I previously owned an MKIV Toyota Supra TT (basically stock). I am debating between a 996 tt or a 997 S. I have seen and read the previous posts debating the two cars. I have loved the 911 since a very young age, my father had one when I was growing up. My main question now is if a get the turbo will I be able to go down to an NA in the future and not be disappointed. I am mainly leaning towards the 997 S so that I will be able to “upgrade” in the future to a turbo. Any input or thoughts would be appreciated.
Also, when do you think the prices on the 997s will decrease due to the release of the 991?

Thanks,
Chris

 

997 S is a great car, and you will still have more than enough power, and torque, and you can always upgrade the power if you want. The 996 didn't hold their value like the current 997's, so depending also how much u wanna spend as well....

 

Thanks, the power/torque was one thing I was worried about. I didn't want to get a car with less than the Supra had. There is a used 997S at the dealership I am going to test drive one of these days, so that should answer a lot of my questions.

 

I'd personally go with the 997S, but beware that it's not a muscle car - more an athlete than a body builder. Hopefully, you can test drive both to compare them. Go with what you enjoy more, not what sounds better on paper. Good luck!

 

I think what you really want is the 997 Turbo . Given that the used pricing on Turbo cars is not too bad it may be something to consider .

 

Yea, 997 turbo is absolutely what I'd like, but I don't think I can spend over 70k on a car, was thinking more 40's or 50's

 

There's roughly a 20K price gap on a well kept used 07 997S Vs a 997tt .
When both were new that gap was 45K .

Proportionally the Turbo is one heck of a value but more importantly your first post hints at either the 996tt and 997S as a transitionary vehicle .

My feeling is wait . Save the money over buying a car only to be in love with the other car . Even at 60K (estimated price) .. why settle on the car that wasn't expressed as your number 1 choice ?

 

I'm sure I'd be happy with any of the mentioned cars. I finally have finished school and a Porsche is the only thing I've wanted for as long as I remember. I could probably get a 997 turbo, but cant rationalize spending that much on a car right now.
I wouldn't think of it as settling on a car, I was first only looking at the 997's, but after reading the forums and checking out pictures of the 996 turbo I started questioning what I really wanted. But there is no way I will be able to wait long before I get one...I have trouble sleeping already just because I'm so excited about finally owning one.

 

Fair enough . Then of the two my vote goes to the 997S . The car has cosmetic, structural, engine , and technological improvements far beyond the 996tt .

If the goal of the car is to break a speed record (Ie Teaxs Mile or drag strip ) .. it will cost a lot more than 50K to add the types of uprades .

In short .. the 997S has a great balance .. may even have some warranty and offers reliability of a newer and more sohisticated car.

 

The 997S has plenty of power. A rule that most people go by is, "Always buy the newest one you can afford." The 996 is extremely outdated, looks older than the 993's and 964. The interior looks cheap and plasticky. The 997 looks so much better. IMO. If you feel the need for speed, then save 13K for a TPC turbo. 10K for turbo + 3K for installation. Best of all worlds.

 

Larry: engine improvements far beyond a 996tt? We're talking about a 997.1 S with the M97 engine in this thread, correct?

 

We are talking about the 997.1.

I'm also planning on putting a wing an exhaust on it. How much should I expect to spend on this? I'll most likely try to hold out until I find one with this already done.

 

997s engine better than the GT1? LoL.
I debated this decision once. Only thing I can tell you is drive BOTH of them in the same day. Then you'll choose the turbo without an afterthought.

 

^that is why I restated that we're talking about an M97 motor versus a GT1 motor; I've never read something like an M97 motor being an improvement over the GT1 based motor. I agree with a 997S being a better platform than a 996tt but not on the engine and transmission afaik.

 

Drive them both, a few times. Make sure to take note of your experience with:

1) Acceleration
2) Sounds (exhaust, engine, interior)
3) Interior look & feel
4) Ride
5) Gut...which one do you REALLY want?

Whatever you do, DON'T buy something if your eye keeps wandering elsewhere. If that's the case: WAIT and SAVE...then get what you want. Prices on 996s aren't going up anytime soon, and the 997 will be affected by 991 launch, as much as I hate to admit it.