....IMO..The 2005 all the way,,,Look up at all the values of both of these cars..Look at what you are getting and the production runs..Its a Turbo S which has all the best equipment and all the updates...But you will enjoy either one..Good Luck..

 

I vote 2005 turbo S (I love spending other people's money.) Justin - K24, the Turbo S is a 2004 X50 repackaged just for 05... at least that's my understanding.

 

Well said, +1.

OP, as mentioned on your RL thread that mirrors this one... is the Turbo S a coupe, or cab? If coupe, those are really rare, IIRC. Sounds like a great (and desireable) color combo too.

 

What are your plans on mods? If you're going to keep this thing relatively stock, then the 2005 might be a decent play though that extra depreciation might really bother you. You're closing in on 997TT pricing at that point.

If you were going heavy mods, the 2005 is silly because you're going to yank the turbos anyway.

Barely driven cars scare me and weird things break down, so I don't like the 2001 regardless of PPI.

I would almost say neither and wait for a better deal to come along or save up a bit longer for a 997TT, which many 996 owners prefer anyway and will probably stay more popular due to the headlamps. 18k for slight upgrades compared to 25k (if you're lucky) for a totally overhauled car with most of the major weaknesses fixed just seems like you're overpaying.

If you could snag the 2005 for mid 50's, then I think things get more interesting.

 

Or, perhaps a good 993 Turbo late 1990's would be a great alternative..... Just to make sure you did not forget THAT option.

 

The 01's are slightly lighter and run super strong. I like the low miles and the extra money to mod it into a beast! But if you are not going to modify the car and buying a garage queen go with the '05.

 

05 > 01 and will be much much faster stock vs stock.. not even close
A TRUE turbo s car will out run other x50 cars .... as has been said in numerous other 05 TURBO S threads. I have experienced this numerous times on track and street.

 

You believe that it wasn't your skill and you were running against X50s? The Turbo S was the last hurrah of the 996 era including as standard the optional performace parts from the previous year; PCCB & X50, minor differences in HP.

 

If I were you I'd expand my search and find something in the middle. You're kind of at both ends of the spectrum for a 996TT right there, and there is a happy middle ground where you can get the options you want in a 2002-2003 model. I'd focus most on color, options, condition, mileage, and service records than on model year since the model year isn't a real big deal comparing any of the 996TTs. There are some great deals out there on 2002-2003 models, which will give you what you likely want at a price in between the two examples you noted. Best wishes!

 

The power difference really is insignificant unless he plans on being one of three people in the history of 6speed to leave their car stock.

 

words of wisdom

 

I started my 996TT search the same way. Looking at 2001's as the price was nearing 40K a couple years back. I did more research and found the 2002 had improved rigidity in the chassis over the 01's by 25%(torsionally) plus a few other features.

So i decided to look for 02 and up. I found a few cars and then worked out what the mods would cost as I never leave anything alone.

With that number in my head I looked at all of the pcar options and I ended up getting a 02 GT2 that was modded.


Basically i thought I would be happy with an 01 for 40 and I ended up very happy with a 02 for 68k

Its much easier and cost effective to buy what you know you want then to get stuck in the upgrade game.

You will always find the money!!