This is a good review of the Porsche triptronic button shifter. Importantly, I noted that starting in 2002 the Turbo receives its own specially designed transmission to better handle the power, which should make it more robust and also last longer than the 2001 and earlier models. http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Drivi..._at_track_days

Other thoughts on the manual vs triptronic button shifter?

 

I drove a 2000 w/tiptronic for a while (a few years ago). Before you start internally debating tip vs manual, check out the PDK (it is just like the DCT in the GT-R). Once you experience this, you may never view tiptronic the same.

(I'm saying this because the consideration between tip/manual are relevant. If you were a die hard 6sp manual type of guy, this part of the conversation would never have existed)

In my opinion, the PDK is worth checking out (or if anybody can give you a ride in a GT-R - it is basically the same concept).

 

But PDK is only available on the 977tt, or years 2008 and on, or something like that right? If so, it's not a consideration since I'm not interested in the 997tt over the 996tt. I like that the 996tt is so far along the deprecaition curve from being 8 years old (2002 model I'm looking at), yet can be had for $46k with ~30k miles and should be quite reliable and not so expensive to maintain, despite its age. $46k is really cheap for ~420 HP and 0-60 in around 4.0 seconds and 190+ MPH. I have a feeling the 996tt will be much more exciting to drive over the Jag XKR or M6, which are in the same price range.

Getting a Vantage right now is just stretching too much financially for me, especially if I want it with sportshift and the 4.7L, which is then $90k-$100k right now. I'm not buying the GTR if I can't test drive it somehow, and I have reservations about buying a car only 1 year into a deprecation curve, limited production or not. The GTR is also nearly $20k more expensive than the Porsche, which means more opportunity cost of $ which I need to earn a living and higher sales tax and probably higher insurance rates too. Furthermore, for any car enthusiast, owning a Porsche tt at somepoint is pretty much a requirement . It will be interesting to see how I feel about the 996tt once I get a chance to drive one.

Right now I'm leaning toward the 6 speed regular manual in 996tt. My second "performance car" really should be manual, and I've always wanted to own a manual. Furthermore, the regular manual should be cheaper to maintain with respect to wear or a failure. It should also make selling the car easier, since there is more demand for the 6 speed tt's likely.

 

By the way, I got some insurance quotes from Geico, all with $1k deductinble comprehensive coverage, $300/300k, and $50k of property damage liablity protection. Since I'm now 25, and have a law degree, it seems my education has finally provided some tangible financial benefit in the form of reasonably cheap insurance for someone my age.

GTR only: ~$1,350 annually
GTR and G35: $1,675 annually

G35 only: $810 annually
G35 and Porsche 996 GT2 (they didn't have Turbo listed online, but I assume it should be even cheaper for the TT vs the GT2): $1,116 annually

They don't list Aston Martin, but I'm expecting to see something closer to $2k with the Aston and G35.

I'll obviously need to further shop around once I get the car, but that's good for a basic idea.

Obviously, there would be no warranty cost with the 2002 996tt. I've read a new transmission on the 996tt with triptronic costs about $10k if it fails, and I think around $6.5k if manual (vs $23k for a GTR or about $20k for an Aston, depending on if manual or sportshift, the latter costing more). A new clutch for the manual 996tt is only about $750 I think. I will start using that Valvoline 300k mile free engine warranty (up to $5k coverage) to cover the engine parts: http://www.engineguarantee.com/displ...k&locale=en_US . I already use this for my G35 now that the Powertrain warranty is running out. Its pretty easy to comply with, just keep sales reciepts and "upload oil change data" (note I didn't say actually change the oil, just have reciept and upload info to Valvoline every 4k miles), and you can DIY oil changes too, no need to get it done at dealer, every 4k miles driven. The 996tt will be updated to 997tt rims, for $800 on ebay if I trade in my old rims I think, and since the rim size is only 18'', the cost of new tires (not nitrogen like GTR's 20'' monsters) will also be cheap in comparison.

Overall, I am really liking the value the 996tt delivers on paper right now. Value is perhaps the most important consideration to me right now. I really hope the driving experience keeps this trend, and if so, my target buy date will be as soon after graduation on May 14th as possible.

 

And now I've discovered the turbo's optional $17,880 costing X50 package. O yes, o yes.

 

how about a new caddy cts v? not your style? well I doubt a nissan is then too :lol:

 

go with the R35

 

I drove a 325 HP 2007 Porsche Carerra S, with triptronic shift today, as well as dug up some Porsche Intel...

Power/Handeling: The 325 HP Carrera S I drove apparantly does 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, and it felt pretty quick, and taught too, and sounded pretty good too. It was not Aston sound, and probably not as good as a XKR above 5500 RPM, but overall it had a good powerful sound to it, just not as deep. I liked the feel of it, it was responsive, turned well, easy to see out of and comfortable. Despite this (and the salesman's pressurings to go for the Carerra), it did not have enough additional power over my 285HP G35 to make it an upgrade in my mind, expecially for the $70k sticker they wanted for it. I'd rather buy 4 used G35's for that, tie them together, and have a 1,000 HP quad car . I told them I've got my eye's on the 415 HP 996tt, nothing less.

Finish: I was actually quite impressed with the quality of materials and feel inside the cabin. It was nicer that photos make it look inside, but obviously a far cry from Aston nice inside.

Fit: I am only able to possibly fit to drive manual in a 997 with regular, not sport, seats. Otherwise, I simply cannot work the clutch at all unless they remove the left foot rest and put the clutch there . The 996's steering wheel only telescopes out (barely) and does not shift up/down, the result being there is no way my left leg can get to the cluch comfortably. This up/down shift is only added to the 997 model, which started in 2005 for the Carerra, but not until 2007 (apparantly) for the Turbo. This puts the 997 Turbo in 2007 too high up in the deprecation curve for me. So that mean's I am not able to get the Turbo in manual, nor PDK, only triptronic. It also means I can't get the X50 package to 450HP either, since it's only available in manual transmission.

PDK shift: This is thier upgrade transmission from triptronic and is the quicker dual clutch system. But, it was not introduced until 2009, so not an option for me.

TripTronic reveiw: The Carrera S I drove today had TripTronic button shifters. Overall, I was pleased with it. It shifted smoothly and fast enough (although nothing like the lightning and precision of the XKR's shifts). Still, it was world's better feeling than the Vantage's that felt like I was going to break it. It also launced perfectly, just like a normal automatic, and not liek the shaky Vantage off launches. (despite my compaints about the Aston, I'd still take it over the Turbo if it was 1/2 the price ). My biggest complaint about the triptronic is that when coming to a standstill, it downshifts automatically only to second gear. This really pisses me off when sports cars do this; my Dad's Lexus GS300 does this, which is fine for him in a four door saloon, but why does a Porsche sports car do this? Fortuantely, the solution is simple enough, which is just pressing the down shift button and you'll pop nicely into first for launch (Dad's GS300 will not even allow this, manually you can only do 2-5th gear). It's a little annoyance, but one I'd probably soon enough forget about after I got used to downshifting to first when I want/need first to launch (second ovbiously has plenty of power for normal launches).

I also spoke with thier service manager extensively about the Turbo's reliability in general, and specifically with the triptronic. To sum it up, it seems these things hardly ever break. The triptronic is a automatic transmission with a torque converter, not the auto-manual Aston Vantage/Vanquish/Audi R8/BMW SMG type make that are more prone to break and be quite costly. This service manger, whom I really liked, was a huge car nut and had worked for Aston, Ferrari, Porsche, ect, and said the Porsches are like woodburning stoves, they never break. He said truely I'd have very little to worry about with a 2002-2004 Turbo, in general, and with the triptronic.

I'm pretty sure the 2002 model Turbo got some upgrades like Bose 12 speaker stereo and its own beefed up triptronic gearbox, as in 2001 and previously, they used the same triptronic system through the entire 911 range, and even those had no repair issues, but they beefed it up in 2002 to better handle the more power for the Turbo and GT2.

Rims: If I do this, I want the 997tt rims put on. I've gotten no feedback about the legitimacy of the 997tt rim listings on ebay for $899 for the set. Porsche wants about $750 per rim in 18'' size. See my two links above to the rims and please let me know what you think.

I'm also not sure if the 18'' tires on the 2002-2004 Turbo can be taken off and put on the new 997tt rims, or if I have to buy new tires too.

Conclusion: I'll still need to drive a 2002-2004 996tt with triptronic (black in color) and see what I think, but considering the price range of sub $50k with under 40k miles after the rim change, this is my top running candidate. I'm not sure what of this nature is available around me, but I'll start looking tonight.

After all this, I'm going to have the qualifications and skills to work at any used exotic car dealership I want :-P.

ETA: My other complaint about the triptronic is that since its buttons, no shifting in the turns. Still, I can deal with that, but fixed paddles like the new 2010 models would be better.

 

Mike-I love the 996TT, it is an amazing performance bargain now having been in excess of @125k or so new. I still do not understand why it has not held value well (look at the previous generation Turbo). Perhaps its because its the first water cooled model and the purists snuff it? Perhaps its the egg splat headlapms? Regardless, its a lot of car for the money.

It was my second choice (a 997TT) before I chose the Vantage.

From reading your posts, I would say the 996 X50 may be the perfect fit for you.....

 

I think I edited my post after you posted...X50 package is out since it only comes in manual, and I can't fit in a 996tt manual b/c there is no room for my left leg to get at the clutch since the steering wheel does not move up/down in the turbo until year 2007, and that's the 997 style and too pricey. The other problem with the X50 is that the rarity makes it another $10k it looks like, which is then getting awfully close to current used GTR prices too, not that I'm saying I'd like the drive of the GTR better than the 996tt (although at this rate I'll never know...I stopped in a Nissan dealership again today and told them I"m going to get a Turbo if they don't let me at least try the GTR and I was just mumbled to that I needed to come back another day and talk to the sales manager, blah).

I agree, $46k for a low (sub 40k) 996tt is tremendous value, especially added to its reliability and relatively low cost of maintenance.

As I said, the exhaust on the Carerra S was pretty good, but I want more than that. I was told the Turbo is deeper, but even quieter at least at low revs/idle b/c of the turbos. Still, a easy muffler bypass J pipe would take care of that issue if I wanted.

 

Those rims I linked to above are indeed replica rims. No dice on that. I'm not buying a 996tt just to look pretty, and don't want to worry about rim integrity at 100mph+. Will have to see how to get the real deal 997tt rims elseware. I'll start a post in the 997tt subforum.

 

hey mike whats up...its taken me awhile to read up on this hair pulling thread im also looking to replace my 2005 g35 which i love a lot.....since this is my DD car im looking for a more faster,luxurious, all around better car....so far i have looked at used m3's (e92) m6's cl-series benz's sl-series gt-r etc. your search seems to be amazing and tough. for what i have read and the cars you have talked about there is no doubt that the aston is in your heart. seeing that you dont have a garage and live in an are with snow it would be smarter to go with the gtr (not saying it doesnt deserve a garage) my advice would be to hold out on the aston or whatever european exotic your looking at for a few years so that you will be finacialy better and lifestyle wise. having a g35 myself and test driving the gtr i know you already love the nissan/infiniti workmanship. the gtr should of been the new g37 imo more closley related to our g35's than the new toned down g37. when riding in the gtr you feel the heritage that the gtr has and the wow factor. its truly an amazing machine... i personally think it looks great and does everything great... however i have no experience with astons or jags so thats not my business...unless you are a 911 fan from when you were a young kid i truly dont think it will do it for you personally...same thing with the corvette and other legendary vehicles... so this is just my 2 cents gtr is my vote unless ur thinking of hanging on to the G a bit more i hope this helps you buddy cant wait to see what you choose to do

 

Well this changes things...

Their are only two people who are supposed to deal with your purchase of a GT-R: The GM, and the dealer principal (who ever this is elected by the GM). If you are talking to a salesman, you are wasting your time. You had it right, talk to the sales manager, or the GM himself, and please don't feel like you're expecting too much. I ONLY spoke with my GM, and he is the ONLY person who has 'sold' GT-R's. There are a lot of rules that Nissan put on this car that keeps it exclusive from the rest of the Nissans on the lot. I'd call the GM (or sales manager) and schedule a test drive. I wouldn't even go down there anymore. Whether or not you choose to divulge that you've spoken with a worthless salesman (I know - redundant) is up to you.

 

Nissan will probably call you back for a test drive eventually...I guess they figure if you are this persistent you MUST be serious and not just out for a joyride. That being said, you mention that a 996 TT X-51 with a TIP would fit the bill, so why not try a flashed/modded 996 TT / Tip....easily attaining the HP of an X-51.....

 

you are correct...when i went to look at the car they were just opening and it was the GM that walked up to me and started talking to me...i wasnt there for the gtr but to see the new 370z....after a while he talked he into looking at the gtr sitting in the middle of the showroom and took it out for me to drive it...i am a young guy and came in with my g35 also btw....i guessed i looked serious enough