Ok got two cars lined up but trying to determine which way to go. Besides the glove box, some increase in rigidity and change in front vents what is the biggest difference between the two. Are the engines, awd system all the same? Here are the details on the car.
*01tt with 44k miles but is nicely modded. 2 owner car but the second owner has only owned it for 4 years and bought it with 39k miles. 2nd owner has added 19 HRE wheels with newer tires (70%), full techart kit (front bumper with carbon fiber inserts, side skirts, rear wing, exhaust), stage one ecu tune (500 hp), aftermarket kenwood dvd/navigation/bluetooth, all keys, maintenance records from new. Owner will include original, working rear trunk/spoiler, exhaust, tire inflator. PPI came back clean and says it should have the 60k miles service (spark plugs and fluids) but the 2nd owner has records showing the spark plugs and clutch has already been changed by porsche with 36k miles. No accidents, clean paint.

*03tt with 34k miles, 4 owners. Will need a new clutch and brakes as well as tires. Car is completely stock with some maintenance records.

Price wise there is a $3k difference between the two, the 03 being more of course. Not that having a glove box is anything special but it is newer in terms of model years and would probably get more money just incase I was going to sell it but I've promised my wife that I have the car I have always wanted. I've gone through 3 boxsters (2.5, 2.7, 3.2) and 2 996s-99 & 02 (3.4 and 3.6). I've actually gotten all of them for real steals and have sold each to move up the spectrum. I need the turbo guru's help here.

 

I'm not a "guru" on whether the 02+ actually adds anything useful to the 01 design (except the obvious glovebox, which is very useful to me), but given your history of serial P-Car ownership, I'd say the 03 will serve you better. You WILL be moving up to a 997TT, GT2, or GT3 in short order (please refer to "Personal History: Chapter 7: 986 and 996 Ownership ), and the 03 without mods will be much easier to sell or even trade to the dealership that has that perfect Black/Orange 2007 GT3RS with 8400 miles (which you will go on the 997 GT3 boards proclaiming to be your last Porsche EVAH! )

The only caveat to that, and it's an important one, is this: you don't mention modding any of the 986s or 996s. But if you are a modder, then the worst thing you could do (financially) is buy the 2003, spend $10,000+ modding it, THEN decide to trade on a 997 or 991. If that's your likely course, then buy the 2001.

Oh, and you didn't say what the actual prices of each are, but IMO, the 03 should command more than a $3k premium over the modded and 10,000-more-miles 01.

 

In my opinion, the HRE wheels alone are enough to offset the 10,000 mile difference. Especially when you state the 03 will need a clutch, brakes and tires.

I would also be concerned why a "completely stock" 996TT needs a new clutch at 34,000 miles. Given the cost of this maintenance, I wouldn't pay more for the 03 even if the 01 was stock.

I would buy the 01 and try to get the stock body parts if possible.

With the large door pockets, I never miss the glovebox on my car. In my other cars, all I carry in the glovebox is typically the owners manual, a tire pressure gauge and maybe the registration.

Later,
Steve

 

I agree with Steve especially if your going to mod the 01 is the only way to go.

 

If I pick, I'll do the 01.

 

Picked the 01 when I was in a similar position and couldn't be happier. Door pockets and pop-out cup holders work great.

 

Yes, the engine and awd are the same. You mentioned most of the differences already. The 01 has the bumper warts. Those are most likely gone with the addition of the bodykit. I believe it was 03 when Porsche went to the fiber optic stereo system.
As far as the recommendation to get new spark plugs at the 60k check is concerned they probably didn't pull the plugs to check them. They assumed they were orignial most likely.
Does the 01 have the original wheels and body panels? Are you planning on modding? Regarding the clutch needing replacement at 34k miles. I've seen a lot people who said they know how to drive a stick only to demonstrate that they don't really. The 03 has had twice as many owners as the 01 and double the chance of this happeneing. It sounds like you're a flipper. The 03 may be easier to sell mainly because it doesn't have the bodywork kit so it'll appeal to more people. Although it's going to cost more than 3k vs. the 01. A clutch isn't cheap nor is the installation but you probably know that. Good luck.

 

All 01's didn't have bumper warts.

There has also been a lot of discussion about whether there is actually any difference in chassis stiffness after 01 on the turbos (more than like just an addition to the 02 Carrera).

The 01 doesn't have the glove box, but has better cup holders (if it doesn't have NAV).

The 03 has the fiber optic sound system (which is a negative if you want to update to a moder headunit).

For me, the 02 was the most desireable with the 01 being second and the 03-05 car being last. But I intended to upgrade the headunit to a modern NAV, bluetooth campatible, I-pod compatible system.

Later, Steve

 

i would go '01

 

Perfect answer right there. I also went with the 02 and not the 03 because of the stereo issue with MOST.

OP, pick the 01. It sounds like a much better deal, especially considering the wheels and mods. (Do a check on the cost of HRE wheels, they ain't cheap!)

 

The 2001 for sure!

 

i would also ( probably ) opt for the 01 as long as it didnt have the warts. also, as mentioned the MOST system 03 and beyond is lousy. the analog or whatever was in 01 02's sounded dramatically better.

only other red flag mentioned is needing a clutch aT 35Kmiles ? that aint right, nor is the 4 owner 03 car needing one.

 

Don't listen to any of these yahoos, PcarDrmr. What did you expect to hear from a tiny group of forum participants who like to spend $50,000 in mods to turn a $40,000 car into a $30,000 car?

Your name says it all: you're dreaming of a 996TT now. After you have one, you'll be dreaming of a 997 or 991 or 430 or 458 or Gallardo or whatever. They make lots of flavors.

Since you don't mention modding, and since you went through six Porsches in what seems like a pretty short time, each one getting progressively upscale and higher performance, I still say you'll tire of the 996 in less than 2 years.

So, since none of us on here are going to buy your modded 2001 (we already have modded 996TTs! ), I suggest you put this question to the actual potential buyer of your car in 2015. Call your local dealer, describe both cars, and ask how much they'd give you for each. I bet the delta is greater than 3k in favor of the 2003.

Cheers!

 

Any pics of the cars themselves or the HRE's?

 

I'd go with the 01. My reasoning is that it had only two owners and generally people who mod cars will generally take better care of there cars. Whereas an average joe will not warm up or cool down the car as needed and will probably stick to the 15k oil changes and what not. My general rule of thumb on used cars is the less owners the better off you are as its not been so... how shall I say... whored out. Good luck with your purchase but the 01 would be my clear choice.