i wanted to say hi to everyone, ive been reading all your posts daily for the last few months and have been grateful for the information/awesome pics!!!

im on the verge of buying a 996 tt vs a 997 S, have driven both and like them both, but can only have one. if anyone wants to chime in and give their 2 cents bout these two cars, id love to hear it.

thanks again for a great forum of porsche owners!

 

I actually first started by looking to purchase a 996 C4S. I drove it ... wasn't really impressed about the power when compared to my M3, so the dealer told me that I should drive a 996TT, which I did. Straight line acceleration was amazing, VAST improvement over the 996 C4S. However, the handling around some corners were very hairy, feels as if the rubbers on the car were too small for the weight. Just an observation.

So I told this to the dealer, and he mentioned that I should drive one of the new 997S. So we did. The VERY FIRST corner that we took, I was as good as S-O-L-D. The car felt nimble and EXTREMELY firmly attached to the ground. Yes, the acceleration doesn't have that PUNCH that the TT had, but it was so linear and the PSE sounds so good, it really didn't really mattered.

 

really really easy choice.
997S

 

I am personally starting to fall in love with the 997's over 996tt's as well. there is just a little something about them that gives you that tingling sensation with them.

 

I have owned a c2, a 966tt, gt2, and a 997s w/x51.
The 997s is by far the finest Porsche I have driven. With the x51, it is nearly, if not equal in speed to the tt. It exeeds the handling of the tt. Remember the 996tt is six year old engineering.

Now the GT2, thats another story altogether

 

But the GT2 a good car for guys who don't track? From what I've heard, they are too uncivilized for DD/ 2-3 days per week on reg. roads. Some one prove me wrong, please!

Wow, hijack... sorry.

Turbo and 997s are both terrific cars, but for me the Turbo is more interesting, and looks better. There's always been an auro around turbos that is different from the rest.

 

wow, great info!!

esp re: the 997 S handling. i did hear that the 996 tt's might be too "hairy" and you have to respect the new tech of the 997's.

i did feel like the 996 tt's i test drove (they were all used, cant afford a new one) were a bit outdated, esp the interior vs the 997's. and unless i was gunning the 996 tt, the car actually felt slower in low rpm's than the 997's and the 997's was more linear thru the powerband.

ya, the PSE i heard is awesome....worth upgrading to?

whats the club coupe got over the 997 S? 381 HP, more torque and anything else significant, besides the +18k price option?

thanks again !

 

Had a 2001 TT and really liked it until I drove and bought my 997. You really can't go wrong on either choice, but IMHO the 997 is a better all-around car.

 

Get the 997S. I sold mine to get the F430, but I do miss the car. I think the 997S had more grip than the F430. 997S is the best sports car for under 100k.

 

i had a similar dilemma. i test drove the 996 c4s, 996 tt, 997, and 997s. i came very close to getting the 996 tt because of the raw torque and acceleration. but i felt that that's all it had over the 997s. the 997s was just move civilized and felt better through the corners. i almost signed the papers on the 996 tt, but then the dealer let me test drive a 997s that just came in, and i didn't even think about the 996 tt afterthat. i signed for the 997s within half an hour after i test drove it.

 

It's all opinion, but the 997 looks a lot nicer to me than the 996, it's a newer car which is always good, and the handling is truly awe inspiring on the 997. Good luck with your decision.

 

The club has nothing you can't order on the 997s option list, except for the paint color and the knowlege you have a limited edition

 

newtonold,

Try posting your question on the 996TT thread and see what the responses are.

I was in the same dilemma 6 mths ago--do I buy a new 997S well optioned for 90k+?, or do I get a low mile 2001 996TT for $75k?
I went with the 996TT for many reasons and think it was the best way to go. If you post your question on the 996TT thread, I, and others might respond at length as to the reasons.

 

Since you've had a RX7 and M3, I'll ask if you would be interested in a turbo car again. I wasn't when I sold my RX7. I think NA is the way to go for reliability, efficiency and keeping the weight down (in the case of 996TT).

Sounds like this is a daily driver and you like the handling as much as the engine power. I think 997S provides both well and I'd opt that over a 996TT. The 997S sound is very nice which is a huge reason it's well liked. It's fast but not as fast as TT. However, how fast do you need to go on the street? I'd opt for better handling which is more usable as a DD.

 

thx again guys for the responses, very helpful!

djantlive -
the turbo is great, dont get me wrong. but i need some serious reliability for DD & hated the oil consumption (1 quart every other week on the rx7 & m5).

plus. i do drive the canyons often, so handling is a must. good point, how fast does one need to go in the street..... eps in LA traffic.

by the 997 sound, do you mean PSE? im lookin for a Blk/Blk one w/ PSE and cant see to find it. oh ya, is the chrono + sport shifter worth gettin IYO?

dtmarsh -
am lookin at 996 tt's (2003 & up, mostly for warranty reason) vs a 997 S, they are priced about the same high 80ks to mid 90ks. so its not about the money, but about making a tuff decision. took your advice and post on the 996 tt for counters. thx guys!