I have a 2003 996tt that I've owned since new with 7400 miles on it. Completely stock in mint condition(non x-50 lapis blue/light grey interior). My question is the warranty runs out in 7 months, so now I have options. Can put an extended autogard warranty on it, or forget about that & do an evo stage I for starters & go to maybe a stage 3 or 4 later. The other option I've been thinking about is going to a new 997S. I drove a 997(non S) about a year & a half ago when they first came out. I really liked the transmission(non short throw) & remember it being one of the best street shifters I've driven. My question is for those of you that have gone to the 997S out of the 996tt what are your impressions. Does it handle better, ride better, better shifter, better stereo etc. Obviously it has less power & do you miss that alot or no big deal. Since the 997S is probably 200 to 250 lbs lighter than the 996tt does it give a more nimble driving experience. Also for those people who have come out of 996's, how big an improvement is the 997. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Before I bought my 997s I drove an 01 996tt. I really liked the interior better in the 997 and felt that it was much more responsive than the tt. Different story once the turbos kicked in on the tt though. Apparently the AWE exhaust adds 39 hp so that gets it up to ~390hp and pretty close to the tt(if it is stock at least). BOth are great, but I would much rather have the 997s.

 

i had the privilege of storing my friend's 02TT. it was a great car. there is nothing that will compare when that turbo kicks in. it handled well and was an excitment to drive. i had a 02 C4S at that time and was the TT was better in everyway.

i now have a 997S. i would agree with you that the car is just a much better design and put together vehicle. the power still doesn't compare to the TT, but the transmission, the ride, and the refinement are just impressive. it is an awesome car and i just can't stop smiling everytime i drive it.

 

ghey, at least people sitting next to u in traffic will think that way. don't worry. i do the same.

 

If the AWE exhaust system really does add 39HP that well worth it to get the new body style 997S over the 996TT!

 

unfortunately i have only driven the car twice since brought it home.. this rain is killing me. but no way i will let the car get in the rain...as long as i can control it.

 

Yep, I just placed my order for the AWE system....you can get another 10-12 HP on top of the 39 HP with the GIAC flash...then you will be sitting pretty at nearly 400 horses in the 997S!

 

Holy crap what a deal, less than $6k you can probably get to 410-415HP maybe. You can also add on the Cold Air Intake System for the additional power. How many cats are there on the 997S? Is it four like the Cayenne Turbo?

 

Stupid rain. In the five weeks since purchasing your C4S, I have driven 110 miles. 50 miles the very first day bringing you back to your office and then going back to PV, 60 miles since then. 110 wonderful miles, but I'd like to drive more! It seems as if every time I get a day off, it is raining.

 

Wow I had no idea 997S stock exhaust was that restrictive
I really find it hard to believe there is that much to be gained just by swapping the pluming.
In any case 996tt is still way stronger than a 997S with AWE exhaust or GIAC flash.

IMO 997S is an awesome car and it is superior 996 or 996 4s, but not to a 996TT.

 

all the rain is quiet unusual for socal. for the first time, we have to watch the weather before driving!! but somehow, i get a big smile looking at the car anyway. enjoy the car mike. no matter how much i love my 997S, that c4s is still my first porsche and a beauty.

 

There are a couple of restrictions on the exhaust side of the 997S, the cats and the headers. The headers are a really strange design. Only the 997S has these and the way they merge is completely bizaare. Very strage!

 

Are there any dyno's of the 39HP from an exhaust? That's pretty crazy to leave that much power locked up. That would be more than 100HP/liter. I wouldn't believe it without many people posting their own dyno sheets.

 

I test driven a 2003 996 turbo, and loved the power but the ride and interior design/ materials are better on the 997. The PSE is ao sweet on the 997S
I haven't even turned on the Bose yet.

 

Just picked up my 911S and I like it a lot. I think the quality is much better than the 996. The power delivery is very responsive unlike the 996TT.

I'll dyno my car for a baseline HP and post it up. I'm considering the exhaust system if it really does give that much HP.