good enough either. So Im looking at a few modded 996TT's. Prefer 600 whp range. However, won't like the AWD. I love RWD.
I have found 1 clean GT2 for sale. Frankly, the stock power won't be enough for me. Being new to the P-car world (never even sat in one - live in small town and there aren't many around), I need some general advice.

1. 996TT or GT2, considering equivalent years, etc.
2. Does one mod a GT2, or is that a de-valuing no-no?
3. If GT2 (2003-2004 range) how much more should one pay vs. equivalent 996TT?

Thanks!

 

Modded GT2.

 

I would think if your looking at these cars that they are apples and oranges for your application. A 996TT is much "cheaper" then a gt2. If you get a stock 996TT and put 10-15k into it, you'll be at the starting market value for a stock gt2. If your looking to do the same to the gt2... you will be looking at 80k+$ for the goals you have in mind whereas you can get a TT for around the 50k mark and put 15k into what you would like and still be under the gt2 price point by far.

 

I suppose it depends on what you like in your Cars... I chose the 996 GT2, because I do a ton of trackdays and prefer handling over most everything else in a Car (which might have led me to a gt3 RS).. However, I am also a sucker for Turbo power and so the GT2 was my choice. I chose the 996 variant, because it is unencumbered with the electronics and Nannies that the modern day 997's have.

The GT2, AKA "The Widowmaker" comes with a fearsome reputation and deservedly so. You will have to get your suspension set up correctly in order to tame the understeer followed by the front end gripping followed instantly by snap oversteer.

In terms of power and keeping the Car original, the GT2 shines. It comes with K24's which have the capacity to give you over 650 RWHP whilst retaining the stock Turbos (all you need to do is upgrade the compressor wheel). With supporting mods, that should meet your need for power. If NOT, then you might want to consider the 996TT. With AWD, it can get the power down to the ground at monster HP levels that will have the RWD GT2 scrabbling for grip.

The GT2 has the added bonus of being ULTRA rare.. The probabilities of you running into one on the Freeway, or at the local Car hangout is nearly nil. I have only ever seen ONE in the last 8 years and that was at Laguna Seca at a track day and there are Porsches all over the place here in the San Francisco Bay Area.. I see GT3's and GT3 RS fairly regularly and 996 and 997 TT's daily..

From my perspective, it's GT2 all the way unless you want to go to obscene power levels, then it might make sense to go 996TT.

Cheers...

 

I assume mostly street fun? You are going to "pay" for the GT2 name without a lot of incremental street performance in mod form (basically lower weight). I want the Gt2 for the additional trackworthiness and am willing to pay for it.

Additionally, you'll screw up the value of a GT2 modding it. Buy a TT for $45k, spend $15k modding it and it may be worth $50k. buy a Gt2 for $70k, spend $15k modding it and it's worth $60k to $65k.

The performance will be the same everywhere but a racetrack (which is why I want a GT2).

 

Great advice from everyone. #1 priority: straight-line speed and acceleration for street fun. #2: Want to get involved in track days, but far away from any. So realistically, track only 1-2 times/yr. But I REALLY like what 80shilling said. So with GT2, I can EASILY get 650 RWHP with few small changes. I didn't realize that. Thats the power I want. I will continue to investigate. RIght now, looks like I can go heavily modded (like i want) 996TT for about 58-65k (depending which one), or stock GT2, low miles for $69k. $69 is over price range a bit, so Im really curious how much more it would cost me to get to 650 RWHP.

 

It's all about what tire you run. My 996TT was RWD, did not have an LSD, but I could still hook all day long on the street from 2nd gear at 900 rwhp. The Gt2 will hook just as well, if not better (due to having an LSD) with the right tires.

 

I disagree. Someone that wants a modded a GT2 will pay extra for one. I did, and many others on this forum would as well.

How much extra depends on the mods, but it doesn't devalue the car at all to the a person that likes to modify their P-cars.

 

I was on the same boat. I could get a clean Turbo X-50 (basically same K24 Turbos as those found in the GT2) for ~$50k and have some money left over to mod the car the way I want it... or I could spend at least $70k on a GT2 and have no money in my toy budget left for anything else.

Another issue with the early GT2 is that they had the Gen I PCCB that were prone to cracking when tracked. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think the Gen II PCCB were introduced until the '04 model year.

You could very easily convert a Turbo from AWD to RWD as many on this board have done.

Aside from the "bang for the buck" issue, I also don't think I have the talents to tame the "widow maker." I would rather have the safety of AWD if I were to get into a hairy situation with the car.

 

Since you said you were considering a TT Viper, I thought I'd mention I know of three of them that are currently for sale. Two are gen II GTS's and the other is a gen III. I believe the prices range from $55k to $70K. Let me know if you're interested.

Hopefully this wan't too OT.

 

I would possibly sell mine for $55k, but I have too many miles...oh well...

 

Keep in mind, you can just as easily get that power from a 996TT as you can a GT2.

 

What he said, the ability to change the compressor wheels can be done on either the k16 or k24's. Look at the graphs from some of the k16/16g cars or the newer k16 billet ones. They hit the power goals you would be looking for.

If you want the bigger turbo look for an x-50. Has the same k24 turbos as the gt2 minus the suspension.

 

Agreed.. Also, it's not very difficult to put it back to stock if you choose to. Just keep all the original parts...

 

i am not a big fan of the GT2 front end!

go with the 996TT!