Hey guys,

I'm considering making the jump later this year after owning my 2001 996TT for 4 wonderful years. I'd most likely be able to get a 2007-2008 model (nothing newer), but I'm very curious what your favorite 'upgrade' features are when comparing the 2 cars.

I have my own mental list of what I feel like I'd be getting for the money but I'd like to hear from those who have actually made the switch. I'm hoping to hear about some things that I may not have thought of or considered. Thanks a lot!

 

i would also like to know considering im either in the market for a 996tt or 997tt

 

Beyond the hassle of owning a highly modified 996 the things that just bugged me about the 996 (enough to sell it and buy a 997) were...the interior was ridiculously bland, stereo was crap, couldnt get past the hesdlights and taillights. I also hate the Turbo front bumper.
All this being said I feel like my 996 GT2 was one of the cleanest, well kept, and highly modified examples in the country and it STILL couldnt hold my interest.

 

I love my 997.1TT. I really can't even compare it to my 996TT. The driving experience is far superior, the looks are much better, and the interior is worlds better.

 

No more turbo IS I presume? I like the sound of going this route better

 

996 GT2 is much better looking than the standard 996 turbo. The one thing I can't get past is the head lights on the 996.

 

Absolutely. The GT2 bumper is light years ahead of the 996TT bumper. But my $185k msrp 996 GT2 interior was completely bland and I knew there w as no way I could ever live with it. My C6Z interior was a veritable palace in comparison.

 

Good feedback, thank you. I'm definitely aware of many of the interior upgrades that the 997 offers, but didn't realize that the stereo was among them.

Could you elaborate on the driving experience being far superior? I'm extremely intrigued by that comment and am not sure which aspects of the driving experience you found improved. Keep in mind I've never driven a 997TT.

Yeah, going into 2013 I thought I'd be able to work more with upgrading my daily driver, but that didn't ultimately resonate well with my wife. The good news is that she suggested the potential 997TT upgrade on her own to me after going through my plans of what I wanted to do with our other car. So, a pretty cool outcome!

Strangely, I don't mind the headlights as much as most, but there is no denying that the 997TT has a better overall exterior look to the 996TT.

Just to set the record straight, this was what my own mental checklist looked like, when comparing the 2 generations of cars and considering things that were pretty much 'off the table' even for a modified 996TT:

1. Improved AWD system
2. VTG Turbos
3. Updated interior
4. Bigger brakes
5. Updated exterior (headlights, taillights, etc.)

I appreciate the continued feedback, and will have to start learning more about the specific 997TT options so that I can be sure to look carefully into what I'd want to buy.

 

I'm not sure if you can call the VTG an update. Many 997TT are converting to non-vtg's, due its restriction for higher power stages.

I think that the main change between the two car engines is the uprated fuel system.

The 997TT is a better car overall because it is the evolution of the 996TT. If you have the money, buy a 997TT. IMO the 996TT looks dated and i even prefer a stock 997TT over a modded 996TT.

I have no special connection with the 996 mainly because i never owned one. The same way that in 5 years, if i still have the 997TT, i may won't feel it dated compared with the 991TT.
Same feeling that i have with my heavily modded E46 M3 that can't justify in my heart the trade for a E92 M3 or even the new F82 M4.

 

Sure. When I went to drive my first 997TT I remember being stunned by how much lighter the car felt (especially in the steering) as well as how much smoother and refined the car felt. It was a night and day difference for me.

My 996TT had an exhaust and short shift kit while the 997TT was stock.

 

Hey thanks for taking more time to quantify your statements. I'm at the point where I was actively considering putting a lot of money (and time) into my 996TT so figured it's definitely the time to figure out if I want to sell it and start fresh or stay the course and modify my 996TT.

That's really nice feedback, and does make me look forward to driving a 997TT too. I'm at the point in my life where refinement isn't always a bad thing, and I'm much more keen on leaving my cars nearly stock (bolt-ons are OK) than in the past where I was determined to completely re-engineer a perfectly good car. It sounds like the 997TT is a step in the right direction overall from the sound of it.

 

Only thing I can agree with is the interior, but hey this isnt a Mercedes. cleanest in the country? lol CHROME was anything but..



OP, good luck with the decision, thinking about sending my 996tt cab down to Florida or just adding a 997.1 cab to the stable and keeping it down there. I spent some good seat time behind a 997.1 6 speed for about 3 weeks this past winter. Would be a perfect DD for me IMO, easier to drive than the 996 and softer suspension.

 

The fact that it was chrome for a couple weeks has no bearing on how clean it was.

 

I agree on the bumper on the 996. I find the bumper on my Turbo to be very boring and one day I will probably upgrade it to a GT2 style. After my function mods are done I will put some money into form.

I'm not sure I can agree on the 996 vs C6 interior, though. Does the GT2 have full leather? I don't know if that is standard or not. While stark, I think my full leather interior 996 is much nicer than the C6z. Speaking of the leather interiors, I was at the local Porsche dealer last week and sat in a 991 C4s. I was very surprised that the dash and door panels only had leather accents - not fully covered. I'm also not liking how there's as many buttons now as an Audi A8. I like my sports cars super simple.

 

Yes my GT2 had full leather as well as a full carbon center console and integrated boost and AFR gauges. It was STILL bland, bland, bland.

My Z06...really loved it. Very ****pit like and nice to look at.


My 996 GT2...

My new 997 interior... I think Im gonna really like it. It just feels good amd looks the part.